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Wakayama: Do you think lesson fees at English conversation schools are overpriced?

by Lisa Wong

Kana
High school student, 18

Yes, I think lesson fees at eikaiwa [private English conversation schools] are overpriced. If it weren’t so expensive to take English lessons, then I’d consider taking a class, and would encourage my friends and family to do so, too.

Takeshi Taniguchi
State schoolteacher, 39

I don’t think the cost to go to eikaiwa is high. Of course, it would be good if the cost was lower, but taking eikaiwa classes is necessary if one wants to improve their English. The more classes, the better. My two daughters are taking piano and swimming lessons. Practice makes perfect, and opens doors of opportunity.

Kyoko Akasaka
School administrator, 50s

I think that children should start taking English lessons at a young age if they can, because that’s the optimum age for acquiring good language skills. The amount of money it costs isn’t as important as being well-versed in the English language.

Tomoaki Minami
Garbage collection firm staff, 38

I go to one of the Big Four [eikaiwa chains in Japan]. I think it’s a little overpriced. If there was a smaller eikaiwa that charged less, then I would go there instead. I enjoy studying English — that’s the main reason I’m taking the language classes.

Mizuho Koga
Receptionist, 50s

My daughter used to attend eikaiwa classes, but not anymore. If the lesson fees were cheaper, then I’d go, to improve my English, because that would help me in my job, and I’m sure that my daughter would go again as well.

Kazuhiko Sugimoto
State schoolteacher, 40s

It’s not expensive, but it’s not reasonable either. It’s somewhere in between. If somebody wants to improve their English, though, they should take eikaiwa classes continuously. The nature of learning a language requires this, if the ultimate goal is fluency or near-fluency.

Interviews conducted in Hashimoto city and Katsuragi town, Wakayama Prefecture. Interested in gathering views in your neighborhood? E-mail community@japantimes.co.jp

  • Jack

    Small English conversation school classes are generally cheaper and may offer diverse programs to suit individuals as for time switching and smaller classes. Also, they are friendlier and teachers who may also be the owners have to be more concerned about keeping the students longer. My opinion is, go for small schools.

  • Stephen Chadfield

    You could level that complaint at all educational businesses! And what about restaurants? They should ensure their customers leave hungry to ensure they must keep returning…

  • aliasis

    I used to work for an eikaiwa and I’d say it’s the opposite. There’s a lot of profit to be made selling the students new textbooks, so I found even if a student wasn’t very good, the staff would still push them to buy the next level’s textbook. The students want results, half the time it doesn’t matter if they can actually speak or not, it’s just being able to say they aren’t at a beginner’s level. And, unfortunately, in Japan even the “high level” students are rarely very good, luckily, I think most of them know that, so I would doubt there are many Japanese people who’d say they are “too good” for English lessons, especially when they have such access to English media, i.e. movies and articles, that make them aware of how little they understand at the native level.

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Kana, High school student, 18, Yes, I think lesson fees at <i>eikaiwa</i> [private English conversation schools] are overpriced. If it weren't so expensive to take English lessons, then I'd consider taking a class, and would encourage my friends and family to do so, too. Takeshi Taniguchi, State schoolteacher, 39, I don't think the cost to go to eikaiwa is high. Of course, it would be good if the cost was lower, but taking eikaiwa classes is necessary if one wants to improve their English. The more classes, the better. My two daughters are taking piano and swimming lessons. Practice makes perfect, and opens doors of opportunity. Kyoko Akasaka, School administrator, 50s, I think that children should start taking English lessons at a young age if they can, because that's the optimum age for acquiring good language skills. The amount of money it costs isn't as important as being well-versed in the English language.

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