I came to Japan on working holiday last year and have been working at a 子供英会話 バイト more to have something to do and talk to people than anything else, as the salary (1000円 per hour) is far less than my salary in my home country (I worked in marketing).
Since my work holiday is ending this summer but I decided I'd like to stay longer in Japan I looked for a full-time English teaching gig. My only requirements were that I wanted something not teaching young kids (junior high and below) because it's more daycare than anything and It's not fun trying to keep their attention from my experience at the baito.
I found a full-time job at an 英会話 doing 1 on 1 lessons with mainly adults (some students) for 2100円 per hour lesson. I was pretty content with this, until I happened to read this subreddit.
It seems like everyone hates Eikaiwa work and most people would rather be an ALT teaching grade schoolers. Considering how difficult I know working with kids can be I'm really worried about what I've gotten myself into, especially since If I start on a working visa I won't be able to easily leave my job.
Why is Eikaiwa work so hated? Is it really that bad? I've been working on a trial basis so far and while it has been a lot of pressure to prepare the lessons for each student, it's mainly just talking to them (it's an english conversation school after all) and from the other teachers I've heard I'll get used to it fast so I won't need much prep time at all after a few months.
The other thing is, while I've been hired fulltime (only 30 hours a week of lessons though) some of the other teachers are ALTs and just work here part time for extra income. I'm curious why they don't work here full-time instead but I can't really ask them because I only see them in front of our boss.
What am I missing? It seems like an okay way to pay the bills while I stay here (I can afford a decent sized 1LDK close to work and have money left over for savings on this salary). It has to be better than teaching kids or working at a hotel or fast food or something, and while I do have N2 japanese, I really don't want to become a Japanese salaryman and be forced to do tons of overtime if I find an office job using my marketing degree.
by QseanRay