It is a trap that I made the best out of. Gave me a chance to have a stable job for years, travel, have a nice apartment, always have money, enjoy nice experiences, get new ideas and work experience, and meet amazing people. I made the best out of it and it enabled me to live the life I wanted for years.
I’m very happy that my native language is Turkish because grammatically it’s similar to Japanese. While Europeans start spelling, Turks begin speaking. The same happens with the Japanese-they find it easier to learn Turkish than English
Good content and I heard some really good resources out there for people that want to get out of the English teaching gig in Japan. Good stuff, you have earned an subscriber.
One of my favorite streamers did English teaching and got out. She is now a very successful singer among other things. I am contemplating whether I want to teach English in Japan or not. This video is helpful
The least impressive part of weighing up living in Japan is the pay. I would absolutely love to live there, but as a nurse i earn $7-8K AUD per month in Australia after tax so the idea of earning $3K a month is super deflating. Id get into drift racing in a heartbeat 😅. Loved the vid and the recruitment agencies suggestions
So the takeaway from this is if you are applying for the English teaching job (human tape recorder) just to get your foot in the door to japan its an ok route with the stipulation that you do everything in your power to find the job you actually want once you get to japan and dont get complacent. Use it as a stepping stone not a career.
The funny thing about this video is that Japanese are also treated like a number regardless of how well they perform at the Job. Even Japanese working for a Japanese company isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Sometimes the pay and benefits aren’t worth it!
Get the proper qualifications and language skills BEFORE stepping foot in the country and then just figure out a way to transfer your career here. As counter-intuitive as it may sound, it's harder to transfer into an actual career-field once you come here as a teacher. Rather than if you had just started out here in your field. Most people come in with this thinking, and then fail to find anything better ---- and end up either stuck in their crappy job forever or end up going back home with nothing to show for it. There is no "foot in the door" with teaching. These ALT/eikaiwa companies exploit desperate weebs who would do anything to live here. Teaching wages have steadily been on the decline (people working here in the 80-90s were making MORE than current teachers) and they continue to get away with the declining wages and conditions because of all the people like you who keep flocking in for the elusive "foot in the door."
Hi, thanks for the update. My wife may be coming to Japan as an English teacher from Nigeria that's if she successful in her interview, as a matter of importance, what's the monthly pay for a Bachelor's of education in English education should she be demanding during the interview? What other tips would you recommend her to ask from her employer? The interview will be coming up on the 3 July 24 so I will be needing your response on time. Thanks
ive always been curious on this topic i see alot of people always taking this route when they want to move to japan and it always goes sour good to finally know why. PS glad you mentioned the 180sx i was also very curious on that once the vod started.
Mate it's the same in Australia aswell. The government makes it's money off international students. They promise them after their studies they can get pr or sponsorship by advising what courses to study as we have a shortage but every 4 years the requirements change means they are stuck as international students for 10+ years, only working 20 hours a week or 2 or 3 cash jobs to make money.. we see it in hospitality all the time. Then they just work to pay school fees they cannot afford and fail school due to not attending because they are working to pay for it...Wasted their best years on a future they were told they could have but couldn't and stuck in a trap until if they are lucky marry someone or go back home where they are now behind.
Spot on! I have a friend who came as an student and worked here for 10 years. He was never able to get his residence and went back home. He feels he lost 10 years of his life.
I love SAMMIT RAW videos!!! Thank you so much for the info!!! Yes, English "teaching" may be a stepping stone in my case... I am searching for a job in Japan. Good thing I have University winter break January to March to do it!!! I am studying Japanese at University right now and getting close to N3 soon, I guess... However I am already 38 y-o and have experience in so many things including car fixing, a bit of welding and construction, sales, car electronics, etc... Don't be surprised if you do get my resume Sam!!! lol
That’s the way how the young generation thinking. I know two teachers from NZ and Australia that they are teaching for years in Japan. They are both on country side bought their homes for 25k and living happily in Japan,.
Thats what I need in my life right now. I would move to Japan at the drop of a coin and never return to Jamaica where I was born or the US where I live
Japanese employers, especially the better paying ones are sticklers for bachelor's degrees or master's degrees. If you go to Japan, make sure you have at least your bachelor's degree and life is going to be a lot easier finding a job. Yes, tatemae is a cultural necessity in Japan. Well, you must be polite for the cohesiveness of society. If you want to be a Maverick then don't live in Japan or you'll have a very hard time fitting.
It obviously wasn't for you both, and fair enough. It is a stepping stone to for example: starting your own school, or teaching at colleges or universities all of which I have done. But it is not for everyone. Thanks for the video! I have enjoyed my life and as you point out as well, it is a stepping stone to the things I mention. But it is true some get stuck working for an English school. Best to branch out and start your own school or get into university teaching.
Should I learn Japanese before traveling Japan to teach English? If so, how well do I need to speak it? I love languages and I'm in my 30s. Also, what is the TEFL program like?
Yes. With N3 you can work in a conbini or restaurant. N2 is classed as Business English but reading is only to the level of a 12-year old!!! N1 is close to native level! Come with N3 and learn N2 as soon as you arrive.
