Job Discussion Forums

[lostinparis]

Curious to hear your views on the Feb 24th Japan Times article on English teaching.

http://www.japantimes.com/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?fl20040224zg.htm

Funny thing... I was actually sent the link by a former French professor who had recommended me for a teaching job in Japan. His way of trying to keep me in Paris, perhaps?

[Gordon]

Sadly, there is a lot of truth to that story. However, it doesn't have to be for you if you find the right school. I would certainly believe it for the big chain schools.

[guest of Japan]

That was a good story. I find it to be quite true as well. I don't see things getting better.

[fat_chris]

McEnglish?

Is that a school run by the Irish?

[denise]

The part that I found the most fascinating was the quote by the student--he/she noticed the high turnover, the stressed-out teachers, the multi-level class (they're all there because the time is convenient, not because it's the right level for them). Hmmm... If only that student realized that by being a paying customer, he/she was contributing to it... A few weeks ago there was a thread about whether or not students noticed/would pay more for quality lessons. Well, here's a student who does notice, but continues at whichever of the chain schools it was. As long as there are enough students who value price/convenience over quality, these schools will thrive.

d

[homersimpson]

[denise]