Job Discussion Forums

[walker1123]

Hello there,

I am trying to get more info on how the market is for people with a specific interest in and experience with teaching young children in Japan.

I have searched and found a few things but I would really like to learn more.

I would specifically like to hear about anyone's experiences working in this field. How big are your classes? How are your relations with school's management?

I currently teach 5 and 6 year olds but I would also be interested in anyone's experiences with slightly older children.

[Glenski]

Japan will have mandatory English classes for 5th and 6th grade elementary school students for the first time this coming academic year. All other elementary school classes are pretty much at the discretion of the school. There is very little consistency, if any, in how kids are taught, what they are taught, and who teaches them. (Just heard from a long-term vet here that he is being told by the BOE that he will be a one-shot wonder this year, visiting elementary schools only once a week.)

ES classes have about 30 kids, I think. Junior high, too. I used to have HS classes with 45-48 kids in them. These sometimes (not always) get split in half when you co-teach (not ALT, though, I believe, because you have to be in the room with a JTE).

The guidebook Eigo Note is being discontinued, probably because it has been shown to be so ineffective.

That takes care of public/mainstream schools. Kids also attend eikaiwa classes and juku.

If you are just breaking into the field, don't expect to start with more than an ALT or eikaiwa job. Direct hire into mainstream is rare. If you are qualified for international schools, they would be the better route.

[seklarwia]