Eikaiwa

Eikaiwa (英会話) is an English conversation class, usually for adults. Eikaiwa may be done at big chain schools like ECC, smaller local schools, or private lessons at a house or coffee shop. Sometimes it also done at a community centers.

JET Program ALTs are not legally allowed to hold eikaiwa classes unless they are doing so for free.

Differences

Eikaiwa can be significantly different than a public school classroom. Classes are generally smaller and most students can communicate better unless they are just starting off. The lesson will be mostly talking.

Also, unlike regular school lessons, many people who participate in eikaiwa are adults who are likely older than the ALT. One good way to prevent the adult from feeling "talked down to" by someone younger than they are is to fill your lessons with questions about their general knowledge of the world, that way they can feel they are doing some teaching as well - and you as the ALT get to learn something in the process. These questions are also provide very authentic practice for their English, as English-speakers in Japan are typically full of questions once they meet a Japanese person with a good command of English.