Your Man in Japan

The following questions are answered in this video:

Topic 1: Procedures and Routines

1. What “American” type class management techniques d oyou think do; or don’t; work in Japanese classrooms? Why?

2. What class management techniques in Japan are used most often, or work well? Which do you prefer and why? Do you think they work better than certain techniques used in America?

3. What are your methods of discipline? Do you have a rewards system?

4. How does the grading system work? How do you deal with late work (if at all)?

5. How do you relate to your students?

6. How do you relate the curriculum to your students?

7. How do you begin class each day?

8. How do you know how much homework to assign?

9. Do (or did) you have bell work? Why or why not?

10. How do you call on students to answer questions? Why? (Ex: Popsicle sticks)

Topic 2: The Teaching Lifestyles

1. What do you do (for work or other) when school is not in session?

2. How long did you intend to teach vs. How long you’ve been teaching?

3. How do you act when you see students outside of the classroom?

4. Where do you get lesson plans? How do you personally plan them?

5. How do you end your day?

6. Do you think it’s possible to live in Japan comfortably while teaching so long as you work hard?

Topic 3: Standards for Entry Level Teachers

1. How high of an education did you get before looking for a teaching job?

2. What kind of experience do you suggest I have before becoming a teacher?

3. What Major(s) and Minor(s) did you need to get your job?

4. Because teaching is such a competitive field, are there majors or minors you would strongly recommend?

5. Any you strongly DON’T recommend? Why?

6. Are there classes/degrees you would recommend taking after getting a teaching job?

Topic 4: Leadership Style

1. Do you believe being a foreign teacher affects the ability to teach native students effectively? Do you think it affects their ability to learn? Why or why not?

2. What activities do you believe get students engaged (and having fun) while still learning?

3. How do (or did) you apply each learning technique (visual; hands on; auditory)?

4. Do you form friendly relationships with your students?

5. Do you prefer one learning style over another? Why?

6. Are there restrictions set by schools that restrict how you teach? (Ex: Lecture+notes vs. Discussion+interaction)

7. Do you have general freedom on how you teach so long as the curriculum is followed?

8. What is your morning routine before school? Do you commute? How and why is one way better over another?

9. Do you believe working as an ESL Teacher in Japan is worth it? Or are there disillusionments in the idea of doing it?

Topic 5: Other questions or Comments

1. Is there anything you’d recommend aspiring ESL Teachers keep in mind as they near college and/or actually teaching in Japan?

