How to Teach English in Japan

Teaching English in Japan translates to a rewarding job that lets you experience another culture, all while gaining an appreciation for what it takes to learn another language yourself. You’re not alone if you’re wondering how to get a job teaching English in Japan. After all, Japan is one of the best places to go if you’re looking to teach English abroad.

Moving to Japan to teach English will be a wonderful adventure!

Good pay and benefits? Check.

Eager students and a healthy job market for English teachers? Check.

Japan has a longstanding tradition of supporting English-language education. From the JET Program (a Japanese government initiative that places college grads in public schools) to various private schools and corporations, Japan offers a range of ways to make your teaching dream a reality.

There’s a need for English teachers in just about every corner of the country, too. Whether you want to delve into grammar rules with the bright lights and bustle of big city life as a backdrop, or you’re yearning for laid-back momijigari walks around town after class, you’ll find a teaching job in Japan that’s right for you.

What is it like teaching English in Japan?

You’ll grow personally and professionally as an English teacher in Japan.

The abundance of school settings means something for everyone. In Japan, you can find jobs teaching English in:

• Public schools: Japan’s well-known Exchange and Teaching program, known as JET, places Assistant Language Teachers in public elementary schools or junior or senior high schools. Some public schools also hire ALTs directly instead of going through the JET program.
• Private schools: From private language schools to international schools, Japan also boasts a huge array of private schools that need English teachers. You can find jobs in private schools teaching kindergarteners, adults, and everything in between.
• Corporations: Large Japanese corporations hire English teachers to help employees improve their English in business settings.
• Eikaiwa: Independent English schools or private academies called eikaiwas focus on teaching conversational English and grammar to a variety of students, typically through afternoon or evening classes. You’ll teach students looking to boost their business English alongside others who are supplementing their formal studies, and still others who are taking English classes just for fun.

Of course, when you’re thinking about teaching English in Japan, salary is likely at the top of your mind. There’s good news here, too.

Salaries for English teachers in Japan consistently come out close to the top of salary rankings across Asia, which is already one of the best regions for English teachers overall. You can expect to make around $1,500 to $2,500 USD per month teaching English in Japan. The salary range may go higher depending on where you work.

Is teaching English in Japan a good idea?

Expand your resume in one of the most dynamic countries on Earth!

Whether you’re searching for a way to get back after studying abroad in Japan or you want to live in Japan for the first time, moving to Japan to teach English is a great idea. Japan has a long tradition of employing English instructors, and the market for English teachers means you can find a gig suited to your needs.

Want to teach English to kids in a formal school setting? Prefer working with adults looking to boost their conversational skills?

You’ll find it all in Japan, so get ready for a fulfilling work life complete with exploring all the amazing nature and culture this country offers. Life as a teacher is a little more fun when you can get in your post-class relaxation at an onsen or take weekend trips to visit Shinto shrines.

With a four-year degree and TEFL certification under your belt, teaching English provides an easy way to break into the Japanese job market—even if teaching isn’t your long-term career goal.

Do you need to know Japanese to teach English in Japan?

Most jobs in Japan require a high level of Japanese. But if you have little (or no!) Japanese language skills, teaching English offers a straightforward path to achieving your dream of working in Japan.

That’s right, mastering the Japanese language isn’t part of learning how to apply to teach English in Japan. You'll have plenty of options, no matter your language level. Better yet, you’ll land in Japan with a built-in community that can help you pick up basic phrases and adjust to living in a new country thanks to your colleagues and students.

5 requirements for teaching English in Japan

Getting TEFL certified is an essential step to becoming an English teacher in Japan.

Figuring out how to get a teaching job in Japan may seem daunting at first, but understanding what’s absolutely required before standing at the front of the classroom will go a long way toward getting you there:

1. Four-Year Degree

If you’re planning how to get a teaching job in Japan in the future, completing your degree should be one of the first items on your personal teaching pre-departure checklist.

Teaching English in Japan without a degree is close to impossible. In fact, landing a job in Japan in general as a foreigner without a degree is really, really tough.

