Is Teaching English in Japan a Trap? 

We can hear the real story when Quinlan sensei is in the mountains.

I'm really enjoying these mountain chats! This was really informative and definitely something I'll keep in mind for the future.

Related expectations vs. reality: Didn't think spending time with kids would be my favorite part of living here. It is; love those kiddos. Thought I would be traveling, making friends, and eating out. Pandemic hits right after I arrive, hampering those activities. Thought I wouldn't be making/saving much money. The low cost of living in a tiny town and not spending much means I have plenty.

I've never tried to make a living abroad but this sounds like sound advice! I do have experience with years and years of adjunct teaching and the way I finally managed to land a permanent contract was to build up a solid portfolio of teaching experience in academic subjects beyond English proficiency (so I became a rare commodity) and to keep teaching in the same country for a long time (so everyone knew me and knew I might be looking for opportunities - in other words, I built up a network)

This is the video I have been looking for, not always looking at the positive aspects but not looking at the negative alot aswell. I am nearing my graduation and after I will be applying for JET so at the moment I am looking for as much info as I can. Thanks for thr insight :)

It’s very true and good advice he’s giving; realistic and from experience. As a person whose lived as an expat in China and Japan for more than 25 years I can confirm to the letter he’s saying the exact same words we’ve been telling younger ones about teaching English abroad. Always informative, honest and sincere, great video.

RULE # 1 WHEN TEACHING IN JAPAN. Have your own profitable online business. You wont have to worry about getting paid "peanuts" for teaching in Japan because your online business is taking care of you. Only teach in Japan for the experience - not for the money.

Really enjoyed this! Thank you!

Me and my wife watching this as 34 yr olds...

You insights, as always, are brilliant! Thank you Mr Q!

So love the overview/scenery shots....beautiful and therapeutic🥰

Perfect advice! Thank you.

Thank You Quinlan, really love this format !

I really liked the mountain chat and your voice is so soothing!

Just love your videos from Nepal. Keep up the good work .

Thank you for the openhearted chat and highlighting both the pros and cons.

Love this misty mountain chat!

Great life advice Quinlan!

Thank you for sharing your knowledge and talking me out of this idea.

Great video! Very helpful!

I think this is a very helpful video that I haven’t seen before between all the Jvloggers, very interesting, keep it up.

I really love these mountain chats. I'm looking forward to more. They're so informative but friendly, too.

Great perspective an chat! Always good to hear the other side of the story! I like your mountain side chat! Just anchor your camera down next time! Gave me a little laugh! lol

Greetings from Seattle!! Thanks Quinlan for this very informative and helpful guidance. I hope more viewers will see this and grasp the information given in choosing their path at teaching English abroad. This post (and your others) definitely deserves a 👍 and a "Save for Later" Hontoni Arigato Gozaimasu 🙏🏼😊

This was fantastic! Non-judgmental, factual, and informative. As someone who has been giving this route some thought on and off for years, thank you for articulating everything so concisely!

Thanks for a great advice! I’m not ALT but i’m (CIR) one of the JET and now it’s time to think about my next step 😊

as always beautiful video, hope to see more like that , how life trully is in japan for gaijin

Thank you for the reality check :D I did actually consider being an English teacher in Japan because that's the only job for foreigners in Japan that I knew of. I am not interested in being a teacher at all apart from my wish to "get to know Japan from the inside", so I think I should try and look for other opportunities instead of following teaching only because it seems like a 'safe way'. I think your advice is more universal, I actually found myself stuck for last 5 years in a job I hate because I thought it will help me discover the UK. It was a great experience and I probably wouldn't even visit UK otherwise, but I did get too comfy in a place that makes me miserable and as you said "leaves nothing to show" for the time I invested in it. I might choose the more difficult road and try to become a professional instead, learn something that people all over the world need :3

It’s always nice to see people that have successfully integrated Japan take their time to explain the realities of what that entails. It comes -I would like to think- from a place of care for the others, preparing people for what they are going to face, being real but supportive at the same time. It can be you, or Chris or Paolo or Tev&Louis but it always will be done in with the best interest of others in mind🙂 A little late for me but on the behalf of those considering it, thank you 🙂

Creepy 🥺 scared me when you walked out from the mist. Good info 👍👍👍 thanks

Thank you for the heads up

My brother just got accepted into a language school for next October (in Tokyo ,i believe), he was initially trying to do the JET program but now decided that a simple semester would be enough to experience the country he has be so infatuated with the past several years! I am so excited for him right now! (maybe ill be able to fly over with him and help him get situated next year lol!) Great video as always Quinlan!

