Job Discussion Forums

[brichm01]

I have a question for anybody with experience in any of the BIG 4 eikaiwa's.

I've read that the schedules are pretty hectic. Did you find that the schedule afforded you the time to take any formal language classes? I'm considering trying my hand at teaching in Japan (or someplace else in Asia) but an important consideration for me is how much chance I would have to learn the language, whether it be by formal class or by tutor and just seeking out opportunities.

Thanks in advance!
Regards,
Bill

[Like a Rolling Stone]

[Glenski]

At the risk of sounding uninformed or negative, you're here to work, and most eikaiwa schedules run from noon to 9pm. Newbies may not get their pick of hours when that is even possible. Some places will let teachers trade shifts or hours, though. Ask your employer. Explain why.

Otherwise, I'd have to say that taking formal classes may be rather tough.

[seastarr]

You shouldnt have a problem at all. While I was in Japan, I didn't spend much time learning Japanese as I worked way too much OT for Nova and taught private lessons on the side. With that said, there were many teachers who set up language exchanges, took university classes in Japanese or took advantage of free classes at cultural exchange centers. With Nova, you can apply for a schedule change and, for the most part, they are willing to make the change if possible. If, not, there are morning classes and people who are willing to do language exchanges at lots of random times. The only thing with the language exchanges is that I have heard that the exchange seems to go more in the English direction most times. You might have to be a bit persistant about the time you want to spend speaking Japanese. I was lucky to have private students who did their darndest to teach me a few words or phrases every week. If you are working for a conversation school, you will also pick up a bit teaching kids. I always used to try and remember the words they would say and check with staff after class to see what they were saying.

[i_teach_esl]

[Inflames]

Working for the big 4, the OP won't have a problem with time for learning Japanese. It all really depends on how often they study Japanese. At Nova, most new people (in MM) get stuck with either a shift that ends at 15:00ish or 22:40. Given the start times, it is very possible to take Japanese classes. I'd imagine other places are similar.

[brichm01]

Thank you for all the reponses! I'm not totally attached to going to one of the Big eikaiwa's but after reading the posts, I get the feeling that it's an easy way to go as a newbie. I'm not currently in Japan and most if not all of the non-Eikaiwa job ad's seem to be looking for people already in country.

I'm interested in teaching ESL but I'm also interested in improving my Japanese. I've studied here in the states for a number of years so I'm looking for full immersion to improve my verbal skills. I realize that the schools require english only. I just want to make sure that I'll have ample opportunity outside of work to improve. I appreciate peoples frank, realistic responses.

I don't have any time pressures in making my decision so I'm trying to be as informed as possible.

[seastarr]

I had a friend who had studied Japanese in University then came to Japan and worked for Nova. He took every opportunity to speak Japanese to people at bars, grocery stores, on the street, on the train ect. He also had a language exchange friend that he hung out with quite a bit. Most people didn't really mind speaking Japanese to him, they seemed to think it was interesting and good that he was making such an effort. He was always the first person anyone called when they needed some help in Japanese (at a store, whatever) His Japanese was really great by the time he left and he only stayed for a year. Having some prior knowledge of Japanese should enable you to practice what you know and improve. One good thing about working for Nova, as opposed to most other schools is that when you are done, you are done. No papers to mark, nothing. Your free time is yours to do what you want with.

With that said, there was also a teacher in my town that was trying to learn Kanji. He was awful to go out with because he was always trying to learn the characters for words that people were saying. Staff hated going out with him because he would make them write out every Japanese word they would say in Kanji. It got quite frustrating for them and everyone else when the conversation had to stop every 5 minutes so he could catch up on his Kanji. He never made the effort to talk Japanese to anyone but Nova Staff, who got quite frustrated as they kind of expected to speak English when they went out with teachers. Most of them had started working for Nova so they could improve their English too and sometimes going out was the only chance they had to do that. I guess its all about finding a balance. I've heard teaching with the JET program in a rural area is the best way to really immerse yourself in the culture and language.

[luckyloser700]

It's not an easy thing to do if your Japanese is fairly raw, but make Japanese friends who don't speak English. If possible, make a J girlfriend or boyfriend that doesn't do English. Your conversational ability will improve dramatically this way. Continue to study grammar and kanji all the while. Of course, if you're picking up most of your conversational skills from talking with your girlfriend, don't speak exactly like her. It's really not easy, but make some J guy friends with limited English skills to develop male style speech (if you're a guy, of course). You can learn it from books, but without practice, it's difficult to whip it out when you need it without thinking too much. Thinking too much during simple conversations takes the fun out of them and is probably agonizing for your partner.

Good luck