Eikaiwa kyōshitsu (英会話教室) or Eikaiwa gakkō (英会話学校)[1] often shortened to Eikaiwa (英会話), are English conversation schools, usually privately operated, in Japan. It is a combination of the word eikaiwa (英会話, English language conversation) and gakkō (学校, school).
Although the Japanese public education system mandates that English be taught as part of the curriculum from fifth grade, the focus is generally on English grammar. Some students attend eikaiwa schools to supplement their school studies, to study a second language, to improve their business skills, as a hobby, to help socialize, or to prepare for travel.[2] Many parents send their children to these schools in the hope of improving their child's hopes of higher education, or to encourage them to be at ease with foreigners (who teach most of the classes).
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The major chains of commercial language schools have branches in cities and towns throughout Japan, and there are large numbers of smaller independent outfits. Several chains offer instruction in other languages, including Spanish, French, Italian, German, Chinese, and Korean. These languages are taught primarily at larger city branches or through videoconferencing.[3] In 2002, foreign language instruction in Japan was a 670 billion yen industry, of which the five largest chains (Nova, GEOS, ECC, Aeon, and Berlitz) accounted for 25%.[4] Nova, the biggest, filed for bankruptcy in October 2007. Berlitz was once considered one of the "Big Four", but its market share has declined in recent years and it was overtaken by ECC. ECC and Aeon have become the most widely recognized eikaiwa English conversation schools in Japan.[5] The large eikaiwa operate extensive advertising campaigns in print and on television; they sometimes feature Japanese or international celebrities in their promotions and have a very high profile and strong brand recognition.[6][7]
A 2008 assessment of the language study market for fiscal year 2007 showed it had shrunk by over 61%, an effect of Nova's collapse, although demand for some services like software and lessons for children had increased.[8] GEOS filed for bankruptcy in April 2010.
Eikaiwa teachers are generally native English speakers from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Ireland or New Zealand. According to The Japan Times, the Justice Ministry estimates that some 90 percent of foreign residents in Japan stay for three years or less. For eikaiwa teachers, however, that figure rises to between 96 and 97 percent.[9] Few instructors have a formal teaching qualification; most receive on-the-job training. Some companies offer teachers the ability to gain CELTA certification while teaching. Teachers coming from countries that do not have a working holiday visa agreement with Japan must have a university degree to obtain a Japanese work visa.
Eikaiwa school managers generally do not have formal backgrounds in management, but some do have Japanese language skills that allow them to communicate with Japanese management. Some larger schools have unions, which are affiliated to the National Union of General Workers.
The American Club, once the largest school in Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo,[10][11][12] was sued twice by its employees in the space of 13 months for withheld wages.[12][13] During the second lawsuit its directors fled, while ignoring a court order to pay.[12][14][15] News reports indicated the business was closed,[12] but according to its business registration it is still a legal operating entity with 30 million yen in equity, and has never been in a state of bankruptcy.[11]
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