Life in a Day of an Eikaiwa Teacher

I have been an Eikaiwa teacher for around 7 or 8 years now. I have been very lucky with the schools I have been assigned to, both with NOVA in Hiroshima and Marugame and with AEON in Motoyawata. I think this can make or break the Eikaiwa experience, as I have read many negative experiences with both NOVA and AEON.

Personally, I have been fairly happy and content in all of my positions in Japan. Yes, the schedule can be tight, the Japanese staff seemingly clueless to what the life of a teacher actually is and the over-riding need to hit the Yen target that outweighs the educational needs of the student. I have experienced all of these things and probably many more things that could be deemed frustrating.

However one has to look at it from the perspective of a business (which is what the Eikaiwa system is), the cultural differences and that a little bit of understanding from both sides can make life at your school a hundred times easier.

Of course, I prefer to focus on the needs of my students, what is happening in their lives and improving myself as a teacher. But, I do understand, no matter how much I may not actually like it, that we need to line the tills with yen.

I think to those of you, or anyone reading this blog, who is thinking of coming to Japan as an Eikaiwa teacher then there are several things you need to consider.

1. Are you ready to work hard ?
Some teachers are straight of university and have had no experience of full-time work. The shock of the demanding nature of Eikaiwa teaching can be overwhelming and isn`t for everyone.

2. Are you adaptable/flexible ?
This is VITAL for working in any Eikaiwa environment. Last minute trial lessons, additional students you didn`t know about and working on your day off are all things that can and will happen.

3. Are you patient and able to appreciate a huge cultural difference ?
Japan, despite being a modern democracy, is a million miles away, culturally, from what most new Eikaiwa teachers are used to. Being patient and learning the working practices of the country you are in, is vital if you are to feel happy in your job.