Hand
in Hand: Teaching in Japan
1. Overview
of teaching in Japan
2. Basic
Working Conditions
3. General
Duties
4. Salary
5. Start
6. Contract
7. Teaching
Hours
8. Students
9. Vacation
and Holidays
10. Accommodation
11. Travel Arrangements
12. Medical Insurance
13. Taxes and Deductions
14. Dress code
15. Training, Assistance & Teaching Materials
16. Additional Employment
17. Teaching Tips
Teaching in Japan sounds interesting; sounds like a rewarding experience;
sounds like something I want to do. What should I do next?
1. Overview of teaching in Japan
The most popular job in Japan for foreign nationals to engage in is to provide
language instruction. As the government has decided to promote English as
Japanfs second language (it isnft officially Japanfs second language),
the English industry is enjoying a boom. Everyone from parents to company
executives to university students are trying to learn the language which
will help secure their own or their childrenfs futures. Because of this
ever increasing interest, teaching positions in this field are widely available
and interested individuals from all over the English speaking world make
there way to Japan. Teaching
English in Japan is a remarkable profession. Unlike university and college
trained teachers, English teachers in Japan are usually expected to focus
on the conversational aspect of the language. There is a simple reason
for this: after the Second World War, English became an integral part
of the Japanese school system. In fact, many students today graduate from
high school with better results in English (grammar) than their American
counterparts. Therefore, although the school system still provides a very
extensive education in grammar, people enroll in private English schools
to aid their conversation skills.
Now if you are reading
this, you are probably interested in finding out more about spending some
time in Japan as an English esenseif.
What follows is information
I hope will make your decision easier and more informed. Contained also
is some information and links to a unique and entirely free teacher placement
service for interested teachers. www.englishtreejapan.com
will help you find the English teaching position you are looking for.
The best part is they do it completely free of charge for you.
To start, please take
a moment to read some of the information about teaching in Japan.
2.
Basic Working Conditions*
- Salary: 250,000
yen / month ($2,400 USD) + 100,000 yen bonus at completion of the contract
(for a currency converter click here: http://www.englishtreejapan.com/Central_Japan_Lifestyle/index.htm#.)
- Start: Positions
available at all times.
- Contract: 1 year
(renewable depending on your performance and the companyfs needs).
- Teaching Hours:
25-30 hours of teaching / week + 5 ? 10 hours of preparation.
- Students: All
ages but typically elementary School & middle School (classes of
generally 4-12 students).
- Vacation: At least
10 days paid vacation plus, in most cases, national holidays that fall
on regularly scheduled working days
- Accommodation:
Living accommodations provided by the school (within a reasonable distance
of school) but employees will be expected to pay for their monthly apartment
rental costs (ranging between 50,000 yen and 70,000 yen per month).
- Medical Insurance:
Subsidized medical insurance (covering the period of employment).
- Visa: Working visa
sponsorship.
*These are examples only of basic working conditions for use
as a general guide
3.
General Duties
The teacher's duty and responsibilities include, but are not limited to
the following:
a. Instruction of
either English as a Foreign Language (EFL) in any or all phases of the
Institute's program.
b. Preparation for classes.
c. Assistance in developing the Institute's educational program and materials.
d. Attendance in required staff & teachersf meetings, workshops,
training sessions, etc.
e. Participation in other activities related to any aspect of the business
of the Institute.
4.
Salary
Depending on your experience, education, employment status (full-time
or part-time) and hours worked, you will be earning 250,000 Japanese Yen
or more per month. You will be paid in Japanese Yen either monthly or
bi-weekly. After setting up your bank account in Japan, your salary will
be deposited automatically into your account. If necessary, you will be
able to transfer money home from your bank or via a postal money order.
In some instances, schools will pay you in cash. Your gross salary amount
is almost the same as your net pay amount because only 5% of income tax
is deducted from foreign teacher's gross monthly pay in accordance with
current Japanese law.
When comparing
this salary to a Western salary, please also consider that:
- Deposit: Costly
damage deposit and non-refundable key money fees relating to your apartment
are covered by your employer.
