Hello, I’m from Algeria and I have a bachelor degree in English language and literature. I will finish my Master’s in ESP ( English for Specific Purposes) this June/July. I don’t have any other certificate, however, I’ve done some in home tutoring of English/math since 2019.
I’m looking for teaching internship in Japan or even a teaching position. Do I have a chance or should I forget about it?
I’m currently living in my home country and I have never traveled to Japan before and I don’t speak Japanese.
4 comments
Depends what kind of ‘teaching’ job you’re expecting.
>teaching internship
There’s no such thing in Japan.
>teaching position
The main types of positions include ALT, JET, eikawa, local public/private, international school and university.
ALT and eikawa jobs will take anyone with a bachelors degree, doesn’t matter what it’s in. Consequently, these jobs pay the lowest.
JET is restricted to certain countries and has a stricter application process, but again you don’t need to be trained in a subject nor as a teacher to get in. Pay is better than ALT/eikawa.
Local public/private schools are out since you “don’t speak Japanese”.
International schools are out since you don’t have a teaching licence.
University depends on whether you have some publications out while doing your MA. But it also requires some proficiency in Japanese.
I will add to what has already been said that I worked with 100% fluent non-native speakers in eikaiwa, but they had a spouse visa. Language schools are more likely to give you a job if they don’t have to do anything with paperwork when you’re hired, but there are no guarantees, especially in the current market.
Other two commenters are spot one.
Here’s what I’ve seen as well if it helps.
I currently work as a part time HS teacher (contract) at a private school. I do not have a teaching license. My coworker is from the Philippines, speaks perfect English and teaches English well. She doesn’t speak Japanese, but she is licensed, has permanent residency already and used to work at an IB elementary school. We’re both contract workers, but we have both been encouraged to apply for their full time position. For the most part though, you will be required to have Japanese language ability if you are not a licensed teacher. You do have a degree in English Language though, so I think you could try your hand at an IB school- though I think you’d already have to be in Japan. You can check out gaijinpot and try searching in Kansai 🙂
You could also get your foot in the door with JET, I think it would be a positive experience. I haven’t tried it myself but I’ve read good things about the program. It seems others have also tried Eikaiwa like ECC to be in Japan as well.
There is a masters for English for specific purposes and not a general tesol one? That is very specific.