Matty’s program is unique in that it offers a cultural exchange for both the students and teachers.  Matty’s teachers have the opportunity to live with a Japanese family so that they can better absorb the Japanese culture and language. The teacher will be treated as part of the family and be expected follow the rules set down by family.

In most cases, you will be provided a car by Matty’s for work related and private transportation.  Be prepared for the amount of travel time it takes to get from one place to another.  An example, from your homestay to Matty’s office is about 20 kilometers in distance.  It will take you 45 to 60 minutes to reach the office. This probably seems like a very long time for such a short distance, but actually you will only be traveling about half the time the average Japanese person spends commuting to and from his workplace. 

Matty’s provides for their teachers the cultural advantages of living with a Japanese family in a small, friendly residential neighborhood of the Yokosuka/Yokohama district.  Here the lifestyle is much slower and more relaxed than the high fashion, fast paced living of Tokyo.  Within this living situation the teacher can learn in an informal way about man y aspects, i.e. philosophies, language, of the Japanese culture.  There are very few structured language schools for foreigners outside of Tokyo, although there are many schools and private teachers for brush painting, flower arranging, karate, zen etc.  right in Yokosuka district.  If the applicant really desires to study the language in a structured classroom situation then it is suggested they go directly to Tokyo to live, work and study.  Matty’s appreciates those individuals who are interested in the Japanese culture and will try to help their teachers with their studies, but we must stress that the teachers main goal should be to teach English.

Another benefit of Matty’s is that it is a privately owned and family run school, therefore, its staff is smaller, friendlier, and more informal than the corporate businesses or professionally run schools of Tokyo.  Because Matty’s staff is so small the teacher will be expected to help with duties other than those directly related to his or her actual teaching.  These duties would be of a clerical nature including some private English letter writing.

Those interested in Matty’s should be either teaching or linguistics majors with preference to those who have taken a TESL class (Preschool and Elementary Education majors are encouraged to apply).  The teacher should be a creative person.  It is extremely important that their classes be interesting.  Their students will be young and will only progress if they find the classes fun to come to and participate in.

To break from the weekly routine of going to class, Matty’s has designed several extra-curricular activities.  During the summer Matty’s offers a three day summer camp. This allows Matty’s students to intermix with the teachers, and learn English outside of a classroom.  For the older, more advanced students, (Junior High and High School) an American Homestay program has been developed.  Each summer several of Matty’s students go to the United States to live with an American family for approximately 6 weeks.  Not only does this allow them to practice and develop what they have learned, but it also builds their knowledge and understanding of the American culture. Unfortunately, since September 2001, we have not sent any students to America. But in the near future we are hoping to restart this program, including exchange with an international school in New Zealand.

Matty’s also owns a 32 foot cruiser and a row boat for fishing.  Those people who are interested in sailing are encouraged to learn about sailing here and to spend time practicing this sport.  Every year a trip is made to islands south of Tokyo, and occasionally there is room for one or more of the teachers.

Teaching at Matty’s is for the open-minded person who truly loves children, someone who wants to live with a Japanese family in homestay and mix with the Japanese people, and someone who is willing to learn and teach by Matty’s direct methods and broaden their cultural knowledge.  You must be very adaptable and also not only willing to learn and live a new life-style, but to accept a new way of life as well.  Remember you’ll be living in Japan, and it will be much different from what you are used to.  Keep in mind that you will be signing a one year contract.  We are not trying to discourage you, we only want to be honest and give you as much information as possible, so you know more of what to expect and what is expected of you.

Thank you for your interest in Matty’s.  We hope that you will consider Matty’s a part of your International teaching experience.