Job Discussion Forums

ilikerice · Joined: 05 Aug 2004 Posts: 14

hello, This will be my first post. I've started seriously researching teaching english in japan and/or taiwan. I've visited both countries before and it's something I've wanted to do like many others. My question is for anyone who is teaching or has taught in Japan or taiwan, or anyone one this board who can offer insight. what is the average age of a teacher teaching english, at the big 4 specifically AEON? and what is the average age of the managers and people running schools who you work with? I'm curious to get some background. I'm asking because I'd feel more comfortable knowing there are people my age, or older so that fitting in just works itself out and making friends in the workplace is a bit easier. but if, for example, 9 out of 10 teachers are 21-23, let me know that as well, just curious at this point. and one more question if I may while I'm here, what's the social life like as a teacher? for example, is it easy to make friends with other teachers? or do you venture out and find your own friends? it seems like people are very active on this website so I'm assuming that the network of teachers you meet when you are there and hang out with in person is as active or even more than this site. thanks for any comments in advance

ChotoHen · Joined: 17 Apr 2004 Posts: 41

Age: I did not work at AEON, but the average age where I worked was about 27. There were about 5 teachers pushing 30, a few teachers in their early 20's and another couple of teachers in their mid 20's.

Making friends: There are usually always teachers coming over (like yourself) who are new to Japan and the company they represent...most of the time you'll be trained with these other newbies. Its nice because you can share the experiences of living in a new country with these people. I was pretty lucky--got trained with two good fellows and we got along great. Hopefully youll get the same experience. If not, chances are youll probably find someone who has been around for a while to pal around with. These are the people you are with for the majority of the day, youll notice a lot of teachers hang out together after work as well (though its always good to branch out and not get sucked in to an all-inclusive teacher gang like most usually end up associating with). Best of luck.

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

I don't work for one of the big 4 either, but...

The age range at my school is from mid-20s to 50s. While there are certainly different levels of closeness in the relationships, it is not uncommon at all for a 20-something to hang out with a 40- or 50-something. I guess there's just something about this job that brings us together?!?! (Or maybe I'm just lucky to have such an awesome group of people around me.)

While we do tend to hang out a lot together, I'd say that almost all of us have connections to the community/the big city as well, so we haven't just ended up as a traveling Pack of Gaijin. (And yes, I know that "gaijin" can have offensive connotations.)

d

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

blue jay · Posted: Sun Aug 08, 2004 1:15 am Post subject:

Hi ilikerice,

I met people in their mid-20's & mid-30's working at 3 different English Language Schools. It was a great way to meet people from all different English-speaking countries; Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland and the U.S . I spent time with my fellow teachers going to the pub, (Dubliners, Murphy's, & the Pig & Whistle, etc.) We went to festivals together & visited temples & shrines and so on..But I was also happy to have a large number of Japanese friends as well. I think it's important to have a good balance of both "western" & Japanese friends while living in Japan. Your "western" friends can relate to your feelings of being a "stranger in a strange land" while your Japanese friends can ease you into their lives as "local yocals', so to speak. My Japanese friends took me to places I wouldn't have ordinarily have gone to, and they shared their cultural insights with me. My one friend taught me a lot about Buddhism & another one showed me how to make tempura properly! Smile

Good luck!
blue jay

ilikerice · Joined: 05 Aug 2004 Posts: 14

this sounds great, thanks for the feedback. much appreciated.

KathyK · Joined: 13 Aug 2004 Posts: 19 Location: New York City

When I taught for Aeon in the early 90s, there were several people in their 50s at my training. I became really good friends with one of these women and she ended up going back for two more stints with Aeon until she was almost 60. The average age may be in the twenties but you'll definitely find some older teachers.

I notice that the Japanese employers in general definitely seem to have a youth bias (Have you seen some of the ads?) but the students really respond well to older teachers based on what my friends have told me.

Kathy