Key Takeaways 🔑
- At a minimum, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in any subject to teach English in Japan at public schools and private language academies.
- Although a TEFL certificate isn’t required to teach English in Japan, it can make you a much more competitive applicant.
- Jobs at universities and international schools require additional qualifications like licensure, advanced degrees, and experience.
- There is no upper age limit to teach English in the Jet Program.
Whether you’re an experienced educator or a newly qualified TEFL graduate, Japan should be on your list of places to teach English abroad. English teachers in Japan enjoy a great quality of life while experiencing this beautiful and dynamic country like a local.
Read on to see if you meet the requirements to start your teaching adventure in Japan!
Minimum requirements to teach English in Japan
To teach English in Japan in private academies or public schools, at a minimum, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in any subject from an accredited university or college.
Native speakers from the US, Canada, Ireland, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa are hired preferentially over non-native speakers. However, there’s no law barring non-native speakers with high English fluency and experience from applying for jobs.
If you’re a non-native speaker, you may have a tougher time getting hired so be sure to highlight any qualifications (including English language test results) and teaching experience on your CV and in your cover letters.
A 120-hour TEFL certificate isn’t required but will definitely help boost your resume.
Qualifications for JET
The Japan English Teaching (JET) Program is a popular way to start a career in Japan as a TEFL teacher. JET is a government-run program that places Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) in public schools nationwide.
To qualify for JET, you’ll need to meet the following requirements:
- Have a bachelor’s degree in any subject
- Be a citizen of a participating country
- Not have lived in Japan for six or more years since 2015
- Not have turned down a JET placement in the previous recruitment year
Although you don’t have to be TEFL-certified to apply, acceptance to the JET Program is very competitive. Having a TEFL certificate will help your application stand out!
There is no minimum or maximum age limit for applying for the JET Program.
Qualifications for eikaiwas (private academies) in Japan
Eikaiwas are private English language schools that teach group classes to children and adults, often in the evenings and on weekends. Similar to the JET Program, all you need is a bachelor’s degree in any subject. Unfortunately, because the retirement age in Japan is 60, it is very difficult (but not impossible) to get hired if you’re 60 or older.
Native speakers are generally prioritized so non-native speakers would benefit from earning a TEFL or CELTA certificate in addition to their degree.
Because no experience is required, eikaiwas are a great place for beginners to start their teaching journeys.
Qualifications for international schools in Japan
International schools generally pay more than public schools and academies and often have more room for advancement. However, they have the most stringent requirements of all the options. To teach at an American or British school in Japan, you’ll need:
- Bachelor’s degree in education
- Teaching license from your home country
- 2+ years of experience
Most teachers at international schools teach the core subjects but many schools do have positions for TEFL professionals.
Qualifications for universities in Japan
Gone are the days when a master’s could get you a cushy university job in Japan. Now, you generally need the following to be competitive for full-time lecturer positions:
- PhD in English or related subject
- 10+ years of experience
- Publication history in peer-reviewed journals
Some part-time adjunct positions may accept a master’s degree but these are increasingly hard to come by in Japan.
Requirements for a visa
Teachers in Japan will need to apply for one of two types of work visas: the Instructor visa (for jobs in public schools) or the Specialist in Humanities visa (for jobs in private academies or companies). To apply for these visas, you’ll need to submit the following in your application packet:
- Valid passport
- Passport-sized photos
- Certificate of Eligibility (COE) from employer proving job sponsorship
While that sounds simple and straightforward, obtaining the COE can take up to three months. Before it is issued, your employer will likely request additional documents like criminal background checks, medical examination results, and certified copies of your degrees and qualifications. Once all that is done and the COE is issued though, it’s more or less smooth sailing!
How to get a job teaching English in Japan
You’ve got the right qualifications and are ready to take the dive. Here are some of the top ways to find and secure a job teaching English in Japan.
Be sure you’re applying to jobs through trusted sites and organizations. There are unfortunately scams that target unsuspecting teachers through fake job ads. Recruiters and teach abroad companies on GO have reviews from past participants so you can feel secure knowing they’re legit!
For more in-depth info on becoming an English teacher in Japan, check out our ultimate guide!
Start your adventure in Japan!
If you meet the requirements to teach English in Japan and have an open mind and sense of adventure, now is the perfect time to start your applications! Experience a vibrant culture, meet new friends, and gain valuable teaching skills as an English teacher in Japan.
