Japan

With its stunning mountains, pale pink cherry blossoms, bustling neon arcades, and hundreds of thousands of ancient shrines and temples, Japan has no shortage of rich history, tradition, and culture to explore. An archipelagic state of over 6,852 islands, Japan offers visitors a trove of unique offerings and experiences, so it’s no wonder the country’s national slogan is “Japan. Endless Discovery”. While Japan has risen rapidly within the past century to become one of the most technologically and economically advanced countries in the world, core elements of its culture — such as harmony, belonging, and respect — continue to shape daily life and provide the pulse that makes Japan the living, breathing country it is today. Education An ideal market for prospective English teachers, Japan has some of the best literacy rates around the globe, and education is highly valued throughout society. Admission to Japan’s top universities is merit-based, intensely competitive, and extremely coveted, so as a result, students from ages as young as preschool often enroll in test-prep schools for extra study hours. In addition, English is a mandatory component of the nationwide public school curriculum, and from grade three onwards all students must participate in English education. The result? A slew of opportunities for TEFL-certified foreign English teachers. History With this strong base of education at its core, Japan has come to be a global economic powerhouse in the years following t…

Each country has its own unique requirements and qualifications for foreign English teachers. Some require a bachelor’s degree in any field. In others, you’ll qualify with only a high school diploma and your TEFL certificate. Some countries have strict visa requirements that may disqualify you based on your citizenship or criminal background. Let’s take a look at the qualifications needed for teaching English in Japan. Education a) Eikaiwas: The majority of positions in Japan require a bachelor’s degree in any subject from an accredited university. b) JET: A bachelor’s degree is required to teach with JET, though candidates who have not yet graduated from college can still apply to the program as long as they have their degree by JET’s start date. Citizenship a) Eikaiwas: Native speakers from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa are highly desired, and citizens from English-speaking Caribbean countries like Jamaica will also find ample opportunities to teach in Japan. b) JET: You must be a citizen of one of JET’s participating countries . English Fluency a) Eikaiwas: Citizens from other countries with a documented 12 years of education in an English-speaking school OR three years of teaching ESL are also eligible for a work visa. b) JET: Participants must have a functional command of the English or Japanese language. Background Check a) Eikaiwas: While a 100% clean criminal record check is not generally a requirement for…

Japan presents a booming market for TEFL-certified teachers. Not only is English a core component of the Japanese public school curriculum, but many adults in Japan are motivated to learn the language in order to optimize business opportunities with the English-speaking world. As a result, the demand for English teachers is rampant in both the public and private school sectors. In Japan, you can find English teaching positions in eikaiwas, or private language institutes, as well as in public schools as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT). Perhaps the best-known ALT position in Japan is the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET), a competitive government-run initiative that places tens of thousands of English teachers throughout the country’s public schools. You can secure positions for either job type in advance of arriving in Japan, though it’s also possible to find a job at an eikaiwa — and some public schools — after you arrive in the country. Regardless of which school type you end up in, expect the dress code to be relatively formal. While each workplace has its own policies, in general teachers are seen to be the face of the school in Japan and expected to dress professionally — if you’re unsure of what’s acceptable and what’s not, we recommend you dress conservatively during your first few days at work to get a better understanding of what other teachers and staff are wearing, and follow up with your employer to clarify any unclear dress code policies. A note abou…

Now that you’ve decided between an eikaiwa and public school position (or maybe you’re still interested in both!), it’s time to start the application process. There are several steps to take to start the application process for Japan, and we have them all outlined here below. Whether you plan to apply for a job in advance, on the ground, to an eikaiwa, or to JET, check out the following to know exactly how to do so. Heads up! The timelines for your job application process and for gathering documents for your visa will overlap. You’ll want to be working on both processes at roughly the same time. Be sure to check out our Teaching in Japan Timeline tab, as well as the Applying for Your Visa tab for more information and to make sure you are staying on track with your documents while applying for teaching positions. Because public schools are operated with external standards and requirements, we can advise you on your resume and cover letter, as we would with any other positions, but we cannot advise on applications, or review statements of purpose for content for any public school programs in Japan. Step 1: Prepare Your Initial Application Materials Resume & Cover Letter Your resume and cover letter are the keys to connecting with recruiters and beginning the application process. International employers look for specific elements in a resume that may differ from what you’re used to seeing domestically. Once you’ve updated your resume and cover letter to meet the recommended int…

Congratulations on your job offer(s)! If you’ve been offered a position through the public school program JET, there’s not much else to consider besides whether or not you’ll accept the offer. If you’ve applied to work at a private language institute or public school and you’ve followed our previous advice, you’re already off to a great start. But what’s next? Determining whether or not the offer is right for you. To help make this determination, follow the recommendations below by reviewing the basics — whether you have one offer or several, the key elements you’ll want to take note of are: salary, working hours, vacation days, sick days, housing, airfare, insurance, and bonuses. Let’s take a closer look at what to expect with each of these elements. Review the Basics Salary In Japan, most first-year English teaching roles fall within the range of 230,000 to 300,000 JPY per month, with ALTs generally on the lower end and eikaiwa positions often slightly higher. JET Program participants receive an average monthly salary of 335,000 JPY in the first year with annual raises. Anything significantly lower or higher should make you ask a few questions. If the reason for the pay difference is obvious, like a rural location with low cost of living or longer than average working hours, you may find that you’re okay with it. But don’t accept a contract that is paying you less for doing the same amount of work the average English teacher does, or one that doesn’t fit into your work-life…

