| The economic boom that swept Japan in the 1980's | | | | visas, flights, living accommodations, and health |
| brought with it not only a period of wealth and | | | | insurance. Free lance teachers are individuals who |
| prosperity, but also a sudden surge in a desire to | | | | arrive in Japan looking for work on their own or who |
| study English. Fueled in part by Japan's role as an | | | | have found a job prior to arriving. In regard to |
| emerging economic force, the need to learn English | | | | working conditions both can expect to teach |
| became a necessity for many companies hoping to | | | | approximately 20-35 classes per week, with lessons |
| compete in the global marketplace. As a result of the | | | | spanning 50 minutes to one hour in duration. Most |
| affluence during this time more Japanese were also | | | | teaching positions are at private language schools, |
| able to travel abroad, thus creating a demand for | | | | with the majority of classes being conducted in the |
| studying English for those who hoped to hone their | | | | afternoons and evenings. Students range from |
| English skills before making the journey to a foreign | | | | elementary school, high school, and university |
| country. Entrepreneurs sensing an opportunity to | | | | students, to housewives and businessmen of all ages. |
| capitalize on this trend began to open English schools | | | | Many of the afternoon classes are typically made up |
| in unprecedented numbers, from large Corporate | | | | of children who study English after their regular |
| chains that catered to thousands of students, to | | | | school day has finished, and the majority of evening |
| small neighborhood schools often employing only a | | | | classes are attended by teens or adults. Size of |
| handful of staff. Although the glory days of finding a | | | | classes vary, but on average consist of 3-5 students |
| teaching job on the basis of being a native English | | | | for many of the smaller schools, and up to 15 for |
| speaker alone have faded, the good news is there | | | | larger establishments. Most schools also offer |
| are still many teaching jobs available in Japan for | | | | students private lessons. |
| those willing to make a modest effort to pursue | | | | Entry level salaries for teachers is approximately |
| them. Renewed economic growth in the last few | | | | 250,000 yen per month, though this can fluctuate |
| years in conjunction with a recent ruling by the | | | | depending on the company. Some of the larger chain |
| Japanese Ministry of Education to include English as | | | | schools such as Nova and ECC offer visa sponsorship |
| part of the elementary school curriculum will also | | | | and other benefits, such as arranging an apartment |
| create a need for English instructors in the future. | | | | for newly arrived teachers. Most schools also |
| English teachers in Japan fall basically under two | | | | subsidize daily train transportation costs. Teachers |
| categories, those employed via structured programs | | | | with experience and a post graduate level qualification |
| such as JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching), and | | | | in the form of a Masters Degree can expect to |
| freelance instructors. Teachers who have come to | | | | make around 400,000 yen a month or more, with |
| Japan under one of the structured programs can | | | | the majority of high paying jobs in this category to |
| expect benefits which include pre-departure training, | | | | be found in the High Schools and Universities. |