Very nice.  This is a great resource for ALT's.

You can get and ALT job without a degree?  I have a marriage visa (when ever I need to renew it).  Working for NOVA only required I have college transcripts.  I have those but never finished and got a degree.

bodhisamaya wrote:

You can get an ALT job without a degree?

In a word, yes!

College transcripts are often enough to get a visa - as you found with NOVA.

Having a marriage visa is the equivalent of a green card. You're in!

Um...20 year old ALTs would be a disaster.

A 20 year old guy, put into a situation where every single 16-18 year old girl in the school thinks you're the coolest person they've ever met.   haha, oookay... 

Last year, I met a kid who was 18 and on a student exchange.  I couldn't imagine a better situation for an 18 year old guy and he pretty much agreed.  heh...

Anyways, keep in mind I'm a 26 year old currently working in a public high school...  an age gap seems like a necessity, at the very least from the employer's point of view if not for the ALT's sanity/legal situation...

I took an ALT position a few months back for 230,000 a month (no reductions) on a short term contract.  Just trying it out..   I can definitely see where something like your website would be handy.   But, and I mean no offense, I'd be leery of ponying up ￥5000 yen for this.   Sometimes it's hard to believe a website with no track record that they're actually providing a service.  Then again, a ￥5000 yen gamble to get a sweet job might be worth it.

Anyways, I also don't really feel like working at a HS again after this contract so not so useful for me.

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Oh yeah, as has been discussed to death in another thread, good luck actually getting a VISA with only college transcripts.  I think what he meant was that he showed his college transcripts to Nova to get hired (the company didn't require a degree) and used his marriage visa to stay in Japan.  Either that, or he was in Japan some years ago.  Or both. 

It is virtually impossible to go work in Japan degree-less, unless you're married, doing working holiday visa, or have years of prior provable ESL experience.   (Specialist of Humanities and Instructor visas both require the Degree or Experience, the two visas issued for work in conversation schools and public schools).

Sorry to beat a dead horse, but it seems impossible to kill this "can work in Japan without a degree" idea.

Out of curiosity, is there an age requirement for ALTing?

Ben_Nielson wrote:

Oh yeah, as has been discussed to death in another thread, good luck actually getting a VISA with only college transcripts.  I think what he meant was that he showed his college transcripts to Nova to get hired (the company didn't require a degree) and used his marriage visa to stay in Japan.  Either that, or he was in Japan some years ago.  Or both. 

I lived in Japan for one year back in 2007.  A cute Brazilian/Japanese tourist came to Hawaii on vacation and I got her pregnant.  She asked me to help her financially with the child for a couple of years and so we got married and I moved to Japan.  I got the NOVA job while in Japan.  When NOVA went belly-up and there where thousands of English teachers out of work, I returned to Hawaii.  Just been waiting for the right time to return and re-new the visa.

Last edited by bodhisamaya (2009 January 22, 1:40 pm)

Ben_Nielson wrote:

Um...20 year old ALTs would be a disaster.

A 20 year old guy, put into a situation where every single 16-18 year old girl in the school thinks you're the coolest person they've ever met.   haha, oookay... 

So you're assuming that all ALTs are male or what? ;P


I think your site is great. Actually it's something I've been looking for. I can't sign up, though, as it sounds like you're only putting job offers on there that are for English native speakers, right?
I'm German, I'd need an AGT (Assistant German Teacher) position, not an AET.
I've seen Interac AGT jobs, but I'd never work for 230.000Yen a month!
Plus they require quite a lot. Native German teacher, fluent in English, intermediate Japanese and then that joke of a salary.
I work for an eikaiwa right now and get more.
I'd like to be an ALT one day because of all the free time and vacations

Last edited by chochajin (2009 January 22, 8:26 pm)

I'm pretty sure you are going to need to have a 4-year degree in something to find good work in Japan. Without it, obtaining a visa would be rather hard I would imagine.

BTW synewave, which guy holding a child are you?  There are two photos.

Wish you every success in your venture --business and fatherhood both!

synewave wrote:

For the guys still at uni, how about looking into uni exchange programs? If you really want to come to Japan I'm sure you can find a way to do it.

Indeed, coming to Japan as a student is a lot fun. In terms of earning money, there are always part time jobs and scholarships. You could also come just for the Summer break or something.

I taught English with one of the big language schools and hated it mainly due to the working hours and the lack of freedom. I'd imagine that being an ALT would be a lot better - normal working hours and weekends off right? By the looks of things, it's much better paid too. I got 250,000 yen a month with Shane English Language schools.

If you need further encouragement to work in Japan, check out the exchange rate. Especially for the Brits out there. Right now, GBP 1 = JPY 121! When I started my current job, the exchange rate was about 1:215. That's a salary increase of more than 75% in terms of my home currency. Of course, this means that if you try and negotiate a Japanese salary by comparing it with what you're currently receiving in your home country then you're six months too late. But if you're applying for a standard starting salary then it could be a really good deal.

Would the BoEs for these direct hires also pay the plane ticket like JET does (or, at least for the way there)?

Also, just curious as to the process, do you know why these schools don't try to get a teacher from JET or even from an agency?

alyks wrote:

ASU's exchange programs suck. =[

You can still come to Japan as a student without an exchange program. You can either take a year out or come out just for the Summer. I went to a Japanese language school and had a great time. There are part time jobs you can get to help you cover your expenses.