I came to Japan two years ago. I was asked by an acquaintance to come and manage his English school, but between having been asked to come and actually coming, my acquaintance and his partner had a terrible row and closed their school! I had already made all the necessary preparations to come - I had sold virtually everything I owned, found people to take over my business clients etc. etc., so there was no turning back in my mind. The acquaintance and I started a small new school.
After eighteen months or so, it became clear to me that my new partner was not putting any effort whatsoever into that school, so I bought him out, renamed the school Mike's, and relocated it to much larger premises. By Japanese standards the new premises are quite large. I'm growing the school slowly but steadily.
All Japanese must learn English during their six years at junior and senior high school. Unfortunately, for them, they have so little exposure to English in day to day life that very very few ever develop their Engrishu to a useable level, however most remember quite a lot of grammar. As a result, my job is primarily to coax them into losing their fear of using English. You see when using the Japanese language it is extremele important to use the correct honourifics, so that the listener will not be offended by any percieved lack of respect. Everyone is conscious of social status. This attitude causes them to be quite, if not extremely fearful of making mistakes, lest they offend!
I should also mention that in addition to Japanese born students, I also have students from Mongolia, Korea, China and Brazil. I often think that I probably learn as much about their cultures as they learn about using Engrishu.
To sum up, I reckon that as a teacher I have it pretty easy, because the emphasis here is not on grammar so much as it is on pronunciation, vocab and idioms, and also on encouraging my students to immerse themselves in the English language. Students are also very polite, courteous and very thoughtful and kind. It's quite enjoyable.
Wow, I could write so much more, but I'm sure it would be more interesting for everyone to hear more information from others.
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