2. What have been your most satisfying experiences as an ESL Teacher? Did they make you glad you’d chosen that job?

3. And other pieces of advice or something to say?

Questions I answered:
Adjustment Process of English Language Teachers in Japan
Your home cultures
1. What is home for you? How would you describe your feelings towards home?
2. How culturally diverse would you describe your experiences at home?
Your teaching experience
3. Before arriving, how well prepared did you feel to teach English in Japan? How accurate was this assumption?
4. In general, how relevant do you think teaching experience in your home country is to teaching in Japan? Could you explain why?
Intercultural communication training
5. Did you have any formal training about Japanese language or culture before arriving here?
Length of stay in Japan
6. 7. 8. 9.
Prior to 10.
11. 12.
How long do you expect to continue teaching English in Japan? Why?
Under what conditions would you extend your time teaching English in Japan?
Under what conditions would you reduce your expected time teaching English in Japan?
Have you considered another line of work (other than English teaching) to stay in Japan? Why or why not?
departure
When did you come to the decision to go to Japan? How much time passed between your decision making and getting to Japan? What kind of support did you have for this decision? Besides teaching English, what plans did you have for your experience in Japan?
Can you describe your emotions on the days (or months) leading up to your departure to Japan?
Upon arrival
13. Can you describe your emotions on the first few days upon your arrival to Japan?
14. What were your first impressions of the country? Of your accommodations? Of your city,
region, or community? Of your school? Of your colleagues? Of your students?
15. How do you feel about your first impressions now?
During the first few months
16. How would you describe your first months in terms of emotional impact? For example or conversely, was it stable or constantly changing? How so?
17. What contributed to these emotional changes (if any) the most?
18. How would you describe your social life during the few months?
19. Besides teaching English, how did you spend your time?
1
Interview Questions Jeremy Slagoski Adjustment Process of English Language Teachers in Japan jeremy.slagoski@uiowa.edu
20. On an average work day, how much time did you spend teaching and preparing lessons? This includes thinking about teaching and preparing lessons.
21. How often did you contact your friends and family back home? In what ways did this help you?
Now
22. Comparing your first month(s) to now, how do you spend your free time? Why has (not) this changed?
23. Comparing your first month(s) to now, how often do you contact your family and friends back home? Why has (not) this changed?
24. How important is it for you to keep up to date with current events in your home city, state, or country? Why?
Your classes
25. How have your feelings about teaching English changed since you arrived to Japan?
26. As a teacher, how would you define a successful day of class?
27. How often do you have these successful kinds of days? Why?
28. What difficulties have you encountered in the classroom that may have prevented a day from
being successful?
29. Can you recall any struggle or difficulty you had in the classroom that you were eventually able
to overcome? If so, describe that to me.
Japanese students
30. What are your thoughts on Japanese students in general?
31. What have you learned about Japanese students that you didn’t know before you arrived? 32. How are you able to relate to your students? Or how are your students able to relate to you? 33. In what ways do you or your students overcome stereotypes of each other?
Professional organizations
34. Are you familiar with any professional organizations of English teachers in Japan? Can you tell me about them?
35. What are your feelings about joining one of these professional organizations? Do you find any value in membership?
36. If you are a member, why did you decide to join? Do you feel that you made the right decision to join? Why or why not? How have they helped you develop professionally?
37. How about international organizations like TESOL or IATEFL?
38. Are there certain English language programs in Japan that you would like to work in? Why or
why not?
39. Are there certain English language programs in Japan that you would never want to work in?
Why or why not?
2
Interview Questions Jeremy Slagoski Adjustment Process of English Language Teachers in Japan jeremy.slagoski@uiowa.edu
40. What are your thoughts and feelings about the status of English and English language education in Japan?
Japanese language, culture and people
41. How has your understanding of Japanese culture changed since you arrived here?
42. What aspects of the culture surprised you the most? Are you most curious about?
43. Have you noticed any influence of the culture on English language education in Japan? If so,
what are your thoughts?
44. How would you evaluate your social life with Japanese people? Have you found it easier or
more difficult to form relationships with Japanese? How so?
45. What cultural barriers, if any, do you believe make it difficult to form friendships with some
Japanese?
Reflection
46. If you could draw a line representing your emotional state from when you arrived to now, how would you draw it? Trending upwards, downwards, like a roller coaster with many peaks and valleys?
47. If trending upwards, what factors do you think helped you feel better about living and working in Japan?
48. If trending downwards, what factors do you think contributed to you feeling worse about living and working in Japan?
49. If wavering, what do you believe contributed to certain peaks throughout your time in Japan?
50. If wavering, what do you believe contributed to certain valleys throughout your time in Japan?
51. At this point, how well adjusted do you believe you are to living and working in Japan?

1. Q. What do you need?

A.A college/university degree from a country where English is the main language. Examples are: The USA, Canada, The UK, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.

2. Q. What if I don’t have a degree?

A. If you qualify (usually you have to be 18-30 years of age) and if your country offers it, you can get a “Working Holiday Visa.” Countries that offer this are (at the writing of this blog): Canada, Australia, England, and New Zealand.
For a full list click here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Working_holiday_visa#Countries_and_territories_offering_working_holiday_visas

3. Q. What would you recommend getting a degree in if your plan is to teach English in Japan? I’m starting university this year, and have considered a major in Japanese, but from what I’ve heard some companies frown upon strong Japanese skills when hiring teachers. I see the Japanese degree as a gateway to many other careers including some in business and translating, especially when coupled with a minor in international business or IT, but I’ve heard that working as an ALT is the best way to get your foot in the door. Would you recommend a different major if my goal is to work in Japan?

