Make a Mil-Yen: Teaching English in Japan [Paperback]

Don Best (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 1994

You don't need professional teaching experience or Japanese-language ability to teach English in Japan. But you do need to prepare for this adventure. Make a Mil-Yen tells you everything you need to know for a successful job search, including: what qualifications and experience impress the schools; what to expect as compensation; and even tips for settling into your new life in Japan. There are lists of dozens of resources and the names and phone numbers of over 250 schools that are continuously hiring in Japan.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An invaluable resource. Thoroughly researched and clearly written, it provides the kind of very practical information that people seeking their first jobs in Japan need to know." -Karen Wilson, M.A., former Japanese university instructor -- Review

"This isn't the first book written on teaching english in Japan, but it's the best." -The Asia Book Club -- -The Asia Book Club

Language Notes

Text: English, Japanese

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Stone Bridge Press (June 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1880656116
• ISBN-13: 978-1880656112
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #568,158 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #20 in Books > Travel > Specialty Travel > Students

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best guide available for finding a teaching job in Japan, May 29, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Make a Mil-Yen: Teaching English in Japan (Paperback)

Just returned from teaching in Japan. The truth is that finding a job is a lot more difficult than it was, say 5 years ago. But if you are the least bit interested, this is by far the best book available. Felt like I had a friend telling me the ins and outs of how to get my job. If you are really interested in the experience then go for it!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent place to start, January 11, 2003

By 

Lady Murasaki (Washington, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Make a Mil-Yen: Teaching English in Japan (Paperback)

I am currently researching teaching opportunities in Japan, and they are plentiful. While I have yet to go to Japan, reading Don Best's book has answered a lot of questions I had had (e.g. how can one afford to live in Japan?). It includes information on the English industry in Japan, qualifications for teaching, suggested preparation before leaving for Japan, finding jobs, surviving in Japan, the interview (including hints on creating a demonstration lesson), pay, work visas, and settling in.

One concern I had was that this book was written in 1994. I wrote to two address in the book and both letters were sent back to me claiming the addresses were incorrect. I suggest checking (possibly through internet searches) addresses before writing to them. There are also a lot of informative websites to check out. If you are looking to get hired from outside Japan, look for websites of these employers: Aeon, Nova, Geos, Berlitz, and ECC.

Overall, this book seems like an excellent place to start if you're interested in teaching English in Japan. Even if some of the information may be outdated, it answers a lot of questions that readers will have about teaching in Japan and about Japan itself.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A one stop resouce, September 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Make a Mil-Yen: Teaching English in Japan (Paperback)

I taught English in Japan for about 2 years in the mid 90's. The experience was fantastic, and I made some of the best freinds of my life. Unfortunately, I read this book after the fact (after I had my job), but I certainly could have avoided some of the common pit-falls. This book really tells it like it is, and is a MUST BUY for anyone contemplating the adventure of a life-time.