Good English Schools Japan

Schools A-E

Good English Schools Japan

How do you choose a good English school in Japan? We have all heard the horror stories of people who work in some nightmarish situations like some of those in South Korea or elsewhere.

Some of the work situations in Japan can be bad as well. We hope that this comprehensive list of good schools to teach for in Japan will help you to have a great experience while living here.

Who knows? If you are like me, you might even marry a great Japanese spouse and stay.

I thought I would only stay a year and I have spent almost half my life in Japan now.

Good English Schools Japan: This Site if BY Teachers FOR Teachers

Your opinions matter! Which schools do you think are good or bad. Why? Share your opinions!

Rant or Rave! Voice YOUR Opinion!

"Sometimes teaching for a small school is better."

This is a comprehensive list of good English schools to teach for in Japan. We hope this list helps you! Truly we do! My whole family hopes this list helps you! Even some of my friends too! Really!

Good English Schools Japan: What is a good school?

For this list, a good English school is one that cares about its` teachers and students. They charge reasonable fees to students, and pay their teachers a reasonable salary. Schools where the teachers tend to stay for a long time, and reports are generally good about the school.

No company is perfect.

(Except mine of course....)

All of the schools listed here for various reasons, are good schools. I`m sure you can find some complaints about some of them. Yet overall they are good schools.

Good English Schools Japan: A 2 Z ENGLISH SCHOOL

Address

1014-18, Higahsikiwa, Ube City

Yamaguchi Prefecture

Tel: 090-8242-3414,

E-mail: cortez18 at c-able.ne.jp

Teaches from 3 years old to adults

Good English Schools Japan -- A to Z Language School

Was established in 1980, AtoZ is based in Matsumoto-city, Nagano prefecture. We also have branches in Okaya and Ina, and offer positions throughout Nagano. Our teachers work with a range of ages, from children to adult learners. We also have lessons at local companies and provide ALTs to elementary, junior high and high schools. We currently employ about 45 foreign teachers from all over the world. Apart from English, we offer classes in Spanish, French, Chinese and Korean. We offer a competitive compensation package and extensive practical and cultural support to all our employees.

* Working hours: Monday – Friday / 8:15am to 5:00pm (holidays are according to the holidays allocated for the school)* Monthly salary: 250,000yen plus experience and qualifications.* Housing: Single-occupancy apartment will be provided at a cost with basic furnishings.* Holidays: Golden Week, 3 week summer holiday, about 10 day winter holiday and spring holiday - these are all paid holidays

Visit their Homepage

Good English Schools Japan -- ALC Group

Sends Teachers to Companies and Schools to Teach English

I have known three teachers who have taught for ALC Group and I have yet to hear a complaint about this company. They send teachers to teach company and children`s classes.

Find out more about the ALC Group at their website:

ALC Homepage

Good English Schools Japan -- American World

Has a kindergarten and a pre-school, they also offer a holiday child care center for children 1 1/2 and older.

Visit the American World Homepage

Good English Schools Japan -- Primary schools look for fun ways to teach English

From Japan Today

by Koji Kudo

TOKYO ¡ª Primary schools introducing English conversation lessons aimed at promoting international understanding among pupils have been increasing in number since the spring, but the headache for teachers seems to be they "don't know how to teach it."

As a way of coping, many schools have invited into the classroom staff members from private companies with specialized know-how in the field of English conversation education.

At Akasaka Primary School in the village of Chihaya Akasaka, Osaka Prefecture, in western Japan, Chika Kameyama spoke to one second-grader, saying, "Hello. What is your name?" Kameyama was sent from ALC Press Co, a company which publishes language education-related materials.

Behind the pupils stood some 20 observing teachers from the school, which has been designated by the education ministry as a "research and development school."

The school will introduce an English course in the second term this year for all pupils and has asked ALC Press to cooperate because the company has wide experience in teaching English conversation to children.

Kameyama usually teaches only in English, but this time, she used both Japanese and English at the request of school authorities. She also used videotaped materials.

"The (teaching) tempo is fast and enjoyable. Instruction steps are also useful for us," said a teacher.

The school began studying introducing English conversation lessons two years ago. "I have visited other schools and found there are many lessons solely left to assistant language teachers (ALTs) from other countries," said Yoshiharu Inomoto, the school's principal.

"Teachers in charge of classes should take the initiative in lessons. We would like to develop lessons which can be taught by them even in the absence of an ALT," Inomoto said.

