The International Schools Review Forum

Starting to look into positions for next year, I have a quick question about work/life balance in Japan at the better schools. What's the workload really like there? For example I have looked into the American School in Tokyo (ASJ), Nishimachi, and Hokkaido International, and reviews all mention the workload, but often it's hard to get an idea of what that really means.

For example, sometimes people mention 5 preps, or two extracurriculars, or 50 hours a week, none of which are a problem for me. I work hard when I'm at work. I'm just looking for a place that doesn't keep you there 80 hours a week, or make you slave away every night and weekend. Basically, a predictable schedule, and when I'm off, I'm off, and not having my time wasted by 30 extra hours of meetings and paperwork a week.

Is this possible in Japan? Or do the schools have the salaryman mentality? I, for one, am not interested in sleeping under my desk!

My mistake, I meant to write 5 CLASSES a day, not preps. Big difference. I haven't ever seen more than 3 preps at the high school level, either.

So I pose the question again, is the workload in Japan exaggerated?

The workload at schools in Japan is no different than the workload at schools in any other country.

Only Americans seem to be concerned with the number of preps. Five is completely normal.