Japan ESL Job Types

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JAPAN ESL JOB TYPES

Juku and Yobiko Schools

Juku and Yobiko schools range from licensed ESL (English as a Second Language) institutions with hundreds of students and teachers, to the small branches throughout Japan.

Class sizes are usually small and most students are adults such as college students cramming for English exams, business people working to advance within their corporations, etc. Teachers maybe asked to converse informally with students between classes. Shifts last 6 to 8 hours and end around 9pm.

In-Company Schools

Many Japanese companies encourage their employees to study English, and hold classes "in-office" both before and after work. Native English speaking teachers are hired to teach these classes.

Hourly salaries tend to be at least ¥3,000+ per hour, work time (twelve to twenty-five hours per week) which in many cases means that in-company teachers earn less than private teachers.

In-company classes usually have about ten students per teacher. They usually last two hours and require some preparation. While some companies provide a curriculum, most ask teachers have to create lessons and appropriate discussion topics.

Private Tutoring

Teaching privately can be personally and financially rewarding. However, private students can be difficult to find because often you need to be introduced to your prospective student by a trusted friend. Established private tutors make anywhere from approximately ¥4500 to ¥9000+ per hour in Tokyo, and somewhat less in smaller areas.

Conversation Lounges

Conversation lounges are a combination of informal English school and social center. Generally, native speakers can go free of charge, but the Japanese patrons pay per hour for the time they spend there. Sometimes these establishments hire a native speaker to make sure the conversations keep flowing and everyone gets a chance to speak English. The number of jobs at these places can be fewer than at most English schools, but it's worth looking into for people who would enjoy the less structured, conversational format. This sounds like an interesting way to meet locals and earn pay.

Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) Positions

ALTs are placed in public schools to work in conjunction with Japanese teachers of English. Duties include demonstrating proper pronunciation, aiding the teacher with language training, and providing general teaching assistance.

Universities

Some college and university departments employ degree-holding native English speakers as instructors either in conversational English or for disciplines that have specialized. These positions are difficult to secure from outside of the country because instructors who vacate these positions are often asked to suggest replacements; however, if you have special knowledge of specific university subject matter, it may pay for you to check with the departments at a few universities.

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