Wanna Teach English in Japan? These 5 Hazards Can End Your Trip Early

As I come to the end of my time living and teaching in Japan, I feel compelled to share some observations for those preparing to teach here, or anywhere else in Asia. One of the most unfortunate patterns I've noticed here is the experience of those teachers who leave within 2-4 months of arriving. While every person's situation is different, here are five factors that can send a new English teacher back home in a hurry.

Pick the Right Company

I don't think I'm breaking any new ground when I say that hating your work place can make your life more difficult. Most teachers I have met who don't like their employer have one thing in common: they did little or no research before they chose a company.

A quick look at the 4 major English schools may not turn up remarkable differences, but I assure you that the differences in more specific categories like "Pay Per Hour", "Access to Insurance", and "Flexible Vacation Days" are broad. Before sending any applications you should compare the 4 major English teaching schools on these categories, and any others that are important to you.

For those of you who don't know the four major English schools in Japan, they are: ECC, Nova, Geos, and Aeon. You can find out a lot more by looking up each school in the forums at www.gaijinpot.com. Keep in mind that some of the writers on these forums are bitter former employees of the company in question. Read many entries, and don't let one or two horror stories scare you away. (But when it gets to 9 or 10 horror stories, take notice.)

Know the Weather

Again I won't win any grand creativity awards for this one, but it's really important. If you are going to a climate that is dramatically different than any you have ever lived in before, this will add stress (and sweat stains) to your life.

For instance, if you are from a random Canadian city, let's say Winnipeg, the average high temperature in August is 77 degrees Fahrenheit ( 18.2 Celsius). At the same time in Osaka the average high is 92 degrees Fahrenheit, with 66% humidity. You may not think that 15 degrees is all that much, but 3 months of sweating like a pig every time you go outside can make people irritating and work unbearable.

Be Social or Beware!

Here's where we look for advice from the Greek Temple at Delphi: Know Thyself. Making friends in a place with a very small pool of choices can be hazardous for people who have trouble in complex social situations. In addition to the small pool, there are likely to be few people from your home country, and almost no one from your home city. If you need to relate to people to be their friend, this may be difficult.

One way some people get around this problem is by bringing a friend with them. I've met several socially awkward couples who were very successful teachers because they had each other to hang out with before they were able to slowly make more friends.

Do Your Phobias Fit In?

Another tip from the "Know Thyself" mold. Take the time to think of the most panic inducing experiences in your day to day life. Then think about how often they will occur in your knew life as a teacher.

For example, if you can't stand crowds or tight places you will have a difficult time with the trains and streets of most Japanese cities. If people staring at you all the time makes you crazy, then you may have a tough time anywhere but the most metropolitan city. If you are uncomfortable on trains or subways, then you may be in trouble darn near anywhere in the country.

The importance of this step can't be overlooked. I am aware of a teacher who bikes 30 minutes to work to avoid taking the train. She can get away with it now, but if her schedule changes at the end of the year, she may have to leave the country because she is uncomfortable spending 20 minutes on the train.

Take the time. Do the self analysis. You know what they say: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Will You Come Back?

Think a short trip home will help you get over the severe homesickness? It may, but it's also very possible you will get home and decide there's no reason to return. This is also true about trips home after several months in country. You may wake up on the morning you are supposed to make that 16 hour flight, and decide you like your bed at home more than your futon 6000 miles away.

Tying up loose ends from across the world can be difficult. Plus remember that you are leaving quite a few people in the lurch (including yourself if you need a letter of recommendation from you Japanese employer). If you want to go home for good, go ahead. But be aware that if you are going home and you are not sure if you will return, finalize your plans before you leave.

Though this isn't an exhaustive list of potential pitfalls, it should get you started on your way to a successful experience teaching English in Japan.