On being an English teacher

"Why don't you get a proper job?"
"The last thing I want to do is teach English in Japan"

I have heard such comments about the English teaching profession in Japan.
Having been a teacher (or instructor) for the past 25 years I believe I have some
credibility when it comes to commenting on this particular occupation.

I got into this field mainly because I was not able to do anything else.
That is probably true of many of the teachers in an "Eikawa."( 英会話 )

However, I have to say despite that, I have found teaching English to be one of the
most satisfying jobs. Why do I say that?

Being a teacher is not just a case of opening your mouth and speaking English (as many think)
Over the years I have had to be a counsellor, a father figure, a mentor, a salesperson, a sounding board,
an entertainer, an advisor + more.

I have seen some of the students go from very basic beginners to achieving a level of fluency
that surpasses a lot of so called "native " speakers in the UK.
( I didn't do nuffin, honest )

I have met some really wonderful people, ( as well as some not so wonderful people).
I have seen some students pass the CPA exam in the States and publish medical papers using
English that would confound most people brought up in an English speaking country.
Truly amazing achievements in a foreign language,and I feel that , in part, I have contributed to their success by means of my teaching. I still keep in touch with some even though they are no longer students at the school,
and they continue to impress me.

So " get a proper job"? Well, what is a proper job? A dustman, a salesperson, a doctor?
I believe that it is not getting a "proper" job that is important, it is doing the job that you have.. properly.
and that applies to being a teacher in an Eikaiwa as well as any other job.

Just for fun, some teachers produced this recently.

Enjoy..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PhAc1CCgxiI