Introduction to Teaching English in Japan
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Would you like the chance to spend some time in Japan but feel turned off by whistle-stop package tourist trips? If so, teaching English may be the answer. There is no better way to get to know a country than by living and working there. By teaching English you become a part of Japanese society, rather than just an observer looking in.
Teaching English is big business in Japan. Despite the collapse of the so-called bubble economy Japan remains one of the richest and most sophisticated nations on the planet, and this status is large due to its success in overseas trade and investment. Thus, to get ahead in Japanese society, proficiency in English is a significant advantage. Add to that fact that being able to speak English is simply considered cool and the huge demand for English teachers becomes clear.
Do not Japanese people learn English at school?
Yes they do. Usually for 6 years or more. The problem is that, unlike most of the school curriculum, English is not particularly well. Japanese schools tend to follow traditional teaching methods in which the teacher stands at the front and lectures the class. Students are expected to absorb rather than question. The method produces excellent results for subjects like history and mathematics, but not for communicative, participative skills like language. School English education is reasonably to consist of lots of reading and writing, lots of grammar practice, but very little – if any – spoken communication.
Do I need to speak Japanese?
Not at all. Of course, if you can pick up a little nihongo (Japanese) it will make your daily life easier, but it will not help one bit as a teacher. The reason is that the most effective way of teaching language is to use only the target language. Thus the only language used in English lessons is English.
How do I start?
Well, you could simply buy a ticket to Japan and start looking for work. Unfortunately, without a work permit, that strategy is illegal. Unless you have a Japanese spouse you need to find a job that will sponsor you for a visa. It is possible to travel to Japan as a tourist and approach a few of the numerous schools advertising for teachers asking if they are prepared to sponsor your visa application.
It helps to undergo some TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) training before looking for work. Not only will this give you some basic teaching skills and confidence, but it also shows potential employers you are serious about teaching and not just a backpacker looking for some financial re-fueling.
TEFL courses are advertised in most English speaking countries. The more useful ones are provided by working English schools and offer face-to-face teaching practice with real learners.
Accommodation
If you are employed by the JET program or one of the big English school companies they will more than likely arrange accommodation for you. You are of course free to find your own housing if you so wish.
Living in school-found accommodation has the advantage of an English speaking contact to sort out repairs or other problems. The disadvantage is that it's difficult to quit a job that may not be for you while living in their accommodation. I have also heard of at least one school that charges its teachers a significant premium over market rental rates for use of its accommodation – so beware!
There are several English speaking accommodation agencies in the free English language press, and these generally provide decent accommodation, but at a price.
An alternative favored by many single English teachers are the so-called "gaijin houses" (literally foreigner's house). These are basically hostels that rent out basic, but exceptionally comfortable, rooms mainly to non-Japanese clientele. Usually bathroom, kitchen and sometimes communal sitting room are shared. Gaijin house advertisements are to be found in the free English language press.
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