A. I would never recommend anyone getting a degree JUST to teach English. I would not even recommend that as a lifetime career. I do that, but I like it. Most people can’t take more than a few years. It’s either too boring or too much of a dead-end job. (I’ve gone on to open my own school, and I do other things so….) So get a degree that you can use later in life. Think about what you want to do, and get a degree in something that will help you forward your career later. A business degree will open doors in almost ANY field, so if you’re really lost, you can major in business and see what doors open for you in the future.

4. Q. WIll getting a Working Holiday Visa guarantee me a job?

A. No, you (EXPLETIVE)! Of course not! You still have to find a job?

5. Q. How can I find a job teaching in Japan?

A. There are many many ways.
-You can come here and look for one. This means cold calling schools and simply asking around.
-You can check the wanted ads online and in your home country before coming here.

6. Q. I don’t want to teach. I’d rather do something else. Is it possible?

A. Yes, but you still need to find the job. If you have a working visa you may find someone who will hire you. If you do not have a working holiday visa, and a company wants to hire you you can get a get them to sponsor your visa application and hire you.

Anecdotes that may or may not give you hope: I know an Italian who came over as a college student, went to school for one year, and was then hired by Apple to sell computes at their store in Nagoya. He told me that Mac was sponsoring his visa.

7. Q. Sorry, what’s a visa?

A. It is permission from a country to enter that country to do certain things. Examples of visas and their limitations:
-a tourist visa: you may enter for a certain length of time (depending on your country) but you may not take part in paid activities. Translation: You can come to visit friends, go sight-seeing, attempt to do business (make deals) etc, but you cannot work and get paid.

Other visas include:
– Visa for Medical Stay
– Working visas

More info here:
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/

8. How about personality, appearance, and age requirements?

Its really up tot he discretion of the company that hires you. GENERALLY speaking companys prefer the younger bright-eyed and bushy-tailed teachers.

Personality:
I hear some schools interview groups of teachers by throwing them all in a room and having them do activities. They then pick out the most outgoing, friendliest, and approachable teachers for one-on-one videos. GENERALLY speaking that is the kind of teacher that gets the job, the smiling, friendly, approachable teacher.
When it comes to what personality you need to be a happy teacher? Well, that’s a different story. Many schools force you to use a curriculum that may be so boring you’ll cry tears of boredom. Some schools give you more leeway with what you do in the classroom. Some schools will have cameras observing you. Some schools will actually sit a manager or staff member in the classroom to watch you. Can you handle that kind of pressure? Only you know the answer.
Another quality you need is patience. Some students are great and learn so quickly it’s a joy to teach them. Other students seem to forget everything almost immediately. I once had a private class consisting of an old manju maker and his wife. I swear I taught that couple the same lesson every week for about a year. No point losing your temper, though. So grin and bear it and wait for the bell to ring without looking to anxious about it.

Appearance:
GENERALLY they want you to look clean cut and friendly. No one wants to hire a teacher that looks intimidating. While some students like the “authentic” looking foreigner — which may or may not include less conventional physical attributes, like long hair, dreadlocks, tattoos, body piercings, facial hair, etc.– most EIKAIWA (English school) managerial staff prefer the clean-cut, conservative look. Again, remember that these are GENERALIZATIONS, I have seen and have even had teaching jobs where I sported long hair, earings, and facial hair. I’ve seen other teachers with long hair, tattoos, and nose rings, etc. I appreciate that for some of you, cutting your hair or “hiding” your “true apppearance” is a big deal. My advice, do what you have to to get the job, THEN feel out the atmosphere and see how far you can stretch your legs.

Age:
The fresh-out-of-college type of teachder is the most common, but I’ve seen teachers as old as 60 come to Japan and get jobs. Of course, it’s usually harder for the older teachers to land jobs, but not unheard of.