I've been in Japan for over twenty years and this is very accurate. I came as an English teacher, did it for three years and became a game programmer. This worked because I had a plan. Unfortunately, I burned out and went back to teaching temporarily, with no plan. I got comfortable and was stuck for *thirteen* more years. For the last eight years of it, my pay didn't change at all. The good news is that I'm back to programming games. I finally escaped the trap. Better not to get snared in the first place.
@@assassin7250 I have a degree in software engineering. This helped, but it's far less important than having a portfolio to show to a potential employer. I used to work with a chemistry grad who became a graphics programmer because he had made some small games and graphics demos on his own.
I came to Japan after being in China for 7 years. I worked for Nova. What a garbage company. International schools are better. But the one I worked at was run by very poor foreign management. But yeah as a teacher here, you can't grow.
My experience was at Kanda Gaigo Gakuen. At that time, which was many years ago, management was quite good. Never felt like a number.... Now they have expanded and have a university as well.
I loved teaching in Japan…I taught at a university…yes I was qualified, and that opened the door to a very nice job. I taught private lessons on the side. Learn Japanese!!!
Good to see ya, Riely, and thanks, Sam. Keep up the raw. Aussie perspective of Japan. Mostly 6 and 5 to 9. Wow. "Transition is good, and don't be complacent."🙏 Sugoi. ✌️🤘🇦🇺
You always have to have a Plan B in Japan. Companies do not communicate well with western employees. Everything is layered and it’s hard to understand what they really want from you. They won’t say anything to you, you’re supposed to know everything. They think nothing of dumping you as an employee. You are extremely replaceable. I’m wondering if they’ve raised the pay with the change in the exchange rate? I worked for a language school that scammed employees. They required that you lived in their housing which they were making a profit off renting to you. They would rent a place for 18,000 a month and then charge you 40,000 a month for it. They were awful people. I’m surprised they survived. They are in Kofu. I got lucky and found a job working for an American company. I got respected, treated like a human, and decent pay raises. If you’re the English monkey, they’re looking to replace you. Nothing is permanent, be used to being disrespected on a regular basis
Well I’ve seen some companies now like NOVA saying they have annual raises. But I definitely don’t want to teach English haha. I do have a spouse visa and got interviews with different companies but all the jobs are not to high pay. Looking for work in Sapporo lol
Hey Sam so im an ASE certified master tech and I've been in the automotive industry for the past 15 years but I also have my college degree in English literature. Would being an English teacher be a good stepping stone to get into the automotive industry in Japan or would i be better to try to go straight into the automotive industry?
I have literally ZERO qualifications to talk on this since I one have no degree at all and two don’t even live in Japan BUT I’ve seen for example thrash racing in the past offer foreigners to sponsor their work visa to come and work for them in Japan so long as you have a collage degree (basically a requirement to get a work visa) so maybe other automotive shops would be possible willing to do that on the other hand it does look like a good option especially having a degree in English literature already but I guess like same said immediately start looking for a job in the field you really wanna be in and don’t stay in English teaching for two long
@@vickramos9234 thank you for the information I'll definitely look into it. Maybe my degree will be worth something in Japan because it sure isn't worth anything here in the US.
@@riddlemethis01 it usually gets your application looked at. That’s sad but true a lot these days. I ended up in a C position at a Fortune 500 company. Just a high school diploma. I started several companies, learned a lot and sold a company to the 500 company. Boom your in a top level position. To bad the job sucked. Be careful what you wish for.
@@riddlemethis01sometimes that BA is just a stepping stone to get a master’s in something more marketable. So long as you had good grades and score well on the GRE/GMAT/LSAT/etc. you’ll be fine. Just 2-3 more years of edumacation and a six figure salary if you play the cards right.
If you want to teach then look to get hired directly by a proper Japanese school, whether it’s elementary, JHS or high school. Pay is relatively good and you’ll get good bonuses twice a year. Other route is to get hired as a university lecturer, but you’d need a masters in TEFL to open those doors. Eikaiwa will use and abuse you.
I was on a student visa for a year. People talk about how English teaching is the job of least resistance for coming into Japan but I couldn't get a teaching job the entire year I was there. I did work part-time at a store though. Many of the students in my language school went back to their country after 6 months to a year, many without getting a part-time job. I would say my interpersonal skills are weak though and I didn't have customer service or teaching experience (excluding the fact I was a TA in college). Based off of my experience, I would say that it's difficult getting a teaching job even though many people make out like it is so.
I wish I could just move to Japan, I messed up when I was young and have a record because of that so don't think I'll be able to go over there since they are strict on anything like that
@@unclehollywood7100 that's cool, I might look into that. I'm working on trying to get everything expunged of my record. Hopefully when that's done I can go to more countries
@@slim_gs3005 You have to go two or three years without getting in any trouble you can’t have any more offenses and it’s anywhere between two and $5000 to get it done I tried I didn’t get it done and I just walked Vietnam and Teaching here for four years
Paul McArtney enjoyed some jail time in Japan. Paris Hilton was not allowed to enter and was on the tarmac for a few days and sent back, return to sender.
