Job Discussion Forums

SandyG20 · Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 208

Ok what is a typical teaching day like? Do you teach in just one school? Are apartments close to your school? Are there jobs for older teachers?
Is the cost of living high? Can you save money? Can you work more than one job?

ripslyme · Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 481 Location: Japan

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

In my job history:

FT eikaiwa
Get up 8am. Do household stuff till noon. Eat lunch, then go to work. 2-3 classes between 1 and 9pm. Prepared lesson plans for future classes, did student interviews, some shopping before work was finished. Home by 10:30pm. Puttered around till midnight.

PT HS (not ALT) & PT private lessons
Get up 6am, off to work by 8. Ave 3-4 classes (80 min. each) between 8:50 and 4:00. Lunch interrupted often with student Q's. Home for quick dinner, then off to a private lesson between 6 and 8pm. Home by 9:30pm. (always a private lesson or 2 on weekend, too)

FT private HS (not ALT)
Get up 6am, at work by 8. 3-4 classes ave per day (45 min. each), plus at least one meeting (committee, club, staff, etc.) lasting 1-2 hours. Leave around 7pm. Have to be in the office every other Sat. twice a month.

FT university
At work by 8:30. 1 class per day ave (90 minutes). Students and teachers fill my time during the day with questions and proofreading requests, plus time for research and checking sample books. Home by 6pm.

Apsara · Joined: 20 Sep 2005 Posts: 2142 Location: Tokyo, Japan

"Is the cost of living high?" and especially "can you save money?" are topics that have been covered many, many times here, including relatively recently. Have a look at the FAQs or scroll back a few pages and I'm sure you'll find answers to those questions.

"What is a typical teaching day like?" depends on where/ who you are teaching- there are all kinds of English teaching jobs, from one-on-one private lessons at an eikaiwa to groups of toddlers to university lectures to corporate classes and many in between. Can you be a bit more specific?

SandyG20 · Joined: 12 Sep 2007 Posts: 208

I haven't explored much about Japan jobs yet. I have noticed some schools ask teachers to have an IDL - so I wondered if they require teachers to teach at multiple schools/locations.

I was also wondering about how close the apartments are to the schools you teach in.

I have taught in Public schools in the USA and have a BS in education and teaching license.

In Japan it isn't common for air fare to be provided - is this correct?

I did read the FAQS about Japan on this message board.

Thanks for the quick replies - it is informative.

No - 36 isn't older IMO.

vancouver_syndicate · Joined: 09 Sep 2004 Posts: 46 Location: Canada

if you have a teaching licence you should apply to international schools rather than teaching in english conversation schools. pay is significantly better.

AndyH · Joined: 30 Sep 2004 Posts: 417

When I worked in Japan (2003-2007):

Noon-leave apartment
12:30-2:00: prepare lessons (leisurely pace, includes lunch)
2:00-9:00: teach lessons (average time about 50 minutes) At least one 1 - hour break and one or two half-hour breaks, depending on the schedule
9:30-return to apartment

The schedule fluxuated from day to day. Sometimes, I'd begin teaching a little later, other times, sooner. I almost always had a one-hour break, and usually more. It usually took 20-30 minutes to get to the school from my apartment.

I was able to save money, no problem.

Mapleblondie · Joined: 29 May 2008 Posts: 93 Location: Canada

Have any of you worked for ECC, and can give details about the hours for there? I saw the schedule posted on the website, but it looks like it runs from 3-9:30pm on average, WITHOUT any breaks for dinner or otherwise. That sounds insane, and I know I will have a really hard time waiting until 10 to eat something...I sure hope it's not that way.

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