Advice needed: Options For Teaching English in Japan

I'm just over 2 months into a 1 year working holiday visa and my goal of finding an IT job is fading. I wanted to give it a shot first, and the response was encouraging, but my lack of Japanese is stopping me from getting the jobs. I recently thought maybe I rushed things and came here too soon? Nah! I would have been bored back in England and constantly thinking "what if". I'm here now, it's the best thing I've ever done, so I'll make the best of it!

I told myself I would at least give it a try and if it failed I would look into teaching English. Since learning Japanese I have gained a better view of my own language and think it would be fun to teach others.

So the IT job will have to be put on hold for a year or two and the search for a job teaching English begins! But I have a few reservations about it:

1. Although I'm a native English speaker and could explain the difference between "need" and "want", I don't know the language at the finer level. To remedy this I'm reading up about the finer points.
   
2. I'm not the most out-going of persons and I tend to be quiet by nature. However I can be fun and lively when the time is needed!

So for me to teach English I would need to:

1. Read up about teaching English. If I can't answer a question straight away just offer to find the answer for next lesson (or explain this is what I'd do to an interviewer). That's reasonable, right?
   
2. Just do it. I like motivational quotes and my latest is "I would rather regret the things that I have done than the things that I have not", so I just need to do it and see.
   
3. Get some sort of training first.

So if I went for a job I'd need initial training and one-to-one is probably my best bet. That's why I first looked at GABA.

GABA has a bad reputation but from what I gather the reputation originated from around 2001-2006. I hear things are a little better now but it still pays a low amount. 1500 yen per 40 minute lesson. There are some bonuses but apparently they are difficult to get. Most comments I have read suggest it is ok as extra work on the side but not good for full time work.

Good comments:

• They allow for a very flexible schedule. You can choose what days and time you wish to work. However you will most likely need to work evenings and weekends because that's the time most people want to take lessons.
  
• If you turn up on time and don't get bad reviews from students you are left to it. No management breathing down your neck.

Bad comments:

• The pay is low
  
• You are required to do 3 days unpaid training and possibly further unpaid training later on.
  
• Although you have a flexible schedule you are not paid for holidays.
  
• Most pupils choose their tutor, so if you aren't popular you don't get booked (maybe I should put up a picture of brad pitt for my profile!)
  
• If you don't get booked for a lesson you said you would be available for you are left sitting around and don't get paid (not sure how true this is.. sounds ridiculous!)
  
• They don't pay for transportation costs
  
• They won't sponsor your visa until after 4 months of working with them.

Conclusion:

I don't think GABA is for me. The idea of one-to-one is great. I like that they give you training and don't mind that it is unpaid, but the pay is low, the chance of not being paid is too high and there are too many other negatives.

I've taken a brief look at AEON and Berlitz. They seem very good and I'm thinking of applying there but need to read up a little more about them.

If you have any advice on which is the best company to work for or any other tips on teaching English in Japan I would love to hear from you. You can leave a comment here or contact me directly. I may end up owing you quite a few beers!

Neil Duckett said on Mon 2009/01/26 12:37 JST:

Some generic teaching advice. I'm not a trained teacher but many years ago part of my job role was to teach. We were given NO training on how to teach, we were thrown into the deepend. Although i knew the software i was instructing on i didn't know the courseware that well and also i had never stood in front of a class of strangers before. It's not easy at first but it does get better, much better and you will enjoy it. As for learning how to do this i'm not sure you can by any other means that just getting up there and doing it.

I had the added challenge of being mid 20's at the time and having students ranging from 18 to 50 all wanting to try and trip me up. Easiest way to overcome it was to let them know very early in the peace that i"ve forgotten more than they know. You wont have this issue teaching English so you should have a group of people willing and ready to learn from you.

If i were you i'd try not to think about and plan this too much, just get a job teaching and work out what you need to do to make it easier as you go. Good luck.

Chris said on Mon 2009/01/26 13:01 JST:

Thanks Neil. I've definitely been over-thinking it, and have jumped right into it this week.

I spent my teens and early twenties stuck behind a computer screen. It'll probably do me good to do something different for a year or two.

Liv said on Mon 2009/01/26 13:14 JST:

Chris, change is good. The thing I've noticed about teaching, overall, is that when it's good, it's really good and when it's bad, it's really, really bad. Just like anything else. As for training, I believe NOVA gives 2 days and ECC gives 2 weeks, but I hear they're going through a transition right now with their trainers. NOVA is notorious for being a sweatshop; they don't pay you for your 10 minute breaks in between classes. My friend applied to work at GABA and he had the same impression of them that you did.

Chris said on Mon 2009/01/26 13:25 JST:

Thanks Liv. I'll just have to give it a try and if it's really bad I'll just make a change. I've heard nothing but bad things about NOVA and GABA seems a little better but not great for full-time work.

