ELT in Japan

My web buddy South of Reality gives a good introduction to Entry Level Teaching Jobs in Japan.  There are some things to keep in mind about these entry level jobs in relation to training in budo.

First, the big eikaiwas, or English conversation schools, don’t pay especially well, usually have schedules that require you t o work during training prime time (weekday evenings), and because of the work culture, the employees generally do not have an opportunity to learn Japanese.

Second, the Assistant Language Teacher jobs, which place you in public schools, mean that you get a regular day schedule and long holidays. However, the agencies that handle these jobs are increasingly pinching yens, and you will see some do not pay full wages for summer and winter holidays. Still, if you are willing to work in rural areas, keep a budget and realize this is not a way to pay student loans, you will do fine.  ALT jobs  give you a lot of opportunity to learn  about classroom practices from Japanese teachers, time for developing materials,  and building up your Japanese language skills by talking to other subject teachers, staff and kids. You will find that most ALT contracts require you to work 17 teaching hours a week, which leaves lots of time for preparation. You will find that most school administrations will allow you to study Japanese language material at your desk.

For those who want to go higher after getting their feet wet here, or those who are ELT teachers from home, there are some interesting opportunities. My advice is to come over on the JET Program, the Japanese Ministry of Education’s exchange program for young people. I first came to Japan as a JET back in 1999, learned the language, got a sense of Japanese junior high school atmosphere, and had a lot of disposable income for travel, language study, cultural pursuits (tea ceremony, Aikido, etc.). Sure, JET is a box of chocolates – you could be placed in deep country, or a big city, and you have no idea what the working conditions will really be like. However, there are more happy than horror stories on JET. Be sure to state clearly where you want to be and why, and you’re more likely to have your request granted. Me, I asked for a country town where no one spoke English. Ideal for language learners.

Beyond JET, you can find yourself working for highschools that need ESL for so-called “returnees”. These are children who have been educated for some time abroad, and as a result are somewhere on a continuum from low ESL to bilingual, from monocultural to bicultural to multicultural. These jobs aren’t that common, but are sometimes advertised in Ohayo Sensei and Gaijinpot job ads. Some of these positions get gobbled up by agents (beware of jackals), but others offer direct contracts. If you’re  a qualified teacher from home, you’ve got a good chance of getting in.

It is possible to find well developed EFL programs in junior and senior high schools, but they are rare. In the EFL context, you’re more likely to see assistant language teacher positions hired for by agencies. These jobs are okay for rookie teachers, but stultifying for a teacher who wants to maintain or hone teaching skills. Some schools and agencies do welcome input and expertise that you bring with you from your teaching experience abroad and at home. Offer answers as often as you ask questions, and you might see some opportunities.

Then there are the international schools in the Tokyo  area. For elementary/middle school teachers from home looking for Tokyo jobs, the competition is fierce, but the jobs are here.

When it comes to the state of ELT in Japan, I like to be optimistic and say it’s developing and the network of teachers is growing. There are chances to meet other teachers and learn new things through the JALT community and annual conference. There are nationality groups like The Association for Canadian English Teachers in Japan and The British Council .  Temple University Japan holds an annual applied linguistics colloquium , distinguished lecturer series open to the public and a masters degree in TESOL, as does Teachers College Columbia University.

 I’ve gotten a taste for graduate studies in TESOL through Temple University as a non-matriculated student, so far looking at pronunciation and ESL writing. I’m hoping to matriculate soon. For those who don’t want to do grad studies, there is always the CELTA teacher training at the British Council Tokyo held a few times a year, part time and intensive full time.