Is Teaching English In Japan Worth It 

How did you go about finding your teaching job in Japan? I am looking to leave China to teach in Japan

You say that like you’re not there anymore. If you’re no longer in Japan, what made me leave, of you don’t mind my asking?

Sakura Siracha I’m a name some reasons. Family is one. If you are close to your family you will find it difficult to move. The pay...it’s not the best but if you’re financially smart you’ll do fine.

Sakura Siracha some go to teach abroad for the experience and short term not for a long time

c a s s damn, I almost knew family would’ve been a factor. I love my family so much, it hurts, so I can imagine the hurt of not being close to them physically like before. I can probably muster a year in Japan, I just want to experience it, but it would be hard af being away from family that long.

I need help,I’m almost done with high school and I’m looking to be a teacher in Japan and I have questions about classes.could I email you?

RE: your JET essay -- I've read a million of these, and I would say the number one mistake is that candidates write down the ways in which the program will benefit them, or they try to justify why living in Japan makes since (ie. they had a Japanese friend when they were young, they studied abroad, etc). Instead, what you should do is write down all of the ways that the program will benefit if they hire you. (i.e. I taught at x for y number of years, and I can bring that teaching experience to the program. etc). Then turn that list into a few paragraphs. Good luck.

@@LettersfromJapan Well said!

I originally came to Japan 20 years ago on the eikaiwa ticket. It was a grind. I lucked out and got a job at a high school a year later. I loved it so much I stayed on and made a life here. I originally came to Japan with the plan of staying for 2 years. Teaching at a private high school is more than just a job, it is one of the most important roles in the community. The role of looking after the kids of the community. When kids cry at graduation, I fully understand. High school days are some of the best days in life. I feel fortunate to have led a high school life for 20 years!

@@gordonbgraham so making a career out of teaching English in Japan is viable?

@@shadyspades Absolutely. You need to be determined and committed. It takes time to build up the experience and skill to become a viable commodity to a Japanese school. Anticipate a lot of unpaid overtime and little acknowledgement of it in the first few years. This is true for the Japanese as well as foreigners. While there is little acknowledgement, your commitment is taken notice of. Too many foreigners just use their jobs as a means to travel around Japan and Asia and experience living abroad in a different culture. Not that there is anything wrong with that. It's a worthy pursuit. Being a dedicated teacher means seeing teaching as a life not a job. That's how the Japanese see it. Most Japanese educators don't afford foreign ALTs the same respect as their Japanese counterparts because few ALTs respect their duties as much as the Japanese teachers do. In 20 years, I've seen 7 ALTs come and go in our affiliated jr high school. Their contracts were not renewed because they lacked the commitment to show up for school events like sports festivals or baseball games which are not mandatory for part-time teachers to attend. While many things, such as unpaid overtime, are not mandatory, they are expected. Now, I don't want to give the impression that there is a great deal of overtime. It depends on the time of year. Exam time requires a lot of extra duties, including (in my case) marking over 500 exams and inputting the data along with number of classes, absents etc. for each student, into 3 separate file banks within a week. It's not difficult but it's tedious and it takes working overtime to do it. On the other hand, I'm now in my 2nd week of holidays with a week to go before the 3rd semester begins. I also have 2 weeks off in the Spring and a full month off in the Summer...all paid. Being a teacher in Japan is a wonderful way of life. It's worth the commitment. Cheers!

manplaysgames Thanks, Man

@@gordonbgraham I'm becoming an English teacher, so actually attending university for an education degree. I love teaching and what appeals to me about Japan is how when you give it your all as a teacher, you can actually make a difference, people will respect you and see that you really want to teach and help them and their lives in preparation for society. Obviously, this is based on various videos, media and articles I've read. I don't know if all of this is true at all for sure. I'm just wondering though, would you say that if someone's passionate about being a teacher and work hard and attend all the extra events, is it then worth to come to Japan, learn the language and become a teacher?

You're honestly making a great choice even if it is only for a year or two.

@@meldrew69 getting ready to head over In March. What was the most satisfying personal development you had from doing something like this?

Amen to that, Dan, amen to that.

YES I JUST LEFT MY JOB IN CHINA BECAUSE OF THIS - THEY DID NOT GIVE A DAMN ABOUT THE KIDS AND NOTHING WAS EVER GOOD ENOUGH FOR THEM - THEY THINK THEY ARE SUPERIOR TO YOU AND LOOK DOWN ON YOU BECAUSE THEY ARE YOUR 'MANAGER'. THEY HAD NO RESPECT AT ALL, NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING LIKE IT AS AN ADULT SO I TOLD THEM THEY CAN KISS MY ASS AND ASTA-LA-VISTA

40 is no age in ESL. Do what will make you happy!

