For reference I have a BA and a TEFL certificate but no experience
I’m hoping to teach abroad in spring 2023 and ideally in Japan (but South Korea or Thailand’Vietnam etc would be nice too). Applying to Jet seems like quite the headache but they seem to be the only company on Glassdoor above 2 stars? I’ve been looking at Yaruki, Interac, Stars & Stripes and Westgate and similar places but each time I look at a review it says the programs are unorganized and ur often unprotected as an expat, like it seems intl schools are not the way to go? SOOOOO all that being said I just wanna know if this is a bite the bullet situation where I should pursue these jobs anyhow just so I can get my foot in the door? I’m used to disorganization lol I’ve been abroad a few times and I don’t mind a lack of structure but I don’t wanna be scammed or screwed ya know? So any advice is welcome as well as some schools/programs ppl have had good experiences with (any region is fine but Kanto or Kansai would be nice)
13 comments
There are posts like this every week, usually several. And we always answer in depth, with long descriptions. Did you scroll though and read them?
Why don’t you do that, then come back with specific questions. I don’t know about everyone else, but I’m tired of taking the time to answer the same questions again and again.
Okay. Here’s the rub: even JET is “disorganized” and every placement will be different from another. There is no standard experience.
Do you have a teachers license? Because you probably won’t be hired unless you have one. If you’re serious about a career in education, get licensed in your state. I wish I had done that before coming here. You can do it online but it’s much more difficult when you don’t live in the states.
Teaching English vs International School teaching are two vastly different worlds. One is just a job that allows you live in Japan and the other is an actual career in education.
You think the JET application is a pain? That’s standard even for international schools. Japan is super competitive because everyone wants to live here. So experience and a license are your ticket for entry to the IS game.
JET is not a company, it’s a government program.
To be honest, without a decent amount of experience in this country, a state/national teaching license, or a postgraduate degree, you’re not really going to get a job in a “reputable” school.
Apply for JET, even if it is a hassle. For somebody new, it’s probably the best “deal” of them all.
You don’t have what it takes to get on at an international school according to your OP.
Apply to JET and the rest of them.
None of the organizations you mention are schools, never mind international schools.
You need at least a teaching license and years of experience to land a job in international schools.
JET is a government program to bring ALTs and CIRs, not teachers.
What are your priorities/motivation for coming here? Eikawa, Interac etc are the bottom of the barrel so do prepare to get screwed. Disorganization will be the least of your concerns. I recommend getting some experience in your country first and shoot for a better position.
You are not going to get “screwed” or “scammed” on JET. You might not get what you want, but that’s not the same thing.
It is extremely difficult to find a reputable school that is willing to hire from outside Japan. Those that do generally require higher credentials and experience than what you’re reporting here.
The level of the industry you want to enter is very likely about to get extremely crowded now that Japan is fully opening up. There are good jobs at good schools, but they are competitive. If you want a shot at them, you need to demonstrate that you are worth taking a chance on. That means getting yourself in the country, either through a bad company that recruits abroad or jumping through JET’s hoops. That’s just the state of the industry in Japan.
Of the companies you mentioned, JET is an overall better deal than any of them. Good luck OP
The best way to answer this question is to ask – What are you plans for the future?
Do you want to do a “gap year” where you just spend a year or two adventure in Japan? If so, anything you apply (even Interac) would be fine
Credible schools that don’t require you to have native level Japanese? ASIJ, St. Mary’s, British School, Sacred Heart, Canadian International, Tokyo Waseda….
​
BTW, you didn’t list a single school in your post…
>a BA and a TEFL certificate
is not enough to get you a job at a credible school. JET is your best hope, pretty much everything else is a wash.
Want to work at a reputable school? Get a teaching license and work at an international school. Get an MA and apply to university jobs. Or, look at the requirements that private schools ask for and go down that route.
Don’t come to japan. The salary is so low it is laughable