Japan's Eikaiwa Schools — Which One Is Right for You?
Private English conversation schools are the most accessible route into Japan for foreign teachers. But not all eikaiwa are equal — hours, culture, salary, and student demographics vary significantly between chains.
Eikaiwa at a glance
Understanding Japan's private English school market
Eikaiwa (英会話) means "English conversation" — and private eikaiwa schools are the backbone of Japan's adult English learning industry. Unlike the public school ALT system, eikaiwa operate as private businesses targeting self-paying students: adult professionals improving business English, university students preparing for exams, children enrolled by ambitious parents, and senior learners taking up English as a hobby.
The eikaiwa industry is large, well-established, and consistently hiring foreign teachers. The main chains — AEON, ECC, NOVA, and Gaba — collectively employ thousands of foreign teachers across hundreds of locations nationwide.
Who the students are
Primarily adult learners paying for lessons out of pocket. Mix of: working professionals wanting business English, housewives and retirees, young adults preparing for international travel or study, children enrolled by parents.
What the work looks like
Group classes of 2–8 students, one-to-one lessons (especially at Gaba), conversation-focused lessons with structured curriculum. Lesson planning is generally minimal — most chains provide standardised materials.
The working schedule
Typically Tuesday–Saturday or Wednesday–Sunday. Evenings (5pm–9pm) are the busiest hours — this is when working adults attend. Be prepared for a work schedule that differs significantly from public school ALT positions.
AEON vs ECC vs NOVA vs Gaba — side by side
| Chain | Salary | Class size | Hours | Housing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AEON | ¥255,000–270,000 | Groups (2–8) | Tue–Sat; includes evenings | Provided or subsidised | First-time Japan teachers |
| ECC | ¥255,000–270,000 | Groups (2–8) | Tue–Sat; includes evenings | Support available | Children + adult mix |
| NOVA | ¥250,000–265,000 | Groups (2–4) | Variable; includes weekends | UR Housing arrangement | Flexible placement |
| Gaba | ¥250,000–300,000+ | One-to-one only | Flexible; self-scheduled | Not provided | Business English focus |
| Berlitz | ¥250,000–280,000 | One-to-one / small groups | Includes evenings | Not typically | Corporate clients |
AEON — Japan's largest eikaiwa chain
AEON is Japan's largest private English school with approximately 300+ school branches nationwide. It is widely regarded as one of the better employers for first-time Japan teachers — structured training, housing support, and a well-documented onboarding process make the initial transition much smoother than many smaller chains.
AEON teaches all age groups but is particularly strong in adult and young adult learners. Lessons are group format (typically 2–6 students), with standardised curriculum and lesson plans provided. Teachers are expected to bring energy and personality to classes — AEON students are paying for an engaging native-speaker experience as much as language instruction.
Hiring: AEON recruits year-round with peak intakes in April (for Japan's academic year start) and September. Applications are typically made through AEON's own recruitment portal and include an interview, a demonstration lesson, and background screening.
AEON at a glance
| Salary | ¥255,000–270,000/mo |
| Work schedule | Tue–Sat (usually) |
| Class size | Groups of 2–8 |
| Students | All ages, adult focus |
| Housing | Provided or subsidised |
| Contract | 12 months, renewable |
| Branches | 300+ nationwide |
Gaba — the one-to-one model
Gaba operates a fundamentally different model from other eikaiwa chains. All lessons are one-to-one — you teach individual adults in private lesson booths at Gaba Learning Studios across major cities. Students book you directly through the Gaba system based on your profile and availability. You set your own schedule.
Advantages of Gaba
- Flexible scheduling — you set your own hours
- One-to-one format is more engaging and relationship-focused
- Business English focus — adult professional learners
- Good earning potential for popular teachers (students book you by rating)
- Strong performance-based culture
Trade-offs
- No housing support provided
- Income can be unpredictable until you build a student base
- Predominantly Tokyo and Osaka — limited regional placement
- Intensive lesson-to-lesson format with no group dynamic to draw on
- Commission-style booking means quiet periods hit your income
What eikaiwa teaching actually feels like
Teaching eikaiwa is not the same as public school ALT work. The pace is faster, the student expectations are higher (they're paying for this), and the working schedule — evenings and Saturdays — means your social life runs differently from most people back home.
Most eikaiwa teachers find the work genuinely engaging. Adult learners who choose to study English are motivated and appreciative. Classes are small enough to build rapport. The curriculum is structured but leaves room for personality. Many teachers stay for 2–3 years and find the professional development meaningful.
The main challenges: the evening/weekend schedule takes adjustment, customer service elements of the work can feel unfamiliar to teachers expecting a more traditional classroom dynamic, and the physical demands of back-to-back 50-minute lessons through peak hours (5pm–9pm) are real.
Customer service culture: Eikaiwa students are paying customers, and most chains expect teachers to understand this. Complaints, cancellations, and requests to switch teachers happen. Approaching the work with a service mindset alongside pedagogical skill makes the experience significantly more positive.
Build the TEFL qualification eikaiwa chains require
AEON, ECC and most major chains require 120-hour Level 5 TEFL. TEFL Heaven delivers this alongside a guaranteed first paid placement in Asia.
Eikaiwa questions
Is eikaiwa or JET better for a first Japan placement?
It depends what you want. JET pays more (¥280,000 vs ¥255,000 typical eikaiwa), provides flights, and gives authentic public school experience. But eikaiwa is faster to access (year-round hiring vs annual JET cycle), puts you in a city, and has a more predictable application process. If you're not selected for JET, eikaiwa is the natural alternative — not a consolation prize.
Do I have to work evenings and weekends at eikaiwa?
Yes, with most chains. Peak lesson hours are evenings (5pm–9pm) when working adults attend, and Saturdays for children and family lesson times. The standard schedule at major chains like AEON and ECC is Tuesday–Saturday. If a Monday–Friday schedule is important to you, eikaiwa is probably not the right route — look at ALT dispatch or JET instead.
Can I choose which city I'm placed in with an eikaiwa?
Generally yes — much more than with JET. Most chains allow you to express city preferences during the application. Placement is not guaranteed in your preferred location but is far more flexible than government programs. Popular cities (Tokyo, Osaka) are competitive; smaller cities are more accessible. AEON in particular has strong placement support across many cities.