I'd definitely be more comfortable with a business that provides 2 weeks training. 2 days just doesn't seem enough.

Danielle said on Mon 2009/01/26 15:03 JST:

Hey Chris,
I just had a friend leave GABA though she wasn't in the same position as you (as in needing a job) - from what she said the points you make above are correct except for two things:
1) if you want to make the full amount of money they promise it will only be after three months AND after more compulsory unpaid training (which is just unethical in my view since its specific to the company and not a teaching certification you can use elsewhere)
2) Where she was management did kinda of breathe down her neck - she had no complaints but their focus on 'training' meant that they did many reviews and made up things for her to work on if there weren't any complaints from students. Apparently there is some compliance thing which means they have to show they are continually training their staff.

As for taking a break from IT be careful - I have met many people now who have been here far longer than they expected (mostly because they got married) and eight, ten years later they are still teaching and regretting never following the career they really wanted. When you're young it seems you have forever but if you take a break at the beginning of your career and want to dive back in, you'll be catching up forever and missing out on the career relationships you could build when you are at the same level as those who are the same age as you. Trust this wise old woman LOL!

If English teaching is a means to an end then fair enough but I suggest you don't stop looking for an IT job as well if that's your training and the career you want. I respect greatly those who choose to teach because they love it and who would teach wherever they were but the whole world sees teaching English in Japan as a job they will give to anyone and an IT job on your resume will serve you a lot better in the future - especially if you choose to stay here.

Alex said on Mon 2009/01/26 15:10 JST:

Nova doesn't exist anymore. It was pretty big news when it went bankrupt. I assume G.communication is just as bad as Nova was, though.

"I still feel uneasy about not really knowing it."

Just read up on the very basics, and you'll fall into line. The more you study Japanese the more you begin to recognize the inner-workings of English. Sounds strange, right? But learning a foreign language tunes you into your mother tongue.

You'll get asked a lot of questions that will trip you up, but I see them as a fun challenge, and once you come up with an answer you'll always know it from then on.

"I’m not the most out-going of persons and I tend to be quiet by nature."

You'll find the rhythm. I'm a very shy person; prefer hanging out with a few good friends over going clubbing. But I think teaching English has actually trained me to be a little bit more outgoing. I have to be, after all.


If you're thinking of AEON, know that it's a gamble. For me, it was hell. Others from my training group had it great. It all depends on your branch manager, and even if you get a good one there's no guarantee that they'll be there for the entire duration of your contract. I had an amazing manager for my first 3 months, and then I had Satan's-love-spawn for the rest of my contract.

If you can wait until July we might have a position for you at our modest school up here in Northern Japan. The school owner is nice. Besides teaching, I'm also a curriculum/branch manager, meaning I'd be dictating your work, if that's something you might find tolerable. We might have some new contracted work starting in July, but it's not finalized. We get the green light (or red...) in March sometime. But you'd need a driver's license and transportation.

Chris said on Mon 2009/01/26 15:23 JST:

Hi Danielle. Cheers for the extra info. I haven't given up on the hunt for an IT job yet. I just found another job listing and applied. So fingers crossed!

I would've gone straight into teaching English, but that was exactly my fear; getting into it and finding it very difficult to get out again. I could see myself enjoying it, but it's gamble and a drastic change career-wise.

Chris said on Mon 2009/01/26 15:47 JST:

Thanks Alex. Before I started learning Japanese I wasn't really interested in languages. Now since studying I'm getting more and more interested in all of them, English included.

I'm similar to you, prefer hanging out with a few good friends. I'd savor the challenge of trying to be a little more outgoing and hope it would benefit me. If the gamble doesn't work out first time I am still better off than if I was stuck in the UK, I just have to keep remembering that.

Thanks for the offer. I don't have a drivers license for Japan yet, but I will keep it in mind.

billywest said on Mon 2009/01/26 18:36 JST:

Chris, Apply early (like right away) and often (meaning to several places). You want to be in the Kanto area, right? Make sure you're up front about that. Interac might be worth looking into since they are able to string together part-time gigs to make a full-time schedule for you here in Tokyo.

As far as you being low-key is concerned, don't worry. So will be most of your students. While plenty of students love the overly genki foreign teacher type, plenty of others will appreciate your down-to-earth nature.

Anyway, good luck.

Nick Ramsay said on Mon 2009/01/26 18:54 JST:

First off, NOVA does still exist. It's under different ownership, true, but it still exists - same store fronts and everything. In fact one has just opened near me recently.

Chris, I was responsible for hiring teachers for five years. Your working holiday visa will work to your advantage, but an interviewer will be concerned that you won't stay for a full year. So, anything you can say to reassure him/her would be good.

Training is usually provided, so most employers won't be too fussed as long as you show a willingness to learn.

