Hi everyone. I’m just looking to learn about your experiences working part time in an Eikaiwa on a student visa (i.e. the hours, where to look for jobs, salary, general tips). For context, I am looking to join a Japanese language school for a year and have been considering what kinds of baito I can get to hold me over.
I also have no teaching background but it is something that I am interested to explore. Not sure if I will be considered a native, since I come from a SEA country. However, I have a Bachelor’s degree and can provide a certificate/proof of English as a Medium of Instruction.
5 comments
I did this, you’ll be limited to 28 hours a week, but I had trouble managing my workload and not neglecting my studies when I got over 15-20 hours a week. It’s all up to the school if they even want to take you on, they may want someone who can work longer hours.
Also, it by “SEA country” you mean the Philippines, that’s where most teachers at my old eikaiwa were from lol
According to google you have to apply through the municipal office and get approval from the school/your visa sponsor.
Personal experience I worked 5 to 8 hours a week under the table at a local Eikaiwa. So I just got paid in cash at the end of every week. Perfect for my weekends at the time.
I however do not recommend breaking the law.
Most of my overseas university students either part time work at
a) Connivence store – surprising doesn’t need a lot of Japanese especially if you get a night shift
b) Fast food e.g. Mcdonalds or Burger King – again not much Japanese required
c) One student worked at ECC teaching Korean part time
d) Factory
e) Work within the university e.g. TA
f) Free lance online stuff
A, B and E are usually the most respectful of the 28 hour rule. The student who worked at ECC had to quit because they did not respect the rule. The factory workers often have problems with management wanting off the books overtime and bullying.
You’ll likely only make minimum wage (around 1000 yen). Ideally you want a part time job which does not require any outside prep time or minimal prep time, which is why A and B are popular.
Sadly Universities are often harder on their foreign students because if you fall behind, theres no one to really help you. If you go missing (you disappear to stay in the country), it effects the ability of the university to sponsor future students.
If you want to improve your Japanese language at all during your off time, skip the English teaching and get a job in a Japanese setting when you’re confident your level is high enough (for most that is 4-6 months after school starts if you came in with N5 or so).
Also really don’t rely on part time income to help tide you over. It might help a little bit but if you need more you’ll easily go over the 28 hours and fall behind in your language school.
Bring enough money to do okay with or without whatever little money a part time job adds, live frugally, it’ll make your life much easier than thinking you can rely on the part time job even a little and surprise, you can’t.
Good luck.
I went to grad school in Japan and worked for Berlitz under the Part Time Guranteed contract while in school, I recommend this option if there are openings. Under that contract I was required to work 18 hours per week and was guaranteed ¥125,000 per month before taxes, which at the time covered rent and general living expenses. I could also add lessons and sometimes I took advantage of that to earn a bit more when I wasn’t as busy with school.
Unfortunately I think they’ve been trying to phase that plan out in favor of the “Part time Plus” contract, which requires 26 hours a week. It’s still legal in the eyes of immigration, but I think think it’d be hard to focus on your studies working that many hours a week.