Contributor

Liam Carrigan

Scotland-born Liam has lived in Asia since 2006. He has spent more than 6 years in Japan, and currently works in Osaka as a writer and English teacher.

Articles

Work

Beating the Graduation Blues in 2021

Kids won’t get the graduation ceremony they deserve this year. What can we, as teachers, do to help them finish school on a high?

By 7 min read

Work

The Coronavirus and English Teacher Recruiting in Japan for 2021: Your Questions Answered

Teachers will face a significantly different job market due to the coronavirus as recruitment season approaches in Japan. We try to answer some of your questions about the pandemic's impact on your new job hunt.

By 9 min read

Work

A Coronavirus Christmas: How Foreign Teachers are Coping Without Going Home for the Holidays

With international travel heavily restricted, how are some of Japan’s foreign teachers coping with the situation?

By 5 min read

Work

Working from Home: English Teachers and the ‘New Normal’

As more companies embrace the idea of working from home, we ask the question: Will working from home as a full-time English teacher in Japan ever be viable?

By 8 min read

Culture

What Ghost of Tsushima Gets Right and Wrong About Japan’s Past

Does Ghost of Tsushima strike the balance between playability and authenticity? We think it does. Here's why.

By 6 min read 1

Explore

Five Spots for a Warm Weather Autumn Vacation in Japan

Not ready for the summer sun to fade just yet? Head to these destinations where summer vibes last a bit longer.

By 8 min read

Work

Navigating Controversial Topics During English Lessons in Japan

What do you do when your students say something racist or ask you about politics?

By 8 min read

Live

Coping with Corona: A Mental Survival Guide

A look at the long term impacts of the coronavirus and strategies for tackling them while living in Japan.

By 6 min read

Culture

Just How Much of the Yakuza Series is a Replica of Japan? A lot.

Discover the real-life places in Osaka and Tokyo that inspired Sega’s Yakuza video game series.

By 5 min read

Live

How to Get a Driver’s License in Japan Without Speaking Japanese

Tips on the process and English-speaking driving schools.

By 6 min read 2

Live

What are ALTs’ Rights During the Coronavirus School Closures in Japan?

Assistant Language Teachers are still entitled to a percentage of their pay if their schools are closed during the shutdown.

By 4 min read

Work

How Will Japan’s New “Equal Pay” Law Affect ALTs?

This April, many Assistant Language Teachers will have a very different contract. Here are the pros and cons.

By 6 min read