Solid advice as usual from the Yamabushi himself lol. It's good to see honest info about ALT jobs on RU-vid. It's unfortunate the industry lacks any meaningful upward mobility.

I love your shirt, buddy!

Whoa. You just walked out of the mist like an apparition...😲 . Surreal...Segoi! And that green shirt is POPPING!🤩

This is so true of the Ski industry in most countries, Japan included.

The sheer amount of videos like this makes me want to not do it. But at the same time, it's the easiest way. ugh. I was in a hostel in Tokyo in 2017, and I met 3 english teachers over the course of 4 weeks. Every single one of them was just in town from where they taught in the cuntryside. They absolutely hated teaching, and couldn't wait for their contracts to end. It's so sad.

a couple of my friends did the Jet program and most of them thought it was a great experience but were happy to come back home. one person absolutely hated it, and one person loved it enough to stay, but she got her degree in education and has never wanted to be anything else other than a teacher. I think that really makes a difference. me personally, I could see myself being an adventure guide or something outdoorsy not a teacher (I tried being a substitute for a week and it was a nightmare).

It's definitely some sound advice to be honest. I was already aiming to do JET or something similar because I look forward to teaching. I'm meant to move in January to make some connections and to experience some of Japan until I finish my degree to do that though. Network building is very important.

I was on my way for a final interview as an ALT in Japan back in 2012 but I sadly chose a different path. Learning this from Quinlan now, I'm thankful for the honesty and sincerity. I might've gotten in the same rut that Quinlan describes if I continued, but regardless I still wonder about the alternate reality where I chose Japan. Awesome video, my good sir.

Wise words and advice.

Having a spousal visa will give you most flexibility. You can do any kind of work, and hopefully you get along with your in-laws and they can help you in many ways. Another option is t start your own business as you did, it will probably be more difficult due to the endless bureaucracy but is an option. I think that those who coast along in Japan teaching English would probably do the same if they stayed home. Your location doesn't change your personality. But at least in Japan it will probably be more interesting.

Thank you for this concise, erudite explanation regarding teaching in Japan. I'm 35, and lived in Beijing for 5 years. I'd very much like to go to Japan, and do the same thing, but sometimes I feel like it's too late. Usually these testimonials talk about turning 30 a bit old to start, and here I am almost 36 lol. But hey, what can you do? I figure if I'm going to do it, it needs to be soon. By 40 I should decide if ultimately want kids, and where I want to be for a long time. Besides, 35 is the new 25, didn't you hear? Ha. Though I'm hoping to get a job in theater education, which was my primary job in China. I have a degree in acting, and found that could get me jobs at international schools if I was lucky (though I was already in the country when I got those). Either way, fingers crossed. Love your stuff man!

a other great vid, love the way you make us all think of the things we think we only can love. im thinking of when i life in japan and than i whant to be a tourgide, but is that even posible? thanks voor all your work, keep it op we love it!!

These mountain chats are great, really enjoying them. Are you intending on doing one about how you managed to get to and settle in Japan, or is that too personal? Love the channel and exploring the north through you, thanks for all the videos!

I’m an English/social studies teacher in the US, and I was planning to travel to Japan to teach once I graduated college. However, I met my now husband there and we adopted cats and got married, so we decided to build our life where we are. Hopefully we’ll be able to travel to Japan later on. Great video. 😊

Real truth bombs in this vid delivered in the most polite way. First time I lived in Japan the years definitely went by fast! Fortunately my group of friends were good and encouraging each other to continue and develop our skills.

haha as a non-English native of 36 y.o. I am so envious of you guys native speakers AND fresh graduates 😀 I wish you all the luck though, what a time and cause to be alive (even despite the pandemic) ☺️

I work as a firefighter in the UK and have a baby with my Japanese wife. I often think about raising her in Japan because the country is so much better imo. But this video was a good wake up call for me. Thanks :) I will always visit Japan every year but living there doesn't sound like a good idea for my family.

