Inside the Life of an English Teacher in Japan

InfoThis is a summary of the following YouTube video:

What Teaching English in Japan is REALLY like

TAKASHii from Japan

Jul 21, 2023

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People & Blogs

Pros and cons of teaching English in Japan

  1. The speaker, Takashi, interviews various English teachers in Japan, including those working in public schools, aikawa schools, and those who own their own English teaching companies.
  2. One interviewee from Michigan, U.S., has been in Japan for about nine years and currently teaches music at an International School. They initially found their English teaching job in Japan through their sister, who was already teaching there.
  3. Finding English teaching jobs in Japan can often be done through mutual friends or relatives, but there are also several main websites like gaijinpot.com that are commonly used and offer legitimate job options.
  4. A major pro of teaching English in Japan is the opportunity to enter the country with a visa, allowing individuals to explore Japan, learn the language, and experience the culture.
  5. A significant con is that English teachers in Japan often have a bad reputation because many use the job as a means to enter Japan and do not take their teaching responsibilities seriously, doing only the bare minimum.

Challenges of teaching English in Japan

  1. Foreigners in Japan, especially English teachers, often face stereotypes. They are sometimes perceived as loud and disruptive, which can negatively impact the perception of all foreigners in Japan.
  2. Many Japanese people assume that all foreigners in Japan are English teachers, which can lead to generalized judgments about foreign behavior.
  3. Learning Japanese can be challenging for English teachers because they are required to create an English-only environment at work, limiting their opportunities to practice Japanese.
  4. The demanding work schedule of many English teachers in Japan leaves them exhausted, reducing their motivation and time to learn Japanese outside of work.
  5. Despite the initial excitement about learning Japanese, many English teachers find it difficult to achieve fluency due to the lack of practice opportunities and the demanding nature of their jobs.
  6. Some foreigners who come to Japan as language students before working find it easier to learn Japanese, but not everyone has this opportunity.
  7. Even after several years, many English teachers in Japan struggle with basic Japanese conversations due to the challenges mentioned.

Teaching English in Japan has pros and cons

  1. The salary for first-year English teachers in Japan is generally not great, ranging from 210,000 to 230,000 Yen per month. This is considered an average salary in Japan.
  2. Qualifications such as a bachelor's degree are often required to secure a basic salary as an English teacher in Japan.
  3. The speaker has been in Japan for a total of three years and has worked as an English teacher for two and a half years.
  4. They worked at an 'eikaiwa,' which is a conversational English school where Japanese people learn English through conversation. The focus is on being open and friendly.
  5. In the speaker's eikaiwa, only adults were taught, with both private one-on-one lessons and small group lessons of up to six people. The students were usually looking to improve their English for vacations or job purposes.
  6. As a non-native English teacher from Italy, the speaker found it challenging to get a job and a work visa, despite having a BA and an MA. They initially had to get a student visa before finding employment.
  7. The salary at the eikaiwa was sufficient to get by and allowed for some travel, but it was not enough to become wealthy.
  8. Teaching at an eikaiwa involves a lot of conversation, which helps teachers learn about Japanese culture as students share their lives and experiences.

Teaching English in Japan has pros and cons

  1. Teaching English in Japan allows close relationships with students, who often give gifts like fruit. This can be surprising but is a sign of their appreciation.
  2. Working for a Japanese company can involve long hours and limited time off. The speaker mentions having only 10 days off per year, sometimes not being able to take all of them, and going to work even when unwell to avoid losing days off.
  3. Learning Japanese while teaching English can be challenging. The speaker often switches to English when conversations become difficult, as their Japanese friends can speak English.
  4. The speaker, Leina Bambino, is an educator in Tokyo who teaches mainly kids at a cram school and also offers private lessons. She has been in Japan for eight years and is half Japanese, half Italian-Irish from Los Angeles.
  5. Leina does not need to teach English to stay in Japan due to her Japanese passport but continues because she finds it rewarding. She enjoys seeing kids understand and communicate in English.
  6. Teaching adults privately in Japan can be risky. Leina is uncomfortable sharing personal information online and meeting strangers due to potential safety concerns. She mentions incidents where students became overly attached to teachers.

Explore diverse job options in Japan

  1. Teaching English in Japan is common but comes with risks. It's important to be aware of these risks before starting.
  2. Don't limit yourself to teaching English; there are other job opportunities available in Japan even if you don't speak Japanese. Research and explore different options.
  3. Many people choose to teach English in Japan because it's perceived as the easiest way to get a job, but it's not the only option. Keep researching and looking for other opportunities.
  4. One interviewee from England teaches English in Japan and has his own company, offering online lessons. He started by teaching at an international school for children aged 0 to 16, then moved to teaching adults, and eventually created his own company.
  5. The interviewee built an online following and community before leaving his job, which helped him transition smoothly to running his own business. He worked 30-40 hours at his job and 20-30 hours on his business during the transition period.
  6. He emphasized the importance of building a foundation before leaving a secure job, especially if you have a family. This preparation helped him ensure a smooth transition.
  7. The interviewee initially taught English in England on a one-on-one basis before moving to Japan. He found his first job in Japan through extensive searching and used job search engines like Gaijinpot.

Challenges and strategies of teaching English in Japan

  1. Teaching English in Japan is popular among foreigners because it is conducted entirely in English, which helps many people overcome language barriers.
  2. The speaker has a unique situation as an English teacher with a family, including two kids, and runs his own English teaching business, requiring him to secure enough clients independently.
  3. At home, the speaker uses English extensively to help his children become bilingual, while his wife, who is Japanese, and the children use Japanese in their daily lives and at school.
  4. Despite the heavy use of English, the speaker emphasizes the importance of dedicating time each day to learning Japanese, even if it's just 10 minutes, to improve language skills.
  5. The video aims to provide insights and assistance to those planning to come to Japan as English teachers, highlighting both the challenges and strategies for success.