Teachers paid especially keen attention to ALC Press' educational materials, and a company representative said, "It's important to teach the pleasure of using English to pupils."

Inomoto said, "The initiative in lessons is with the school, but companies have know-how which we don't have. We will introduce everything which furnishes us with information."

The ALC Press representative said, "This kind of occasion has merit for us in that it will help promote our popularity. We would also like to cooperate with the school in developing teaching materials."

About 40% of primary schools throughout the country offered English conversation lessons in fiscal 2001, and the percentage is expected to rise further in the current fiscal year.

The Sakai municipal government in Osaka Prefecture has asked the private English-language school NOVA to work out an educational curriculum and to send lecturers to various schools in the city to help support ALTs.

A member of the city's Education Board said, "Dispatches of lecturers with various nationalities will contribute to international understanding."

Tokyo's Shinagawa Ward has also asked a private employment agency to send ALTs to all primary schools in the ward at an annual budget of about 10 million yen.--Japan Today

Good English Schools Japan: Asahi Culture Center

Asahi Culture Center has schools in various parts of Japan and is owned by the Asahi Newspaper Company.

ACC is a good school to teach for in Japan.

Asahi Company Homepage:

ACC Homepage

More on ACC

Please contact them via the address on their page or Email them.

One gentleman by the nickname of Glenski,had a very good experience of working for ACC: Asahi Culture Center. He worked there for 3.5 years.

About working for ACC Glenski writes:

"I had a wonderful 3.5 years at an eikaiwa..."--from the Japan Today Forum

Glenski talks about what it is like to work there:

"...I'd like to lend a hand to existing and prospective teachers in Japan. My predecessors at ACC were, for the most part, pretty typical examples of bad teachers, and I inherited some awful situations when I took over their classes. Students enjoy my co-workers and me mostly because we provide more than just lessons in conversational grammar, and they've told us how much they like our approaches.

We teach with two textbook series, Spectrum and Interchange, as well as hold some free-talking classes (for the higher levels, of course). The texts don't have nearly enough material for a single weekly lesson, 80 minutes long, so we improvise and add material of our own to promote casual repetition of grammar and vocabulary. Our classes are 2-14 people in size, and they're mostly adults average 50 years in age (range is actually 21 to 82). I've also held a class called Science Topics for a year, and I'm currently doing something like a debate class, both for very high level students."

--from teachinginjapan.com/glenski.html

Good English Schools Japan: Act 7

Rated Top School in Japan by the Oricon Rankings

Act 7 was rated the top school in Japan in terms of customer satisfaction. You can of course interpret that to mean that happy teachers, translate into happy customers as well.

Check them out at their website:

Act 7 Homepage

Good English Schools Japan: Altia Central

Is recommended by Genki English.com, for which I have a lot of respect.

Altia Central is for ALTs but seems a little different. Check them out and read their philosophy on what teaching English to children is really all about.

Altia Central Homepage

Good English Schools Japan: Avanti Staff Corporation

Avanti is not really an English schools as such, it is moreof an agency that sends teachers to companies.

A trusted friend of mine taught company English classes for Avanti. He was happy with the position and enjoyed his classes.

Webpages:

Avanti Staff

More about Avanti Staff

Avanti Staff Contact Information:

Avanti Staff

1-7-5-17F Sakuragi-chou Ohmiya-ward, Saitama,

Saitama 330-8669 Japan

Phone: +81-3-3539-3225

FAX : +81-3-3539-3288

Avanti Staff

E-mail Contact: Toru Honda

Avanti Staff offers:

Full/Part Time and Part-time positions

Salary from:

3,500/Hour The salary varies depending on experience andtraining.

Locations:

They teach company classes at various locations.

English Level:

Native-level

Japanese Level:

None

Requirements:

Native-level English level Must currently reside in Japan

Description of position:

Avanti Staff Corp. seeks part-time native English instructors for corporate classes in Japan.

*Must have proper visas and completed degree or diploma.

Good English Schools Japan: Banana Kids in Utsunomiya

A former teacher comments on his experience of teaching for Banana Kids:

"Hi Mike,

Just fixing something Kevin said about working forBanana Kids. It is true that I did work fairly longhours but I was payed for the long hours. Don't be"put off" by that comment. The boss was an exceptionalJapanese lady who showed great concern and respect forher employees. It was a great company to work for anda wonderful introduction to "living in Japan".

--Steve."

