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Teaching English in Japan - kraemder - 2015-07-08

Any good resources I should look at? I have a Bachelors in English and I'm bored with my current job and love Japan and Japanese so I figure what the heck, sell/give away what I have and go do it. I'm looking at JET but the application process is super long and who knows if I'd get accepted so I'm interested in other options. I'm 38 so I'm not young anymore but single and I'm not broke. I don't think my age will be held against me from what I read but it would be nice to be 30 instead lol. Too bad when I was 30 I had no interest in Japan or Japanese.

Teaching English in Japan - jimeux - 2015-07-08

I think you could find a job in Tokyo. The main requirements seem to be having a degree or some kind of teaching experience. Things like CELTA/TOEFL are a bonus I think. If you just seem like a likeable, talkative guy who knows some basic grammar in an interview, then you could probably get a job at most eikaiwas or maybe teaching kids.

I think getting a visa will be more of a challenge. If you can go with JET or get hired by a company while you're at home, then it's not an issue, but you'd have more flexibility coming by yourself. It's not impossible to get hired on a tourist visa, but it's a hassle most companies like to avoid.

As for the job itself, I think it's a great part-time job that allows you to experience Japan with time to study something else. The pay is reasonable and the hours are flexible. Working full-time and in the long-term, it's kind of the opposite though. If your current job pays low (you'll likely struggle to ever earn more than $30k) and has no promotion prospects, then you have nothing to lose, but otherwise beware of what you're getting into.

Teaching English in Japan - kraemder - 2015-07-08

A friend at work said she got paid about 45k a year working through the JET program. Was she really bad at math maybe? This was back in 2011..

Teaching English in Japan - Jawful - 2015-07-08

I've been teaching English in Japan for over 9 years now and have been running my own school for the past year and a half. Here's my advice.

JET is a great first step if you can get it. I never tried applying but had lots of friends who were JETs and it's a pretty cushy gig for a bunch of fresh uni grads with no real life or job experience. The starting pay is better than you will get at any other teaching job without experience.

Some companies interview and hire from overseas. They are good because they will sponsor your visa and sometimes even provide airfare but again, you have to wait a long time for the visa stuff to get processed as well as those interview processes being long and drawn out too.

In my case, my best friend was already working as a teacher here, so I just bought a plane ticket and stayed with him while looking for work. I found a job within 3 weeks of arriving but it was partly due to a recommendation from a friend of my friend and it was also in the country side for an urgent position they needed to fill right away.

You said you're not broke. I think that's your best resource. Come over on holiday (an extended holiday), find some temporary housing such as a weekly or monthly place, and start looking and interviewing for positions. As a native English speaker, you'll find a job right away. I'll be honest, for a position teaching kids, either experience or youth (or better yet both) are preferable qualities. But being a native speaker is enough and the big companies often have positions they need to fill right away because other people have quit suddenly. They will likely throw you into a classroom and have you start teaching, technically illegally, while you are getting your visa processed. Also, big companies are more likely to sponsor than small places. Once you get your first position and get that visa sponsored, you can be more picky about jobs and start looking for a better paying, job number 2.

I'd spend your first year in a furnished place until you get settled in and decide where you want to live. Then rent properly and buy your own stuff. If you plan to leave within a year or two, don't buy too much.

You could decide when you are coming and then start applying now via the internet. Send resumes and cover letter e-mails to as many companies as you can. As I said, the big companies will likely interview and hire you right away if you're in the country.

Some websites that have job listings include:

http://gaijinpot.com
http://ohayosensei.com/
http://www.jobsinjapan.com/

The first two are better. GaijinPot is the best resource as there are many listings but also each listing often gets hundreds of replies, so you're more likely to get ignored if you don't stand out. I used to find the most success with Ohayo Sensei as it seemed they were slightly more personal. Jobs in Japan was never good for me but I'm listing it here anyway. Pro tip: find the company on GaijinPot but then find an e-mail for someone who actually works there and e-mail them directly. The application on GaijinPot will likely get lost in the mix but an e-mail has a better chance of getting a reply. That's one method I often used that had some success.

Good luck! And I recommend Osaka if you're wondering where to go in Japan. The country side is nice but Osaka is a great city. Smile

Teaching English in Japan - Jawful - 2015-07-08

kraemder Wrote:A friend at work said she got paid about 45k a year working through the JET program. Was she really bad at math maybe? This was back in 2011..
JET pays ¥300k a month starting. That's ¥3.6 million a year. So with the exchange rate at around 80 yen per dollar in 2011, then I guess that jumps to over $40k a year or so. But now it's the opposite so the same JET pay is worth less than $30k. Exchange rate's a bitch! Also, cost of living has increased a bit in Japan so even the same yen is worth less than it was in 2011.

