Higgins In Japan

Some people find it easy to complain about being a teacher in Japan. I see it all the time on YouTube, TikTok, Reddit, and Twitter/X. Videos and posts flood the internet with titles like “The Ugly Truth of Teaching in Japan” or “The REAL Reason Teaching in Japan Sucks!”

While it’s true that Japan’s English education system has many areas that need improvement, these videos and discussions usually aren’t about that at all. More often than not, they seem like nothing more than an attempt to get clicks and “likes.”

Sometimes, these complaints come from people who expected Japan to fulfill some idealized dream they had about living and working here. Others think moving to Japan will magically fix all their problems. And then, there are those who… well… just aren’t good teachers. I could write about any of those issues, but that’s not what this post is about. Instead, I want to focus on the act of complaining about your job.

Complaining Will Destroy You as a Teacher

Teaching in Japan is different now than it was a few years ago. The pandemic forced schools to adapt in ways that many weren’t prepared for. Online learning, mask “mandates”, and social distancing changed the classroom dynamic. Some of those changes have stuck, while others have disappeared. But one thing remains the same—if you waste time complaining, you’re not improving as a teacher.

Some days, you might feel like your ALT role is nothing more than glorified babysitting. Other days, you’ll witness aspects of the Japanese education system that make you cringe. And then, there will be moments when you absolutely love your job and can’t imagine doing anything else.

Somewhere in between all of that are your students—the reason you are teaching.

Your job doesn’t exist to make you happy. (Read that again. Seriously, I can’t stress this enough.) Your job exists to educate the students in your school. That’s huge. That should scare you. It definitely scares me. To realize that I have a hand in these kids’ education—it really makes me reflect on my actions. And in Japan, my actions are constantly under a microscope.

You’re going to have rough days, rough classes, and out-of-control students. It happens to all of us. Let me let you in on a little secret: I’ve never won a Grammy. Have you? Probably not. Guess what? You’re still going to have to sing in class. Don’t complain.

I’ve also never won any awards from the Royal College of Art (which, by the way, was ranked the top art school in the world—I looked it up). I’m going to assume you haven’t either. Guess what? You’re still going to have to draw pictures in front of 40 students. Don’t complain!

Your Students Are Depending on You

You are their teacher. They might not always show it, but if you’re there for your students, you’ll earn their trust. If you’re new to a school, this will take time—usually two to three months. Students need time to figure out who you are. The same goes for the teachers you work with. Use that time to show them you’re someone they can rely on.

There is no magical utopian school where students instantly love you. Building those relationships takes time, effort, and—most importantly—a willingness to be flexible and embrace challenges.

Make It About the Students, Not About You

One thing that has changed in recent years is a stronger focus on student-centered learning. As an ALT, you’re not just there to “be a tape recorder” or to stand in front of the class as a foreign face. You have the ability to shape how your students experience English.

Instead of complaining about your job, ask yourself:

• How can I make English more interesting for my students?
• What’s something small I can do to improve their experience?
• Am I treating this job like a checklist or as a real opportunity to connect with my students?

A Challenge for You

At the end of the day, you can either complain about your situation or work to improve it.

So here’s my challenge to you: For the next month, replace every complaint with a solution. Instead of saying, “My JTE doesn’t let me do anything,” ask, “What’s one small way I can contribute?” Instead of thinking, “These students don’t care about English,” ask, “How can I make them care, even just a little?”

You’re the teacher. Set the tone. Create an environment where students feel free to make mistakes, free to ask questions, and free to learn. Complaining doesn’t help them—it only holds them back.

So don’t do it.