In Japan, it is not uncommon to hear about teachers who only appear in front of their students via a screen. These teachers, known as “Kao Dake Sensei” or “顔だけ先生” in Japanese, have become increasingly popular in recent years due to the convenience and cost-effectiveness they offer to both schools and students.
What is a Kao Dake Sensei?
A Kao Dake Sensei is a teacher who teaches classes remotely, using video conferencing software, such as Skype or Zoom. The teacher is only visible to the students through a screen, hence the term “Kao Dake” which means “only face” in Japanese. The teacher can be located anywhere in the world, and can teach students in different parts of Japan.
Why are Kao Dake Sensei Becoming Popular?
There are several reasons why Kao Dake Sensei have become popular in Japan:
- Cost-Effective: Hiring a Kao Dake Sensei is much cheaper than hiring a full-time teacher, as schools do not need to provide housing or other benefits.
- Convenience: Kao Dake Sensei can teach classes from anywhere in the world, which makes it easier for schools to find teachers for specialized subjects.
- Flexibility: Kao Dake Sensei can teach classes at different times of the day, which allows schools to offer classes to students who have other commitments, such as part-time jobs or extracurricular activities.
Advantages of Kao Dake Sensei
There are several advantages of using Kao Dake Sensei:
- Expertise: Kao Dake Sensei can be hired for specialized subjects, such as English or math, which makes it easier for schools to provide quality education to their students.
- Flexibility: Kao Dake Sensei can teach classes at different times of the day, which allows schools to offer classes to students who have other commitments, such as part-time jobs or extracurricular activities.
- Cost-Effective: Hiring a Kao Dake Sensei is much cheaper than hiring a full-time teacher, as schools do not need to provide housing or other benefits.
- Convenience: Kao Dake Sensei can teach classes from anywhere in the world, which makes it easier for schools to find teachers for specialized subjects.
Disadvantages of Kao Dake Sensei
There are also some disadvantages of using Kao Dake Sensei:
- Lack of Physical Interaction: Students may miss out on the physical interaction that comes with having a teacher present in the classroom.
- Technical Difficulties: Technical difficulties can arise during video conferencing, which can disrupt the flow of the class.
- Cultural Differences: Kao Dake Sensei may not be familiar with Japanese culture and customs, which can lead to misunderstandings and miscommunications.
Success Stories of Kao Dake Sensei
Despite the disadvantages, there have been many success stories of Kao Dake Sensei in Japan:
- Improved English Proficiency: Many schools have reported that their students’ English proficiency has improved significantly since hiring Kao Dake Sensei.
- Cost Savings: Schools have saved a significant amount of money by hiring Kao Dake Sensei instead of full-time teachers.
- Increased Flexibility: Kao Dake Sensei have allowed schools to offer classes at different times of the day, which has increased flexibility for students.
How to Become a Kao Dake Sensei?
If you are interested in becoming a Kao Dake Sensei, there are several things you need to do:
- Get Certified: You need to have a teaching certificate or degree to become a Kao Dake Sensei.
- Get Experience: You need to have teaching experience to become a Kao Dake Sensei.
- Get Technical Skills: You need to have technical skills to use video conferencing software effectively.
- Find a Job: You can find Kao Dake Sensei jobs through job search websites or by contacting schools directly.
Conclusion
Kao Dake Sensei have become an increasingly popular alternative to traditional teachers in Japan. While they offer many advantages, such as cost-effectiveness and flexibility, there are also some disadvantages, such as a lack of physical interaction and technical difficulties. However, many schools have reported success stories with Kao Dake Sensei, and the trend is likely to continue in the future.
