What's next for English-language education in Japan?
English has been at the heart of discussions over nationwide university entrance exams amid growing frustrations that few Japanese students learn to speak the language fluently.
New job? Be sure to read the fine print
Foreign teachers of English in Japan are good at sharing cautionary tales on messenger boards, but the best thing you can do to avoid any pitfalls is read your contract.
What to expect as a 'teacher of color' in Japan
Every situation is different. As a nonwhite instructor in Japan, it helps to know others facing the same challenges you are.
Japan going the wrong way in English-education reform
English-language education in Japanese schools should focus on reading and writing rather than conversation to build a strong foundation.
What makes a good teacher? It depends on who you ask
When considering your role as a teacher it is best to think about what your students and employer want, and don't forget to take cultural differences into account.
Waxing philosophical in English class with 'Thinking Experiments'
If you've ever taught English at a Japanese school, you'll likely be familiar with a certain kind of silence — pervasive and tinged with teenage ennui. Authors Alexander Dutson and James Hill want to recommend breaking the ice with philosophy. Their book, "Thinking Experiments," presents ...
Trying out a lesson on traditional notions of gender
I teach a class of 38 at Hamamatsu Higashi Senior High School in Shizuoka Prefecture, and earlier this month I tried out a gender-themed lesson from Alexander Dutson and James Hill's "Thinking Experiments." The class I teach emphasizes essay writing and comprises students who aim ...
Indian women in Japan struggle to find their niche
After following their husbands to Japan, educated Indian women face obstacles tracking down work that matches their qualifications.
Fukuoka's 'guest teachers' of English outstay their welcome
Job insecurity, excessive secrecy and legal curbs on dispatch teachers come under the spotlight as 120 teachers lose their classes.
Some readers' responses to recent stories on the Community pages.
Springtime in Japan brings the sadness of the eikaiwa exodus
Budding English skills built up over years at conversation school can wither as junior high school clubs take over students' lives.
Education in Japan in 2016: new solutions and age-old problems, from teaching English to bullying
With schools well into their final term and the university academic year already winding down it's time to reflect on the most significant events in Japanese education this past year.
