TEACH ENGLISH IN JAPAN

Teach English in Japan: Requirements, Salary & Job Overview

To teach English in Japan, you need a 4-year Bachelor’s degree in any field, native-level English fluency, and a clean criminal background. A TEFL certification is required by most private schools (Eikaiwas) and highly recommended for public school programs like JET. Average salaries range from $1,500 to $2,000 USD per month (¥235,000 – ¥315,000 JPY).

How do foreign teachers get jobs and visas in Japan?

Most foreign teachers work as ALTs in public schools through government programs like the JET Programme or private dispatch agencies like Interac (read our comparison: Public vs. Private Schools in Japan). Others teach in private Eikaiwas, which hire year-round. Employers sponsor your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to issue an Instructor or Humanities Work Visa before departure.

Teach English in Japan: Requirements & Qualifications

To teach English in Japan, you generally need a Bachelor’s degree in any field, a clean criminal background check, and native-level English fluency. A TEFL certification is highly recommended for all positions and required by many schools.

TEFL Certification in Japan

Holding an accredited TEFL certification is required by many private language schools (Eikaiwas) in Japan and gives candidates a major competitive edge when applying for public school ALT programs like JET. You do not need professional teaching experience, but earning your TEFL certification provides the practical training and credentials required by top employers. Explore our selection of online and in-person TEFL courses to get certified.

Native English-Speaking Proficiency

To teach English in Japan, you must possess native-level English fluency. Citizenship from primary English-speaking nations (USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa) is highly preferred by employers sponsoring work visas.

Non-native English speakers can also qualify for teaching jobs if they provide proof of at least 12 years of education conducted in English or possess formal ESL teaching experience.

Degree Requirements for Teaching in Japan

Foreign teachers need a Bachelor's degree in any field from an accredited university to obtain an Instructor or Specialist in Humanities work visa. Your degree does not need to be in education or English.

Background Checks & Drug Policy

If you plan to apply for public school ALT positions like the JET Program, you must submit a clean national criminal background check (such as an FBI background check for Americans). Applicants with prior arrests or convictions are typically ineligible.

Japan maintains strict zero-tolerance laws regarding drug offenses. Any drug-related history will disqualify candidates from obtaining a work visa, and many Japanese employers require health checks and drug screenings prior to onboarding.

How to Get a Job Teaching English in Japan

To get a job teaching English in Japan, you need a Bachelor’s degree in any field, native-level English fluency, and a clean background check. Most teachers secure positions 3 to 6 months in advance through online or face-to-face interviews before obtaining a Japanese work visa.

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 (ALT) through the JET Programme or Interac.
• Teaching children and adults at private language schools (known as Eikaiwas).
• Teaching Business English to working professionals in a corporate environment.

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

• What Are the Requirements for Teaching English in Japan?
• What is the JET Programme for Teaching English in Japan?
• Read ITA's comprehensive Japan blog articles & watch Teaching English in Japan Videos

2. Get Your TEFL Certification

While you don't need prior professional teaching experience to teach English in Japan, an internationally accredited TEFL certification provides essential classroom skills and the recognized qualification top employers seek.

Recommended TEFL courses for teaching English in Japan:

• 4-Week TEFL Course in Nagoya, Japan
• 11-Week 170-Hour Online TEFL Course
• Job Placement Program for Teaching English in Japan

3. Finding TEFL Jobs in Japan: Hiring & Visa Process

English teachers can find ESL jobs in Japan year-round at private language schools (Eikaiwas). Government-sponsored programs like the JET Programme operate on a single annual application cycle. Overall, the hiring and visa process takes 3 to 6 months.

Interviews are conducted prior to arrival in Japan via two main formats:

1. Online phone or video calls (e.g., Zoom).
2. Face-to-face interviews held by recruiters in the US, Canada, UK, or Australia 3 to 6 months in advance.

Once hired, your school sponsors your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) to process your Instructor or Humanities Work Visa at a Japanese Embassy or Consulate in your home country before departure.

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

Salary, Start-up Costs & Cost of Living in Japan

English teachers in Japan earn an average salary between $1,500 and $2,000 USD per month (approx. ¥235,000 – ¥315,000 JPY). Average monthly living costs range from $800 to $2,000 USD (approx. ¥125,000 – ¥315,000 JPY), and recommended start-up savings (including flights) are $2,500 to $3,000 USD (approx. ¥395,000 – ¥475,000 JPY).

1. Start-up Costs for Teaching in Japan

For an English teacher in Japan, recommended start-up savings range from $2,500 to $3,000 USD (approx. ¥395,000 – ¥475,000 JPY), including initial flight costs. These funds cover your personal living expenses from your arrival until you receive your first paycheck (typically 30 to 45 days after starting work).

Start-up expenses typically include initial apartment rental deposits, household furnishings, local transportation passes, grocery shopping, and setting up a local SIM card/Japanese phone number. Convert live values via the