I moved to Japan just over 10 years ago with my Japanese wife.
My first and only job so far has been at a dispatch company, where we teach at kindergartens in the morning and conduct longer lessons in the afternoon for kindergarten and elementary students.
Starting at the company was a bit tricky. There were many things to remember, especially what to say and do while teaching in the morning. The afternoon lessons presented their own challenges. Although I could follow the curriculum, the students often seemed uninterested and would get sleepy. I remember my Japanese partner telling me, "The students are bored and sleepy. Can you play a game?" A game? I didn't know any games!
I noticed that the Japanese partners would work with an experienced teacher on Monday and then work with me on Tuesday, expecting the lessons to be essentially the same. Yes, we taught the same content, but experience makes a significant difference.
As the first year passed, I grew more confident in my ability to teach what was required, and my lessons were going well. It was a relief not to stress about what I needed to say or do.
During years 2 through 4, things improved significantly. I was able to teach everything I needed to while making the lessons enjoyable. I added creativity to my lessons and had earned the company's trust that my teaching was effective.
Between years 4 and 5, my daughter was born.
From years five to eight, I worked full-time while my wife stayed at home to care for our daughter. We lived on a single income, but it was enough.
The last two years have flown by.
Looking back on the past decade, I have no regrets. I love working with kids. I'm a positive person, and it’s always nice when the kindergarten and elementary students are happy to see me. When you start teaching, there's usually a barrier between you and the kids. However, once you become accustomed to being around Japanese children, that barrier disappears, making the lessons much more enjoyable. Having experience with all the topics we teach allows me to make learning more engaging for both myself and the kids.
I'm content. I have fun every day, and I get to explore different cities throughout the week. It's pretty nice.
I'd love to hear from other teachers who have been teaching at the same company for a long time. If anyone has any questions about anything, feel free to ask!
by KoshigayaSensei