Teaching English in Japan

pat0809 on 14/03/2017 - 21:19

Hi everyone,

I'm currently living in Japan (on a working holiday) and work at an English conversation cafe which also has actual English classes (rather than just conversation). I have been looking for work as an ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) because it's significantly easier than being an English teacher.

However one of the English teachers at my work suddenly quit and my manager asked me if I wanted to take his place. I have never taught English before nor do I know how to teach English so I am not sure if I should go for it or not.

Do you guys think I should go for the job and learn as I do it or just keep looking for an ALT job?

Thanks.

Poll Options

  • 47
    Accept the job
  • 2
    Don't accept the job
Education & Work

Comments

  • CyberMurning on 14/03/2017 - 21:30
    +3

    Are you joking… 8/10 guy in this forum will jump straight to that offer.

    • Kangal on 14/03/2017 - 22:59

      Coincidentally, there are 8 votes to Accept the Job.

  • [Deactivated] on 14/03/2017 - 21:36

    How can you be a English teacher if you don't know how to teach English? " I have never taught English before nor do I know how to teach English so I am not sure if I should go for it or not?"

    • SydStrand on 14/03/2017 - 21:37
      +9

      For a lot of private teaching colleges, you just need to speak English and preferably be white.

      • [Deactivated] on 14/03/2017 - 21:38

        Oh oops forgot that the op will be teaching in Japan :P

        • CyberMurning on 15/03/2017 - 07:30

          Gee that's the whole point. Japan.

      • field1985 on 16/03/2017 - 11:48

        Agreed. I know a guy who couldn't speak any Japanese and only spoke broken english with a heavy German accent. Even he was given a job in Tokyo teaching english.

    • subywagon on 14/03/2017 - 21:39
      +3

      Pretty easily. Over there they basically use you as a parrot. They study and know grammar better than most of us native speakers. It's their pronunciation and use of English (i.e sounding robotic) that they need a lot of help with.

      • [Deactivated] on 14/03/2017 - 21:41

        Spot on!

    • [Deactivated] on 14/03/2017 - 21:40

      But since your teaching in Japan, I personally think if you have some knowledge in English you should be fine. I might be wrong but oh well.

  • trustnoone on 14/03/2017 - 21:47

    I have a friend who teaches English in Japan, he says it isn't too difficult, it depends how advanced they are, but my friend says he just teaches them vocabulary and basic grammar. A lot of it is teaching the basics and teaching them to pronounce words correctly.

    My friend didn't have any previous knowledge in teaching (though he did work as a librarian) and doesn't know much Japanese at all, like surprisingly not much considering he lives in Japan like 65 percent of the year.

    I think Richard Branson said "If someone gives you an amazing opportunity and you don't know how to do it, say yes and learn how to do it later".

    Personally though I'd talk to your manager about it? Tell him you're very interested and want to know more about it to see if you'll be fit for it?

  • JetLi on 14/03/2017 - 22:27
    +2

    just act confidently, none of your students will know your are clueless, in their eyes white person = perfect English teacher.

  • onetwothreefour on 14/03/2017 - 22:44

    What's the salary like? I would love to live in japan but have a wife and 3 kids to support, not sure I'd be able to earn a good wage there.

    • klonky on 14/03/2017 - 23:00

      English teachers in Japan can hardly support themselves let alone with a family in tow.

    • pat0809 on 14/03/2017 - 23:14

      You definitely couldn't support your wife and 3 kids here on the wage at my school. My school only has part time teachers and they are paid 3000yen per lesson which lasts 1.5 hours and the amount of lessons per week varies.

      • scrimshaw on 15/03/2017 - 01:10
        +1

        For those wondering that's $35 AUD after conversion. Not a lot but it's a job that can be done without training.

      • onetwothreefour on 15/03/2017 - 05:28

        I thought that would be the case. Have you ever given private lessons?

