Travel To Japan And Become An English Teacher
We have teaching jobs right now in Japan looking for amazing teachers like you.
Overview
Teaching in Japan is a chance of a lifetime to explore one of the richest cultures and enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery anywhere in the world. Japan has an ancient culture full of beautiful traditions and art, amazing food, and advanced technologies, offering teachers a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in a one-of-a-kind country.
Participants are placed throughout Japan and work either at private language centers (eikaiwas) or public schools. Teachers are paid between United States Dollar (US$) 1,600 to 2,100 per month on approximately one-year contracts. They will be able to take advantage of many public holidays and some vacation leave to travel the country and region, using every free moment at their disposal to have innumerable adventures.
Fees
- $2,399 for 6 months to one year.
- This fee is paid by paying a $350 deposit to make your formal application. Then a $500 placement fee is due when you're accepted, and then a final amount of $1,549, 60-days before departure.
Included
- There will be an online 40-hour cultural orientation. We will also host in-country cultural weekends but these may not happen at the time that a participant arrives and may require the participant to travel a significant distance.
- Comprehensive job placement assistance (guaranteed job placement)
- Assistance in obtaining a long-term visa and work permit
- Assistance in getting long-term accommodation
- Full background check on school/agent
- Contract negotiation
- Job application documentation assistance
- Ongoing support once the participant is at their placement
- Accommodation assistance in Japan during the school orientation (accommodation will be arranged, but the client may be required to pay depending on the school). The cost is anywhere from 25 – 40 US$ per day for shared accommodation for the orientation.
- Some schools will pay for the orientation accommodation, while others do not.
- Assistance with setting up accommodation, however, candidates must pay the rent themselves.
Not Included
- Flights
- Visas
- Meals
- International medical insurance
- Financial assistance
- Entertainment.
- Day-to-day transport (although this is often reimbursed by the schools).
What You Will Earn
- Equivalent of US$ 1,600 to 2,100 per month. Please note that all teachers are paid in Japanese yen and there is some fluctuation between the US$ and the Yen.
- Saving potential: Salaries in Japan are higher than in most countries we operate in. Due to the high cost of living, saving potential is not the highest. The average salary range with the positions we have available is $1600 - $2100 per month. Depending on spending habits and salary the saving potential is estimated at around $150 - $400 per month for new starters. **Salary amount can fluctuate based on exchange rate.
Requirements And Qualifications
| Item | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Intake Dates |
2023 September 4 |
|
Accent |
Clear neutral accent |
Applicants should have a clear, neutral accent. Applicants with a strong regional accent should be sent through for pre-screening. |
Age |
21-40 |
Applicants should be between the ages of 22 and 40. Applicants outside of this age bracket can be considered on a case-by-case basis but should be sent for pre-screening. |
Appearance |
Smart conservative |
Tattoos: Tattoos must be covered at all times and never seen at or near the school. There is a very strong historical stigma against tattoos in Japan. Many gyms and saunas still display signs saying no tattoos. Piercings: Standard ear piercings for females are ok but all facial piercings must be removed. Hair: Schools may require teachers to cut their hair if the hairstyle does not fit with local norms. Long hair for men is unusual in Japan. Males with long hair must wear hair tied back at all times and be open to cutting it if requested. Facial hair must be trimmed very neatly. Schools prefer teachers to be clean-shaven. Dress: Japan is very conservative and teachers will typically be expected to wear full business attire at all times (suits etc.) |
Background check |
Clear background check |
Applicants must have a clean criminal background check with no criminal record, previous arrests or charges listed. |
Commitment length |
1 year |
Candidates must be available to work for this length of time after completing the TESOL course. |
Couples friends traveling together |
Cannot guarantee placement close to each other |
We cannot place couples or friends in the same location together. They must be open to teaching in different areas in Japan. The likelihood of being placed close to each other is as follows: Same region: We will try our best, and the candidates would know at the same time that they are accepted on whether or not they will be in the same region Same prefecture: Possible, but can't be guaranteed and wouldn't be known until much closer to arrival Same area (city, etc. within the prefecture): Very unlikely and wouldn't be known until much closer to arrival Able to live together: Not possible |
Funds |
US$ 3500 savings |
Applicants need to have sufficient funds to pay for the program fees and other associated costs of the program as well as to cover the cost of personal living expenses including entertainment. Startup costs are high to cover accommodation deposits. |
Medical |
No comprehensive health check Epilepsy not accepted |
There is no comprehensive health check needed and there are few conditions that would exclude someone from participating in the program. Unfortunately, epilepsy is a condition that is not accepted by most of the schools we work with as teachers are often along in the classroom with students. They are also required to drive to work in many cases. Schools do often require teachers to take a TB test. *Stimulant based medication is illegal in Japan As long as special arrangements do not need to be made and the health issue does not affect the teacher’s ability to carry out the role they can proceed. Teachers are responsible for checking whether their medication is legal in Japan and whether they will be able to access medication needed there. |
Nationality |
From a native English- speaking country (Note that list goes well beyond the traditional 7 countries) |
Applicants must be native English speakers and hold a valid passport from a native English-speaking country. Schools are flexible on nationality as long as they are from a native English-speaking country. Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, USA, UK, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Liberia, St Christopher (Kitts) & St. Lucia, St Vincent & The Grenadines, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Swaziland, The Bahamas, The Gambia, Trinidad & Tobago, Zambia |
Placement locations |
Applicants must be fully flexible |
Applicants should be fully open regarding location preferences. Teachers typically interview for a job with a school or language center that has branches across the country. Location is assigned shortly before or during their training week. Placements are often in smaller towns. Applicants should not expect to be placed in more touristy areas such as Tokyo, Osaka or Kyoto. |
Pets |
Not allowed |
We are not able to accommodate travelers wanting to bring pets. There are very limited accommodation options for teachers in Japan and most of them do not allow pets. Arranging accommodation independently can be challenging as participants typically wouldn't know their location until very close to the time of travel. Another major challenge is that the majority of accommodations require a guarantor in order to secure a lease so it is not something they'd easily be able to set up independently without assistance from the school. The schools take a very uniform approach to things in Japan and aren't very flexible with these sorts of things. |
Qualifications |
Bachelor’s Degree & TESOL |
Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and a 120 hour TESOL course Applicants must have a 120-hour TESOL/TEFL and also participate in the XploreAsia orientation program. Applicants are not required to take the TESOL/TEFL Through XploreAsia, but it is recommended as the course is designed to be relevant to the context they will be teaching in. |
Japanese language |
Not required but recommended to learn basics |
Schools favor applicants that have some Japanese language ability so it is beneficial to start learning as early as possible! |
Driver's License |
Needed for public schools. Not needed for eikaiwas. |
This is required for public schools. Not for language centres. Public schools prioritise applicants that can drive. In some locations (usually more rural) it is more practical to drive. If teachers are allocated a driving position the school will help them get set up with a car. This will be used to get to school but can also be used as a great way to get around and explore in their free time! |
Sound like you? Apply Today.