9. Q. What about sexuality? I’m gay. Can I get a job?
A. The short answer: Yes, of course!
I once hired a teacher, and after years of working together I came to realize he was gay. He never told me, and I never asked. Most importantly, it did not change anything in the working relationship either on my end — as the manager — or with the students. Yes, some of the students asked me, “Does Mr. X have a girlfriend?” and even “Is he gay?” I never answered. I just told them to ask him.
I heard of a school in Tokyo that ONLY hired gay men. That was apparently part of the appeal. I was told that gay men (according to this school’s thinking) were thought to be cooler, friendlier, and more stylish than average EIKAIWA teachers. And the fact that they never hit on the students was an added bonus.

10. Q. I don’t have any teaching certificates, but I am American and I have a bachelor’s degree. What are my chances that I’ll get hired?

There are various teaching degrees out there like:  Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL) or English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) etc. Personally I don’t give such degrees or certificates too much importance, but I suppose some of the larger chain schools might. If your interested in a particular school, I suggest you email them and just ask.

11.  Q. I’m not white, and I’ve heard that if you are not white you are overlooked by most employers. How relevant is race?

A. While I cannot speak for Japanese preferences, my impression is that the blonde, blue eyed foreigner is seen as more exotic and so it might initially increase your chances of landing a job. But I’ve seen people of all races (white, black, asian, indian) get jobs teaching here so it’s obviously not that important. I myself am a pretty tan mix of many races.  Your background will be interesting to many students but in general will not stop you from getting a job.

12. Q. How much of the Japanese language do you need to know to teach English?

A. None at all. Some people seem surprised by this answer, but it’s true. You don’t need any Japanese to start teaching. The more you know the better you’ll get at figuring out what students are trying to say, but I’ve only seen one employer — a high school — require conversational Japanese for a teaching job.

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★Want more detailed information on teaching English in Japan? I’ve made some videos to answer various questions.

What do you need to become an English Teacher in Japan? (Answering your questions.)

Q&A: English 英会話 Teacher in Japan: 20 Questions Answered



How to Get a Job Teaching English in Japan!

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Good luck!

Thanks for reading this. I hope it answered your questions. Do you have more questions?
Email me at gimmeabreakman@gmail.com
I’ll add them to this FAQ in future updates!

Can anyone answer this question?

1. 喫煙•飲食•居眠り等の

2. 他のお客さまにご迷惑となる行為は

So today is the end of an odd series of holidays in Japan known as Golden Week or GW (ゴールデンウィーク Goorudenwiiku). Golden Week is the series of national holidays at the end of April and the beginning of May. Combined with Saturday and Sunday, which most people have off anyway, it is a great time to take a short trip somewhere. The downside is that in the middle of GW there are a few days that are regulary work days. So instead of having a real one full week off, we actually have two short long weekends. This year GW was April 27 to April 29 and May 3 to May 6.
Anyway, to accomodate the increased number of GW travelers, train companies offer more travel friendly schedules. Here is sign advertising just those schedules.

————–
GW期間を中心に  GW  kikan  o  chūshin ni
臨時列車増発  rin ji  ressha zōhatsu
ご旅行や行楽に便利な列車のご案内  go ryo kō ya kōraku ni ben ri na ressha no go an nai
列車旅をおトク！「JRのトクトクきっぷ情報」 ressha tabi wo o to  ku !   「 JR   no  to ku  to ku    kippu    jō   hō 」
———
A rough translation of the sign, line per line….
GW期間を中心に = In the middle of Golden Week
臨時列車増発 = increase in special trains
ご旅行や行楽に便利な列車のご案内 = guide to convenient trains for trips & excursions
列車旅をおトク！「JRのトクトクきっぷ情報」= Discounts for train trips! 「Information about special discount tickets for JR」
———
Vocabulary:
GW ゴールデンウィーク Goorudenwiiku = Golden Week
期間 kikan = a period of time
を wo = article indicating a verb’s object
中心 chūshin = the center
に ni = in
臨時 rinji = temporary
列車 ressha = train
増発  zōhatsu = increase in trains, buses, etc.
ご go = honorable prefix, add this to a noun to make it more polite
旅行 ryokō = trip
や ya = and
行楽 kōraku = an outing, an excursion
に ni = for, to
便利な benrina = (adjective) convenient
列車 ressha = train
の no = ‘s
ご go = honorable prefix, add this to a noun to make it more polite
案内 an nai = guidance, information
列車旅 ressha tabi = train trip
お o = honorable prefix, add this to a noun to make it more polite
トク toku = advantage, special (often means discount)
JR jei aaru = Japan Railways
トクトク toku toku = this just emphasizes “toku”
きっぷ kippu = ticket
情報 jōhō = information, news, intelligence

