Japan English Teacher Job Advertisements
Newspapers
Magazines
Universities
Japan Association of Language Teachers
Teacher Brokering Companies
The JET Program
Sending Organizations
AEON Inter-Cultural USA Corp.
American Eigo Gakuin
English Language School International
GEOS Corporation
Other Sources
International Centers
These centers have a combination of facilities to promote "internationalization," including libraries, conference rooms, and information boards for foreign services. International centers are usually great places to post your personal ads, because people with international interests frequently peruse the boards.
For additional information on local job opportunities, contact the local YMCA and other international organizations.
The Japan Times, The Daily Yomiuri, and the Asahi Shinbun all publish English -language papers that contain job listings. The best place to find a current listing of available English-teaching jobs is in the Monday edition of The Japan Times, which has between fifty and seventy-five advertisements seeking English teachers. Don't discount ads that list requirements like, "Teacher must have TESL certificate, working visa, and experience." While these requirements intimidate most inexperienced English teachers, we recommend calling anyway. There usually aren't enough unemployed teachers with these requirements to fill all the jobs. Furthermore, these schools often need teachers immediately, and may forego their stated requirements in order to meet a hiring deadline. In the Kansai area (Kyoto, Kobe, Osaka), job vacancies are also listed in the monthly publication Kansai Time Out.
The Tokyo Journal is an excellent resource for job listings, housing, and other useful information for the English-speaking foreigner.
Many English teachers advertise their services on university job boards by posting notices that include their name, phone number, and qualifications. You may want to do this too.
Japan Association of Language Teachers (JALT)
This association, which was created to improve English and Japanese language teaching and learning, has information on ESL jobs for those who have a degree in teaching English, TESL certificate, or the equivalent. They publish an annual journal and a monthly newsletter, and hold monthly meetings. This organization also provides grants for research and material development. JALT can be reached at the following address:
Executive Secretary
Japan Association of Language Teachers
Nishi-Uru, Shio-Jo, Karasuma
Shimogyo-Ku
Kyoto 600, Japan
(075) 221-2376
Teacher Brokering Companies (TBCs)
TBCs act as brokers for Japanese public and private English schools, including junior and senior high schools, English conversation schools, in-company schools and vocational schools. They offer no in-house English classes, but they generally put their trainees through a two-week, paid training course and hold monthly meetings with all their teachers. Some of the advantages of working for TBCs are:
- High wages - about ¥3,500 per hour
- Paid vacations
- Training
- Access to teaching resources and audiovisual equipment
- Guarantorship
- Help finding and sometimes paying for an apartment
These are two of the major teacher brokering companies:
Tokyo Language Institute (TLI)
Jishido Building, 6F
Higashi-Ikebukoro 2-56-2
Toshima-ku
Tokyo 170, Japan
Universal Language Institute (ULI)
Kinoshita Royal Building, 5F
4-5-7 Koenji Minami
Suginami-ku
Tokyo 166, Japan
(03) 5377-3801
The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET) is an international exchange program sponsored by the Japanese government which seeks to help enhance internationalization in Japan by promoting mutual understanding between Japan and other nations. The goals of the program are twofold: to enhance foreign language education in Japan; and, to promote international exchange at the local level through fostering ties between Japanese youth and citizens of other countries. As of summer 2003, the JET Program has over 6000 participants from 38 countries. Participants are placed in either Japanese public schools or Japanese local government offices all over Japan.
Positions Available
The position types and basic skill requirements for each position are as follows:
1. Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) - no Japanese language skills or prior teaching experience required.
2. Coordinator for International Relations (CIR) - significant Japanese language skills required.
3. Sports Exchange Advisor (SEA) - coaching skills required, and minimal Japanese language skills usually required.
Requirements for all positions
- Citizenship in one of the 38 countries which participates in the JET Program
- Bachelor's degree prior to departure for Japan
- Cannot have lived in Japan for more than 3 years in the last 8 years
- One-year commitment (JET Program contracts generally begin in July or August of each year, and last for one year with the option to renew for an additional one to two years.)
Benefits for all positions
- Guaranteed salary of ¥3,600,000 per year
- Paid airfare to and from Japan
- Health Insurance
- Pension Benefits
- Language and cultural training before departure to Japan
- Work Visa and guarantor
Applying for the JET Program
Applications for U.S. and Canadian citizens will be available for the 2004 JET Program in September 2003, and are due the November (Canada) or December (U.S.) prior to departure for Japan.
- More information and an application for U.S. citizens can be found at www.us.emb-japan.go.jp
- If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, please contact your local Japanese embassy or consulate for more details or visit the CLAIR website at www.jetprogramme.org
Frequently Asked Questions about the JET Program for U.S. citizens.
