How is teaching in Japan?

10 comments

1. I think people’s biggest misconception before they move to Japan to teach us that Japan is a high tech country (it is- but they don’t always implement it in ways you expect). So, instead of things like interactive boards, students using iPads and google classroom etc instead you get a blackboard with chalk and a cassette player.

2. I can only speak from my experiences in my city:

   The old guard of teachers have insanely outdated styles, it feels like going back 40+ years. Minimal communication, lots of copying from the board and lecturing in Japanese. Overall, the feeling is ‘wow, this is *ancient*’. I have few positive things to say about this group of teachers.

   There are a lot of younger teachers who understand communication and teaching, though. More and more are getting into digital tools, but most classes are just with a blackboard and interactive board. All children in my city have tablets but most teachers don’t have a clue how to use them.

   Discipline is excellent. Even the worst class here is just talkative, nobody has ever been abusive towards me.

   Workplace environment is very difficult when there are problems. There’s a very toxic seniority culture and sexism culture. The oldest male teacher is god, and nobody can give them advice or critique. There’s no way to address problems healthily, people just suffer in silence.

3. Are you asking about ALT work or actual teaching? Because there is a big difference.

4. ALTing isnt teaching. This sub is mostly assistants and cram school employees. There are some university professors and international school teachers though.

5. >here people have some weird ideas about japanese schools,

   It’s a normal place.

   What do your students do in your school in Brazil? Students here most likely do something similar.

6. Japanese kids are amazing and are taught to be respectful of foreign teachers.

   They respond well to honesty and mutual interest.

   I have no experience with older than 16 however

   Some schools will have abusive tactics and teachers

   They think they are correct

7. I have experience teaching in Japan. If apply to an international school in Brasil, would I be put in the highest pay scale?

8. Fellow Brazilian here. I studied in a Japanese Language School in Tokyo e worked as an English Teacher at an Eikawa for a year.

   It was my first time teaching and I liked doing it, so much so that I continue teaching until now. It’s definitely the best part-time job you can get, specially if you don’t speak Japanese.

   Wages and quality of life are infinitely better than in Brazil, so I really think you should consider living abroad.

   Ps: don’t wanna sound like an asshole, but “pretend” doesn’t mean the same in English as “pretender” in Portuguese. In English “pretend” means “fingir”, you wanted to say “intend”.

9. My experience is from an eikaiwa perspective.

   1. Japanese people especially those coming to Eikaiwas tend to be more open minded about different types of foreigners and about the world. Theyre coming to an eikaiwa for a cultural exchange. So if youre teaching adults most will be okay.

   2. Kids are a mixed bag but I love most of the kids I get. Some constantly comment on my skintone which can get a bit annoying. I had to shift a whole class because 2 particular kids were calling me names due to my skintone . Unfortunately in an Eikaiwa and the fact that Japan doesnt have anti discriminatory laws they cant really do anything. The customer is always right in an Eikaiwa.

   3. Be prepared for racism. Brazil is quite racially diverse so im not sure what you look like , but looks do absolutely matter. Im an Asian of South African nationality and look South Asian. Although as I said adults are mostly very good there are some that prefer the white teachers, ill be blatantly honest. Some Japanese people cant wrap their head around the idea of diasporas etc, alot of South Asian , East Asian and African origin teachers have this common experience. Sometimes youll find students will take your class as a ”Last resort” if nobody else is available or sometimes they will prefer to take another class on another day. You will notice these patterns. Theres a group of ladies whom will not take my class because im not white . Dont listen to those that say theres no racism in Japan. Japan can indeed be racist, disgustingly, awfully racist. But as I said most of the time youll be fine. I cant lie though when I say that holding Brazilian nationality might cast you in an unfavorable light in the eyes of some students especially if you have an accent. For some reason my accent sounds like an American or a British accent (I speak like a white South African)to Japanese people so after speaking to me they have no issues with me usually . Ironically outside the school I have little no no issues at all.

10. It’s shit