No Smoking Sign-1: Japanese Street Signs-1

この周辺は kono shuuhen wa = around here

路上禁煙地区です。 ro jou kin en chi ku desu.

路上 rojou = on the street, 禁煙 kin en = no smoking, 地区 area

たばこを吸うと tabako wo suu to = if you smoke

たばこ tabako = tobacco, をwo=particle indicating action of verb, 吸うsuu = smoke, とto = if

過料 2,000円 karyou ni sen en = a fine or administrative penalty of 2,000 yen

Underneath the non smoking icon on the left: 禁煙 kin en = no smoking!

In the top right hand corner: 名古屋市 Nagoya shi = Nagoya city

How Not to Get Groped in Japan. (J-Culture!)

Josei no bōhan • anzen taisaku

=Safety measures to prevent crimes against women

電車中の痴漢対策 Densha chū no chikan taisaku = How to deal with a perv on the train/subway.

1. 混んでいる時間帯、乗車場所（階段・改札付近）をできる限り避ける。 Kondeiru jikantai, jōsha basho（kaidan ・ kaisatsu fukin） wo dekirukagiri sakeru. = During rush hour, avoid the train area (stairs, wickets) as much as possible.

2. 混んでいる電車にはできる限り一人で乗らないで友人と一緒に乗る。Kondeiru densha ni wa dekirukagiri hitoride noranaide yūjin to isshoni noru.  = Whenever possible do not ride crowded trains alone. Ride them with a friend.

3. 女性専用車両が有る場合には利用する。Josei senyō sharyō ga aru baai ni wa riyōsuru. =When available possible use the woman’s only car.

4. いつも同じ場所・時間の電車に乗っている人を狙う痴漢もいるため、電車を変える。Itsumo onaji basho ・ jikan no densha ni notteiru hito wo nerau chikan mo iru tame, densha wo kaeru.=There are pervs targeting people who ride the train at the same time and from the same place so change it up.

5. 周囲に注意を払い、不審な人は避ける。Shūini chūi wo harai, fushinna hito wa sakeru.= Pay attention to your surroundings and avoid suspicious people.

6. 周囲に注意し、女性の隣を確保するなど安全な立つ位置をうまく確保する。ドアの付近や車輌の角など動くことのできない場所を避ける。Shūi ni chūi shi, josei no tonari o kakuho suru nado anzen na tatsu ichi o umaku kakuho suru. Doa no fukin ya sharyō no kaku nado ugoku koto no deki nai basho wo sakeru. = Be aware of your surroundings and try to sit next to women and stand in “safe” places. Avoid standing near the doors and in corners.

7. できる限り背後に人が立たないようにする。Dekiru kagiri haigo ni hito ga tatanai yō ni suru. = Do your best not to let people stand behind you.

 8. 列車に乗る場合には服装に注意し、露出度の少ないものにする。Ressha ni noru baai ni wa fukusō ni chūi shi , roshutsu-do no sukunai mono ni suru. =When riding the train think about what you wear. Avoid wearing skimpy clothes.

 9. 鞄や本などでブロックし、接触する機会を防ぐ努力をする。Kaban ya hon nado de burokku shi, sesshoku suru kikai o fusegu doryoku o suru.=Use bags or books to block other people. Try to avoid creating opportunities for being touched.

