Hello,

I would like to inform everyone that is considering eikaiwa's to really understand that you need to do your research. Sometimes it can be difficult to find proper information about how a company works. I don't want others to go through what I've gone through. Don't apply to this eikaiwa. Ian H[edited], the man that owns the private company, is a very complicated person that isn't the best to work with. That's putting it lightly. He can be explosive and yells at his teachers as well as the staff working in the company's "cafe" that is downstairs. I watched a documentary once about narcissistic personality disorder that can be found on youtube and it was shocking because it perfectly described him. He has a lot of power in this company. He doesn't want teachers that think. He wants teachers to conform. There isn't much to do in Matsusaka and it isn't meeting people. It makes it more difficult that he monitors your every move while living at the company housing. He gets angry if you forget to do things. He calls peoples names and belittles them behind closed doors. The company is all about service. If you are okay with working a customer service position then I think this would be perfect for you. Stand and smile and do what you are told and your time will be much better off. If you feel you can deal with not having much of a social life and having to go to work worried about someone screaming at you or freaking out over mistakes then by my guest and apply. I think a lot of the truth isn't written online in regards to Merry England because he scares people. He is intimidating and I think he doesn't want people to know the truth. The students he has pretty much have been going there for years on end and seem to not have noticed a thing. It pays well but it's pretty awful that the rent you are paying is taken directly from your pay check and goes back to him (because he's the landlord). Company dinners are sometimes in Merry England's restaurant which you go to and that money goes back to his company too. This job requires a lot of mental strength and patience. You have to be willing to conform. There are many different ideas of education and ESL related topics (second language acquisition, linguistics, psychology, and education theory) that get ignored. If you are a true educator and someone passionate about teaching then look elsewhere. If you need a job and can put up with the unnecessary and unhealthy stress living in "Merry" England then go ahead.

Ian is probably reading this right now and pissing himself. That's unfortunate because it truly just shows his insecurity as a person. People don't need you as much as you think they do. Stay where you are in your self made paradise where you rule. You are a King and this has all been created in your mind. What you are is weak. Your students deserve better.

To get a proper job in Japan you definitely want to aim for an MA in TESOL, attend national TESOL conferences, and get experience teaching in universities. The more qualifications and experiences you have the better of you will be. Please, future educators and teachers, continue to work on your art and don't let anyone discourage you.