From marvelling at Mount Fuji and coo-ing at the cherry blossoms (sakura) in spring, to scoffing sushi, ramen and yakitori, there are countless reasons to visit Japan. Whether it’s the fascinating culture, the spectacular landscape, or perhaps the urban landscape and bustling city life that does it for you, you’ll never be short of things to see, do and eat here, whether you’re travelling for work or pleasure.
However, given that Japan is such a big country – with its capital city, Tokyo being the largest metropolitan district in the whole world – you might want to spend a few months exploring all that it has to offer.
With a Japan data eSIM, you can easily switch between cities, navigate unfamiliar streets, and stay connected without worrying about finding local SIM cards. It’s a simple solution that lets you focus on the adventure while ensuring you’re always just a tap away from maps, translations, and sharing your experiences.
One way to enable yourself to spend some time getting to grips with a country’s culture and way of life – beyond the typical 2-3 week holiday your average tourist might take – is to allow yourself at least a few months in which to explore the local area, and your surroundings. Teaching English abroad can make for a great way to do this. If you’re considering teaching English in Japan as a means to immersing yourself in Japanese life and culture, here are a few things to bear in mind.
A different culture
While Japanese customs and traditions are worlds apart from those of the Western world, this is part of what makes visiting the country so special and memorable, especially if you’ve never been before.
Teaching English as a foreign language, whether in Japan or elsewhere, you’ll need to be comfortable with learning about, and understanding, other cultures. These differences might be reflected in the way people behave at work, within an educational setting, in public, or around the home, for example.
Generally speaking, if you’re hoping to teach English in Japan, you’ll need to learn to accustom yourself to the following values and norms:
- Body language: Posture is very important in Japan. You should stand, or sit up straight, to show respect to others; slouching, or putting your hands in your pockets, can be frowned upon. Plus, always remember that many Japanese hand gestures have a completely different meaning to what they may have in your home country!
- Respect: Japanese people are very respectful of others, including their feelings. While it may go without saying, you should be equally respectful – not only of the people whom you encounter, but also of their heritage, culture and country, including their political and educational system.
- Saying ‘no’: Saying ‘no’ can be difficult for most Japanese people, because they believe it can indicate a lack of respect. Instead of turning you down, they might say something like, “I’ll ask my boss”, or “I’ll get back to you on that at another time,” when in actual fact, what they really mean is ‘no’.
- Asking for clarification: In Western society, asking questions about something we don’t understand might seem like a harmless thing to do; ever heard the saying, “It’s better to ask a question and be a fool for five minutes, than it is to remain a fool forever?” In Japan, however, asking for clarification can lead to embarrassment, as it may be seen as offensive or rude; it could signal that the person asking the question wasn’t listening properly or, alternatively, that someone had been unclear about something.
- Making mistakes: When teaching English in Japan, you’ll need to be mindful of how embarrassment, and the risk of losing face, might prevent students from raising their hands to answer, or ask, questions. If you notice your Japanese students avoiding conversations during their English lessons, this could well by why.
Don’t let these cultural differences discourage you from teaching in Japan, however. Most learners will look forward to your classes with great enthusiasm, especially if you can find ways to add variety to your lessons, and foster a supportive environment. In fact, many English teachers in Japan find that their students can be extremely caring and appreciative of their work.
Considering this, is it really any surprise that Japan is one of the most popular destinations for those seeking to teach English as a foreign language?
With its high salaries and perks, not to mention a far more streamlined recruitment process, Japan has made the transition for international English tutors as easy as possible. What’s more, teaching salaries in Japan are among the highest in Asia and, in many cases, reimbursement of training, accommodation, and flights is also available.
Where to work in Japan
As with most destinations, living in big cities in Japan is usually much more expensive than living in rural areas. As a consequence, salaries are often higher in urban areas. Wherever you choose to live, make sure you sign-up for a reputable eSIM for Japan to cut the cost of making calls and sending texts back home, and to friends and colleagues within Japan.
Generally, there are a few different types of educational institutions you could work at in order to guarantee a reliable monthly income. Usually, an English teacher’s salary ranges between 200,000 and 600,000 Yen per month, depending on the type of institution they work at.
Japan is home to several different kinds of educational institutions, including:
- Private academies: Working at an independent English language school, also known as “eikawa”, is probably the most popular choice. You should expect to teach for between five and eight hours a day, during both afternoons and evenings, to classes of around 10-15 students.
There are two types of eikawas: chains, or family run. Big chains have branches dotted around the globe, usually in larger cities. They usually offer a better salary, perks, and more opportunities for professional development. On the downside, however, teachers at these kinds of schools are often required to sell products to their students, which might be off-putting for some.
On the other hand, working at smaller, family-run ‘conversation’ schools can offer a completely different experience. These schools are usually located in rural areas, with fewer English teachers and students. These schools have a smaller budget for advertising, so they often struggle to stay in business, especially if the competition is too harsh. Although the class materials and equipment might not be up-to-date, you’ll usually find that you’ll have more freedom when working at these kinds of schools.
- International schools: These are primary and secondary schools where student proficiency is either intermediate, or advanced. To work at these schools, teachers are often required to have a minimum of two years’ teaching experience. In return, these roles usually offer an exceptional salary package with perks – so it’s not surprising that getting a job here is highly competitive!
- State schools: Generally speaking, Japanese state schools prefer to hire native Japanese teachers and international assistant language teachers (ALTs) to support them.
Compared to Western standards, the techniques used to teach foreign languages in Japan can be somewhat outdated. The role of an ATL is to provide students with a more practical and communicative approach to English language learning. As an ATL, for example, you’re often encouraged to expose learners, and colleagues, to your culture – especially if you’ll be based in a rural area. Expect large classes of around 35-40 students, with around 10-20 days off per year (not including national holidays).
- Government-led programmes: While some state schools hire their international teachers directly, others rely on the support of government-led programs. JET is probably the most popular program, due to the associated high salaries and regular pay increases.
While contracts usually only last for one year, they can be renewed for up to five years. While non-native English teachers are welcome to apply for this program, 40 is the age limit for JET participants. If you’re interested, there’s a useful program to guide you through all there is to know about JET – this is a must-read if you’ll be hoping to teach English via a government-led program in Japan.
- Universities: These posts are by far the most sought-after. Universities offer the highest teaching salaries in Japan, with up to three months’ holiday allowance. You’re expected to teach for between 10 to 15 hours a week, alongside completing various administrative duties.
Furthermore, Japanese university hiring standards are extremely high; usually, you’ll need a masters degree in a relevant field, in addition to vast teaching experience.
Living and working in Japan can make for an extremely rewarding and life-changing experience. However, the cultural differences can be challenging. Before committing to any kind of teaching role in Japan, do your homework in order to get a feel or taste of Japan, and think carefully about whether Japan is really the right destination for you.
Have you ever been to Japan? What advice would you give to someone visiting the country for the first time, or looking to settle in Japan on a longer-term basis?