Job Discussion Forums

Trisha1329 · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 12 Location: Brooklyn, NY

Hi, I'm teaching ESL as an Americorps member in Pittsburgh, PA right now and I have recently decided I would like to go to Japan to teach. I have read through many, many entries about Japan programs and done some searching on each of the "top 5" companies websites. It seems like maybe I would want to go with Aeon, if I were accepted, since I would like to keep teaching adults and it seems to have a fair amount of applause from people on this site at least.
My questions are as follows:

Can anyone tell me about the extent to which you can be creative in these classrooms? From my experiences here in Pittsburgh, I'm learning many fun games and a variety of techniques that are proving to be fun and effective...will I be able to use these in a program such as AEON, or must I very strictly follow the text only? Are there other programs allowing for more creativity?

Also, I plan to get TESOL/TEFL Certified this summer, but I am finding that in a comapny like AEON, although it might give me an advantage in being chosen as a teacher, there's not an advantage as far as salary is concerned...is that true? and if it is true, then what are the places/schools where your certificate actually puts you in a higher salary bracket OR, more importantly, gives you more freedom to be creative because you have experience?

Final question- is it a bad or good idea to go to a smaller city, considering that I have only started studying Japanese and will only have maybe 9 months of Japanese speaking lessons before I would potentially go there? I think I would enjoy a less hectic city and maybe less pressure (from what I've heard about AEON) about selling supplemental books to students, but on the flipside, there would be fewer people I could speak with in English if I needed to.

Sorry for the bombardment with questions to whomever is willing to answer my post.
-Trisha Powell

henro · Joined: 11 Sep 2004 Posts: 9 Location: Kito, Japan

I can't tell you anything about Aeon, but if you want consider other options, you might think about small towns. Generally they have lower housing prices, cleaner air, better outdoor recreation and generally a better environment than Japanese cities. Also, many smaller towns are on train lines so you can get to a city easily for weekend shopping and partying.

Regarding making friends, the smaller the town, the easier it is to get to know your neighbors. I now live in a village of 1800. I've formerly lived in a couple of small towns, one small city and one large city. I like the village. Of course, few people here speak even halfway decent English, but a few friends are all I need.

Of course, not everyone likes cities. So choose your location as well as your school.

Don (Former AmeriCorps Guy)

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

tokyorabbit · Joined: 15 Feb 2004 Posts: 30 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Interesting thread.

Trisha1329 · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 12 Location: Brooklyn, NY

all of your input was very helpful...thanks so much...i did read in a post somewhere on this site that, although you are to teach "the Aeon way" or the "fit company's name here" way, you still sometimes have a bit of autonomy in that no one is watching you teach the class necessarily...so maybe if i taught a lesson from the text, as it is laid out in the text, but then reinforced it using some other activity, that might be ok, or no? for instance, i use a lot of "adult games" like playing "memory" with index cards, using maybe antonyms or synonyms or playing verbal charades...these things are obviously much more fun, interactive, and effective than sitting there doing a worksheet outloud...it gets my students here in Pittsburgh laughing and feeling less nervous about talking with one another because of the game atmosphere....is fun banned from the classes in these programs? I'm not trying to sound like a jerk here, but I mean, if they still learn the material and continue to PAY for these classes, because they have fun and enjoy it, shouldn't that be all that matters to the Japanese staff?
In general, for those who've taught at these "top 5" schools, have you found the texts to be boring or fun? do the students seem engaged? do they retain the english?

and again, sorry to be annoying, but if there are other schools that allow more teacher input and creativity, what are they? are they smaller, more private schools?

thanks again...

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

I haven't taught at AEON but I'd asy that 'set program' type schools are the same world over. Basically you keep to the set text and whereever you can you throw in something that you think might be helpful. Keep in mind that unless they have microphones in the room (it has been known) they won't really know, unless someone tells them. This the catch with the set text thing, students have signed up for the program and most probabaly have forked out for the books so every time you deviate from the set program they might feel that they're not getting 'value for money'. Of course there are always some students that think any 'game' is a waste of time and will complain to management at the drop of a hat. One final pitfall with 'games' is that they rely heavily on student participation / imagination, again some students attitude will be "I've paid the course fees to LEARN (you telll me what I need to know) not to THINK!" and and the game dies in a pit of apathy.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Trisha1329 · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 12 Location: Brooklyn, NY

This the catch with the set text thing, students have signed up for the program and most probabaly have forked out for the books so every time you deviate from the set program they might feel that they're not getting 'value for money'.

-Yes, you're right...I guess I'm used to my current position at a non-profit, where our classes are free and we can conduct class however we want because we just make handouts from various texts and use our discretion and the students' most frequent mistakes as a basis for what lessons need special attention..I guess I would just have to use this as an experience in "yet another teaching methodology" and do it their way for the time I spend there....damn, i have some good games though..(when i say "games", by the way, i don't imply jumping up and down and screaming and drawing with crayons and such other kiddie stuff...) oh well...thanks for your help..

Of course there are always some students that think any 'game' is a waste of time and will complain to management at the drop of a hat. One final pitfall with 'games' is that they rely heavily on student participation / imagination, again some students attitude will be "I've paid the course fees to LEARN (you telll me what I need to know) not to THINK!" and and the game dies in a pit of apathy.[/quote]