| Does the idea of teaching English in Japan appeal to | | | | little knowledge of Japanese won't go amiss, either. |
| you? Although there's plenty of work available, you'll | | | | Having said that, the larger chains of English-learning |
| need to prepare yourself well in advance. So, check | | | | schools don't always require a teaching certificate, |
| out the answers to these seven frequently asked | | | | unlike the smaller schools, which tend to want more |
| questions. They'll help you secure a suitable job, avoid | | | | experienced teachers. |
| major pitfalls, enabling you to get the best out of | | | | 4. How Do You Find The Job? If you're applying to |
| your teaching stay in this wonderful country. | | | | larger schools, such as Geos, ECC, Berlitz, Aeon, and |
| 1. Which Town Or City? First of all, you'll need to | | | | Gaba, you'll need to apply round about March/April. |
| decide whereabouts in Japan you'd like to work. Take | | | | Other ways of securing your teaching job include |
| into account that there tends to be lots of | | | | looking for work and posting your CV online, applying |
| competition for teaching posts in major cities such as | | | | to individual smaller schools, and using a TEFL |
| Tokyo and Osaka. Also, rents are higher, but salaries | | | | placement agency. |
| not necessarily much greater than smaller cities and | | | | 5. How Much Will You Earn? Although salaries vary, |
| towns. On the other hand, if you don't know any | | | | you can expect to earn around 250,000 yen a |
| Japanese, and the idea of being surrounded by mainly | | | | month. More often than not, the school will provide |
| Japanese culture doesn't appeal, the larger cities may | | | | you with an apartment, although you will have to pay |
| suit you better. | | | | for this. |
| 2. Find The Job Before You Go Or When You Get | | | | 6. Will The School Pay My Flight? Generally speaking, |
| There? Are you planning to fly to Japan and then | | | | you will be responsible for the cost of your flight. |
| seek work? In that case, you'll need to go on a | | | | One exception to this is the Jet Program, although |
| 3-month travel visa and then, once you find your job, | | | | this tends to be more difficult to get into. |
| you should temporarily leave Japan to apply for a | | | | 7. How About Health Insurance? You'll need to check |
| working visa. Really, it's best to secure a job from | | | | whether your contract includes health insurance. |
| your home country. Your employer will see to most | | | | Usually it does but, with some schools, you'll need to |
| of the paperwork necessary for a working visa. | | | | take this out and pay for it yourself. |
| 3. Which Qualifications? What qualifications will you | | | | Now you have the main facts, with a little |
| need to secure a job in Japan teaching English? | | | | persistence and perseverance, you're sure to find a |
| Generally speaking, the ideal is to possess a university | | | | job teaching English in Japan. Have a wonderful time! |
| degree and a TEFL or similar teaching certificate. A | | | | |