But you should expect most of the big companies to offer around ¥250k a month. Some companies offer around JET salaries or higher if you are an experienced teacher but they are rare due to demand. Always fresh blood coming who will work for the cheaper rate and for the big companies, a good teacher isn't important. Just someone who speaks English and looks the part is fine, so the salaries don't increase.

Teaching English in Japan - kraemder - 2015-07-08

I'm looking at this Google site.. it says that in 2011 JETs got 3.6 mil yen AFTER taxes.. but after 2011 JETs get 3.36 million yen BEFORE taxes? Is this right? What is the tax rate? That could be a huge pay cut.

Teaching English in Japan - Jawful - 2015-07-08

kraemder Wrote:I'm looking at this Google site.. it says that in 2011 JETs got 3.6 mil yen AFTER taxes.. but after 2011 JETs get 3.36 million yen BEFORE taxes? Is this right? What is the tax rate? That could be a huge pay cut.
That information sounds backwards. 3.6 million yen a year is pre-tax. Then you get taxed around 10% but also have pension (like social security) and health insurance which are also mandatory. So around 20-30% tax comes off. I'll send my buddy a message and see what he says about that.

P.S. Another resource for finding a job is the Facebook group "Jobs in Kansai: Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara". You could join that and follow those postings too. Not many great opportunities but some small places post there and it's easier to talk to the owners/hiring people more directly.

Teaching English in Japan - kraemder - 2015-07-08

http://www.jetprogramme.org/e/faq/faq10rem.html is the site

Teaching English in Japan - Jawful - 2015-07-08

kraemder Wrote:http://www.jetprogramme.org/e/faq/faq10rem.html is the site
Oh well that answers that. First year is lower than it used to be. And I didn't know that back in the day, the JET salary was post tax! Wow, they really were making loads more than me, haha. I had no idea. My first job was 250k and all my taxes and fees came out of that. I was hanging out with the JETs who were on a well paid vacation, it seems. Hehe.

Teaching English in Japan - kraemder - 2015-07-08

Oh if you're in the JET program.. what's your experience with the salary and cost of living? Do you feel poor?

Teaching English in Japan - vix86 - 2015-07-09

kraemder Wrote:Oh if you're in the JET program.. what's your experience with the salary and cost of living? Do you feel poor?
You can't paint JET with a single brush, or even with wide strokes. Every BoE that you end up at with JET could be doing things differently. Some will provide you with a car, some will provide you with a house or apartment at really low rates, some might even cover taxes, and then some might not do any of that. You hear this a lot with Japan but, Every Situation Is Different.

Teaching English in Japan - Tzadeck - 2015-07-09

kraemder Wrote:I'm looking at this Google site.. it says that in 2011 JETs got 3.6 mil yen AFTER taxes.. but after 2011 JETs get 3.36 million yen BEFORE taxes? Is this right? What is the tax rate? That could be a huge pay cut.
That's right. The JET salary changed half-way through when I was on the program (2008-2013). Luckily I still got paid 3.6 million yen after taxes for the full five years. I was sorta rolling in dough for a 21 year old with no real skills, haha. In Kyoto city, no less, which is about as good as it gets. Was a grand old time.

(The decision about taxes and the JET salary is not based on individual BOEs, btw, it is nation-wide. Although, that might change since my understanding is that CLAIR and JET don't have the same relationship they used to.)

Teaching English in Japan - mutley - 2015-07-09

Under the old pay system JETs were doing pretty well. Most could afford to have a fun time and still be able to send quite a bit of money back home thanks to the strong yen.

I'm sure even under the new pay system it's probably still enough to survive, but the chances of being able to save up are probably much more dependent on the individual situation, and any savings will be hit by the weak yen if they get sent home.

Teaching English in Japan - Aikynaro - 2015-07-09

I was under the impression that you had to be under 30 to do JET?

Anyway, if you've got nothing better to do, you might as well. It's not bad. Just make sure you actually do have nothing better to do, because it's not a job that's ever going anywhere, and I think after a year or two you've pretty much been-there-done-that.

Teaching English in Japan - Jawful - 2015-07-09

Aikynaro Wrote:I was under the impression that you had to be under 30 to do JET?
Well a good friend of mine came over as a JET and he started at around 35 years old, so I don't think there's a specific age limit... unless that's changed too. Working holiday visas have an age limit, but the JET program itself does take a wider age range (though most tend to be straight out of uni-types).

