TEACH ENGLISH IN JAPAN

Everything you need to know to get a job teaching English in Japan.

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Overview of Teaching English in Japan

To teach English in Japan, you will need a TEFL certificate and a 4-year college degree in any field. You must be a native English speaker as well. The average salary for an English teacher in Japan is about $1,500 - $2,500 USD per month.

From Shinto shrines & Shogun castles to onsen hot springs, Japan offers a cultural experience like no other. It has also long been one of the top job markets for teaching English in Asia.

The Asian markets are some of the largest in the world for English teachers, and Japan has one of the longest traditions of employing English instructors. The Japanese have mandated that English be taught in all of their public schools beginning at age 5 and lasting through the completion of high school. This broad base of child learners has opened a large market for English teaching jobs in Japan. Adults are taking English language classes in the millions as well, and it often seems that language schools are on every corner of a city block. In November 2023, Japan ranked 87th on the EF English Proficiency Index, a decline from years past, so building up English education is now more important than ever.  

Those looking to teach English in Japan can find jobs year-round, and in-person interviews are conducted 3 to 6 months in advance throughout the U.S., U.K., and Canada. Instructors are usually responsible for airfare and housing costs, although schools do assist in finding housing and sometimes provide accommodations.

Teach English in Japan TEFL TEFL Japan

Many Americans teach English in Japan through the famous Jet Program and the Interac Program, which places qualified Americans as assistant language teachers (ALTs) in high schools and grades schools throughout the country.  Many foreigners also teach in private language schools. English teachers must obtain a proper work visa to work in Japan.

All ITA students and graduates receive comprehensive Job Search Guidance to gain employment teaching English in Japan and 80 countries worldwide.  For those willing to pay an additional fee, we also offer Guaranteed Job Placement in Japan, which provides end-to-end personalized support and the security of a guaranteed ESL teaching job.

Overall, teaching English in Japan enables teachers to live a comfortable lifestyle. Schools typically offer 20 to 25 hours of work per week (and sometimes more), leaving plenty of time to travel and explore.

Major cities for teaching in Japan include Tokyo, Fukuoka, Kobe, Kyoto, and Osaka.

How to Teach English in Japan: Requirements

TEFL Certification Japan

A TEFL certification is required to teach English in Japan. You do not need professional teaching experience but earning your TEFL certification will provide you with the training and qualification you do need to get hired. For a complete overview, check out our selection of online and in-person TEFL courses offered in 20+ locations worldwide.

Native English-Speaking Proficiency

To teach English in Japan, you must be a native English speaker. Citizenship from the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa is highly preferred.

There are instances, however, where non-natives can obtain teaching employment if they have at least 12-years of schooling in English. If this route is taken, you will be expected to be fluent in English and speak at a native level to be considered for teaching jobs.

Degree Requirements for Japan

English teachers need a bachelor's degree to teach English in Japan. Please note, your bachelor's degree does not need to be in education, it can be in any field.

Background & Health Check

Although not a visa requirement, if you are planning on applying for the JET Program, please note that you will need a clean FBI background check. If you have ever been arrested, charged and/or convicted of any offense other than minor traffic violations, including any juvenile offenses, you will not be eligible for the JET Program. Private school employers may also sometimes require a background check. 

Japan is very intolerant of drug offenses as a whole, so anything drug-related will likely bar you from most schools in Japan. Many schools will also conduct drug tests for their teachers.

Please note that while a mental and physical health check is not required for a work visa, some companies and schools in Japan may require it. For the JET Program, you'll need to include a Statement of Physician signed by your primary doctor once approved. 

 

How to Get a Job Teaching English in Japan

1. Research English Teaching Jobs in Japan

The most common ESL (English as a Second Language) jobs in Japan consist of:

  • Teaching children in public grade schools and high schools as an assistant language teacher through the JET Program or Interac.
  • Teaching children at private schools ( known as Eikawas).
  • Teach Business English to adults in a corporate environment.

