| If you're thinking of making a major detour in your life | | | | inflexibility will be aplus. |
| and want to try somethingreally different, you might | | | | Smaller ESL schools will often be more flexible with |
| consider teaching English in Japan. Because the | | | | their curriculum (ifthey even have one). |
| Japanesehave an almost insatiable appetite for | | | | So you'll be responsible for planning your own lessons. |
| learning English, there is quite a lot of workout there. | | | | This can give you the chanceto experiment with new |
| But before you hop on a plane and fly 10,000 miles | | | | ESL games, activities and texts. Ultimately it makes |
| east you should givesome serious thought to what | | | | you abetter teacher. |
| kind of school you want to teach for. | | | | Differences in Teaching Atmosphere |
| Before we go any further, keep in mind that smaller | | | | Large ESL schools tend to see their teachers as |
| schools aren't necessarily anyeasier to teach for than | | | | expendable. With theirmassive recruiting budget and |
| the large chain schools. To be perfectly honest, I've | | | | connections, they can replace teachers in the blink ofa |
| heardhorror stories from both. (Yes, even the Jet | | | | young girl's eye. This results in a colder atmosphere |
| Program.) So anything said about thepros and cons | | | | and causes faster turnover inthe staff, which again |
| are at best a generalization. | | | | adds to a colder atmosphere because long-term |
| The Basic Types of Schools | | | | bonds neverget made. Some of them also discourage |
| There are basically two types of English conversation | | | | contact with students after classes. Oftenlarge |
| schools. The very large chainschools with literally | | | | schools will put a non-fraternization clause into their |
| hundreds of locations throughout Japan like ECC, Geos | | | | contracts for you tosign. If you're seen out with |
| and | | | | students, you may be reprimanded or fired. |
| Nova and your smaller privately owned schools. These | | | | Smaller ESL schools tend to treat the teacher as a |
| may have only 4 or 5branches, many have only a | | | | part of their team andmay value your opinions and |
| single branch. | | | | input on various school functions. They also allow |
| Differences in Accommodations | | | | youto hangout with students after class - this helps |
| Large ESL schools usually have accommodations for | | | | build relationships and ads to thewhole experience. It's |
| you. Generally theypay the key money and will handle | | | | nice to be able to attend a party thrown by one of |
| communications with your landlord if anythingbreaks. | | | | yourstudents. |
| Often they will rent several units in 1 apartment house, | | | | Differences in Money |
| so you'll havefriendly faces just 2 doors down. It can | | | | Large school salaries will all be in the 250,000 yen |
| be very convenient not to mention makethings a | | | | range. Your large chainschools usually give some kind |
| whole lot easier to have colleagues next door to point | | | | of bonus - whether it is a free ticket back or |
| you in the rightdirection or help get you connected. | | | | acompletion bonus. Generally the raises will be very |
| Smaller schools sometimes don't offer | | | | small. |
| accommodations because theyprefer to hire from | | | | Smaller ESL schools often give a bit more in the salary |
| within Japan. There is less risk in doing so and they | | | | category simplebecause some of them are so far out |
| simply don'twant to fork out the key money. So many | | | | in the country, that it's hard to find teachers. |
| times if you want to work for a smallerschool, you | | | | Often it's easier to get raises (or bigger raises) and |
| may have to find your own accommodations in | | | | other perks from smaller ESLschools than the larger |
| Japan.) No easy feat! | | | | ones. They don't have such a well-oiled |
| (This can be several thousand dollars. So be sure to | | | | recruitmentmachine so it's tough and a big pain for |
| ask about this and rememberfinding a place to live is | | | | them to replace teachers. If your qualityteaching helps |
| usually harder than finding a job in Japan. (Provided | | | | build their student base, they're often quicker to |
| youdon't want to live in a shared arrangement like a | | | | recognize yourefforts through larger contract renewal |
| "gaijin" or guest house. | | | | bonuses, raises and other perks. |
| How ESL Schools Differ in Curriculum | | | | Whether you choose a large or small school, you'll still |
| Large ESL schools often won't have any flexibility in | | | | be afforded the opportunityto get a first hand look at a |
| their curriculum. You will teachwhat you're told to teach. | | | | very unique culture, make friends that last a lifetime |
| If you don't have experience or confidence in laying | | | | andget your international career off to a good start! |
| outlesson plans and would prefer not to do it, then this | | | | |