- Taxes: Japanese
taxes are much lower. (5% income tax and 5% GST)
- Bonus: Upon completion
of your one year contract, you will usually be given a bonus (usually
in the vicinity of 100,000 yen) (click to have a currency converter
http://www.englishtreejapan.com/Central_Japan_Lifestyle/index.htm).
5.
Start
www.englishtreejapan.com
has positions available at all times. The application process (phone interview
with the school and Work Visa application process) takes at least 6 to
8 weeks. In other words, from the moment these companies introduce an
applicant to a school, they can be in Japan and teaching 1.5 to 2 months
later. When applicants first apply, they are asked when they would like
to start. For example, if an applicant says that he/she would like to
start around the beginning of November, phone interviews with potential
employers (schools) in September are organized (most schools only announce
their openings about 2 months in advance), a position is secured, guidance
through the process of obtaining a Work Visa for Japan is provided, as
is guidance on booking a flight to Japan.
6. Contract
All positions are for a duration of at least 1 year. Renewing for one
more year at the end of the contract is also almost always welcome (depending
on your performance and the companyfs needs).
You may annul your
contract by giving a minimum of two months' advance notice in writing.
In the case where the Employer seeks contract annulment, reasonable and
adequate grounds must be provided for the contract to be dissolved.
7.
Teaching Hours
You will be expected to work between 25 and 40 hours per week. Many jobs
are Monday to Friday, but some require you to work on Saturdays and Sundays
as well with other days of the week off in lieu. Most institutes have
classes lasting for 50 minutes, giving you a ten minute break between
lessons.
For adult students,
the only times they are available to attend classes are before or after
university or work. Because of this, some institutes may require you to
teach in split shifts (e.g. something like 6:30-9:30 in the morning and
18:00-21:00 at night). However, the vast majority of jobs available are
for teaching children. For these, you are most likely to have just one
shift beginning in the afternoon (e.g. 12:00-20:00), teaching elementary
school-aged children to begin with and high school-aged children in the
evening. If you teach kindergarten children exclusively, you are more
likely to start in the early morning and finish in the early afternoon.
You should expect to be putting in at least one hour of preparation each
day for your lessons. Most contracts stipulate that the employer is entitled
to ask you to work up to 40 hours per week.
8.
Students
A minority of the positions are for teaching adults. Most students are
Elementary and Middle School students. Some students are Kindergarten
aged. Most classes have 6-12 students in them.
9.
Vacation and Holidays
Depending on the institute you are working for, you may be entitled to
most Japanese national holidays (about 10 days per year).
Japanese National
Holidays
The actual dates of some national holidays vary from year to year and
in many cases occur directly before or after weekends. Please be aware
that employers are not required to give paid days off on national holidays.
However, many language institutes do grant employees paid days off or
days off in lieu of most national holidays. You can find a list of holidays
and observances at http://www.englishtreejapan.com/Central_Japan_Lifestyle/dates.htm@
Paid Vacation
In addition, you will usually be given 10 days paid vacation for the duration
of your one-year contract. You will have to let your employers know well
in advance of when you intend to take them; institutes can't afford to
have all of their foreign teachers go on vacation at the same time. Many
institutes also ration paid vacation into two separate vacations by allowing
two one-week vacations. Additionally, in some cases, the institute may
require you to take 5 of your 10 allotted vacation days at a prescribed
time (ie: when the institute closes for holidays).
Paid Sick Leave.
According to Japanese labor law, employers are not required to give paid
sick days. However, many institutes will allow some paid sick days throughout
the duration of your contract.
10.
Accommodation
Many Japanese language schools buy or lease apartments for company employees
near their respective schools. Teachers are provided with reasonably priced
accommodation in these apartments for the duration of their stay. Teachers
are responsible for paying their rent (usually between 55,000 yen and
70,000 yen per month) (click to have a currency converter
http://www.englishtreejapan.com/Central_Japan_Lifestyle/index.htm#)
but the language institute takes on the burden of Japanese apartment rental
start-up costs (damage deposit, non-refundable deposit, real estate commission,
etcc).
