Conversation School FAQs - Working Conditions 1

Schedule / Classroom / Teaching Places

What's my job?

• Teaching English as a Foreign Language to students varying in age from preschool children to adults.
• Designing engaging lesson plans for each class, on a weekly and bimonthly basis in accordance with the ABC PLUS syllabus.
• This includes choosing class topics, children's songs for use in class and crafts, and creating games which are age appropriate and relevant to the class topic.
• Conducting classes in a professional, organized and engaging manner.
• Teaching demonstration lessons or allowing observation of existing classes by potential students.
• Keeping records of each student's progress and writing annual progress reports.
• Participating in ABC PLUS Events, such as local field trips and holiday parties for students.
• Attending staff meetings and participating in continuing staff development.

Where will I be teaching?

Full time teachers will work at both our Midori and Tenpaku Ueda English schools.

When will I know where I am teaching?

ABC PLUS will inform teachers of their school assignments during the training period.

What are the ages of the students?

Kids Plus Classes are for 2 and 3 year olds. Kindergarten Classes range in age from 3 - 6 years old. Elementary students are 7 - 12. These students make up about half of our student base. Junior High students are 13 - 15, and Senior High students are 16 - 18. Adult classes have students of all ages - from university students to senior citizens.

What would my schedule be? How many hours a week do I teach?

Each teacher will work either the morning shift or the evening shift on a particular day. Thus a teacher will NOT have a 10:00 class and then a break, and then later a 8 pm class.

Morning shift: 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM
Evening shift: 1:30 PM to 9:30 PM

Teachers are required to prepare sufficiently, so we ask that they arrive at the school 30 minutes before the first class. Sometimes teachers will have demonstration lessons, which last 30 minutes to introduce a potential student to proper classes.

How many lessons will I teach each week? What types of classes do I teach?

You will teach about 25 classes a week. The following is a breakdown of the types of classes a teacher may have: 23 classes per week: 2 - Kids Plus (2 and 3 year olds), 12 - Kindergarten and Elementary, 2 - Junior High, 2 - High School, 5 - Adult Classes

What is the usual class size?

All classes have a maximum of 6 students per class. However, some classes with 4 - 5 students.

What forms of professional development are available?

ABC PLUS will hold monthly meetings for staff where they can share ideas and techniques. Lesson ideas (including activities such as songs, games, how to make students enthusiastic in the class) will be shared, which help teachers build on the quality of their lessons.

What type of private workspace is available?

ABC PLUS provides teachers with a shared workroom and common room. Each teacher has their own desk space, but they must share the common room and work room with other staff members.