Teaching English in Japan

Teachers' advice / Japan

Hi, for three years I worked as an EFL Instructor in Japan. I would definitely recommend Japan as a place to work as the pay is good and you can pick up lots of private work if you want extra on top of a full time job.

I worked for a NOVA, a big EFL company, and I found them to be pretty fair employers. A representative meets you at the airport and then another member of staff will take you to your accommodation. NOVA accommodation is a little pricey but after a couple of months you may find other teachers to move in with at a cheaper rate. Try to find accommodation that has no Key Money (an expensive gift of money to your landlord/lady).

At the orientation meeting you attend, advice is given on banking, mobile phones, teaching, and living in Japan etc. I would recommend that you do a recce of the place of your orientation a day or so before. This will help you see how long it takes to get there and to familiarize yourself with the route. On the day of your orientation you will feel more at ease and will know how long to allow yourself for the commute etc.

With NOVA, you don't get as much holiday as you would if you were a JET. Yet, you have the flexibility of shift swaps with other members of the teaching staff, which are great for if you want to see Japan, go home for a visit or go to other foreign countries.

Before you leave for Japan try to learn at least a few stock polite phrases. Being polite and respectful is of great importance in Japan. I lived in Kyoto which is beautiful but the locals can be a little aloof, but on visiting Hiroshima I found the people very friendly and welcoming, same with Tokyo.

While you are in Japan try to visit Kyoto during the different Festival times, such as the Gion Festival, Kurama's Fire Festival or Obon. Great bars to go to in Kyoto are Abar, Bar ING and Bar Africa. Also there are lots of great foods to try as well as sushi. There is Okinumiyaki, blow fish, Suki Yaki and tonkatsu. But there are also strange toppings on pizza, such as green salads and potatoes and mayo!

Take lots of photos and don't forget to try the Karaoke boxes with your mates, even if you can't sing, the cheesey videos that accompany the songs are classic viewing and are usually completely unrelated to the songs. Enjoy!"
Marie, 27/11/05
After 8 years of living and working in Japan, I have been asked to give advice to many people interested in coming here. However, the most important bit of advice that I would like to pass on is that regardless of the country you are visiting, you will be seen as a representative of your home country. In fact, the image that locals have of you will in some cases, be the image that they have of the country you are from. Japan is a country filled with beautiful sights, wonderful people and fantastic opportunities. Many foreigners who come here do a great job of representing their country, however there are more than a few who come here simply to party, and to take advantage of the kindness that is shown to them by their Japanese hosts. When they leave they damage not only their own reputations but also those of their respective countries and their fellow countrymen that follow.

When you come to Japan, take some time to learn the basics. Learn to speak the language! If you are teaching, prepare your lessons carefully! Express gratitude for the kindnesses you receive! Although paid lessons can be very lucrative, volunteer your time once a week at a local community centre to help out those who may be interested in English but not able to make it to a private school. Take part in local festivals.

Most of all, remember that you are a guest in a foreign country... remember your manners. Embrace living abroad and use your time wisely to enrich your knowledge of your target culture and language."
Chris, 24/04/06
I worked in Yokohama, Fujisawa, Tokyo and Otaru during two 1-year contracts teaching English. My students included all age groups and vocations. Some were houswives, others were bankers or engineers. This was mostly with NOVA, in addition to some private contracts with companies whose employees needed teachers. If the Yen hadn't devalued so consistently over that time, I would have remained at least another year.

You couldn't ask for better students, though good teachers must have great patience and empathy with students as they tend to be rather reserved/shy. Afraid of losing face by making errors, they'd rather remain silent, which can annoy some teachers who want to move on through the lesson. If this kind of learning process bothers you, try Korea or China, where learners are more willing to take risks. I have to say they are some of the nicest people in the world, and I've been in international environments for almost 20 years.

NOVA just went bankrupt, leaving many teachers, students and staff in the lurch. However there are many other schools. Just know what you are agreeing to do. I've known teachers whose varied class schedules sent them scurrying about by subway, train and bus between lessons located in various parts of the city. You end up wasting time in transport, and it wears you down. Better to have students come to your school so you can prepare and have materials and your space at hand.
Franklin, 27/12/07
Hi, I worked in North Tokyo for 1 year. Japan is very expensive and if you live on your own you will spend around 50% of your wages on accommodation. The trains in Tokyo stop at around 12.30 so if you live outside of central Tokyo going out at night is difficult because most of the nightclubs and sports bars are in central Tokyo. Many private schools send teachers to different schools every day so you will spend a lot of time on trains. I spent 3-4 hours a day traveling. It's best to work for a small school that recruits from within Japan or take a few part-time jobs. I left my house at around 10.30 everyday and got home at around 10.30-11.30pm so my life was all work. I wish I had a 9-5 contract with two days of together instead of split days then I could of seen more of Japan. At the moment wages are starting to fall because many schools have financial problems due to the economic downturn."
Peter, 27/04/09

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