Just get your TEFL online. It’s not that big of a deal other than it costs some money. But the curriculum is low-stress, you may actually enjoy doing it. Same goes for teaching - it’s not difficult / you may enjoy it. If you bring any level of enthusiasm to the process you will be successful. Age is not an issue.

I remember reading an article on an ESL site. Your cover letter and resume is about your ability, the things that you can do for an employer, not your age. Don't mention your age unless you are asked. Age is another number that can tell us something, experience, maturity, education. A person's skills should ideally, reflect their age and maturity. Use those descriptions to reflect your age, not a number. Believe me, I feel you 100%. I lived in Japan for four years and loved it so much I thought "Heah, I'll go back. I have an undergraduate degree", but then I went out and earned a masters degree in education. I want to focus on what I can do and grow, so can you. Be awesome!🤙

There are plenty of teachers here in their 40s. Hell, I'm 48, and I didn't start teaching in Japan until I was 35. If you want to go for it, then don't let your age stop you. The question is - what do you want to do with your life after 40?

The best thing is to learn Japanese and if you can speak Japanese the possibilities are endless for getting other jobs. Most people get into ALT as a stepping stone on till they learn Japanese first .

I am also wondering what other paths are available

@@stella.m2613 bit late to this party but I often see jobs for programmers or recruiters

You can do it!

Right on sounds like you got a plan. Best of luck to you. Keep me informed of your adventure.

I originally came to Japan 20 years ago on the eikaiwa ticket. It was a grind. I lucked out and got a job at a high school a year later. I loved it so much I stayed on and made a life here. I originally came to Japan with the plan of staying for 2 years. Teaching at a private high school is more than just a job, it is one of the most important roles in the community. A role to look after the kids of the community. When kids cry at graduation, I fully understand. High school days are some of the best days in life. I feel fortunate to have led a high school life for 20 years!

I think most people will give you the same advice but.... in japan, learn to speak japanese. Itll probably open up doors that used to be closed.

I've been at a private high school for 20 years. After 5 years, I got a teacher's license from a Japanese university to become a full-time teacher. I now teach alone and have a full-time salary with bonuses. The best thing you could do is spend all your free time working on your written Japanese. I highly recommend getting a teacher's license if you are planning to stay. Otherwise, you'll be stuck in an ALT rut.

@@gordonbgraham hows it different from a teaching license from another country?

jeffrey roma A teaching license from a Japanese university is a requirement.

@@gordonbgraham so you can only become an ALT and not an ESL teacher if you don't acquire the teaching license from the japanese university? Even when you may have one from your country?

Naturally now is not the time to apply but yes there are tons of jobs especially entry level.

There's always one or two in every class. Even if you think everyone likes you, there will always be one or two that don't express it because they're going along with the crowd. You can't please everyone, so I wouldn't worry about it personally.

In my fourth most recent video I specifically discuss this. I talk about job options and those outside of teaching.

DaveTrippin Thank you, ill check it out 💪

Came over at 28 much after I had graduated.

I don't think in the long run teaching is bad at all. I have never intended to give that impression. With the right effort there is tons of upward mobility. That said sure get out early and into something else. That's not a bad plan.

@@DaveTrippin Thanks for the quick reply ! You've got a very broad and objective judgment regarding your experience, keep up the great work !

I very much agree Andrew.

Don't do that. The culture shock is awesome. 😉

@@DaveTrippin ill keep that in mind. The last thing i want to do is ruin this for myself nor do i want anyone to get pissed at me 😅

Hey man if you can find a sweet Boe position in the boonies that works for a lot of people. But at the same time if you can get some really high paying one in a city or uni you're gold. Make sure to explore all your options.

It's really hard to say with the state of international travel.

@@DaveTrippin thank you for your reply. I agree.

Go for it!

If you can get the MA. There is little else that can perform better for you. If you can't TESOL is useful for above entry level jobs.

I certainly do.

@@DaveTrippin Those are valuable and you should consider selling them with a minimal amount of training to teachers new and old.

I don't know what that is. If it's like a TESOL or soemthing they're useful for higher level jobs but not necessary for entry level.

​@@DaveTrippin Yeah something like that. Well then maybe in the near future I'll be going to teach English in Japan. But I have another question, would you say that it is a an requirement to know how to speak japanese if your going to be teaching english in Japan?

There is generally an ageism that you'd have as a hurdle others wouldn't. But nothing that would put up a hard wall preventing you from doing it.

The degree is more what's important doesn't matter what you get it in.

@@DaveTrippin thanks for the useful reply

Indeed those bastards.

I have not. Although considered doing some online streaming lessons for there.

English and Japanese.

That's a shame. As an elementary school teacher here you are in full controm of your classes. Additionally if you work at private schools some will sponsor your Japanese teachers licence and allow you to solo teach.

A lotus is associated with Buddhism but it's not meant to be specifically associated with that religion. I like the idea of development that a lotus represents, that's all.

@@DaveTrippin cool. Thanks!