--originally posted at Kevin`s English Schools Forum

Good English Schools Japan -- A Banana Kids ad from a few years ago:

"Established English school with over 800 students seeks a full-time English teacher. Banana Kids is an English School that operates in the Tochigi and Ibaragi areas. Utsunomiya is a city 100km north of Tokyo and has a population of 500,000. We are looking for a teacher who is interested in teaching children between the ages of 3-12 as our students are mainly from this age group.

Experience is an asset but not vital and we will consider applications from both Japan and abroad. A Bachelors degree and a valid driving license are a must.

The successful applicant will be required to work a 40 hour week that will include a maximum of 25 teaching hours per week. The salary for this position will be JPY 250,000 a month. Furnished accomodation is provided by Banana Kids with the rent and utilities being the repsonsibility of the teacher.

If you have a bright and positive personality and are eager to experience life in rural Japan we would like to hear from you. Please contact us at: Contact Banana Kids English School

Banana Kids English School

Address:

321-0132 Tochigi Prefecture

Utsunomiya City

Suzumenomiya 7-1-1

Tel 028-654-2833

Fax 028-908-4633

Good English Schools Japan -- Beat Eikaiwa

This is Mr. Peter Carter`s school in the Kansai area. Carteris the co-founder of JINES, Japan`s Independent network of English schools. JINES like our site, has a list of good schools to teach for in Japan.

Carter also operates Beat Australia, which is a consultancy service for the business, education and training sector.

Beat Australia acts as a link between Australian and Japanese educational interests. They endeavor to provide increased educational and research opportunities between the two countries.

Both Beat Australia and Beat Eikaiwa would appear to be great opportunities for furthering you career in Japan.

Learn more about them at their homepage.

Address:

Beat Eikaiwa

3-22 Kanda-cho

Higashi Osaka-shi

Osaka 579-8058

JAPAN

Email: peter.carter at beataustralia.com

Peter Carter, Network Administrator

Japan’s Independent Network of English Schools (JINES)

3-22 Kanda-cho

Higashi Osaka-shi

Osaka JAPAN 579-8058

Web: www.jines.jp

Good English Schools Japan -- Berkeley House Language Center

Since 1973. This small chain has schools located in Tokyo.

Berkeley House Language Center provided language education to Japan`s blue chip corporations, government agencies, schools and private individuals.

It is located in Tokyo`s Chiyoda Ward (Ichigaya). It is a nice "leafy" area of residential and commercial establishments.

"The streets are alive with students coming and going to Sophia University in nearby Yoyogi and professionals heading to NHK, Sony Music, and other top companies in Japan. As a teacher at Berkeley House Language Center, you can take advantage of the school's prime location and enjoy the time between classes. You can have a leisurely lunch in one of the many restaurants..."

---from the Berkeley House homepage
Learn more about Berkeley House at their homepage

Good English Schools Japan -- Bilingual Kids International Preschool

Is a private international preschool that uses the Reggio Emilia approach as its main teaching method. This approach has been adapted for the bilingual child in Japan.

It is a full day preschool operating in Tokyo`s Kishijoji area.

Tel/Fax: 0422-54-1898
Visit Bilingual Kids International Preschool`s Homepage

Teach English at the British Council. The British Council of course, is very much involved in English teaching to say the least, hence its` fame. I think you could do much, much worse, than land a teaching position at one of their beautiful and illustrious schools.

Some teachers have complained that they cannot get a job in certain English schools if they are a person of colour. The British Council says they believe in the principles of equal opportunities.

British Council Tokyo

1-2, Kagurazaka,

Shinjuku-ku,

Tokyo 162-0825

Tel: 03-3235-8031

Fax: 03-3235-8040

British Council Japan School

General enquiries: enquiries at britishcouncil.or.jp

English Course enquiries: courses at britishcouncil.or.jp

Education UK enquiries: educationuk.tokyo at britishcouncil.or.jp

Good English Schools Japan: British Hills in Fukushima Prefecture

I had heard about British Hills from a student of mine. She had attended classes there twice in the past and raved about it. She said it was like studying in theEnglish countryside. Yet it is located in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan.

