How to Get an English Teaching Job in Japan
Whether you're a recent college grad with a bachelor's degree in economics or a highly trained and specialized English as a Second Language teacher, you can get a job teaching in Japan. All you need is energy, a sense of adventure and a positive attitude. Here's how to do it.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
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If You're a Certified Teacher
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1
Find an English teaching job by searching online or There are many websites that offer databases of jobs for English teaching jobs at all levels. A couple are listed in the Resources section below.
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2
Decide on what type of English you want to specialize in.
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3
Send resumes to some of Japan's largest chain schools. Do some research and determine the addresses for Japan's chain schools.
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4
The Japanese school year starts in April and hiring season is usually January through March. If you miss this critical window, getting a job will be that much harder.
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5
Go to Japan to scout out the job scene. Some teachers advise going to Japan to make contact. When a possible employer sees you in his office, he's more likely to take you serious about wanting a job. Big chain schools recruit abroad or allow you to apply through email, and it is still possible to land a job by mailing out a mountain of resumes, but by and large for better jobs the people in Japan taking the face-to-face interviews will have an edge.
If You Have Other Degree
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1
Find a program that helps college graduates get temporary teaching jobs in Japan. There are several, and you can find all of them on the web.
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2
Compare a couple of programs to see which sounds the most interesting and secure. Some programs will give you lodging. Others will expect you to find your own.
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3
Make sure you fit all of the requirements for the program and apply.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Having experience and a Master's degree in EFL/ESL are helpful, but not necessary, to get a job in Japan.
Unlike in America, January through March is Japan's hiring season for teachers.
If you're short on cash, find a program that pays for your airfare. Otherwise you could be spending almost $2000 on a one-way ticket.
If you have to do a face-to-face interview, be upbeat and use correct pronunciation. You need to convince your interviewer that you know English well and that you have a positive attitude to be a successful teacher.
Many schools pay minimum wage to their English teachers.