And yeah, do keep in mind than an English teaching position will not pay you better over time. Changing jobs can get you better pay, and the highest paid are usually uni positions at 500k or higher a month (I've heard of guys making close to 1mill at uni, but I think it's pretty rare). I finished my last job at around 380k a month before I started my own school. Without a masters there wasn't much chance of finding anything better, so I took the option to become self employed. That has worked out well for me, but again, it's not for everyone.

Teaching English in Japan - ariariari - 2015-07-09

kraemder Wrote:Any good resources I should look at? I have a Bachelors in English and I'm bored with my current job and love Japan and Japanese so I figure what the heck, sell/give away what I have and go do it. I'm looking at JET but the application process is super long and who knows if I'd get accepted so I'm interested in other options. I'm 38 so I'm not young anymore but single and I'm not broke. I don't think my age will be held against me from what I read but it would be nice to be 30 instead lol. Too bad when I was 30 I had no interest in Japan or Japanese.
Hi,

I'm a former JET and just wanted to throw in my 2 cents. I wish more JETs actually had some formal background in teaching English as a foreign language. I was kind of clueless when I started, and by the end was very good lowering my English level to a point where native speakers felt comfortable speaking with me. (E.g. speed, reduced use of idioms). I think that this is what many Japanese actually wanted from me - just the ability to talk with a native speaker.

But that's worlds apart from what, say my Japanese teachers at JOI do. They're actually really skilled teachers. In retrospect, I wish that I was able to give many of my students the kind of experience that I receive from my own teachers.

I wonder if there's some kind of online or in-person training that you can take?

Teaching English in Japan - kraemder - 2015-07-09

I think teaching, like many things, comes from experience anyway. I'm perfectly capable of grading my language so a foreigner can understand me. It helps that I've studied foreign languages myself a lot. I think I'm going to apply for jet and see if I get that. If I don't then I'll probably go with an alternative. My current job isn't a dead end but I think I'd enjoy being abroad a lot and would regret not doing it. I work in claims at an insurance company - it's ok but it's not really rewarding or fun.

Teaching English in Japan - Rockman - 2015-10-24

New to the Forums, I was reading this post and Had to learn more. My plan was to save up money, working now in 3 to 4 years time hope to save 22k before I make the Move to Japan. I been looking into Teaching English in japan as my way to start a career in Japan, for I plan to do what I can to make a life for myself with the goal of living my life in Japan. It a lot of Personal Reasons, and please PM and Email me to ask what are those cause I like to share my reasons just for this post right to the point.

I plan to save money and get a TEFL Certificate before applying for any kind of Jet program, I personally like to live in Tokyo, but I know its where the work takes me. I personally like to teach in public schools, its not rewarding and the pay is not great but I feel more rewarding to teach many kids, but this is why I am posting here, I really want to know the right way to go about this, cause before hand some places throw you right in as a teacher and expect so much and some like the public schools you may not be teaching much. I also want to know what kind of work I can obtain after such a program so I can make a living and become a permanent resident in time (if I am lucky to find the one for marriage) however before being a resident I want to be able to support myself and the ability to support a family. I read on those job sites and I like to know more on how to make a life in Japan, cause to this point I seen ESL as my gateway there, but reading about going on a vacation visa with a shared place and finding work sounds like something if no JET program takes me. I want to know more and ready to listen to any and all advice.

Teaching English in Japan - vix86 - 2015-10-24

Its highly, highly unlikely you'll be in Tokyo, regardless of which program/company you use to get to Japan. You might be 2-3 hours from it though.

You'll probably be working in public schools at the Elementary or Junior high level, but depending on some dispatch companies you might be doing that and/or working at corporate ESL classes.

TEFL certification isn't really required and its debatable how worthwhile it is to get it. Only certain programs have a lot of weight and those really only have an effect if you plan to stay in the teaching industry.

Finally, being an ALT or an eikaiwa teacher in Japan isn't a career. Your pay won't rise that much and you'll quickly reach the limit of what you can expect to get paid as a teacher in Japan, within maybe 5-10 years. Compare this to Japanese teachers in Japan who will continue to see moderate raises in salary as they continue their career. Teaching is a good way to get to Japan and then look for another job, but that's about it, and its dependent on whether you have any other employable skills or not.

Teaching English in Japan - Rockman - 2015-10-24

I agree, I am more hopeful with the 5 years you mention, I figured in 1 year I would have to find new work, which my plan was to use the right way to get over there to teach, I was wondering about TEFL cause I wondering if it be a good idea to invest in to increase my chances of being hired into a public school system. I understand my plan is to eventually get to Tokyo for sure, and from what I gather I have some years of finding my next job which would give me the ability to live in Japan which is my Goal.