Well I am currently working on my master's degree and my teaching license. I have an interview to start substitute teaching here in America. I lived abroad and taught ESL. The experience was more than worth any financial gain I got for anything. It was the best decision I made to go abroad. I would love to go abroad and teach again, but this time it will be as a complete, professional teacher with a TEFL and an American teaching license. I will also have my master's degree by that time.

Thank you for the unbiased and informative video! I feel like most videos made about teaching English are extremely biased and based off of one single experience so it's nice to hear everything you've learned over the years. I have been pondering teaching English in Japan for a year but I'm quickly approaching 28 and I've wondered if I'm too old to apply for JET.... Especially since my career history has been unconventional and not what Japan expects I wonder if I'd even be considered.

You have a lot of good advice and insight in this video. I have a friend who has been teaching there for nearly six years after graduating college in the US (her contract was supposed to expire after five years, but got extended due to Covid), and is now in the exact situation you described. She has said that she loved being able to teach kids in a different country and bond with them, but ultimately has nothing to show for her time there. I feel super bad for her, but I agree with you in that you need to have the conscious rationale that you are ultimately taking the job in order to go for the life experience, and not for an opportunity to further your career. If you don't come to terms with that *before* you hop on the plane and commit to it, you will be in for a rude awakening a few years down the line. My friend is super smart and an awesome person, and I just hope that she is able to look towards the good parts of her time in Japan while moving past the negatives that you listed.

Matching the mountain grass so perfectly with that shirt. Teaching is not for me so I know I wouldn't be happy teaching anywhere. But it's always interesting to hear of all the ways people financially survive in other countries when their goal is to travel and explore the country and not stay permanently.

Many good points here. I think the best advice to give someone who wants to teach English in Japan is to get a bachelor of Education degree and teaching license in their home country. That way they can be a head teacher at an international school.

This is my second comment: I have been teaching for 8 years. I tried other jobs over the last three years. I always went back to teaching. But teachers who want to do this forever should get their license. After 5 years of teaching ESL, I went as far as I could. I needed to get my license.

I love Japan and I'm interested in having long staycations there one day. I wouldn't recommend going there to teach English though, unless one has other things planned there and is keen on networking. I would rather focus on wealth building positions for now as my current career path doesn't include japan, but I want to go to Japan one day simply to enjoy and be there without worrying about living costs and rent and stuff.

I am all for getting all sorts of experiences early in life, you don't get much chance to travel and explore later

I currently teach in Korea and do plan to teach in Japan one day. I have a teaching degree and wanted the experience of teaching ELL's abroad especially in two countries that highly interest me. However, I know this isn't permanant. I know at some point it needs to end and I have to teach back home. I want this experience in order to improve my teaching strategies and gain more knowledge for when I teach ELL's back home.

OMG! I am in my late 50s and still in Japan! What have I done? ... Seriously, that is good advice. I have always tried to keep my fingers in many different pies, and my latest is developing my RU-vid channel.

All reasons why I don't work in Japan and reserve it as a cultural exchange opportunity instead.

This video came up on my recommendations I’ve been an ALT here for 17 years. What he says is generally correct It’s an easy trap to fall into and one I wouldn’t generally recommend

Nice video. I like your preference for being informative to just being entertaining. Question: in this material, you are referring almost exclusively to the job options for young people. Is there an immigration age barrier? Or it is just totally uncommon for mid-aged foreigners to restart life in Japan?

Thanks for sharing your knowledge & experience on this topic. It was oddly relaxing watching you sit there and talk about it like this haha

My take on it is to just go for it. If a person who really wants to go to Japan and overthinks it, he or she can talk themselves out of it. Then they will look back and regret not going. Just do it !!!!!

I applied to SONY when I was 35yo to teach English but I was and still am a Math Prof. I was turned down. Later I saw the perfect job teaching Math in an English Speaking Japanese college. It was the wrong time to leave and I never saw the ad again. Now in my 50's I want to retire early. I've been teaching for almost 30years and love it. Would love to teach math in Japan for 1-2years. Advice? 🤓🌸

im glad i an comment on a video. .....nuff said; youre a super nice guy, i really enjoy watching you!!! :) i also like yuour name Quinland (apologize for my misspelling ) i just like what you do.

