Interview with Ken teaching
English in Japan and taught in England
 

Where are you from Ken?
 
I'm from England.
 
Where are you teaching?

I teach at home, in Japan-Children, adult groups and private lessons. 

What do you like most about living and working abroad?
 
The laid back atmosphere of the town where I live and the kindness of the local people.
 
How did you get started teaching abroad?

By chance I picked up a book about teaching in Japan in a London bookshop during a time of unemployment and
decided that i would have nothing to lose by acting on the information in it. 

Do you have any back ground in teaching English?
 
When I first arrived here in 1988 I didn't although now I have the TESOL certificate issued by Trinity College, London. But I'm constantly looking for ways to improve my skills. 
 
How long have you been teaching English?
 
16 years (10 years in Japan,6 years in the UK).
 
Do you feel teaching English overseas is a good way to earn money?
 
It certainly has been for me. Not only that but it has given me an insight into a culture that most people wouldn't have the chance to experience. 
 
Can you give some advice to someone thinking about living and teaching English abroad?
 
Well, I would say do thorough research before you go. Obviously read books.Use the internet-you can chat with likeminded people and of course people who are already doing what you are planning to do.
And if you are planning to come to Japan buy Craig Desorcy's ebook-it's a goldmine of information.
 
Can you describe what's it like living and working in country you're in?
 
The part of Japan where I live is very green and countryside like even though it's only 25 minutes from a major city. There is a great sense of community here and the atmosphere is very village like.As I work from home I don't have the commute that most foreigners have and I consider myself fortunate in that respect, I also don't have to deal with bad management or office politics, so if I screw up it's down to me and I prefer it that way. The best thing about teaching from my point of view is the satisfaction of watching people slowly improve their English conversational skills and also that many of my students become good friends too.
  
Do you have any warnings for people considering teaching English overseas?
 
I can only speak for Japan here but I would warn anybody that there are a lot of foreigners here who do nothing but complain about Japan and Japanese people. Keep away from them, I can not emphasis this enough. Don't let them drag you down to their way of thinking as it will affect your life here in a very negative way. I have been here a total of 10 years and have only a handful of very close foreign friends (by choice) who share the same positive attitudes.
 
If you could do it over again, what would you do differently?
 
 Actually, I am doing it all over again! My family and I returned to Japan after a 6 year stay in the UK. The only thing we are doing differently is starting a small school in our house from scratch instead of looking for a job in a school. I enjoy the challenge and the satisfaction of knowing that we are doing everything ourselves. 
 
Is there a way for someone to contact you for more information?
 
eigonokyoshi@hotmail.com