There’s no shit job, only shit people. Teaching is a very rewarding job where you can have an impact on the society. You guys are looking down on thousands of people who are doing their best to bring something to the community.
Thank you for sharing this. I'm sorry to hear both your stories. Your exit plan is extremely solidl. I wasn't able to do this on time and had to return to my home country. But yeah I really relate to the experience of being treated as a number and how the job quickly loses merit.
Thats one of my things. I cant work for companys that only see numbers. I have done in the past and quickly realised any longer than 6 months and my mental health goes out the window. So ya id advise to do something that atleast interests you otherwise it could do more damage than good.
Mate, been there and done that. :) I used to be an ALT in Tokyo. One School made me get the students to repeat after me 1 to 100 everyday.. human tape recorder. 😂
As long as your paying the boyz that work for you more then 250,000 yen a year the boyz working for you are lucky. I couldn’t survive here on less then 10 million yen a year, feel sorry for them that think this place is worth living in making less then that…good advise in this video…. Don’t work for a Japanese company work for a American or European company and actually get paid well.
Saw this while looking around at teaching in japan videos, i wanna be a music teacher and am in college for music education. Would you guys know any details about using english teaching as a stepping stone to getting a different teaching job in japan?
Sure, but there aren't many jobs as music teachers in Japan in Japanese schools. At international schools for sure but teaching English in Japan won't help for that. Finish your education, work as a music teacher in your home country a couple years and then you can go on the international school circuit including Japan.
if im married with children but i have the degree and i want my small children to enjoy japan as well if i get a job there will my kids be able to come?
I was trapped in English teaching for 18years in the same company. The first 5 years it was really nice. Like a big family and better pay than any other school in the area. Then they expanded and the shitter overflowed. Haha But I was trapped for 12 something more years. Finally got out of the eikaiwa trap because of my new wife. Never work for any eikaiwa. Period. If you want to get into Japan and all you have is teaching English, at least try to work for an elementary school. That way better and they don’t treat you like a chair in the classroom. But get out of this job as soon as you can. And find something better. Sammir said it already.
@@wudres6462 do what you like. Sign up at some of the job searching companies. Their job is to find you a job. If they do and you start your new job, they get paid.
Can you do one for those that will work for a university? I'm 2 semesters from finishing my Masters degree for teaching students that are English Learners. I have my teaching degree already.
Is it possible for a non-native speaker to find a job in Japan? I’m Chinese teaching ESL in China. I’m a proficient English user and have been teaching English for 4 years. I’m holding a master’s degree in Linguistics and a Ofqual- regulated TEFL certificate. Do you think is it possible for me to start my teaching career in Japan?
A stable job for at least a year in a country where the cost of living is actually obtainable? I’d do manual labour if I needed to, sign me the fuck up
It’s not a trap! For one, you’re probably an ALT and not an actual teacher, do you have your teaching license?then your not a teacher. Also do you have a masters so you can teach at a university?
When I did it, over 20 years ago, it wasn't that bad. But wages have not increased over that time-frame, so the 300,000 yen upper limit for teaching English in Japan have not changed - and likely will be the same another 10 years from now. So yeah, get in and then get out.
what, 3000 a month is "okay, not bad"?!? From where I'm from you make 1800 max, and can live perfectly. Can also be because ~40% of my country is considered "poor".
Well, that’s a lot to take in. But, let’s be serious. How many of us are cut out to be teachers? Most can’t give proper directions 😂 It just sounds like it’s a bigger hurdle then previously thought to live in Japan 😭. How is the market far as trade jobs? About that 180? (Cannot be ignored) 😂
i left after 3 months because i hated how they monitor you like a jealous wife and you had to take breaks in a tiny closet and sit on a stool designed for a child.
What are your opinions on Twitch & TikTok streamers walking around Japan causing problems. Steve.pov has done multiple videos about trying to stamp it out.
Just like with everything else, a very few bad apples doesn't represent the general consensus of streamers/tiktokers in Japan. As long as they aren't breaking any laws, streamers/tiktokers should have the right to stream and make videos as they please.
Not an option for someone not native English speaker! I'm looking to move to Japan as an experienced car mechanic/fabricator. I used to send CVs for English teaching jobs in Japan 10 years ago, but I don't think I would take the BS at my age now. English teaching is for people in their 20s. Now it's more of looking for a decent car garage doing odd and interesting jobs including EV conversions .... or going my own way with starting a company of my own in Japan. Certainly hard to do with Japan's bureaucracy and certifications needed to work on cars.
If you're fluent in Japanese and have the proper qualifications, then there are plenty of jobs. Otherwise, I don't know why people think they can show up in a country where they barely speak the language and have no relevant qualifications/experience, but have a comfy life be magically handed to them.
Living in Japan is NOT the paradise it's made out to be. You will ALWAYS be a "gaijin" (foreigner), no matter how well you speak Japanese or assimilate into the culture.