Apartments are usually
located within walking distance of the schools, or if not, very close
to public transportation. Apartments can be shared in some cases (2 Bedrooms,
1 living room, a relatively small kitchen space and a bathroom with shower/small
bathtub; with another foreign teacher at the school) but the majority
of company housing apartments are private (1 Bedroom, 1 living room, one
small kitchen space and a bathroom with shower/small bathtub). Japanese
accommodation is likely to be much smaller than what you are used to.
It is unlikely you will have any kind of yard or garden. Apartments are
generally furnished with a bed, small table, refrigerator, gas stove,
kitchen utensils and washing machine. Many company apartments also feature
an air conditioner/heater although this is not standard.
You will be required
to pay (or share the payment with your room-mate, if applicable) for your
utilities. Utilities may also include an apartment maintenance fee, in
addition to your heating, water and electricity. Utility costs usually
range anywhere from 10,000 yen / month ~15,000 yen / month depending on
usage. Some schools may take a small portion of your first month's salary
as a deposit for potential unpaid utility bills. However, this deposit
will be returned to you at the end of your contract.
Housing Allowance:
Some employers (not all) may offer a housing allowance for a teacher who
wants to find his/her own apartment. It is not recommended that you take
a Housing Allowance for having your own apartment if you are a first timer
in Japan and you don't have anyone that you know near the institute. Chances
are that your employer can find you a better apartment for that amount
of money. Besides, you don't want to be involved with renting and leasing
an apartment when you first come to Japan as it can be quite complicated.
However, if you already have someone with whom to share an apartment nearby,
then it might be a viable option.
11.
Travel Arrangements
In terms of getting to here, you will usually need to cover the costs
of your travel to Japan. It is recommended that you purchase return airfare
from your home country to the city requested by your institution. However,
upon completion of your contract you will be paid a bonus that will go
a long way to offsetting the total cost of the round trip ticket you purchased
to get to Japan. Further, you will have to pay for and arrange travel
within your home country to the nearest international airport along with
travelerfs insurance. Companies donft often cover this cost.
12.
Medical Insurance
Many teachers come to Japan with travelerfs insurance purchased via an
insurance or travel agent in their home country. Although it varies from
institute to institute, most employers cover roughly half of your medical
insurance costs. If you are intending to stay for one year only, you are
eligible to use travelerfs insurance which can be purchased from a travel
agent in your home country. Your employer will cover some of the costs
for this (usually to a maximum cost of 40,000 yen to 50,000 yen). However,
the exact amount covered varies from institute to institute. If you choose
this option, be sure to keep your travelerfs medical insurance receipt
to remain eligible for a partial reimbursement from your institute. Also
be aware that when visiting a doctor, you will need to make a cash payment
up front with a reimbursement coming directly from your medical provider.
If you are planning
to stay in Japan for more than one year, by Japanese law you are obliged
to enter the National Health Insurance scheme. For a person earning 250,000
Yen per month National Health Insurance will cost around 13,000 yen per
month (it actually costs roughly 27,000 yen per month but it is usually
shared 50/50 between the employer and employee).
Click for more info about the National Health Insurance plan (http://www.htia.org/e/info/health_i.html#no2
).
13.
Taxes and Deductions
A) The tax rate for teachers in Japan (foreign) depends on your monthly
wage. Needless to say, the higher your salary, the higher your tax rate.
Please refer to the National Tax Agency Website for more info (http://www.nta.go.jp/category/english/
).
B) Your employer is
required by law to supply you with a monthly pay slip called a "kyuryou
meisai". This slip shows your pay rate and the amount of tax deducted
from your pay.
E) There is a new
pension scheme available that employers are now required by law to deduct
from your pay. The amount is equal to 13.934% of your monthly wage. For
more information, visit the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfarefs
homepage. (http://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/org/policy/dl/p36-37d1.pdf)
Upon ending their status as resident of Japan, foreign nationals who have
contributed to the Japanese pension scheme for 6 months or more are entitled
to receive lump sum payments in lieu of the money they have contributed.
To become eligible to receive this payment, you must make an application
to your local Social Insurance Office (called, gshakai hoken jimushoh).
Salary deductions:
1. Income Tax. Click for more info (http://www.nta.go.jp/category/english/
).
