Hello! I’m currently an ALT and have been in Japan for about eight months. While I know that isn’t long, I know I want to live in Japan for a fairly long time if not forever because teaching in the US just doesn’t seem worth it, both from a financial perspective and a safety perspective. I know I’ll be an ALT for a minimum of 2 more years as I’m on JET right now, but I’m having trouble deciding the best path forward to achieve my goals. I currently have a bachelor’s degree, but I know most jobs here require a master’s degree (if you want to get a job that isn’t as an ALT or at an Eikaiwa). I would likely want to either teach at an international school or at a private school, and I potentially want to pursue a special license that would allow me to teach at a public school.
My Japanese isn’t good enough to obtain a degree in Japan (at least not one taught in Japanese), so it seems like my options are to either get a Master’s degree online while on JET or return to the US to get a teaching license and come back to Japan after three to five years of school plus teaching experience. I just don’t know if it’s better to stay in Japan (since getting back here can be fairly difficult, especially with the current pandemic) or to obtain a teaching license (which seems difficult to do online or I’d go for that option).
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Private Japanese school? They don’t really care about degree either. You can keep on the grind as an ALT in public schools for 2 years and then apply for private Japanese schools. It isn’t like either public or private really value the foreigners actual educational background or experience. (Unless it’s one of the Top 10 private schools. Other than that, it’s all fairly “Oh, native speaker! Go teach the class!”)
There are many in Japan with masters in Education, licensing from home, years of experience – and they all start the same place as a guy with a degree in basketweaving and nary a day in the class. At the bottom of the teaching ladder.
It’s time and networking here.
It’s good that you’re only 8 months in and already looking for ways to better yourself and your career opportunities! Yes, if you want to teach in Japan long-term, you would want to get either an MA or a teaching license.
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Do you want to teach at Uni? If so, I would get the MA and use some of the material in your coursework to get publicizations.
Or do you want to teach at an international school? In that case, you should go back to the USA for a few years and get your license.
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*Private schools don’t require an MA or teaching license. They will help put you ahead of other applicants but they aren’t required. Although private schools are just glorified ALT positions most of the time. You’re better off pursuing the Uni/Intl school path
*Another option is to pursue IB certificate and positions. IB teachers can get good money too
I would research universities that offer online master degrees in your chosen area of academics but also has a reputable undergraduate teacher licensing program.
I would recommend continuing your education today and moving back to earn the teaching license if you are interested at a later date.
You’ve been given some good advice by other posters here already, so I’ll comment on a part of your post that hasn’t been addressed yet.
You mentioned that you’d obtain a teaching license online if you had the option. I’m currently doing an online teacher preparation programme with Moreland University. It’s a 9 month programme that can be completed fully online. Successfully complete the programme (and pass the necessary Praxis exams) and you can obtain a teaching license. I’m also an ALT with JET (I’ve been here for 7 months) and the programme is very affordable even on our 1st year salary!
Of course having experience teaching domestically is going to make you a more competitive candidate for international schools, but getting your teaching license online whilst you’re in Japan is definitely doable.
Edit: clarity.
>I would likely want to either teach at an international school or at a private school, and I potentially want to pursue a special license that would allow me to teach at a public school.
I think you should really try and narrow your focus. Each of those have different requirements and you’re just going to unnecessarily complicate things for yourself.
>I just don’t know if it’s better to stay in Japan (since getting back here can be fairly difficult, especially with the current pandemic)
Assuming you do your 3-5 year plan, the pandemic is very unlikely going to be an issue by then. Borders are already loosening now, and I’d be surprised if it doesn’t reopen to tourists by winter.
>obtain a teaching license (which seems difficult to do online or I’d go for that option).
As a teacher at an international school, I’d recommend this. However as I said above, you really need to decide or at least have a preference for a specific type of school you plan to go to before you make your plan for the future. As others have pointed out, going to the local system (public / private) means that the “going home, getting licensed and domestic experience” isn’t really a priority like it is for the the international circuit.
ETA: also I’d like to point out that things will vary *again* depending on whether your future plan is to teach English, or another subject.
Get the license in your home country
Just an FYI. Every college I spoke to wouldn’t let me study since I wasn’t in America. I would omit the part of living overseas if you do go that route.
I went back to the US to get my teaching license in order to go back to Japan later. I feel like since you have a clear goal this is obtainable. Good luck and I hope you find the best path for you.
I’d go home and pursue the teaching license. It’ll be useful at home if you want to return and if you research about international schools you’ll find they are literally everywhere. A teaching license can take you all around the world. The only hitch I guess would be actually landing an international school job in Japan. The decent international schools are fiercely competitive to get into. You might find yourself in another country before getting back here.
Getting an online MA will be briefly discussed at this event tomorrow, if you are interested in learning more about uni teaching as an option as well! 🙂
https://hosted.jalt.org/chapters/kq/schedule/2022/june/12