Job Discussion Forums

luckbox · Joined: 18 Mar 2006 Posts: 180

My situation: Currently doing an English teaching contract, which ends in late July. Very pleased with my job, and I can renew my contract, but they don't start the next term until late September, leaving a 6-week gap. Rather than going back to home country, I'm wondering what the best route would be for picking up short term work for August and part of September only. I'm currently living in the Greater Tokyo region, but don't need to stay here; am willing to move relocate.

I have the documents already, work visa, gaijin card. I have more than 3 years total teaching experience in Japan already, so I'm not a total greenhorn fresh off the plane seeking any kind of job. I feel I can be a bit more selective.

Wondering if trying to get work with a small juku in the city is feasible, something that does summer classes for kids. Or would a NOVA-type school be the better route? Or..?

Also wondering about holding private lessons in my home (some of my current adult students have expressed an interest in signing up for a small group class at my home, but I haven't the foggiest idea what the going hourly rate is, etc....

So, how to best fill the 6 week gap? Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

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

Are you thinking of offering only a 6-week course for private lesson students? I wouldn't, and I suspect that unless they agreed to it up front, you would find that canceling after that short a time would only upset them.

As for filling in the gap with an employer, it might be done, but you're going to have to hustle to find such work.

luckbox · Joined: 18 Mar 2006 Posts: 180

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

If you can't find a summer camp, I think your best bet is to find someone going on holidays and take over their class for a month. Ask around. Put an ad in the paper. There are many conversation schools that would like someone to fill the gap.

Teaching a one month class is not easy to arrange or get. NOVA wouldn't hire you for that period, and you'd have to go through training and all that. Basically, you're either looking at sub work, summer camp or spending money spinning your wheels. Hope the job is so good that you don't mind forced vacations unpaid.

luckyloser700 · Joined: 24 Mar 2006 Posts: 308 Location: Japan

Interac has a few short-term summer teaching opportunities that they're offering to their ALT's (probably to outsiders as well). 2 out of the 3 positions I've heard of require more experience than the average ALT has. With 3 years or so worth of experience, you'd probably be an ideal candidate for one of those positions.

luckbox · Joined: 18 Mar 2006 Posts: 180

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Try Brad at Outdoorjapan. He is always looking for someone for their summer camp. Can pm me and I could give you his url.

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

You've never done private lessons? The going rate is whatever they'll pay, usually around 3000-5000 yen/hour per student, but if you operate with group lessons, many people go on a sliding scale, where the cost per student goes down as the size of the class increases.

Let's start with 5000 for 1 student.
If the group becomes 2 students, each one might pay 3000 yen.
At a group of 3, you might want to charge 2500 each.
Any cheaper than that is entirely up to you, but I wouldn't go below 2000 per student.

Also, you mentioned "intensive" lessons. What do you mean? Lessons that are 5 hours long?

luckbox · Joined: 18 Mar 2006 Posts: 180

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

To leap from zero experience in private lessons to a full-scale intensive course is just asking for trouble, in my opinion. If you don't know what you're doing in just ONE hour, how are you going to plan for longer?

luckbox · Joined: 18 Mar 2006 Posts: 180