For anyone interested in teaching ESL in Japan it can be tough knowing which company to work for. This article, by a writer who has lived and worked in and around Japan's language industry, previously as an English conversation teacher and now as a lecturer and text writer, will help you make the right choice for you.
Teaching ESL in Japan
offers numerous rewards, both financial and personal. But, which company is the
best for you to go with? Who gives the best vacations and remuneration? And who
gives the best working schedule or the most help in setting up in Japan?
Here is a look the big companies hiring the majority of new ESL teachers in Japan
and what they have to offer teachers intending to spend some time teaching ESL
in Japan.
The Big Three ESL Companies
NOVA
Nova is by far the biggest English Conversation School Chain in Japan
with schools throughout the land and a massive advertising budget that means
not a day passes without seeing a Nova TV commercial or subway poster. Although
popular with students, NOVA has a high turnover of teachers with many leaving
after only six months to join other schools with better contracts.
NOVA also has a negative reputation among many teachers and a
non-socialization policy with students outside of class. That said NOVA is one
of the easiest ways to get Japan
in the first place.
Salary
During the first three months at Nova teachers are on a probationary period
where their salary will range between 222,000 and 229,000 yen a month ($1980 -
2045). After the probationary period, salaries rise to a maximum of 285,000 yen
a month ($2545), with a possible annual pay increase of up to 15,000 ($135) a
month after the first year.
Holidays
NOVA teachers work five days a week, usually including weekends, with two
typically consecutive week days off. Where vacations are concerned, ex-NOVA teachers
are often heard to say that NOVA is short for NOVAcation. Teachers only receive
10 annual flexible holidays and eight fixed days off around New Years. They are
also expected to work on Christmas day and all Japanese national holidays.
A plus for NOVA teachers, however, is a shift swap system that allows
teachers to swap working days with each other at short notice. This can be
useful if you want a day off to go to a concert or to give yourself a long
weekend.
The Schedule
A standard working day at NOVA would be an eight hour shift starting from
1000 or 1300 with an hour for lunch included, or a short shift from 1700 t0
2100. Total working hours each week amount to just over 30, all of which is
done at one location.
Teachers can expect to teach a variety of adult group lessons, kid’s
classes, test preparation classes and maybe even web lessons.
ECC
In recent years ECC has turned its attention to hiring from overseas.
However, prior to this it was known as a refuge for ex-NOVA teachers seeking
less working hours (about 40 a month fewer until a few years ago) with
considerably more time off and about the same salary. Like NOVA, ECC is a
nationwide company known by most Japanese.
Salary
The basic starting salary at ECC is 252,000 yen a month ($2250), with annual
performance related pay increases of between 5,000 to 15,000 yen a month ($45 -
135).
Holidays
ECC teachers usually have Sundays and one weekday off every week in addition
to a good vacation package that includes all national holidays, about 2 fixed
weeks in August, about 10 fixed days in May and about 10 fixed days over the
Christmas and New Year holidays.
On top of this, ECC teachers have five flexible holidays a year that can be
used at anytime. As is the case at NOVA, the number of flexible holidays
increases with time.
The Schedule
ECC teachers work 29.5 hours a week with about 25 hours of contact time.
Teachers teach at three or four schools (on separate days)
Shifts start either from around 1100 to 1200 or from around 1530 and last a
maximum of six hours, which means there is no lunch break. Japanese Labor Law
insists that six hours is the maximum shift time without a formal lunch break.
At ECC, teachers can expect a mixture of kid’s classes and 40- or 80-minute
classes for adults. Web lessons are just beginning at ECC and are not taught
often, if at all, as part of a regular schedule.
GEOS
Although GEOS is not as big as NOVA it still has over 500 schools across Japan
and advertises heavily. Subsequently, GEOS is another household name in Japan.
Salary
The salary starts from 250,000 yen per month ($2235) and can be boosted
slightly with performance rewards. Teachers are eligible for promotion twice a
year, which is an opportunity to increase their salaries. Additionally,
teachers can expect up to 100,000 yen ($890) after their first year as a
contract completion bonus.
Holidays
GEOS gives its teachers a total of four weeks holiday plus all national
holidays in their first year. Like ECC and NOVA, the number of flexible
holidays increases over time.
Although most teachers work on weekends, teachers are guaranteed consecutive
days off.
The Schedule
GEOS teachers work a five day week, each day being nine hours long including
the lunch break and some lesson preparation time. Shifts start from 1100, 1200
or 1300 and the average number of teaching hours a week, according to GEOS, is
28.
Like NOVA and ECC, GEOS has predominantly kid’s classes and group lessons
for adults ranging from beginner level to advanced level.
A Word about Visas
All of the companies discussed in this article will do most of the work
needed to secure your visa, and they will act as your visa sponsor. Depending
on the mood of the immigration office on any given day, you will get a one- or
three-year visa as a Specialist in Humanities and International Studies. Each
time you renew this visa you will be given an extension of three years.
A Word about Accommodation
All of the above companies will find you reasonable accommodation not too
far from the school or schools you will be working at. Remember, though, that
this is Japan
and so don’t expect too much space in your apartment and don’t expect to live
next to your school.
Your commute will probably be at least 30 minutes each way, but rarely more
than two hours a day. This may not seem so great, but most Japanese working in Tokyo
spend at least an hour each way commuting.
As for rent, expect to pay somewhere in the region of 50,000 to 80,000 yen
($445 – 715) for an apartment shared with other teachers or for a room in a
guesthouse.
Work on the Side
Both NOVA and ECC are happy for their teachers to gain additional income
working for other companies as long as they don’t steal students and as long as
priority is given to their scheduling.
GEOS does not allow moonlighting and states on its website that moonlighting
is contrary to Japanese Immigration Law. Perhaps this is true, or perhaps not.
The fact of the matter is that most teachers gain valuable income from
moonlighting and no teachers have ever been hauled up by the government because
of it.
In fact, many teachers moonlight as state high school and university
teachers, and the government happily pays them and then happily collects taxes
from income earned on the side.