I’m currently at a crossroads in my life and wondering where I will want to work. Two of the places I’ve looked into is Sapporo and Tokyo. I was wondering how an US education degree (not sure what I want to specialize in yet) would hold up over there. As I know Japanese schooling is VERY different. If you wouldn’t mind enlightening me on this subject I’d be very grateful (and maybe educate me on the culture of Sapporo) thank you in advance!
3 comments
Do you mean you want to be an actual teacher in school and not just the “assistant language teacher”. It’s possible, but very unlikely that you can do it. If you have a masters degree and some teaching experience you qualify to work at an international school. That kind of work is rare outside of the Tokyo and Osaka megalopolises, so that’s likely where you’d be living.
Do you have teaching license from your own country? Do you have teaching experience in your own country? Do you speak Japanese at N2+ level?
Hokkaido International School in Sapporo might be an option, university teaching/Westgate also might be a possibility. Otherwise there is always ALT or Eikaiwa.
>…wondering how an US education degree
To work as a real teacher in a [legit international school](https://www.jcis.jp/) in Japan, will require:
1. Masters in Education,
2. State certification/license or full International Baccalaureate (IB) teaching accreditation,
3. Three to five years experience teaching in your home country with glowing recommendations, and
4. Dumb luck. Finding a job in an international school is insanely competitive in Japan because the thousands of ALTs and *eikaiwa* engRish teachers—AKA “dancing monkeys”—desperately trying to escape.
>education degree (not sure what I want to specialize in yet)
To work at an international school, it is best NOT to specialize/certify in teaching English because Japan has an insane over-supply. Getting teaching certification in STEM subjects will offer some slim hope of finding work.
>I know Japanese schooling is VERY different.
Now, if you want to dance the hokey-pokey, sing the body parts songs, and change diapers for minimum wage, Japan has just the job for you! /s