"British Hills resembles a small British countryside village complete with castle, British style guesthouses, English speakers, country gardens and surroundings. Even the weather seems British! You are accommodated in luxury style fully furnished and serviced guesthouses. Similar to Bed and Breakfast cottages in England. There are between 20 and 30 apartments in each of the 8 guesthouses depending on the size of the house and of course the apartment. Each rooms can sleep between one and four guests. Every guesthouse has its own large luxurious lounge which is suitable for conference for up to 40 people; however it is also private and cosy enough for 1 or 2 people. All interiors are of a typical British Victorian style complete with imported fabrics and heavy well crafted wood and steel furniture. The main classroom and conference facilities, reception, main dining hall, library, indoor sporting and relaxation facilities and Chapel, are housed in the main castle-like Manor House. Also on the premises are the Craft House, the real English Pub, The Souvenir Shop and staff accommodation, external sporting facilities and the nature trail."

--from the British Hills website

"Accommodation:

"20,000 a month plus utilities, basic furnishings." Paidholidays, completion bonus, health insurance, six weeks unpaid holidays, companycar for travel to and from work, and 50,000 social insurance allowance."

--from a British Hills employment ad

Contact British Hills

1-8 Aza Shibakusa,

Oaza Tarao, Tenei Mura,

Iwase Gun, Fukushima 962-0622.

mailto: bhedudept at british-hills.co.jp

British Hills

"Full-time, 40 working hours/week, 5 days/week, 8 hours/day. 300,000yen/month.Teach English and British Culture to students from elementary to collegestudents, and adults. "We teach students a variety of classes that fit into thefollowing categories: English, Travel English, Cultural, Art and Craft, Activitybased classes, Elementary classes, Business and Adults, as well as coursestailored to specific company or school needs." Teaching location Tenei Mura inHatori Kogen. The nearest train station is Shin-Shirakawa."

--from a British Hills employment ad

Good English Schools Japan: Bromski`s English Academy

Teaches young children to adults.

Address:

3236-8 Yoshiki,

Yamaguchi city 753-0811

Tel/fax: 083-923-5934

E-mail: beaeikaiwaacademy at yahoo.co.jp

Good English Schools Japan -- The British School in Tokyo

They have two sites in Tokyo and offer a variety of possible positions at the school.

Learn more about them at their very informative homepage.

California Bear English Club is a small school located in Fujisawa, Kanagawa, next to Tsujido Station on the Tokaido Train Line.

American, Todd Lenkowski is the owner, manager and teacher. He is a good, honest man. He is a motivated teacher and manager who regularly attends conferences in the hopes of always becoming better.

I highly recommend him as an employer. One of his teachers has taught at California Bear for many years.

Check out their homepage here:

California Bear English Club

Address:

California Bear English Club

3F 1-3-1 Tsujidoshinmachi,

Fujisawa, Kanagawa,

Japan 251-0042

Good English Schools Japan: Choice English School in Kyoto

Learn more about Choice English School

Watch Choice`s Sean being interviewed about how he started his school.

Good English Schools Japan -- Chozen English School

Chozen is in beautiful Ibaraki. Ibaraki is a very nice area of Japan north of Tokyo. Check out some of the beaches! Chozen like many schools has good points and bad, check them out and decide for yourself if this is a school you would like to teach for. The cost of living is cheap, and the air is clean in Ibaraki.

On Chozen English School

Odawara, Kanagawa

Conrad`s English House is a school that I highly recommend.Conrad is a stand up guy who cares very much about teachingstudents well, and that is the way he runs his school too.

Contact: Conrad Matsumoto

School:

Conrad's English House

Nakagawa Bld. 2

1-14-4 Sakae-cho

Odawara, Kanagawa 250-0011

Tel: 0465 23-3050

Visit their homepage for more information

Good English Schools Japan: David English House

Address:

Polesta Bldg,

7-5 Nakamachi, Naka-ku,

Hiroshima, 730-0037

Visit their homepage for more information

Tel: 082-244-2633, Fax: 082-244-2651

E-mail: Rie at DavidEnglishHouse.com

David Paul is one of my heroes! He has done so much for English teaching in Japan. He is a very selfless man and works hard to improve the state of English teaching in thiscountry. He deserves applause!

President David Paul is the writer of the Finding Out series and Communicate. He also lectures on how to teach English throughout Japan. Anyone who has attended one of his lectures will be impressed with the man and his mission. David English House is highly recommended as a first class school to work for!

Paul started what is arguably the best association for English teachers in Japan--ETJ.

DES also administrates some distance learning courses, if you are thinking offurthering your studies. One of the courses is The University of Birmingham`sMasters in TEFL/TESL.

