Hello

So i have put the winemaking career on hold and decided to go to Japan to be an 'English teacher'...

I leave Australia on Wenesday, June 13th, arriving that night in Tokyo, and begin training on Monday, June 18th...

Now, English teaching in Japan is a little different to what you might imagine... It's not a pro bono type thing in an under developed country and its not teaching school kids... Its a multi-million dollar industry in Japan. Basically, there are hundereds of English school companies in Japan. Many consist of only one to several schools, but the market is dominated by a few large companies that own hundreds of branches throughout the country. These larger schools recruit outside Japan, in English speaking countries (Australia, USA, England etc), and demand only two things of applicants; 1) They have a university degree, and 2) English is their native language. You are not reqired to have a knowledge of Japanese (in fact, speaking Japanese in classes is banned) and need no other qualifications or teaching experience.

So, i have secured a job with the largest English language chain school in Japan, called NOVA. There has been some bad press recently regarding this company, but i am going over with an open mind and no expectations. The company provides a furnished apartment, a VISA, and reimburses travel expenses to and from work (Subway). You are not locked into a contract and can leave at any time. I have a working holiday VISA, which means that i can do other work aside from English teaching.

I had put down Tokyo as my preference to work and live. I received an email from NOVA today informing me that i will be living in Ichikawa. This is an area East of Tokyo (part of Chiba prefecture) and is a 30 minute subway ride to central Tokyo. I will be living in a 3 bedroom apartment with two other male teachers, a Canadian and a Pom. I dont find out which area of Tokyo i will be working until the orientation day on the 18th... I hope it is somewhere near central Tokyo ( lots of people and excitement!)...

I'm doing this site, not only to keep family and friends updated, but also for people that are thinking about going to Japan for English teaching... I have been interested in Japan for a while, and have been contemplating jumping on the English teaching gravy train for about one and a half years. I certainly did a s#*t load of internet enquires before finally deciding to 'bugger it, maze well just do it', so i will try to talk not only about my experiences in Japan, but also my trials and tribulations as an 'English Teacher' (and I use that phrase loosely ^_^).

Sorry to rant and rave, i promise all my posts wont be this long!!


Cheers

Jimmy


13 days to go!