I like to work in public schools and at first I been told unless you know the Corporate ESL its not a good place to start in case you get more then you can chew at first.

My employable skills might be something that I figure might be the key to living my life in japan that much is true, I do have a lot of experience in IT field and also management. However the ALT is really my way to get to Japan so as a Career not so much, that really Just I know I think I am repeating my replys but trying to read your post and reply on such a small screen laptop is a pain lol.

So ok I got my Resume and Cover Letter for future work set and a professional resume company to update and fix it up over the years. Question is if the TEFL is not essential or key, how can I make myself more desired to get that Public school job as an ALT? Is there something that makes me stick out besides TEFL? Also I was reading on Visas and wondering if I do go over on a work visas is there work I can and cannot apply for that wont risk my status staying in Japan?

Teaching English in Japan - Rockman - 2015-10-24

I just looking at Gaijinpot, must reside in japan, I feel hopeful already, so the key is getting over there, I reading the post by jawbreaker here about going on a vacation visa, staying at a shared resident, looking for work, and bit risky cause company's might not want to deal with that sometimes. However I am interested, I like to know more about when the Time comes and I got the money saved up to cover my living expenses for a year just in case. I wonder how does one look for these places to live in japan, like is there a site that advertise living and rentals.

What got me excited was a bunch of Osaka job listings and its really makes me excited, however I want to pay off my debts here in the states and make the move the right way with good advise.

I still like to do the ALT at first, I was concern on finding more work but those sites, really is awesome. I guess my concern is visa thing, and how to get to be a resident of Japan in time. Like if I come over on a work visa as an ALT, and I look for work with another company that hires me, how does that work? Do I wait till contract is up first then look for work, or better to just go to japan and reside and look for work, and how long is a vacation visa anyway?

Guess I have a lot of questions however I am determined and not giving up so lay it on me Smile

Teaching English in Japan - Rockman - 2015-10-24

jimeux Wrote:I think you could find a job in Tokyo. The main requirements seem to be having a degree or some kind of teaching experience. Things like CELTA/TOEFL are a bonus I think. If you just seem like a likeable, talkative guy who knows some basic grammar in an interview, then you could probably get a job at most eikaiwas or maybe teaching kids.

I think getting a visa will be more of a challenge. If you can go with JET or get hired by a company while you're at home, then it's not an issue, but you'd have more flexibility coming by yourself. It's not impossible to get hired on a tourist visa, but it's a hassle most companies like to avoid.

As for the job itself, I think it's a great part-time job that allows you to experience Japan with time to study something else. The pay is reasonable and the hours are flexible. Working full-time and in the long-term, it's kind of the opposite though. If your current job pays low (you'll likely struggle to ever earn more than $30k) and has no promotion prospects, then you have nothing to lose, but otherwise beware of what you're getting into.
Ahh this is the post, after reading GaijianPot you suggested there the "Must reside in Japan" and being an ALT confirmed vix86 post is not the career job and wont make much, but still great way to get over there, however if no luck that vacation visa thing is interesting (cause no matter I am going to live in japan its my life goal) just do not want to be booted out the country.

Teaching English in Japan - vix86 - 2015-10-24

JET and most of the large ALT dispatch companies hire from overseas. You don't have to be in Japan necessarily.

Work visas are transferable. Once you have a work visa in Japan, its yours. The only time you have to worry about it is if you are changing your field of work and then you might need a different visa. Usually if someone is hiring you, then that means they will provide visa sponsorship as well. There is nothing forcing you to finish your contract at a company before changing.

Teaching English in Japan - tomatopotato - 2015-10-25

Rockman,

Is English your native language?

Teaching English in Japan - Rockman - 2015-10-25

vix86 Wrote:JET and most of the large ALT dispatch companies hire from overseas. You don't have to be in Japan necessarily.

Work visas are transferable. Once you have a work visa in Japan, its yours. The only time you have to worry about it is if you are changing your field of work and then you might need a different visa. Usually if someone is hiring you, then that means they will provide visa sponsorship as well. There is nothing forcing you to finish your contract at a company before changing.
Awesome! So once I work then the ability to find work is mine to take on. I seen quite a few US hiring companies, the one I like is teachaway.com, but I learn don't put your eggs all in one basket. That's great getting in with an ALT job and ability find new work really puts me at such ease. Great nothing forcing me to finish contracts, that's awesome.

Ok on the next answer, yes I am a US born citizen, White (Italian / European background) , and lastly I am from NY and live my work life in NYC, I learned to understand realllllllly bad English speakers with my work history. I do understand how to dumb it down and to be patient.

Guess next Question, maybe from your experience how much you needed to save really before going, and how much you wished you saved? I'm really happy with this forum.