That’s because regular working visas in Japan require you to have a university degree (a four-year Bachelor’s degree in the United States). While you don’t need a degree specifically in teaching or any teaching experience to get a job teaching English, a four-year degree is simply one of those requirements for teaching English in Japan you can’t get around.

Most programs and schools in Japan won’t proceed with your application if you don’t have a four-year college degree.

2. TEFL

Many teaching jobs also require TEFL or TESOL certification. Even if the job you want doesn’t technically ask you to complete a teacher certification program, having actual proof that you’re qualified to teach English is a huge asset on your application.

You can opt for an in-person TEFL course or go online for part-time or full-time courses, so you can easily fit this application-boosting certification into your schedule.

3. Language skills

You don’t have to speak Japanese to teach English in Japan, but it doesn’t hurt!

Never studied Japanese? Getting a teaching job in Japan is still completely possible. It’s your English skills that count here.

Typically, schools and programs are looking for native English speakers who also have citizenship in the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa.

It’s not impossible to get a teaching job if you’re a citizen of another country, but you’ll likely have to show you’ve had English-language schooling and demonstrate that you speak English at a native level.

4. Visa

Getting a teaching job in Japan comes with an added perk: a straightforward route to landing a visa. Moving to Japan to teach English does require a visa, but many schools and programs will give you support for the big move.

Just be certain you and your employer take every necessary step before you get on the plane. Obtaining a visa once you’re in Japan is very difficult, so make doubly sure your paperwork is in order so you don’t get caught in a sticky situation while you’re gearing up to start teaching.

5. Background and health checks

You may be required to complete a background check and health check for your job and/or your visa. You’ll need a clean criminal history to get hired as an English teacher, and if anything drug-related comes up in your background check, that’s usually a deal-breaker.

So…how hard is it to get a job teaching English in Japan?

It’s important to set goals and intentions for your time teaching in Japan.

Wondering how to apply to teach English in Japan? Your first step is figuring out which teaching route you want to take. ⁠Deciding to teach through the JET Program, at an eikaiwa, or any of the other teaching opportunities in Japan will determine your exact application process—and how difficult it is to ultimately land the job.

The JET Program is one of the most well-known organizations for teaching English in Japan, but the government initiative also draws strong competition. Private schools and programs are often less competitive.

You can also take a few steps to bolster your application while you’re figuring out how to get a job teaching English in Japan. Even if a job doesn’t require TEFL certification, having that on your resume can set you apart from other would-be English teachers.

Likewise, even the highly competitive JET Program doesn’t require prior knowledge of Japanese for applicants to Assistant Language Teacher positions…but they do recommend that applicants have some speaking ability before heading to Japan.

In other words, coming in with some Japanese skills can go a long way both in landing the job and easing your transition to life in Japan. So take a Japanese class, brush up on your hiragana, and work on your kanji calligraphy, but don’t shy away from hitting send on your teaching application just because you can’t (yet) fluently speak Japanese.

Are there English teaching jobs in Japan with visa sponsorship?

Is this the beginning of your dream career?

Though not every teaching job you find in Japan will offer visa support, you absolutely can find English teaching jobs in Japan with visa sponsorship.

Bigger organizations and businesses that have been around for a while often have structured programs that include training, orientation, housing, arrangements, and a visa.

Even if you work for a smaller company that doesn’t offer all those perks, you’re ahead of the game if you do land a teaching job with a company that offers visa sponsorship.

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You’ll be moving to Japan to teach English in no time!

There are so many good reasons to teach English in Japan. You can work with kids, you can teach professional adults⁠, you can live in a dynamic city, or indulge in daily nature in a rural setting—Japan is truly the country for a customizable teaching lifestyle. Get ready to find your dream job teaching English in Japan!

Explore ALL Teaching Opportunities in Japan on GoAbroad.com

This article was written with help from International TEFL Academy. With 40,000 alumni teaching English in 80 countries & online, ITA specializes in online and in-person TEFL courses worldwide. With almost 2000 positive reviews on GoAbroad, TEFL students can expect top-quality participant support at ITA, including lifetime job guidance.