Use the following resources to learn more about teaching English in Japan:

2. Get Your TEFL Certification

You do not need prior teaching experience or a degree to teach English in Japan; however, earning an internationally accredited TEFL certification will provide you with the skills you need to teach ESL in Japan and a recognized qualification that employers seek.

Recommended TEFL courses for teaching English in Japan:

3. Finding TEFL jobs in Japan: Hiring & Visa

English teachers in Japan can expect to find ESL jobs year-round, except when applying for government-sponsored JET Programme, which has one application  The process can usually take 3-6 months. Interviews for teaching jobs are done in advance from your home country in two forms:

  1. Either via phone or video call (i.e. Zoom).
  2. Many recruiters hold face-to-face interviews in the US, Canada, or the UK at least 3-6 months in advance.

You will process your Japanese work visa in your home country before departure; however, it can be processed in any country that has a Japanese Embassy. Please be mindful that you will be without a passport as your visa is processed.

If you want to eliminate the hassle of searching for jobs in Japan, ITA offers Guaranteed Job Placement in the country for those who are interested and qualify for this service. 

Read More: How Do I Get a Visa for Teaching English in Japan?

Salary & Cost of Living

Start-up Costs

For an English teacher in Japan, start-up costs will range from $2,500 - $3,000 USD (approx. 390,0512 – 468,615 JPY). These are expenses you will incur from your arrival in Japan until you receive your first paycheck. It may include things like rent, apartment supplies, transport, groceries, getting your new local cell phone number set up, etc. 


ITA grad Gustavo Olivares - Teaching English in Japan"Before deciding to pack up everything and leave, give yourself plenty of time to plan ahead and save enough money for the move and the first couple of of months of living expenses."

- ITA alumnus Gustavo Olivares - Taught English in Nara, Japan


TEFL Japan Salary

A solid hourly wage enables English teachers in Japan to live a comfortable lifestyle. Teachers can expect to make $1,500 - $2,500 USD per month.

Some schools will provide teachers with housing or an added stipend, but this is not always the case. Flight reimbursements may also be provided, but there is no guarantee that all schools will do this.

Read More: What are Salaries for English Teachers in Japan?

Cost of Living & Savings for Japan

The cost of living for TEFL in Japan typically ranges between $800-$2,000 USD per month.

Japan can offer a good salary for teachers looking to save. However, there are three things to keep in mind:

  • The best benefits and highest savings potential are often with the JET program because it does include housing and airfare. Participants in the JET program can save between $300 and $600 a month in their first year.
  • If housing is not provided, expect higher start-up costs, including paying “key money”. This is typically the amount of one month’s rent that is given as a gift to your landlord, and it will not be returned once your lease is up. If you are renting your own apartment, this is an expense you should consider in planning for your start-up costs.
  • The average monthly cost of living in Japan tends to be higher than in other Asian countries, and it can take longer to establish yourself and start saving money. Depending on where you are living, expect to break even for the first 4-6 months if you are working at a private language school.
 

What Does Teaching English in Japan Look Like?

Hear from the experts! Watch ITA's Teaching English in Japan webinar for our most up-to-date information on teaching English in this amazing country.

Want more? We've got you covered! Visit our Video Library to watch day-in-the-life videos from our alumni and get a glimpse into what your life as an English teacher in Japan could look like!

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Teaching English in Japan FAQs

Can I teach English in Japan without a degree?

No, it is very unlikely that you will end up teaching English in Japan without a degree. To teach English in Japan, make sure you understand what is required:

  • A four-year college degree.
  • A TEFL certification.
  • A clean FBI background check.
  • Pass a drug and health test.
  • Citizenship from the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or South Africa are highly desired.
  • Understanding of the types of English teaching jobs that are available.
  • Savings for start-up costs.

Read More: What are the Basic Requirements for Teaching English in Japan?

How much money can you make teaching English in Japan?

A solid hourly wage provides teachers with the opportunity to live a comfortable lifestyle while teaching English in Japan. English teachers in Japan can expect to make $1,500 - $2,500 USD per month.

Read More: What are Salaries for English Teachers in Japan?

Are English teachers in demand in Japan?

