Advise for teaching opportunities in Japan for retired teacher

I’m posting on behalf of my dad. He has expressed to me numerous times that he would like to do a stint in Japan teaching English. He’s been a teacher in Australia for his entire career (35+ years) and spent some time in Japan growing up form age 12-15. He envisages working there for 6 months or so after he retires from teaching next year – not necessary a full on teaching role, more so for the experience of reconnecting with a country that has a special place for him. He’s a bit unsure where to look for the opportunities and what the process is so I would really love to hear if anybody has any advice for me dad (e.g. job boards, types of schools, regions) :3

I should note that he is 60 years old (I’m uncertain if this would be a big factor companies would consider when they’re hiring).

4 comments
  1. I don’t want to be negative, but I think there are very few opportunities for him.

    If it is just 6 months work he is looking for, and the chance to reconnect to Japan, then he is better off doing it as a tourist and enjoy himself for as long as he can get a visa for rather than trying to work.

    He could try to find avenues to volunteer teach people as a way to find connections, but the chances of anyone giving a work visa are really quite slim unfortunately.

  2. Westgate does 3 month or 6 month gigs. Teaching lower level English conversation to college students.

  3. Unfortunately the age will be a bit of a hurdle, but it isn’t a deal breaker. As a lifelong teacher, I think he’d probably hate the teaching opportunities here. They are really built around exploiting fresh grads who don’t know any better, and are more entertainment/customer service than actual teaching.

    If he has a decent savings, he should consider coming as a tourist for a few months or coming under a cultural activities visa to learn something like calligraphy, flower arrangement, archery, or some other traditional culture field that interests him.

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