Is it possible to get a job teaching music at a university in Japan? and can university jobs be found from outside of Japan, or do I need to be in the country to start looking?
Im a US citizen with a Master’s of Music, 1 published music article, and a CELTA. Employers have not actually been that thrilled about my 2 seemingly unrelated areas of interest (music and english.) I have teaching experience in both fields from high school up to university level. I currently teach english in Turkey but I am not planning to stay here much longer.
I think it would be easier for me to find a job teaching english in japan, which I am open to, however in the long run I feel that maybe employers wouldnt take me seriously in music.
Japanese language level is 0
6 comments
With zero Japanese it is basically impossible. With fluent Japanese it is highly unlikely you’ll be able to find university work in Music. A Master’s probably won’t cut it. If you had a US teaching license and experience teaching music in schools, an international school would be a possibility (competition is FIERCE for music positions, though). If you want to teach music at the university level in Japan you will likely need a doctorate, very high level Japanese, good networking skills, and a lot of luck.
I have 0 japanese ability, but I teach in the university level. Will you find university jobs specifically for music? highly unlikely. I have been around the uni scene for 5 years and I have yet to see one ask specifically for music teachers. However, you can incorporate music into your English lessons at the university levels, depending on the school. You need one that doesn’t have a coordinated curriculum if you want to do that.
Most Universities require that you have minimum of 3 publications to be considered for a full-time position. the CELTA will help get a foot in the door. but not that much. you can opt for Part-time university positions. where they expect teachers not to have publications and use that to then start writing articles. with your masters you will have a leg up. but they want more of a masters in linguistics.
With no Japanese ability getting a University job outside of teaching English will probably be close to impossible.
As another comment mentioned, you’d have *slightly* better chances looking at international schools, but music is not really a subject in demand (not to mention most schools probably only need 1), and while you have decent qualifications, you’d need an active teaching licence as well (which you didn’t mention in your post).
Short answer: no
Longer answer:
Increase your publications by about fifteen and get to JLPT 1 (2at the very very minimum) you’d have a shot. A PhD would probably be necessary too.
Sorry for the bad news, but don’t let it get you down, get to work! 🙂
Currently a music teacher in Japan. You need your licence or no dice.
Even with a licence it is quite difficult to land a music teaching position. There are already many Japanese music teachers, even in International Schools. The roles that are available are very scarce and turnover is quite low.
There are some companies that hire studio music teachers so that is another possible route.
my (international) school has an American music teacher, teaching PYP and middle schoolers.