Teach English Abroad
The Complete Guide
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Teach English in Japan
The majority of people who teach English in Japan do so for the cultural experience and comfortable living standards plus the good salary. The cost of living, however, especially in Tokyo, means that many new arrivals don’t make enough to save, at least not in the first year. The longer the stay the more you can expect to earn. Most full-time English teaching positions start at 250,000 yen per month, just under $3000.
Teaching English as a second language is well-established in Japan and there are a number of programs and government schemes. While this certainly can make life easier for the job seeker in some respects, it does mean that the job market, particularly in Tokyo, is fairly saturated.
The devaluation of the yen several years ago, the bankruptcy of NOVA, one of the largest and best known ESL employers, plus the current economic crisis have meant that it is not the best time to move to Japan to teach. There are still jobs but wages have fallen because many language schools have financial problems due to the economic downturn.
Unlike other countries, TEFL qualifications are not a big deal in Japan and few employers insist on applicants having them. That said, any job applicant with such a qualification could well benefit in an increasingly competitive job market. Far more importance is attached to having a degree and this is a requirement to getting a work visa. There is no particular emphasis on the teaching English. The other vital factor in recruitment is image. The country is well-known for the importance it attaches to appearance and formalities. Westerners are often viewed as glamorous (because of movies, etc) and plenty of employers will prefer a teacher who can convey that sort of image combined with a degree of professionalism.
Finding a job placement to teach English in Japan from your home country is much easier than in almost all other countries. Many teachers prefer a slightly reduced salary for the security of knowing that certain work awaits them when they arrive plus the fact that all visa issues are conveniently taken care of. Schools, companies and private language academies all recruit from abroad. Most advertise online on EFL websites and some in international publications. Any publication that features TEFL advertisements is likely to feature placements in Japan.
The best known organized program is JET, the Japan Exchange and Teaching program. The program places foreigners in Japanese schools to teach English, working alongside regular teaching staff. Regarded by many as much a cultural experience as a teaching job, JET is open to graduates under 40 from any one of 44 participating countries, including USA, UK, Australia, NZ, Canada. TEFL is not a requirement nor is any teaching experience. Numbers are limited. Contracts are initially for one year with the option of renewal for a maximum length of 5 years. The JET website, www.jetprogramme.org, recommends contacting the Japanese embassy in your home country for application deadlines and timelines.
Other placement schemes can be found through university careers offices if you have access to one. In the US, the Japan-American Sister Program may be able to get you a placement in the Japanese twin of your home town.
A job search on arrival is more than likely going to have a time limitation as the high living costs soon use up savings. Begin your search with a look in the classified section of English language newspapers like Metropolis for vacancies. School jobs will be advertised from September.
If you are visiting language schools to hand in your resume in person be prepared for lots of travel. As previously mentioned, appearance and first impressions are vital. When making a telephone enquiry sound lively and enthusiastic, even if it is your twentieth call of the morning. When asked to attend an interview be prepared to do a demonstration lesson. If you arrange an interview over the phone ask for a landmark as well as the physical address. Many streets and buildings are not named.
The Teach English Abroad package gives further detailed information on how to teach English in Japan and provides a comprehensive list of internet links for finding jobs, getting visas, embassies, living in Japan and much more.
Teaching English as a second language is well-established in Japan and there are a number of programs and government schemes. While this certainly can make life easier for the job seeker in some respects, it does mean that the job market, particularly in Tokyo, is fairly saturated.
The devaluation of the yen several years ago, the bankruptcy of NOVA, one of the largest and best known ESL employers, plus the current economic crisis have meant that it is not the best time to move to Japan to teach. There are still jobs but wages have fallen because many language schools have financial problems due to the economic downturn.
Unlike other countries, TEFL qualifications are not a big deal in Japan and few employers insist on applicants having them. That said, any job applicant with such a qualification could well benefit in an increasingly competitive job market. Far more importance is attached to having a degree and this is a requirement to getting a work visa. There is no particular emphasis on the teaching English. The other vital factor in recruitment is image. The country is well-known for the importance it attaches to appearance and formalities. Westerners are often viewed as glamorous (because of movies, etc) and plenty of employers will prefer a teacher who can convey that sort of image combined with a degree of professionalism.
Finding a job placement to teach English in Japan from your home country is much easier than in almost all other countries. Many teachers prefer a slightly reduced salary for the security of knowing that certain work awaits them when they arrive plus the fact that all visa issues are conveniently taken care of. Schools, companies and private language academies all recruit from abroad. Most advertise online on EFL websites and some in international publications. Any publication that features TEFL advertisements is likely to feature placements in Japan.
The best known organized program is JET, the Japan Exchange and Teaching program. The program places foreigners in Japanese schools to teach English, working alongside regular teaching staff. Regarded by many as much a cultural experience as a teaching job, JET is open to graduates under 40 from any one of 44 participating countries, including USA, UK, Australia, NZ, Canada. TEFL is not a requirement nor is any teaching experience. Numbers are limited. Contracts are initially for one year with the option of renewal for a maximum length of 5 years. The JET website, www.jetprogramme.org, recommends contacting the Japanese embassy in your home country for application deadlines and timelines.
Other placement schemes can be found through university careers offices if you have access to one. In the US, the Japan-American Sister Program may be able to get you a placement in the Japanese twin of your home town.
A job search on arrival is more than likely going to have a time limitation as the high living costs soon use up savings. Begin your search with a look in the classified section of English language newspapers like Metropolis for vacancies. School jobs will be advertised from September.
If you are visiting language schools to hand in your resume in person be prepared for lots of travel. As previously mentioned, appearance and first impressions are vital. When making a telephone enquiry sound lively and enthusiastic, even if it is your twentieth call of the morning. When asked to attend an interview be prepared to do a demonstration lesson. If you arrange an interview over the phone ask for a landmark as well as the physical address. Many streets and buildings are not named.
The Teach English Abroad package gives further detailed information on how to teach English in Japan and provides a comprehensive list of internet links for finding jobs, getting visas, embassies, living in Japan and much more.