SESJ and Shane Language Services (SLS) offer a number of possibilities for TEFL teachers interested in living and working in this fast moving and exciting country. From regular 5-day a week full-time positions, to 3 and 4-day a week, to part-time positions. With respect to SLS positions, teachers may also specialise more in company, business, (private) home and exam preparation lessons.
Career Development
As teachers acquire greater experience, promotional opportunities exist in more senior teaching roles, academic teacher management and support roles. There are also occasional openings in our Teacher Recruitment, Teacher Training and Course Design departments for those with an interested in and an aptitude for them.
The larger schools can have over 300 students, whilst smaller schools may have as few as 100. All schools are equipped with lesson preparation texts and materials for teachers, whilst regional Head Offices provide access to a wider range of resources, photocopy machines and (through prior arrangement) access to on-line teaching aids, via the internet.
Teaching staff are directly managed by a Director of Studies (DoS) who will also have, in most cases, an Assistant Director of Studies (ADoS). All are native English speakers.
School Staff are Japanese, though they do speak English! They deal with student enquiries and the day-to-day administration of the schools, including lesson scheduling.
SESJ is comprised of two kinds of schools:
Direct Teaching Establishments (DTE)
These schools are directly owned and managed by SESJ, and make up the vast majority of the more than 180 schools currently in operation in SESJ.
Most are spread throughout Tokyo and the surrounding regions, with some located in other cities in Japan.
Direct Line Managers of the schools are English speaking Japanese Administrative and Sales Directors (ASDs). They work together with DoSs, who manage and support the teaching staff within the schools.
Teachers may teach students from the age of 2yrs and upwards, and levels from basic beginner to advanced. Lesson types include; standard, business, exam prep and are taught as small group classes and one-on-one.
Franchise Schools (FC)
These schools are typically owned and managed by Japanese nationals who have purchased a franchise. However, a number are owned by western staff, who in some cases are former SESJ teachers!
As with DTE schools, teaching staff are managed by DoSs.
Most schools are located in Tokyo and the surrounding area, though some are to be found in other cities further afield.
As with DTE schools, teachers may teach students from the age of 2yrs and upwards, and levels from basic beginner to advanced. Lesson types include; standard, business, exam prep and are taught as small group classes and one-on-one.
Shane Language Services (SLS)
SESJ's sister language school in Japan
SLS schedules often involve teaching in Company business classes, home lessons, 1-1 lessons and larger Kindergarten and elementary school classes of up to 40 students.
Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) positions are also taught through SLS at Japanese Elementary, Junior High and High Schools.
Full-time SESJ teachers may find they teach one day a week for SLS on a regular basis.
Opportunities exist for SESJ teachers to transfer on a full or part-time basis to SLS after teachers have completed their initial contract with SESJ.
SESJ's Headquarters are currently in Nishi Kasai, which is approx. a 20min train journey from central Tokyo. Upper management, the Recruitment and Course Design Depts. are based here.
Due to the size of the Tokyo metropolis (and spread of schools), the area is divided into smaller more manageable regions. Each has its own Head Office and some also have Head Schools.
Directors of Studies, Assistant Director of Studies and Japanese ASDs, are based in regional Head Offices.
Teachers can visit these regional Head Offices and Head Schools on a regular basis where they will find a wealth of teaching preparation, reference materials and photocopiable resources. The internet can also be accessed here, through prior arrangement with office staff. These offices are also home to teachers' trays, where important information is distributed for collection.
Training sessions often take place at these locations.
Teachers at the DTE schools and FC teach students of all ages and abilities, from 2 year old children to senior business executives.
Younger Learners
Children start as young as 2yrs old.
They are grouped according to age, with a maximum of 10 per class. In many cases, classes are smaller than this.
Children typically study in a group environment, but may elect to study privately on a 1-1 basis with a teacher.
All children's classes have complete course and syllabus guides.
All schools are stocked with the materials necessary to teach young children.
All teachers undergo training through the Teaching English to Younger Learners (TEYL) course, before entering the classroom, with further follow-up sessions scheduled to take place approximately 2 months after starting.
Adult Students
Adult students study for many reasons. Some may require English for their jobs, to secure a promotion or to be able to study and/or work overseas.
Adult classes can be a high level with exam preparation involved. Some, however, attend English classes for the enjoyment and social aspects of learning a new language and culture.
Adult learners are grouped by ability levels from complete beginner to advanced, with a maximum of 8 students per class. The majority tend to be much smaller, with 4-6 being more common.
Adult courses are taught exclusively by native English speakers, and are based around selected texts.
Students may also elect to study on a private, 1-1 basis with the teacher at their school. Some students join as a pair creating a 2-1 private lesson.
Courses
Students are offered a variety of courses ranging from general English courses to more specialized exam preparation and business courses.
