Alan, The work load is usually a bit less in Japan but the Japanese are a more up-tight people so the school culture is less relaxed. (I want to try a year in Japan.) 5-6 classes a day (5 days a week) is normal in Korea and the really tiring aspect is the split shift that some schools use. You teach one or two classes in the morning (7 am with students half asleep) and the rest in the afternoon or evening. This can make for a very very long day. Some schools close their doors at 10 or 11pm. Don't take a contract with such a schedule. You will feel like a slave or burn out. Compressed hours are best, say 2pm to 8pm with 10 mins. break between classes. Some schools do not include the 10 mins. break in your total work hours (!!!!) and this is just cheap and mean. Don't accept such a contract. Beware.