I'm not an ALT but this came up to my recommendations. Knowing how underpaid ALTs are, I recommend those who wants to work or move to Japan to take it as a stepping stone and transfer to their desired job after a year or two. All the best!
Definitely agree. Getting a job as an ALT is probably the easiest way to get into Japan. I’m working hard on my Japanese to try for either a better-paying English-teaching job or a job in a different field all together!
I started as an ALT back in 1993. It was a fantastic experience and laid a solid foundation for the work I do today. The pay seems pretty much the same as when I was a JET, but it’s enough to work and fully enjoy all that Japan has to offer. Embrace the journey-it’s a pivotal chapter that shapes everything that follows!
@@CostcoSamurai Wow, 1993?? Yeah, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows but I definitely feel like I’ve learned a lot from being an ALT! Coming to a new country, interacting with the Japanese students has really been eye-opening hahaha. So cool to see that you’re still in Japan now!! 😆
@@LisaLostInJapan Keep doing what you love and play to your strengths. With passion and dedication, you'll make your dreams a reality. Keep pushing forward!
Don’t worry about saving ¥ as an ALT. You’re obviously not doing it for the $. Just enjoy your time in Japan and focus on wealth accumulation once you’re back in the States earning higher wages back home.
I think this is very true! I spend about 160.000 yen on average for a month :( That's why I feel so confused when the company offered me 200.000 yen + commuting 30.000 yen :(
Yeah… I guess that’s why some ALTs do part-time jobs like online tutoring, but I personally prefer to use my extra time to rest so no additional income for me 😭 Just gotta save money wherever I can…
hi lisa 😊 I want to go to Japan on SSW Job visa. Already started learning JLPT N5. Is it a good decision for me? Also Can you tell me, How much money can be savings / save excluding all expenses?
@@BengaliToon Hi! I have an instructor visa so I’m not sure how it’s like to have an SSW visa, but it’s good that you started working on JLPT N5 😄 It depends on your salary and your accommodation, but you can save money if you cook at home everyday!
You can search online for specific ALT companies if you know which one you want to join (Interac, Borderlink etc.) or go on job sites and search for ALT jobs in Japan and you can browse the different companies that are hiring! The highest paying would be under the JET program, but it’s harder to get in. The basic requirements would be a university degree and at least 12 years of education conducted in English 😁
ALT dispatch companies hire all year round, but I applied online around October to start in April, the first semester of school! You can google for ALT dispatch companies to find out which one you like best (read all the reviews about the company) and apply through their website.
@@LisaLostInJapan Haha, that would be an interesting transition to see. I often see many foreigners who get ALT jobs leave Japan due to exploitation believing it to be the country's fault. But it would definitely make children a little sad to lose such an excellent teacher lol.
@@mayayoshihata6636 I wouldn’t blame the country, but there is definitely something exploitative about ALT dispatch companies… They take advantage of the fact that foreigners want to work in Japan, and offer bare minimum salaries. But even if ALTs quit, there’s always more foreigners who are willing to take their place so the exploitation goes on. Anyways, I came here knowing what I was getting in to, so I’m just trying to enjoy my time here 😋 And the kids really make the job feel rewarding!
@@LisaLostInJapan Haha, I can feel a tad bit of your frustration with ALT's exploitation already 😂. Nonetheless, I reckon if such is the method to have a gateway into Japan, I wouldn't mind being a cog in the system for them, so long as I am allowed to leave whenever I wish. Enjoy your life there! It's a life of dream for many, certainly for me. I love teaching as well, there is no other feeling quite like the one you get after someone understands what you explain. Though not yet a teacher lol.
@@goldguilder9554 Exactly!! My friends visiting Japan are having a great time shopping and sight-seeing, but if I want to visit a different country, seeing that yen conversion is so depressing 😭😭
I’ve heard horrors about eikaiwa, but I do want to try one day!! And yes, definitely kindergarten!! I think I’ll give being an ALT a go for just one more year before trying something else
@@LisaLostInJapan Nova/Gaba scheme is horror, but there are enough Eikaiwa out there not paying for hours only but for office time, too. Those will put you in social insurance as well. Just remember, that only ALT is an instructor. kindergarten and eikaiwa are the Humanities/Intl Services/Engineering visa!
Hey thanks for video, very insightful. How much do you pay for tax every month and is it legal in Japan to do part time job at an eikiwa or any other type of schools after you school hours? thanks in advance :)
Hi! I’m looking at one of my payslips and about 36,000 yen is taken off (~10,000 yen for social health insurance, ~20,000 for welfare pension insurance, ~1,000 yen for unemployment insurance, and ~4,000 yen for income tax) I’ve heard that it is possible to do part-time jobs as long as it’s valid under the instructor visa! You just have to file the tax for those jobs yourself. Hope this helps!
I was really disappointed too 😭 I thought I’d be able to take a lot of day-trips to explore nearby areas, but I definitely didn’t have that much money haha but no worries, you can definitely still enjoy Japan while working here!!
Yeah, the pay is really depressing… it’s a really nice experience for those who want to try living and working in Japan, but definitely not sustainable long-term :/
