Before coming to Japan, I researched the country's English teaching opportunities for almost a year. The sites that I found to be most valuable were: Jobs in Japan, which lists Japan's job openings in all fields of work, and Dave's ESL Cafe, which lists worldwide English teaching positions. I found out that many of Japan's estimated 8000 English language schools are big chains, and the rest are run privately. Alternatively, the JET program hires English teachers to work in Japan's public schools, elementary to high school. Whichever way you go, make sure you are offered a work visa, contract, and hopefully some training.

The "Big 4" as they are called, are NOVA, AEON, GEOS and ECC. Berlitz is a close 5th, and GABA is another well-known school. From Sydney, I interviewed with AEON and was impressed with the professionalism. The Big 4 schools look more like offices and focus on professionalism and business. The teachers wear business attire and often help with promotions and selling lessons to students. These schools are highly structured, and do lots of recruiting overseas.

I, however, decided that I wanted to work for a smaller school and finally found one I loved in Saitama, the state northwest of Tokyo. I found the job on Dave's ESL Cafe, sent my details by email, and interviewed twice over the phone. Owned and run by an experienced young Japanese teacher, Kidz Talk was the best place I have ever worked. The owner, Naomi, and I were the only teachers, and we used various teaching skills and methods to teach 5-15 year olds in a fun and creative way. I worked from 3-9pm Monday through Friday, earned a nice salary with tons of paid holiday time, and my spacious apartment was included.

Big and small schools both have their benefits, but there is one more option, and that is private teaching. Simply place your details on Find a Teacher.net, Akaiwa.net, and wait for the students to contact you. You can make your own schedule, create your own lessons, set your own price, and work as much or as little as you like. Of course, this job does not come with a visa, holiday pay, training, or contractual guarantees, so one must be prepared for that. Teaching experience, people skills and personal business organization are invaluable. You should also decide if you will teach at a cafe, or at you or your student's home. I recommend choosing one spacious cafe as your regular teaching place to cut down on travel time and expenses. Unlike working at Kidz Talk, private teaching allowed me to teach adults, and because private lessons focus on conversation, I got to know my students very well.

Teaching in a foreign country is a great way to immerse yourself in the culture and meet lots of people while working. I found the Japanese to be fantastic people who highly respect teachers and are very motivated to learn. Because Japan is so homogenous, the Japanese have few opportunities to use their English, and therefore, the demand for native speakers is enormous.

Use this opportunity to help Japan learn English, and to give yourself a life experience that will stay with you forever. Which ever way you teach English in Japan, it is bound to be full of rewards.