As the swedish crown continues its steady descent towards nothingness compared to the yen (down at 15.97 yen/crown now … never seen it that low before), I am struck with the realization, firmer than ever, that I need to earn money while here in Japan.
As a foreigner, my options are limited and at the same time, there are opportunities. Namely English teaching.
English teaching as a foreigner is no secret, really. It’s easy, it is (can be) fun, and most importantly, it pays several times the amount one would get from a regular old part-time job, hour-wise. The other foreigners living here in my apartment complex have also considered the idea of teaching English, and thus one of the guys living next-doors told me two days ago that he’d been called up by some guy who wanted a teacher for their school. Only 2½ hour a week but it’s a good start.
Unfortunately for my friend, the work hours collided with his school hours, so he had to decline. Fortunately for me, my school hours are different, so I got the number from my friend and called the guy up.
It was a rather odd conversation. His English wasn’t flawless, and he kept thinking I was the neighbor. But in the end, we decided to meet up. Here’s the funny part: the next class is scheduled Thursday 3.30 pm-4.50 pm. And we’re supposed to meet at 3 pm on Thursday. 30 minutes before the class.
Um. Am I expected to take that class?
I don’t know anything about the school, or about the students, or about what they expect me to do — produce material or work alongside some form of book? What preparations am I meant to do before every class? How many hours of my spare time do they expect me to invest into this? — nor have I a single clue what they intend to pay me for this all.
If this had been Sweden or the U.S. or some other place, there would have been some kind of interview and discussion way beforehand, but this guy seems content with whatever he can get his hands on, as long as it breathes and speaks English. I guess I’ll find out tomorrow.
In any case, with the SEK (swedish currency) dropping like a bowling ball in the ocean, I see no alternative but to begin seriously hunting students for private teaching. I wish Cara (my girlfriend’s friend) still lived here in Kyoto, since she’s got a lot of experience teaching, and she’s lived here for several years (4-5 if I recall). I could use her advice. 
In any case, I’m sure it’ll be … interesting, no matter what happens tomorrow. Worst case I’ll just leave, and that’s only a loss of a couple of hours (plus the train fees) so no sweat, there.
Wish me luck, though.