Teaching Placements - Japan

Salary range in USD per month	$1300 – $1900 USD * * May fluctuate due to exchange rate volatility.
Salary local currency per month	215,000 - 250,000 Yen
Saving potential in USD per month	$150 – $200+
Employment Type	Full-time
Contract Length	1 year
Placement Types	Public Schools, Private Schools, Private Language Centers ("Eikawas")
Classroom Audience	Kindergarten, Primary (elementary and middle), High school students
Classroom Age	Between 4 - 18
Classroom Size	Public Schools: 20 - 35 Private Language Centers: 6-10
Working Hours per week	20 - 30
Days off	2 days per week but may not be consecutive.
Holidays / Paid Leave	5-10 paid vacation days and 10 public holidays per year (paid)
Tax rate range for teachers	5%
Visa	Degree Holders: Instructor Visa or a Specialist in Humanities Visa Non-Degree Holders: Working Holiday Visa
Initial Enrollment to Arrival	5 Months Minimum
Top Placement Locations	1. Chubu Region 2. Kanto Region 3. Tohoko Region 4. Hokkaido Region 5. Kyushu Region

Teaching Placements

There are two main types of teaching positions available in Japan – public schools and private language centers (known as eikaiwas in Japan).

The role is slightly different in each school type.

In eikaiwas teachers will work very independently and will lead each class.

In public schools, teachers work alongside a Japanese classroom teacher in the day-to-day school system as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT).

Public School (Alt) Positions

Assistant Language teachers work in public school alongside a Japanese classroom teacher. Teachers at public schools work a regular Monday to Friday schedule. This will be a great cultural experience as it is a chance for teachers to experience the day-to-day school system in Japan. Teachers will typically teach between three to six classes each day. ALTs may be required to teach at several different public schools in the area during the week.

The day-to-day role of an ALT will differ depending on the teacher they’re working alongside. Sometimes they will take the lead in delivering lessons with guidance from the Japanese classroom teacher on what to teach. Other times they will act in an assisting capacity and will help with conversational English.

Eikaiwa Positions

Eikaiwa positions are where students pay to learn English outside of the traditional school system. The majority of the Eikaiwa schools we are working with focus on teaching young learners. Due to this, the teaching times are typically outside of traditional school hours on evenings and weekends. Days off commonly fall on weekdays.

The class sizes of these schools are around 6 – 10 students per class. They tend to have quite intensive working hours where you will teach up to 6 or 7 classes, with a 10-minute break in-between. In Eikaiwa school’s teachers will be guided on what to teach and typically will have access to materials such as a curriculum, text books and some basic games and toys to use for lessons.

There tends to be flexibility for teachers in crafting their lesson around the topics to teach. Teachers in Eikaiwa positions tend to have some autonomy in teaching and need to be highly independent.

Each eikaiwa is different so exact teaching hours and what the school looks like will differ. Some eikaiwas are based in shopping centers for the convenience or parents dropping their children to attend lessons. Others are stand-alone classrooms in towns throughout Japan.

Most of our Eikaiwa positions require commuting to different locations for work, up to an hour is common. Some will have several branches in the same city that teachers will attend on different days. Others may require teachers to teach on a rotational basis spending around a week at each location, across four centers.

With these positions the teaching contact hours are shorter to allow time to commute and travel is reimbursed (not all positions provide this). In these positions the teacher is the one who opens up the classroom, sets up, teaches the class and then closes for the day, so a great deal of independence is required. You wouldn’t be teaching alongside many colleagues if in this school placement.

Do I have a say in what placement I receive?

Our placement team does their utmost best to place all our teachers at schools which best match their preferences (in terms of location, age group, and the type of school). While preference cannot be guaranteed, we can guarantee that our team will do everything possible to find the ideal placement for you.

We also encourage and guide our teachers to being open-minded to all types of placements – a first and vital step to a journey of personal growth and development that comes with teaching abroad in Japan.

Where will I be teaching?

Placements are throughout the country in both urban and suburban areas however the majority of positions are in the suburban areas.

You can teach:

For the placement only option is an online or in-class TEFL/TESOL required?

Yes, for this program we require at least an online TEFL/TESOL to participate. It is important to us that teachers set themselves up well for success with a good foundation of ESL teaching prior to starting the program. This will make the transition smoother and ensure that they are having a positive impact on the students they teach.

Commutes

Commutes are the norm in Japan. It is uncommon for teachers to live right by their placement schools. Teachers will typically commute from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours to work. At eikaiwas it is most common to commute using public transport, this could be buses or trains. At public schools it could be public transport, driving or cycling.

Work Hours

The position is full time, ranging from 20 – 30 hours per week and have two days per week off but the days may not be consecutive and those working at language schools should be prepared to teach on Saturday and Sunday as those are the busiest days of the week for language schools.

It is important to note the work culture of Japan is “Live to Work”, and Japanese people tend to work longer hours so foreign teachers should be prepared for the same expectations when living in Japan.

Placement areas are typically confirmed approximately one month before arriving in Japan or once they arrive in the country. Placements are rare in Tokyo, Kyoto or Osaka which are the more touristy areas teachers often ask about!

School Training

All participants, whether placement only or taking the TESOL/TEFL course in Japan will likely (but not in all cases) participate in an onboarding with their new schools, which can range from 1-2 weeks prior to starting their teaching assignments. During these onboardings, most of which covers the teaching style and curriculum of your school, you typically receive most or all of your wages, so this is essentially paid onboarding.

Locations

Placements are throughout the country in both urban and suburban areas however the majority of positions are in the suburban areas.
There are a wide range of teaching environments, from more advanced, modern classrooms with small class sizes and extensive technology in the classroom, to classrooms that are standard, and lacking in technology. Some placements will have assistant teachers in the classroom but many will not.

Holidays

Public holidays: Approximately 10 public holidays per year (this may vary and is up to the discretion of the school). Some public holidays are off but some may be work days as well.

Paid Vacation: Approximately 5-10 paid vacation days (this may vary and depends on the school).

Dress code for teaching?

Professional dress unless otherwise advised by the school.

What is the level of English and behavior of students?

The level of English proficiency is generally beginner but some Japan people can speak English well enough to give you directions. Compared to the West, local children are much more respectful and disciplined. This is likely due to the conservative nature of Japan society and the strong respect for elders and family.

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A TravelBud teacher in the classroom at his language school.

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Japanese students on an outing

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A picnic lunch in the park with your co-workers is common in Japan.

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