How To Become An English Teacher In Japan

If it is your dream to teach English abroad then you have landed on the right post. In this blog post, I have carefully outlined the steps, requirements, and all that it takes for you to become an English teacher in Japan and why you should consider going there to teach.

Many graduates are now pursuing careers as English teachers abroad. And it is hard not to see why not. The pay is better, the position comes with numerous benefits, and you get to experience living in another country aside from yours. Personally, this has to be the most fulfilling aspect of it because you get to meet new people, learn new cultures and languages, and build a broad network across the world.

The job of teaching English abroad is mostly common among YouTubers who do travel vlogs and they earn a good income from teaching. There is no better faster way to learn about a culture and its people other than this – teaching a non-native language to the students.

However, the high demand for English teachers is in countries whose first language is not English such as Korea, Japan, China, Vietnam, and so on. Good thing we have articles that have covered many of these countries like how to teach English in Korea and how to teach English in Vietnam which you can check out if any of them are your countries of interest.

Turns out the Asian market is the largest in the world for English teachers, you can find well-paying English teaching jobs in Thailand or in Singapore. But in this article, you will be guided on how to teach English in Japan. This country, Japan, has long been employing English teachers which goes as far back as 1978 when the Japanese Government first launched an official English Teaching Recruitment.

This program brought native English speakers to various islands in Japan to teach Japanese speakers. And ever since, it has become a tradition for English teachers, especially from native English-speaking nations, to come to teach English in Japan.

What’s more about teaching English in Japan?

The country exposes you to a rich history, mountainous views, innovative technology, stunning temples, hot springs, and high salaries ranging from $1,700 to $5,000 per month. All of these, and more, are some of what you will experience when you become an English teacher in Japan.

However, if you don’t enjoy traveling to a foreign country or have other reasons why you couldn’t go to Japan to teach, you can still do it from the comfort of your home. Thanks to cutting-edge teaching, you can now teach English online to Japanese students and earn about $10 to $25 per hour.

To teach English in Japan, there are requirements that you must satisfy, let’s dive into them.

Requirements To Become An English Teacher In Japan

The following are requirements that prospective abroad teachers must satisfy to become English teachers in Japan.

  • Hold a bachelor’s degree in any discipline
  • Have a teaching qualification like the TEFL, CELTA, or DELTA.
  • Possess some teaching experience – this increases your chances of employment
  • Hold a driver’s license or an ID
  • Be a native English speaker
  • Be under the age of 60 years old and be a team player.
  • Clean criminal record
  • Pass a health exam and drug test

Pros And Cons of Teaching English In Japan

If you are going to Japan to teach English you should learn about its pros and cons. Learning about them helps you make better decisions and facilitates your next step.

Pros

  • Work is easy to find
  • There is lesser work pressure on your compared to other Japanese workers
  • There are numerous teaching options
  • The pay is good and comes with various benefits for teachers
  • You will enjoy a friendly work environment
  • Transportation is efficient
  • It is not required for you to learn Japanese before you can teach English in Japan

Cons

  • Prejudice against foreigners
  • Over saturation of schools and teachers
  • Problematic schools and companies
  • Be ready to commit to long workdays
  • The work culture here is different and will affect you in the beginning
  • Long commutes
  • Japan is expensive compared to other Asian countries

Now that you know the pros and cons of teaching in Japan, what is your decision?

english teacher in Japan

How To Become An English Teacher In Japan

Here, you will find the guidelines on how you can become an English teacher in Japan:

Step 1: Make Research

This is the first step to becoming an English teacher in Japan and reading this blog post, means you have already begun the first step. This is where you start making research and learning everything like the requirements and pros and cons of teaching English in Japan.

You may decide to seek help from experts or agents who handles things like this and speak to them or make inquiries concerning your aspiration to teach English in Japan. You should also be careful while doing this so that you don’t fall into the hands of scammers, to avoid this, you should look for a registered company.

However, a simple blog post such as this is enough guidance.

Step 2: Start Searching For Jobs

For you to start preparing for a job, that means you have met the qualification requirements to teach English in Japan. I have already discussed this above but you also need to add other things like a cover letter, resume or CV, passport photo, and transcripts.

These documents will be useful during your job application. You can find jobs with the JET Programme, at private language schools, public schools, corporations, and private lessons.

Step 3: Apply For Jobs

Now that you have your documents ready, you can start applying for jobs. The job applications begin when you are still in your home country and it is when you have been employed that you can travel.

You may also check for jobs at universities if you’re up to the task. The job requirements are usually posted along with the job so that you can see whether you qualify or not. For any job you apply for and get picked for, you will have to go through with the interview which is typically done over the phone or via Skype.

In just these 3 simple steps, you can become an English teacher in Japan and be on your way to a fun, exciting career. And as a foreign English teacher in Japan, you will also enjoy the following benefits:

  • Housing
  • Paid flight fare to and from your home country
  • Transportation passes
  • Free meals at the school
  • 10-20 days of annual leave

How To Become An English Teacher In Japan – FAQs

[sc_fs_multi_faq headline-0=”h3″ question-0=”Do I need a degree to teach English in Japan?” answer-0=” One of the prerequisites to become an English teacher in Japan is that you must have a bachelor’s degree in any field.” image-0=”” headline-1=”h3″ question-1=”What is the salary of English teachers in Japan?” answer-1=” The salary of English teachers in Japan is between $1,700 to $5,000 per month.” image-1=”” count=”2″ html=”true” css_class=””]

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