Unlock Your Teaching Potential: A Guide to TEFL in Japan

By Yocia Oke | October 21, 2024

Whether you ask for tradition, culture, or cutting-edge modernity, the first answer that comes to mind is, no doubt, the country of Japan. It is a destination where ancient temples coexist with neon skyscrapers and where respect for heritage is balanced by a passion for innovation.

And amidst this landscape, where the country is starting to welcome people from all around the world and cementing its position on the world stage, the demand for English language education has surged. This makes Japan a top destination for aspiring teachers from around the globe!

Here, TEFL Japan—Teaching English as a Foreign Language—offers a pretty lucrative opportunity for people who want to begin their international teaching career and visit one of the top destinations in the world!

Whether you’re a recent graduate, a seasoned educator, or someone looking to make a career change, with a TEFL certification, you can open doors to a fantastic experience living and working in Japan.

In this guide, we will talk more about TEFL certification, its benefits, and how this can help you secure in-person and online teaching TEFL jobs in Japan. We’re also going to offer some practical tips and advice to help you get started!

What is TEFL?

Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) is a certification that can qualify you to teach English to non-native speakers. To do so, it teaches you the training and skills needed to teach English effectively in different environments, be it online or in classrooms.

However, unlike other certifications like TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) or CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults), this is focused more on teaching English abroad, which makes it perfect for TEFL teaching Japan.

If you’re looking to work as an English teacher in Japan, you’ll want to earn this certification before you go since it will equip you with pedagogical techniques, classroom management strategies, and an understanding of English language acquisition.

More importantly, TEFL certification will give you a basis to improve your employability since it is a recognized qualification that many employers in Japan look for.

Benefits of TEFL Certification

Once you have obtained a TEFL certification, you’ll be able to reap several benefits that you might not otherwise recognize.

For starters, TEFL increases your credibility as an English teacher by proving your commitment to providing high-quality education to your students.

This can increase your job prospects since a lot of English language schools and institutions in Japan require this certification for the teachers applying to those posts.

Moreover, a TEFL certification offers opportunities for career advancement and higher earning potential. With a recognized qualification, you can explore multiple options, such as private language schools, public schools, and even online platforms.

In the last case, online teaching TEFL jobs allow flexibility and convenience. You can teach from anywhere and often on your own schedule, which is pretty advantageous if you’re looking to balance work with personal pursuits or simply want to work from home.

Teaching English in Japan with TEFL

Japan has a rich culture and bustling cities, which makes for a pretty high standard of living. It’s an attractive destination for TEFL teachers that way, especially since there’s a demand for English teachers.

This demand is driven by a desire to improve English proficiency for travel, business, and cultural exchanges, especially as the world grows even more integrated.

Therefore, as a TEFL Japan teacher, you can have the chance to experience this unique culture firsthand, all from participating in traditional festivals to exploring stunning landscapes.

Additionally, Japan's educational system tends to put a strong emphasis on learning English, which means quite a large number of teaching opportunities, no matter whether you’re more interested in any type of job.

These can be working in a private language school, at a public school as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT), or through programs like the JET Programme.

Requirements for TEFL Japan

Of course, there are a couple of requirements for working in Japan, and, as mentioned previously, these include having a TEFL certification. However, additional requirements include a bachelor’s degree—although the field of study isn’t always specified.

Other requirements can include a clean criminal background check and a Japanese visa, though that may be circumvented via application and hiring processes, as well as the employer and teaching position.

For more details, you can refer to the International TEFL Academy’s guidelines.

Types of TEFL Jobs Available in Japan

Eikaiwa (Conversation Schools)

Eikaiwa, or conversation schools, are private language schools that focus on helping students practice English in a more conversational setting. Due to that, these schools offer flexible hours, which makes them popular for teachers who want a more dynamic classroom environment.

Assistant Language Teacher (ALT)

Then we have the ALT role, which involves people working in public schools as part of the Japanese Government’s programs. This position involves helping other Japanese Teachers with English lessons and participating in extracurricular activities.

JET Programme

The third option is the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme, which is a government-sponsored initiative placing teachers in public schools throughout Japan. The program brings with it a more structured support system. This includes orientation and cultural exchange activities.

If you’re interested, check out One Coin English for more information about different teaching positions available in Japan.

Online TEFL Japan Teaching Jobs

On the other hand, online teaching has become much more popular over the last couple of years, especially since the aftermath of COVID-19 shifted everything online, making it apparent to everyone the flexibility that comes with the job.

On that note, with the growth of digital platforms, online teaching TEFL jobs have boomed, allowing teachers from all over the world to connect with students in Japan from the comfort of their homes, within or without the country.

Challenges of Online TEFL Teaching

Still, there are a couple of challenges that come with online teaching TEFL jobs despite the benefits. These can include:

Technical issues
Maintaining student engagement
Managing time zones

However, with good preparation and the effective use of tech, you can overcome these challenges pretty quickly.

How to Get Started with TEFL in Japan

To get started with Japan TEFL, you’ll want to follow a couple of steps.

For one, choose a reputable TEFL certification program. After you’re certified, you’ll want to start your job search and explore the different teaching positions available in Japan. You can work towards networking and joining various communities to get insights and job leads.

If you’re concerned about living and working in Japan, you have to consider practical reasons like securing accommodation, understanding visa requirements, and adapting to local customs.

Check out this guide to understand more.

Conclusion

In short, going on a TEFL Japan journey can be a pretty transformative experience, and you might be promised both professional growth and personal adventure.

With a TEFL certification, you can unlock endless opportunities and immerse yourself in a rich culture.

If you’re passionate about teaching and eager to start your journey in Japan, think about joining One Coin English as a part-time English Conversation Teacher. Visit our One Coin English HireMe blog to learn more and apply today.