Sending organizations are recommended for people who want to have a teaching job before they get on the plane to Japan. Applicants must be willing to commit to teaching for at least one year. These agencies screen, interview, and hire prospective applicants on behalf of schools in Japan. Compensation varies widely depending on the school, but typically includes a competitive salary, room, board, health insurance, and round-trip airfare.
AEON Inter-Cultural USA Corporation
AEON recruits throughout the United States and Canada and places North American teachers in their 270 branch schools in Japan, which are located in both rural and urban areas. Teachers are given a choice between teaching in either adult or children's schools. Interviewing takes place in the United States and Canada. Apply by sending a resume and an one-page essay entitled "Why I Want to Live and Work in Japan."
Requirements
- One-year commitment
- Four-year degree
- Native fluency in English
Benefits
- Return airfare
- Fully furnished apartment plus key money and deposit
- Subsidized rent
- Three weeks of paid vacation
- Monthly salary of ¥255,000
- Health insurance
- Visa and guarantor
- Paid training in Japan
- Cash bonus on completion of contract
- Renewable contract
For more information on working at AEON and complete details on their requirements and benefits, visit our AEON Corporation of Japan page or contact the office closest to you:
LOS ANGELES
AEON Inter-Cultural U.S.A.
1960 East Grand Avenue, #550
El Segundo, CA 90245
(310) 414-1515
CHICAGO
AEON Inter-Cultural U.S.A.
203 N LaSalle Street, Suite 2100
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 251-0900
NEW YORK
AEON Inter-Cultural U.S.A.
230 Park Avenue, Suite 1000
New York, NY 10169
(212) 808-3080
TORONTO
AEON Corporation
145 King Street West, #1000
Toranto, Ontario M5H 1J8
Canada
(416) 364-8500
VANCOUVER
Adler Recruiting Service
424-301 Maude Road
Port Moody, BC V3H 5B1
Canada
SYDNEY
AEON Corporation
Level 66, MLC Centre
19-29 Martin Place
Sydney, NSW 2000
Australia
(02) 9238-2348
Applicants who are already in Japan:
Teaching adults and some children;
AEON Japan
Shinjuku I-Land Tower Bldg. 12F
6-5-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
Tokyo 163-1377
Japan
(03) 5381-1500
Teaching children only;
AEON Amity
Okayama Administration Office
2-3-23 Kousei-cho, Okayama-shi
Okayama 700-8610
Japan
(086) 224-1611
America Eigo Gakuin (American English Institute, Inc.)
Since 1984, AEG has been sending teachers to Japan. At present over 3,000 students are enrolled in the Institute's 24 schools located throughout the country.
Requirements
- Native fluency
- Four-year degree
- International driver's license (if you plan to lease a car)
- Sincere desire to teach and an outgoing personality
Benefits
- Orientation and training
- Guaranteed salary of ¥250,000 per month
- Fully furnished apartment
- Reimbursement for all business-related transportation costs in Japan
- Access to health insurance
- Assistance with maintenance costs for leased cars
- Two weeks paid vacation
- Visa and guarantor
For more information and an application, contact:
America Eigo Gakuin
Attn: Robert Purcell
P.O. Box 1672
St. George, UT 84771
(801) 628-6301
English Language School International (ELS)
ELS regularly hires Americans to teach at one of their several branch schools in Japan. ELS will assist with your work visa, housing, and in most cases with travel arrangements.
Requirements
- One-year commitment
- Four year or bachelor's degree
- Completion of a 130-hour TESL program
- Native fluency in English
- Preference is given to individuals with at least one year of ESL teaching experience.
For more information or to apply to ELS, you can contact them at:
ELS Language Centers
Attn: Director of Field Operations
5761 Buckingham Parkway
Culver City, CA 90230
(800) 468-8978
GEOS Corporation is a network of over 230 English conversation schools throughout Japan. Send a resume and cover letter to apply.
Requirements
- One-year commitment
- Four-year or bachelor's degree
- Native fluency in English
Benefits
- Subsidized apartment plus key money and deposit
- Orientation courses
- Salary of approximately ¥250,000 per month plus incentives
- Overtime pay up to ¥40,000 per month
- Visa and guarantor
- Basic health insurance
- Training and free Japanese lessons
- Cash bonus upon completion of contract
For more information, contact:
GEOS Corporation
Simpson Tower, Suite 2424
P.O. Box 46, 401 Bay Street
Toronto, ON M5H 2Y4
Canada
Phone: (416) 777-0109
Fax: (416) 777-0110
Other good sources are the local city hall, JR station, and library, where notices of international club meetings and activities are often posted. These meetings are a great way to meet other teachers and gaijin and to get new job leads.