Great advice and reality check. It often seems like people have a real idealized view of Japan. I went to school in Kyoto as study abroad then spent another year looking for work. I didnt want to teach english but I found quickly that those would be my only option. The truth is Japan doesnt want you to stay. They dont want to hire someone that isnt Japanese for the most part. You are an outsider no matter how long you live there and how well you speak. Im sure on the daily you still hear 日本語上手いね！For most people Japan is a great place to visit. But a hard place to live.

I would love to know how one could move to Japan and start their own farm! I don't have a BD, but have been around agriculture my whole life.

i'm hoping to get into translation - i have a degree in japanese, but applying for translation type jobs outside of japan seems nigh impossible.. feels like i'll have to butt my way in as an ALT first and then search for a different job from inside the country ^^;

Japan culture is quite different. If you try to learn it, you will gain useful skill to add to your own personal growth, (patience, being flexible in work, working on a team) as well as hopefully learn another language. These are things you can put on your resume when you go back to your home country after working a few years in Japan.

I skimmed the channel but didnt see any more videos about teaching. Would you happen to know anything about using english teaching as a stepping stone to other teaching? Im in college for music education and want to do that in japan. If you see this, sorry for commenting on such an old video lol

Hi there. Thanks for the video. May I ask how you are able to stay in Japan while self employed? Is there an visa that allows it? Thanks!

Real talk time 🔥🫀

do you have any recommendations for places to look for other jobs? Im an architecture student and am hoping to eventually transition from an English teacher to an architecture profession

I was a sarari-man (engineer) at Mitsubishi Electric back in the late 80's and I don't want to do that again. I also didn't have the patience to teach so it's better to have had the chance to work as an engineer. I don't remember anyone really taking much vacation unless they got married. I hope things have changed.

Thank you for sharing. I’m planning to teach at one of the middle school for military branches in Japan. (US) one of my other goals is to purchase a house in Japan. Does the government allow foreigners to air bnb their place or a room? Or is that illegal?

I have a question but it's ok if you don't know the answer to it. I've been working as a carer for the elderly in the UK. I know Japan struggles with ageing population too and especially the villages are being emptied of young people. In the UK they dealt with the need for affordable care by hiring foreigners. Do you know if it's a thing in Japan too? Are there any care-related jobs, especially live-in jobs for the foreigners? I'm unfortunately below beginner in Japanese at the moment. I don't know much about retirement plans in Japan and cultural preferences. Would you be interested in talking about that? In Poland most elders or people with health issues that make them require care are taken care of by their families, even distant ones. There are very few government run care homes for those who have no family to take care of them. In the UK it's completely the other way around. There a person is expected to live on their own up until it's absolutely impossible for them to manage, and only then the family would place them in care either in private care home or hospice or much less popular - hiring a carer who will visit or live at home with the person needing care. How does it look in Japan?

Is it difficult to get a side gig as an athletic coach or something alongside the english teaching?

In the US, adjunct teaching is miserable. Seriously, you can make more money mopping floors. Excellent video, real information to help making real decisions. Thanks!

Kem.cho quilan😊😊

What about individuals with a teaching degree +3 years experience looking at international schools in Japan? Issue with supply/demand I'm guessing?

Where in Wisconsin are you from?

The adjust professor thing is probably an issue all over the world. I have a friend with multiple degrees, including a doctorate, in her field; and over 15 years into her profession, she's only just now been accepted to a tenure-track position.

I'm currently a teacher in the US (not English) - and interested in teaching abroad (again, not English). What's the chance of getting a teaching job that's not English? Obviously I know I'd need to pass high level Japanese language tests.

I'm 50 now. Will being an ALT be a problem for me? Ageism?

🤦‍♀️

I think it's worth saying that not all conversation schools are created equal. NOVA was in serious legal trouble about a decade and a half ago resulting in people not getting payed. Shane's is infamous in the English teaching community for basically not caring much about their teachers at all.

is weed legal in china and japan? thanks man 😎

do you happen to know anything about lgbt culture in japan?

Teaaching English isn't the trap. The mountains are the trap!😅 But otherwise sound advice.

There are no jobs in 2022.

You have no rights ,because you are not Japanese, I do not have a contract and can be called 24 7 365 Am on social ,do not get into a relationship trap!