Branches:

Nakamachi, Sendamachi, Asahimachi, Minami Kannon, Ujina Nishi, Danbara, Yamane-cho, Nukushina, Yokogawa, Furuichi, Omachi, Tomo Higashi, Kogo Naka, Takasu, Takasudai, Tagata, Inokuchi, Inokuchidai, Itsukaichi Higashi, Itsukaichi, Rakurakuen, Aobadai, Kaita, Kaita Minami, Yano, Fuchu, Aki-Nakano, Nakano Higashi, Saijo, Takamigaoka, Miyoshi, Shobara.

Representatives

Christine Watson - PrincipalBrandon Salsman- Vice PrincipalKazumi Takata - Manager (distance learning)Kyoko Hori - Manager (book service)Tomomi Date - Manager (school section)David Paul - President

"I spent 5 years at DEH and found it to be a very professional and well-run school in the context of the TEFL world. There are some issues with travel time and many teachers end up with more kids classes than they might want, but it¡¯s a great place to go to get a solid foundation in teaching. They do have both pre-service and in-service training, and David Paul, the president, is a rariety in the field, a school owner who`s more interested in education than money."

--quoted from TEFL School Reviews.com

*I disagree with the last part of the above quote. Many of the owners are also teachers, and they are very interested in education--not only improving themselves, but improving the teachers employed at their school. If you think about it, it makes sense. Better teachers=a better school. Better schools bring in more students.

The person above may be speaking of owners who do not teach. All of the owners I know personally, and there are many; they teach as well as manage their schools.

Good English Schools Japan: Dean Morgan Academy

Dean Morgan Academy

The owner is a very impressive man and you can catch someof his columns on teaching English in the media here.

(DMA) is currently seeking motivated teachers who are eager to invest in their futures for our Shinjuku school. We are a foreign owned and managed school teaching both English and French lessons to a wide range of adult students. Dean Morgan Academy is part of the Sala-Dean Morgan group which includes the Sala brand and the Hummingbird pronunciation system. DMA uses up-to-date computer technology in scheduling, teaching, and providing feedback to students and instructors.

Preference will be given to applicants possessing two years of teaching experience and demonstrating weekend availability, but all qualified applicants will be considered. We are looking for friendly, flexible and motivated people to join our growing team of instructors.

What DMA can offer you:

1. Flexible scheduling options:

We are offering freelance weekend and evening positions which allow the instructor to set their own schedule.

2. Career Development:

At DMA, in addition to conversation lessons, you will gain valuable career-building experience teaching quality TOEIC, TOEFL iBT, and Business Lessons to motivated students. In addition, our experienced faculty will help you to develop marketable skill sets and teaching techniques.

3. Opportunities for the future:

As we are a growing company, we are always looking for promising teachers who wish to take on additional responsibilities to help us grow.

Good English Schools Japan: English Village

Is a smaller school chain that is rated highly by Oricon.

Check them out at the following link:

English Village Homepage

Good English Schools Japan: Evergreen Language School

in Kochi, Shikoku

Located in one of the more beautiful areas of Japan,the island of Shikoku. Definitely off the beaten pathbut an area of Japan I long to see. I have heard it isbeautiful from a number of people. Kochi is a decentsized city, the largest city on the island.

Homepage: http://www.evergreen-kochi.com/

They have an English language school for all levels, andteachers are also sent to teach off campus at various places.

They offer a salary of 250,000 Yen and up. Plus a 20,000 Yen permonth transportation allowance.

*It is not a requirement of Japanese companies to pay for yourtransportation (commuting costs). However many companies choose todo so.

Check with Evergreen to see exactly what that 20,000 Yen is. Is itto pay for the time it takes to travel? Or is it just topay for your train tickets for example? Some schools willpay for your travel time as well if you are having to travel a lot--2 hours or90 minutes to get to a class for example.

Good English Schools Japan: English Square

Location: Kanazawa City

こども英会話

金沢市高尾台1-394-2

Tel. ０７６－２９６－９７８８

Owned by the energetic Mari Nakamura, the author of the excellent children`s text: "English Land" (Pearson Longman) and "Hop, Step Jump into English"(RIC). She is a well-known teacher trainer.

If you could come straight from your home country tobe trained and teach for Nakamura, you couldn`t do better.She gives numerous teacher training sessions all aroundJapan, writes educational articles, all the while sheteaches young learns and trains teachers at English Square.

Moreover, Nakamura is a volunteer with ETJ (English Teachersin Japan) and is obtaining her MSc degree in Teaching English to young learners from Aston University.

If you would like to teach children, I feel starting at a school like English Square would be a fantastic start to a careerin teaching English in Japan. English Square Homepage Email: English Square

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