| With the recent economic downturn that is becoming | | | | You can also expect a week off in May and another |
| a global phenomenon, especially in the U.S. or Canada, | | | | week off in December. |
| more and more graduates are looking for work | | | | These same conditions apply to those who chose |
| abroad. When considering where to work, really the | | | | their first job in Japan as an ALT. ALT's or assistant |
| sky is the limit. Many look for greener pastures in | | | | language teachers, teach in public high schools and |
| Korea or China while others prefer to focus on fully | | | | assist the Japanese teacher in teaching English. Hours |
| developed countries like Japan. This article will focus | | | | will be different though. ALT's work pretty much |
| on what a recent graduate might expect in terms of | | | | what one might call "normal" working hours or 8 a.m |
| salary and working conditions if he or she wishes to | | | | to 4 p.m. or so. Whereas those who work for large |
| get an entry level job teaching English in Japan. | | | | chain schools will work later hours ranging from |
| What to Expect | | | | around 1 p.m to 9 p.m or so. Working for large chain |
| Firstly, disregard the stuff you read on the internet | | | | schools pretty much is a late night gig. |
| about teaching in Japan being an absolute cake walk. | | | | Is there a difference? |
| Being objective, it's not the hell you read about nor is | | | | Is there a different in these two roads? Salary wise |
| it a breeze, at least for most people. | | | | they are pretty much the same. Working time is |
| Those who work for large chain schools like Geos, | | | | pretty much the same. But ALT's are employed by a |
| Nova or ECC can expect roughly 20-23 actual | | | | B.O.E or board of education whereas those working |
| teaching hours with an additional 10 to 15 hours doing | | | | for chain schools are directly employed by the school |
| prep for lessons or doing things to promote the | | | | that hires you. |
| school - read handing out fliers, giving trial lessons to | | | | One difference is that if you are teaching in a large |
| new students and attending staff meetings. So all in | | | | chain school you will more than likely be teaching both |
| all you'll be working roughly 40 hours a week. Pretty | | | | children and adults whereas ALT's only teach junior |
| much the same as if you remained in your home | | | | high school students. |
| country. Salary wise you'll receive on average | | | | Regardless of the path one chooses, teaching in |
| 250,000 yen per month. Which is about 25,000 per | | | | Japan is a fairly easy way to get your career in |
| year U.S.D. Most teachers get 2 days off per week, | | | | education or teaching started. |
| most national holidays which is about 10 per year. | | | | |