Frequently Asked Questions
About ABC Plus
Got questions? Check here first to see if we have an answer. If you have further questions, feel free to inquire through the form below!
What are the class sizes like?
Class sizes are capped at 6 students per class.
On occasion, teachers may have a 7th
“make-up” student for a lesson if that student was absent in their usual class.
How old are the elementary and junior high
school students?
school students?
Elementary school starts with 1st year students between the ages of 6 to 7 and goes up to 6th year where students are between 11 to 12 years old. Junior high school 1st year students are between 12 to 13 years old.
Are all the students in the class the same age?
Classes are usually based on age and ability. When placing students in classes, the age difference is no more than 2 years as long as the students’ language abilities are similar.
What support structures are at ABC Plus?
Japanese staff and the director are always happy to help with anything that requires Japanese, for example, making appointments or translating mail.
ABC Plus also has lead teachers who are teachers that have been with us for a few years. They are always available to handle any issues teachers may have at work or outside of work.
What teaching resources are available for teachers?
ABC Plus has a large number of different teaching resources, such as flashcards, games, toys, music, textbooks, and sample lesson plans.
Additionally, we provide all teachers with a copy of the ABC Plus curriculum to guide them in planning their classes. There are 3 or 4 computers available to teachers at each school that can be used to create original materials and additional resources that are useful for their own students.
Do I have to teach English grammar?
Yes. Our students are curious and often want to know the differences between similar grammar structures, different tenses, and when they should use each, such as the difference between simple past and present perfect.
Can I apply while I am still a student?
Yes, you may, provided that you will receive your diploma and therefore will be eligible for a working visa three months before the position’s start date.
Will I have training beforeI start teaching?
A two-week training period is usually given to new teachers. After this period, formal training ends and you will assume full responsibility for your classes. lead teachers are always available throughout the year if you need help or advice.
Can I teach privately on the side? What about other
forms of employment?
forms of employment?
No. Engaging in other forms of employment outside of ABC Plus is prohibited since it affects your taxes and your visa only covers certain types of employment. If unsure, please ask the director. We do, however, encourage teachers to participate in language and cultural exchange events.
If I am qualified to teach a language other than
English, will you offer classes in that language?
English, will you offer classes in that language?
Being qualified to teach more than one language is great, although classes in languages other than English are not often in high demand. That being said, if a prospective student wants to, we may be able to offer them a private lesson.
What is paid leave?
At ABC Plus we offer teachers a choice between two paid leave options. Plan 1 allows for 9 days of paid leave after 6 months of employment as per Japanese labor laws. Paid leave increases each year in line with labor laws. Teachers are allowed to take 5 days off at a time of their choosing. The number of holidays under Plan 2 is significantly higher than Plan 1, with around 6 weeks of school holidays annually. All of these holidays are coordinated with the company each year and teachers agree to follow the school calendar. Almost all the staff members prefer Plan 2, but new teachers can decide between the two options when signing the contract.
What is sick leave?
When a full-time teaching staff member enrolled in national health insurance needs to be absent due to a health problem, ABC Plus subsidizes sick days. Teachers are paid 60% of their daily wage for each day they are absent. Teachers are entitled to 10 such days per year. We request proof of a doctor's visit, which can be in the form of a doctor's note, receipt, etc. Unfortunately, in our industry, using substitute teachers is not an option. When a teacher is sick, we ask other teachers to cover. However, these additional classes count toward their monthly totals, and teaching more than an average of 23 classes per week will result in teachers being paid extra.
What kind of medication is available in Japan?
Most regular medication for ongoing conditions is usually available here in Japan. However, we ask that potential teachers please check online regarding whether their current medications are available in Japan. If you wish for assistance with medical issues or finding an English-speaking doctor, we will be happy to help you in any way that we can.
Will you sponsor a visa for my family?
No, we don't sponsor visas for family members.
Will you provide a job for my spouse?
No, we will not automatically provide a job for your spouse, but in the case where another position becomes available and your spouse is a qualified applicant, it may be possible for them to interview for the position.
How do I sign up for Health Insurance?
ABC Plus will help new teachers establish their residency and sign up for health insurance and pension. Depending on your contract, teachers will either be signed up for national health insurance and pension or Employees’ Health Insurance and Pension. On average, the first year of coverage costs around 42,000 yen or less when you join the national health insurance. However, in years following, the health insurance fee will be roughly 7% of your previous years' income. National pension is 16,520 yen per month (Year 2023). When you join the Employees' Health Insurance (EHI) and the Employees' Pension Insurance (EPI), these fees will total roughly 15 % of your income.
Before coming to Japan, some teachers sign up for travel insurance to cover any issues with their travel to Japan. This is not mandatory for new teachers.
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