Teaching English In Japan Choosing An ESL School
f you’re thinking of very large chain schools with
making a major detour in literally hundreds of locations
your life and want to try throughout Japan like ECC, Geos
something really different, you and Nova and your smaller
might consider teaching English privately owned schools. These
in Japan. Because the Japanese may have only 4 or 5 branches,
have an almost insatiable many have only a single branch.
appetite for learning English,
there is quite a lot of work out Differences in Accommodations
there. But before you hop on a
plane and fly 10,000 miles east Large ESL schools usually have
you should give some serious accommodations for you. Generally
thought to what kind of school they pay the key money and will
you want to teach for. handle communications with your
landlord if anything breaks.
Before we go any further, keep in Often they will rent several
mind that smaller schools aren’t units in 1 apartment house, so
necessarily any easier to teach you’ll have friendly faces just 2
for than the large chain schools. doors down. It can be very
To be perfectly honest, I’ve convenient not to mention make
heard horror stories from both. things a whole lot easier to have
(Yes, even the Jet Program.) So colleagues next door to point you
anything said about the pros and in the right direction or help
cons are at best a get you connected.
generalization.
Smaller schools sometimes don’t
The Basic Types of Schools offer accommodations because they
prefer to hire from within Japan.
There are basically two types of There is less risk in doing so
English conversation schools. The and they simply don’t want to
fork out the key money. So many one.) So you’ll be responsible
times if you want to work for a for planning your own lessons.
smaller school, you may have to This can give you the chance to
find your own accommodations in experiment with new ESL games,
Japan.) No easy feat! (This can activities and texts. Ultimately
be several thousand dollars. So it makes you a better teacher.
be sure to ask about this and
remember finding a place to live Differences in Teaching
is usually harder than finding a Atmosphere
job in Japan. (Provided you don’t
want to live in a shared Large ESL schools tend to see
arrangement like a “gaijin” or their teachers as expendable.
guest house. With their massive recruiting
budget and connections, they can
How ESL Schools Differ in replace teachers in the blink of
Curriculum a young girl’s eye. This results
in a colder atmosphere and causes
Large ESL schools often won’t faster turnover in the staff,
have any flexibility in their which again adds to a colder
curriculum. You will teach what atmosphere because long-term
you’re told to teach. If you bonds never get made. Some of
don’t have experience or them also discourage contact with
confidence in laying out lesson students after classes. Often
plans and would prefer not to do large schools will put a
it, then this inflexibility will non-fraternization clause into
be a plus. their contracts for you to sign.
If you’re seen out with students,
Smaller ESL schools will often be you may be reprimanded or fired.
more flexible with their
curriculum (if they even have Smaller ESL schools tend to treat
the teacher as a part of their so far out in the country, that
team and may value your opinions it’s hard to find teachers. Often
and input on various school it’s easier to get raises (or
functions. They also allow you to bigger raises) and other perks
hangout with students after class from smaller ESL schools than the
– this helps build relationships larger ones. They don’t have such
and ads to the whole experience. a well-oiled recruitment machine
It’s nice to be able to attend a so it’s tough and a big pain for
party thrown by one of your them to replace teachers. If your
students quality teaching helps build
their student base, they’re often
Differences in Money quicker to recognize your efforts
through larger contract renewal
Large school salaries will all be bonuses, raises and other perks.
in the 250,000 yen range. Your
large chain schools usually give Whether you choose a large or
some kind of bonus - whether it small school, you’ll still be
is a free ticket back or a afforded the opportunity to get a
completion bonus. Generally the first hand look at a very unique
raises will be very small. culture, make friends that last a
lifetime and get your
Smaller ESL schools often give a international career off to a
bit more in the salary category good start!
simple because some of them are
About the Author:
John Paxton is an ESL teacher living and working in central Japan.
You can find more detailed information about what to expect teaching in Japan at http://www.all-about-teaching-english-in-japan.com
Distribution of this article is permissible as long as the entire article including author information and website address are included.
Read more articles by: John Paxton
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