The word “visa” tends to provoke daunting images of endless red tape and paperwork but we’re here to ease your anxiety and hopefully have you zipping through this visa process like a pro. Below, we’ll outline the most common visa routes for foreign English teachers in Japan, and then dive into a deeper look at the required documents for a work permit there. As is always the case with any of the visa advice we provide, please be sure to cross-check this information with your local Japanese embassy or consulate to ensure you are getting the most up-to-date, accurate, and personalized instruction there is! Take it from ITA alumni Haley O. , who taught in Toyota, “To live and work in Japan legally, you must be sponsored by a company, so my company asked for a few things from me via email (copies of my passport, visa photos, drivers license), and then they sent me a document and some simple paperwork to fill out by mail that I had to send off to my local consulate along with my real passport for them to issue the visa. It wasn’t nearly as hard as I thought it would be!” Sounds straightforward enough, right? Let’s get started! Visa Types Working Visa What is it? A working visa is a visa with many different types, the most common of which for TEFL teachers are “Instructor” or “Specialist in Humanities.” The “Instructor” visa type is typically issued to Assistant Language Teachers to teach in public schools, and the “Specialist in Humanities” visa type visa is typically issued for w…

In the days, weeks, and months leading up to your move abroad, it’s more important than ever to stay organized and ask yourself: What are the logistics I have to consider and the loose ends I have to tie up in order to thrive in my new home? Do I have to worry about taxes? What about health insurance? And what the heck do I do about a cell phone? Fear not, TEFL teacher. In this section, you’ll find the tips, resources, and wisdom to tackle these questions and more! Review the Basics Health Insurance Although in a perfect world an apple a day would keep the doctor away, in reality, even teachers get sick. Cue health insurance. Regardless of the country you end up in, you should always inquire about health insurance before accepting a position. If health insurance is indeed provided by your employer, it’s imperative that the relevant details are outlined clearly in any contract you sign. More often than not in Japan, teachers elect basic health insurance through the country’s National Health Insurance system. The amount that you pay will depend on your income and number of dependents, and the coverage is affordable and extensive enough to cover unexpected doctor’s visits, says ITA graduate Gustavo O.. Head over to the Accepting Your Offer tab to learn more! If you’re teaching with the JET program, you will be covered by four types of insurance, three of which are compulsory insurances set by the Japanese government. For more detailed information about these policies, check out …

You have finally made it to the end of the Japan section, no small feat! Here is all of that wonderful information from the previous section laid out step-by-step and month-by-month before your intended departure date for Japan. This timeline is not only for the planners and checklist lovers (although you will love this too!). It is strongly encouraged for anyone planning a move to Japan to help keep you on track and organized as you make your way through the process. Finding a Job in Advance with JET Please keep in mind that JET teachers depart in September (or, in the case of Early Departure candidates, the summer) of their program year. Take your desired start date and subtract from there. While it may be possible to move some parts of the process along quicker, follow this timeline as closely as possible. 12 months before departure: Begin your research ___ List out your preferences and priorities ___ Read through ITA’s resources throughout previous pages ___ Network with ITA Alumni and watch Instagram takeovers, etc. ___ Read about Japanese culture ___ Reach out to Student Affairs Advisor ___ Chat with ITA alumni and read about alumni experiences ___ Ensure your passport is valid for the entire time you plan to be in Japan ___ Be aware of when the JET application opens (around early October) ___ Start saving up so you have enough money in your bank for start-up costs. It’s recommended to have between 277,050 – 332,500 JPY saved by the time you arrive. 11 months before dep…

I'm currently on my summer vacation, as we work alongside the Japanese public school calendar. I have about 5 or 6 weeks off for summer (with the option to work at some summer camps through my company to make extra money if I wish), two weeks for winter, two weeks for spring and one week for Golden Week. So plenty of time off! Additionally, Japan has a lot of national holidays so we're always coming up on some sort of three-day weekend. The best part about working with ALTIA for me is that my salary isn't prorated during this time like most other companies, I'm still getting paid my full salary. I'm paid about 240,000 yen or $2,200 USD. From this, my company, who secured my apartment for me, takes out my monthly rent, health care, pension and my car plan (because I chose to use the car they gave me to get to my schools for more than just work, it's about $80 USD each month to use it freely). After all of that, I'm left with about $1,300 for each month. You can definitely save about $500 a month here if you tried. Haley O. Toyota, Japan Japan is a crazy country - you can feel like you're in the most modern place in the world, turn the corner, and feel like you're back in the Edo Period. Public transportation can get you to just about every corner of the country though the bullet trains are not cheap. Tokyo has a very active nightlife and you can easily find a place to party all night, if that's your thing. There are plenty of expats around but you can also easily find places w…