Is "先生 / せんせい / sensei" haughty or overly-formal If I were to tell my Japanese friend that I plan to become a teacher, would I literally say that I will become a sensei? I have always thought of this as an honorific title, and it feels odd to call myself as such. I don't know of any "general" term for teacher. Is there one? Thank you.

In general, you're correct. Calling yourself as _sensei_ has to be avoided, because it's an honorific word. The better word is .

However there is an exception. If you are to become Sensei of elementary schools or kindergartens, I think it is OK to say "", at least informally. Kids do not understand honorific expressions, and teachers in those facilities frequently use as the first-person.

"/" would be frowned upon in a formal setting.

**EDIT:** Actually my answer didn't mention how "/" sounds like in _informal_ situations, but in that case I totally agree with @dainichi.