Yes, English teachers in Japan are in high demand and Japan is a popular destination for teaching English abroad. An ESL teacher in Japan can expect to find jobs year-round

What is the JET Program for teaching English in Japan?

JET stands for the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program. It is a cultural exchange and teaching program sponsored by the Japanese government that employs university-educated, native English-speakers to teach English in Japan. JET has a prestigious reputation and is, therefore, a bit more competitive than other teaching programs for teaching in Japan. 

Read More: What is the JET Program for Teaching English in Japan?

What is an Eikaiwa?

While the JET Program caters to placing teachers in public schools, you also have the option of seeking out teaching positions at private schools known as Eikaiwas. These teaching positions allow you to:

  • Teach your own solo classes.
  • Work with students across the entire age spectrum.
  • Teach smaller class sizes.
  • Must be flexible with a schedule - some schools require evening hours or even weekend work.
  • You can choose where you teach and can live directly in Tokyo, Osaka, etc.
  • Must be flexible with commuting to different class locales and settings.

Read More: Public & Private Schools: What Are Your Options for Teaching English in Japan?

What type of visa do I need to teach English in Japan?

To teach English in Japan, you will process your work visa in your home country before departure (however, the visa can be processed in any country that has a Japanese Embassy). Please note you will be without a passport as they process your visa.

Read More: How Do I Get a Visa for Teaching English in Japan

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

No, you don’t need to speak Japanese to get a job teaching English in Japan. The classes you teach will be entirely in English to immerse your students fully in an English-only environment. However, you can learn Japanese if you wish, and many schools offer free Japanese lessons for teachers. Learning at least some Japanese will certainly make your transition to life in Japan smoother and more enjoyable, and your Japanese colleagues and friends will appreciate your efforts.

Read More: I Don't Speak Japanese (But I'm Teaching English in Japan!)

How long can you teach English in Japan?

The average teaching contract length in Japan is one year, but some ITA alumni have been teaching in Japan for 5+ years with no end in sight. Shorter contracts of 2-3 months are not standard. However, if you are already a resident of Japan, you may come across short-term opportunities as a substitute or replacement teacher. Your ITA TEFL certificate never expires, so whether you plan on teaching abroad for a few months, a few years, or indefinitely, your opportunities are plentiful.

Read More: How Long Are Contracts For Teaching English Abroad?

Does ITA Offer Guaranteed Job Placements in Japan?

Yes! To all those who qualify, ITA offers a teach abroad program in Japan that guarantees jobs to all who register for this service. Job placement is available year-round, location preferences are taken into account, and jobs will include competitive pay and benefits for all teachers who choose this route.

Recommended TEFL Courses for Teaching English in Japan

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Reviews From ITA Students Who Now Experience TEFL in Japan

Michael Gilbertson

Teaches English in Japan

Michael Gilbertson

The ITA course requires practicum to pass, something not many other TEFL certifications providers had. Now that I am an alum, the help that still exists from ITA to me is impressive. I teach as part of the JET Program - I get paid very well, especially for my area. I am easily able to save money every month... which I immediately spend on traveling and enjoying my time here. I only get to live in Japan for two years so I figure I should indulge in it. 

Emily Feldman

Teaches English in Japan

Emily Feldman

I chose ITA because they have a good reputation. Prior to signing up I even had the opportunity to meet with some ITA alumni in Korea and Japan and talk to them about their experience. I've been overwhelmed by the kindness of my students, surprised by how rewarding teaching has been, and constantly amazed by the beauty of Japan. I'll admit that it's not the cheapest or best country to go if you are trying to save money. However, if you want to go to a modern country and totally immerse yourself in the challenge of a foreign culture, I think Japan is the perfect place.

Haley Olds

Teaches English in Japan

Haley Olds

I chose ITA because it offered job guidance and a wide alumni network. I was a bit nervous about the practicum requirement initially but now I feel grateful for that experience before going into the actual job! If you're interested in Japan, COME! You can make good money here, meet wonderful people, experience both a rich historic and vibrant modern culture, and eat the freshest seafood you can get anywhere in the world!