10. 不幸にも遭遇した場合には毅然とした態度で嫌だということを声を出ていう。黙っているとエスカレートするため我慢しない。Fukō ni mo sōgūshita baainiwa kizentoshita taido de iya da to iu koto o koe o de te iu. Damatsuteiru to esukarēto suru tame gaman shi nai. = If you have the bad luck of encountering a molester, show your displeasure in a firm voice. If you say nothing and put up with it, it will only get worse.

11. 痴漢の犯人の触っている手を捕まえて、警察・駅員に訴える。泣き寝入りをしない。Chikan no hannin no sawatteiru te wo tsukamaete, keisatsu・ekiin ni uttaeru. nakineiri o shi nai.=Grab the hand of criminal that grabs you and tell the cops or train staff. Don’t just take it.

Example: 泣き寝入りをするんじゃない。Nakineiri wo surunjanai! = Don’t just take it.

My video explaining  the Nico Video:

Original video.
[ニコ生] 街中で「893こいやコラ！」と叫んで拉致られそうになる

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXJLDz7PI9c

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Vocabulary in video:

２：３０～４：３０

はい、暴力売られました、今。ヤクザっぽい人に暴力売られました。
= Hai bouryoku uraremashita ima. Yakuzappoi hito ni bouryoku uraremashita.
(He provoked violence now. The person who looks like Yakuza just provoked violence.)

喧嘩を売るkenka wo uru = to pick a fight (literally to sell a fight)

っぽい ppoi = ish

来る kuru = to come

来て kite = TE form of KURU
なんでしょうか？はい、来て下さい。来て下さい。
= Nandeshouka? Hai, kite kudasai. Kite kudasai.
= What do you want? (Or What is it?) Please come, Please come.

ふざけんのもいい加減にしろよ。
= Fuzaken nomo iikagen ni shiro yo.
= That’s enough. Don’t give me shit.

お前がいい加減にしろよ。
= Omae ga iikagen ni shiroyo.
= Don’t give ME shit!
ヤクザなんすか？
= Yakuza nansu ka?
= Are you Yakuza?

何ですか nandesuka –> なんすか nansuka

俺、大友組っすよ。大友組ですよ。
= Ore Ootomokumi ssuyo. Ootomo kumi desuyo.
= I belong to Otomo Family. You know Otomo family. (Yakuza group)

だからどうした？
= Dakara doushita?
= So what?

なんだてめえ
= Nanda temee
= Who’s the fuck are you?

あっ、パソコンなぶんないで下さい。
= Ah, pasokon nabunnaide kudasai.
= Ah, please don’t touch the computer.

あなた録画されているんでね。
= Anata rokuga sareterun dene.
= I am recording you. You know…

すみません、ちょっとお客様の迷惑になりますので…..
= Sumimasen. Chotto okyaku sama no meiwaku ni narimasu node.
= I am sorry but this will bother other customers so…

はよ出てよ
= Hayo dete yo.
= Get out here now

あっここから帰さないって、警察、警察呼ぼうぜ、帰さないって
= Ah koko kara kaesanai tte. Keisatsu, keisetsu yobouze, Kaesanaitte
= He said he is not going to let me leave from here. Let’s call Police, He said he won’t let me leave here.

じゃあ、１０９、あ１００しよ　暴力ふってきたのあっちだよね
= jaa ichimaru kyu ah ichi maru zero shiyo. Bouryoku futte kita no acchi dayone.
= Then dial 109, I will call “100” He is the one who became violent.
普通に１１０番しよ。
= Futsuu ni hyakutouban shiyo.
= I will dial “110” just like that.

From the comments:
こんなに馬鹿馬鹿しい子供がいる限り、日本の未来は暗いです
Konnani bakabakashii kodomo ga iru kagiri nihon no mirai wa kurai desu.
= As long as we have stupid kids like this, Japan’s future is bleak

カッコ悪い kakkowarui = not cool