The interviewer's primary concern will be how you are received by the students. This means you'll want to make sure you look presentable at an interview - even as far as shaving off facial hair and removing earrings, nose rings, etc. Wear a suit. It shows you're serious about getting a job. How you come across on a social level will be key. Are you easy to talk with, do you speak clearly and slowly or do you rush your sentences, have a strong accent and talk to your chest? Do you have an interest in Japan? Talk about what you love about Japan. These are things your students will be interested in and that's why you'll probably get asked.

You will get "Googled" and employers can see now that your primary goal is get an IT job, so don't hide that fact. Be honest about your intentions, but show your commitment to doing a good job as a teacher for the next few years while you study Japanese.

If there's any other advice I can offer, get in touch. :)

Chris said on Mon 2009/01/26 22:21 JST:

Billy, cheers, I will look in to Interac.

Nick, thanks for the advice. I think I come across ok, I try to look smart and I'll be sure to speak clearly. Even tho English teaching is not the career I had in mind I would still give it 100% and try to improve my ability to teach.

Jamaipanese said on Mon 2009/01/26 23:31 JST:

I don't have any advice but I would like to wish you all the best. I am sure you will get a job soon.

Brett Fyfield said on Tue 2009/01/27 03:36 JST:

Chris, I got here a little too late to offer any more than your esteemed readers have, except that attitude is everything in the work place.

If you are positive and hard working, you'll soon be able to pick things up. There is lots of good advice here, especially relating to presentation, commitment and how you are viewed by the students.

Just remember to have fun, and this should spill over into your classes.

You know if you need any help, I'm the crowd of regulars here will be more than happy to pitch in.

Aak said on Tue 2009/01/27 13:27 JST:

Hi Chris,

I subscribe to your RSS feed, never commented before, though.

I taught at AEON for a year, and I agree, it's a gamble. While I guess that might be true of many companies, your manager will have a lot of control over you.

I don't mean to scare you off of AEON. I went into AEON knowing that I'd have to deal with corporate BS and having to sell as well as teach, and I came out unscarred. I'd even say I'd teach for AEON again.

Don't worry about being quietish. I'm very introverted, so I had a different style of teaching than my coworkers. Some students preferred me for my thoughtfulness and care about their progress. It doesn't matter what your style is, as long as the students know you're there for them.

Also, if you like children, you could try Peppy. It's the most flexible in terms of schedule, but it's usually only part-time.

Good luck.

Alejandro said on Tue 2009/01/27 20:30 JST:

Hi Chris... Good luck on your new goal!... How is going your japanese, should I understand that not so good because that was the reason because not finding a job in IT right?

May be it is not only the language but the s called "recession" that is also hitting japan.

Chris said on Wed 2009/01/28 16:28 JST:

Hi Aak, thanks for stopping by to comment and thanks for your advice. I'm also looking at teaching kids too, I think it would be very rewarding and fun!

Hi Alejandro, and thank you. My Japanese is gradually getting better but it's not at Business level yet. You're right about the recession, that's also playing a big part it in.

Chris said on Wed 2009/01/28 16:30 JST:

Oh and to everyone who commented I owe all of you a beer now! So if we ever meet up, at a blogger meet or whenever, I have a beer (or beverage of your choice) with your name on it :)

agreablement said on Wed 2009/01/28 20:20 JST:

passo per caso nel tuo blog
un saluto from Italy, ciao

Chris said on Thu 2009/02/05 19:13 JST:

If you haven' tried i would give Interac a try, they usually have quite a few placements avalible over the country, but bear in mind the school year ends in late march so a lot of teachers will be leaving their posts then

Dr. Boo said on Sun 2009/02/08 17:26 JST:

Actually, employers use much more sophisticated methods that just Google.

alex_ said on Thu 2009/04/09 19:22 JST:

Hows it going?

Chris Gaunt said on Thu 2009/04/09 19:34 JST:

Things are getting better. I now have some freelance IT work for a client which looks like it might continue for a while. Continuing to look for full-time IT work, and keeping English teaching as a backup.

rocketmanblamb said on Fri 2009/05/15 22:13 JST:

Hey Chris, well I guess these plans are on hold for now... I was hoping to hear more about your adventures in teaching land. but as a fellow IT'er I can understand if you found a decent opportunity in that realm.
Does your contract work at least get you some more exposure in Japanese company/culture?

I'm hoping to get out there ssooooooon!

Chris Gaunt said on Sun 2009/05/17 20:17 JST:

Yep, I managed to find myself a full-time job working in a small web development team. So no adventures in teaching to report about, but I think this job is perfect for me. Feeling very lucky right now.

The team I'm in are all foreigners, but a lot of Japanese is spoken during the day and I'm being pushed to learn more Japanese, so it's a great motivation for me.