Basically the title. I will be graduating from uni in Brazil at the end of the year and would like to spend 6 months to 1 year abroad once my degree is over. I am considering Japan because I hear that English teachers are in high demand and I would love to have a chance to experience what it is like living there for a few months (I am not interested in staying for more than that). I am worried that this will be extra hard or impossible for a non-native English speaker as they wouldn’t prioritize my application, so I thought I’d ask this community for help. Despite being Brazilian, I have lived in an English speaking country for over 3 years in the past and can communicate in English just as well as in Portuguese. I am sure I could pass any interviews/language tests they assign, but I need to get to that stage first. Another point in my favor is that I have experience as a language teacher and have even worked for a Japanese platform (Engoo) teaching English online.
If anyone here could share some insider knowledge and ideas to submit a successful application, I would be extremely grateful. Feel free to share tips and advice on doing an exchange in Japan as a Western/South American or your story if you have been in a similar situation.
Thanks!
2 comments
Hi! I’m a non native English teacher in japan, and it is possible to get a job here. it mostly takes determination and also a bit of luck. Big chain schools tend to discriminate more, so you have better luck with smaller schools or nonprofit organisations. Native speakers don’t really need any English teaching qualifications, but they’re super helpful when you’re not a native.
>I hear that English teachers are in high demand
For dispatch ALTs and eikaiwa this is no longer true as the boarders are open again and all the backlogs of people they’ve hired during covid are here or being brought in.
There is a shortage of English specialists teachers(JTE/NET) in public school but in order to actually teach English at a public or private school you need to have a teaching license in Japan. There are a few way of getting licensed but they’re not easy.
Being an ALT is another way to “teach” English in Japan. However this route also requires 12 years of education conducted in English for the visa.
If you do not meet the visa requirements for the instructor visa then your only option is eikaiwa. These are usually closer to after-school programs or educational entertainment than actual teaching. They are private entities so their hiring requirements may vary. Some do hire non native speakers so it’s definitely possible to get a job at one.
Lastly most contracts are usually 1 year long. Most companies aren’t willing to sponsor a visa for a shorter period.