  • danield on 14/03/2017 - 22:49
    +1

    I'ld say a large percentage of teachers over there are in the same boat having never had teaching experience before arriving in Japan. speaking from experience here, most teachers came over on a gap year.. the long timers just never bothered leaving.
    Like things in life, you always start with no experience..but you'll pick out up quick enough.
    enjoy teaching in Japan.. best 4 years of my life.

    • pat0809 on 14/03/2017 - 23:15

      I was hoping to gain some experience as an ALT first rather than going direct to teaching, but maybe it's better this way.

  • pat0809 on 14/03/2017 - 23:17

    Thanks for all of the replies. The reason I am so hesitant is because it happened so suddenly. If I accept the job I will start teaching in 2 weeks and will pretty much have no training. A lot of my Japanese friends have complained about how bad their English teachers were so I really don't want to be another one of those.

    • ShannonN on 15/03/2017 - 12:33
      +1

      Practice on your Japanese friends question them on how & what they were taught then ask them to evaluate you

      remember if you are teaching English there must be written concepts also, like you need to present words in a sentence and context as English has many words spelt the same with totally different meanings according to sentence

  • anoykw on 15/03/2017 - 01:26

    Hey! Can you tell me more info about your job and do you speak japanese? I would love to go to Japan for a working experience but i dont know where to begin

    • pat0809 on 15/03/2017 - 01:46

      Currently my job is to have conversations with Japanese people in English….the pay is very low but the job is very easy. If I accept this job I will also be teaching English to people rather than just having conversations. I speak a little bit of Japanese, not a lot. If you are under 30 I definitely recommend going on a working holiday.

      • CyberMurning on 15/03/2017 - 07:34
        +1

        See? So many people will willing to pay to get your job.. Haha I would too!

  • shapers on 15/03/2017 - 01:29
    +3

    My friend went over and did the same thing - had no previous experience and he loved it

  • zolinger on 15/03/2017 - 01:37

    Whats the biggest problems with Japanese learning english? :/ prononciation?

    • pat0809 on 15/03/2017 - 01:48

      Yeah pronunciation is a big problem for Japanese peopple (l's and r's sound the same to them) and generally speaking they are shy and sometimes hesitant to speak English in case they make mistakes (which I am the same with speaking Japanese).

  • altomic on 15/03/2017 - 02:44
    +4

    I taught English in Japan for 4 years. I had no training when I went over. I received training when I got there. It was minimal. The main thing about teaching English is (unless you're teaching young) is that all Japanese have studied English at high school. You're job is to give them structured practice. Each lesson should focus on particular area eg. Past tense, future tense, personal pronouns, etc. Then you set that in a context. I'm on mobile in India at the moment so if you want to pm me then I can go into greater depth on Friday when I'm back in oz (I prefer typing on a PC). Yeah, go for the job. I felt very nervous at first but once you get a structure /routine then it becomes easy.

  • CyberMurning on 15/03/2017 - 07:33
    +1

    Look they offer you a job. Just take it. Get some mates from Australia to send over some books how to teach English in foreign countries. Study a bit everything needs an effort or two.

    Speak slowly and clear in the class you will be fine and be polite.

    Done.

    • Roney on 15/03/2017 - 18:19

      Absolutely spot-on! And you'll pick up the system as you progress. Got for it!

  • Lem_is_cool on 15/03/2017 - 08:11
    +1

    My old housemates said when they first moved to Australia they went to English classes where they did some basic greetings for ten minutes, then just watched a bunch of Kath & Kim.

  • doctordv8 on 15/03/2017 - 18:23

    Go for it. I did my TESOL in '09 and spent 18mths in Indonesia. Did mostly private tutoring, and had an absolute ball. The nerves came and eventually went and then just follow the lead of the in charge. Now semi retired, if I could go back and do it all over again in a few different countries, I would. It is now quite difficult to get school placements without a Degree at my age - bummer. Although, I have a finger in a Tutoring pie in Thailand that may work out later this year. Enjoy!

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