In Defense of the Panda

Perhaps the dancing panda analogy strikes some as harsh; however, there is so much about teaching English that is an act. The act not only requires clear speech, but a real sense of entertainment. In jukus and eikaiwas, one has to entertain just as much as teach. Some people claim that this is what demotes private English teaching in Japan from teaching to mere babysitting. I disagree. If one really digs into this field, they find the teachers doing just as much as their "professional" counterparts but with a mere hour a day once a week. That is a demanding job especially in a country that demands results.

Then why reject the Panda? First, not every expat began their career in their home country. Secondly, though English teaching can be a very quick path to a work visa, not every English teacher in Japan has taken to the path of least resistence or a quick escape. For those of us who came to Japan for deeper reasons than money or escapism, those of us ready and able to take on better careers, sorting out the leap in Japan from Panda to global citizen (a credit to Ernie Gundling for introducing me to this idea) should be an interesting topic. Along the way, we should be able to share some of our more confusing experiences and shocks(^o^)