Teach English in Japan
Details
Demand
Very high
Busiest
Jan-Dec
All Year
Currency
¥
Japanese Yen (JPY)
Contract
6-12 months
Normally
Taxes
Moderate
- Summary
- Since the economic slump of the 90’s, the Japanese economy has strengthened greatly. So the already-high demand for English teachers is increasing further.
- Main TEFL regions
- Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Kobe, Kyoto
- Types of teaching
- Private language schools: General English, Business English
State and private schools: General English
State and private kindergartens: English for Young Learners
Corporate in-house Language Programs: General English, Business English
Private tutorials (conversation lounges, “ladies’ classes”, etc.): General English, English for Specific Purposes - Accommodation
- Expect an apartment to cost between 50,000 – 100,000 Yen per month. If your employer helps you find a place, or you live outside of Tokyo or Osaka, it will cost at the lower end of this range. Whereas the price is pushed up by using a rental agency or living in a big city.
- You will usually have to pay for utilities (about 10,000 Yen per month) on top of your rent and apartments are often unfurnished, although the better schools will provide you with basic furnishings.
- Flight reimbursement
- This depends on your employer, but some will pay for your flight as an end-of-contract bonus
- Salary
- This varies, but the basic salary is usually 230,000 to 250,000 Yen (US$2,300) per month. However, you can boost this figure with bonuses and private tuition.
- Taxes
- Although tax rates for the rich are among the highest in the world, you should only expect to pay 7% of your 3,000,000 Yen salary in tax.
- Cost of living
- Japan has an expensive reputation and when food, accommodation and bills are factored in, living costs can take up 75% of your income. But simple adjustments such as eating like the locals and shopping at cheap “100 Yen Shops” can pay great dividends.
- Potential to save money
- This is lower in Japan than other countries, but with a good long-term contract and self-discipline, you should be able to save money.
- How much TEFL training is recommended?
- Little to no training is required to get a teaching post, but recognized qualifications such as those provided by i-to-i will prepare you for the pressures of the classroom and increase your employability. Schools will usually only employ university graduates.
- Common teaching conditions
- You will typically teach for 6 hours a day, 5 days a week; with the occasional 6-day week. Most lessons happen in the afternoon or evening, although this can vary.
- Most students are eager and respectful. Children usually expect lessons to be fun, while the standard of English amongst adult students tends to be lower than in other Asian countries.
Be aware…
Arriving in Japan for the first time can be quite a culture shock, so arm yourself with a basic understanding of the country and a healthy appetite for new experiences.
Your employer will probably invite you to take part in extra-curricular activities, and declining could be seen as rude.