2. National Pension Scheme. Click for more info (http://www.mhlw.go.jp/english/org/policy/dl/p36-37d1.pdf).
3. The National Health Insurance. Click for more info (http://www.htia.org/e/info/health_i.html#no2).
In some cases, the institute may also deduct the cost of your rent directly
from your salary each month.
14.
Dress code
This is rarely mentioned in a contract. Many institutes are very open
about what you wear when teaching, especially if you are teaching children.
However, most do have some form of dress code. This can be as minimal
as not allowing you to wear shorts to insisting on dress suits, shirts
and ties. Either way, you will notice that your Japanese co-workers will
usually be expected to dress much more formally than foreign teachers.
Generally, most schools are satisfied if you dress in smart-casual fashion.
There is one rule that will be found in almost all institutions. If you
have a tattoo, you will be required to cover it when teaching. This is
because tattoos are often associated with Yakuza (Japanese mafia) and
your company does not want that kind of image projected to their customers.
This rule also carries over to many public bathhouses which do not permit
entry to those with tattoos.
15.
Training, Assistance & Teaching Materials.
During your training you will have a chance to interact with other teachers
and learn the techniques you'll need in class. Most English conversation
teachers who come to Japan have little teaching experience and end up
being very competent teachers. The length of training varies depending
on the school and experience of the new teacher.
Most schools also
have English-speaking Japanese staff who can help you with any difficulties.
In some institutes, Japanese-speaking teachers may be available to explain
the finer points of English grammar to the students while you are responsible
for their pronunciation and for helping students to grasp lesson material.
Please be aware that it is very rare for institutes to provide Japanese
assistant teachers during your class to provide assistance or translate
for you. The schools and parents of the students prefer that you communicate
in English only.
Institutes will
provide books and materials for you to use, but you will also be able
to supplement them with your own games and activities often being able
to share your culture and background with your students.
16.
Additional Employment
Side jobs are usually discouraged. In fact, many contracts specifically
forbid teaching staff from additional employment without the permission
of the employer.
17.
Teaching Tips
Many future teachers worry about the fact that they may not be good teachers
or that they will not be able to communicate effectively with the children.
This should not be a serious issue though. Teaching English is not difficult
if you work hard and make learning fun for the children. Japanese students
are similar in many ways to students in the West. They play with many
of the same toys and games, have a passion for video games and are obsessed
with movie and rock stars. Students are there because they want to learn
English in addition to the schooling they receive at their regular schools.
They are willing to work hard and most students are extremely well behaved
and courteous to their teachers. Even if you have a student who is disruptive,
with proper strategies, problems are quickly rectified. Unlike in many
Western schools, discipline is not a major concern in schools. However,
to be more effective all teachers should remember a few key teaching tips.
First, always speak
clearly and at an appropriate level for your students. Some classes may
contain beginner students who will not understand you if you speak too
quickly or with too much jargon or slang. Other classes may have students
who have lived abroad longer than they have lived in Japan. These students
have a much higher level of understanding and may even correct your English!
A second strategy
that is important is to try and get to know your students. Find out what
music they like, who their favorite movie stars are and what sports or
hobbies they take part in. Use this in your lessons and students will
quickly become engaged in your lessons.
Also, it doesnft
hurt to try and learn some Japanese along the way. Learning to write your
name and a few key words impresses the students and will encourage their
desire to learn more English. Although keeping to the philosophy of speaking
English only is usually maintained, learning some Japanese will help you
understand your students better; even if you reply to their Japanese questions
in English.
Another tip is to
be firm, fair and have fun. Remember that you are the teacher and that
your job is to help the students learn. It is your job to determine how
much noise or playing around is acceptable. It is also important to treat
all children the same, even if you are tempted to favor a few of the darling
students who help you with your books on the way to each class!
Finally, it is most
important to incorporate activities that will make learning fun for the
students - and for you!
Teaching in Japan
sounds interesting; sounds like a rewarding experience; sounds like something
I want to do. What should I do next?
First take a look at the FAQ
section on working and living in Japan. There is a lot of important
information on what to expect and what you should be prepared for. |
