Students - Japan

Teachers are very highly regarded in Japan, particularly those from abroad. Your students are likely to be very friendly, welcoming and eager to learn all about you. Although you are likely to be employed to help with ‘conversation and communication’, Japanese culture can make successful communicative lessons difficult to achieve. Japanese are generally unwilling to express their own opinions publicly, particularly on controversial topics. Typical communicative EFL activities such as debates and discussions have therefore to be approached with more thought and planning. It is better to arrange small discussion groups and elect a spokesperson to speak for the group rather than as an individual.

Students who will be assigned to your class will probably be of all ages. Some schools deal specifically with children or adults but because of the competitiveness of this industry, most schools cater to all ages. Student wise, you can expect a healthy dose of children and young professionals like office ladies and salary men as they’re called to make up the bulk of who you teach.

The students are generally motivated and eager to learn English. You should not find yourself having an awful time in the classrooms as the children are a great lot.