Hello!
I have been dreaming of teaching in Japan since when I was in senior high school. For almost six years, I promised myself that once I finished my degree in teaching, I would try to go to Japan immediately.
I finished my degree last month, But because of the pandemic, financial problems, and life pressure (my classmates already have jobs, and my family is asking me when I will have a job). I took a teaching position here in our country (Philippines).
My contract will end in May 2025, and my monthly salary is around 215 dollars. I honestly don’t have a problem with my salary (even though I know I deserve more). My problem is, my contract will end after three years. At that time, I am 26 years old.
My problem is that I feel like I am too old after I finish my contract. I regret signing the contract and not trying hard to apply to Japan. I am trying to look at things positively, and I am saying that in these three years, I will gain a lot of experience and have time to study Japanese before going to Japan.
I feel that three years is too long. I am overthinking if I will ever achieve my dreams. Do you think that when I turn 26, I will still enjoy Japan? Will I be too old for Japan or make a life there?
I feel unmotivated, but I always tell myself that I need to get through this if I want to go to Japan.
*Sorry for this post, If it may seem funny or what, but maybe I want an affirmation, that even if my initial plan of going to Japan didn’t happen, it will still happen and it’s not too late when it does.*
14 comments
You’re hyper overthinking
Don’t worry, you got this. 26 is still young and you’ll have lots of time to do what you want in Japan if you stick with it
Jesus Christ, kid. I’m 50 and am still enjoying living in Japan. There are non-Japanese teachers here working well into their 60’s and even 70’s.
Life doesn’t end at age 30, you know.
Actually, getting teaching experience in your home country before coming here is the best thing you could have done. Without a TESOL-related degree and a proper teaching license, you would have been stuck as an ALT or in an eikaiwa. Now that you have the right qualifications and experience, you can find a real teaching job.
What you should do now until the end of your contract is to focus on your Japanese language skills, which you will definitely need in order to find a job in the school system. And if you planned on teaching in a university, you’ll need an MA (if you don’t have it yet) and publications.
Without the prep work that you’re currently putting in now, you would have been stuck in a dead-end, low-pay non-career. But since you took the time and made the effort, and didn’t stupidly rush just to be in Japan for the sake of it, you have a MUCH better chance of a professional teaching career.
So relax – you’re doing it exactly right.
But next I would recommend interrogating yourself as to why you want to be in Japan so badly. The outside view of the country is quite different from the reality of living here, and people who come here without really understanding that often wind up disappointed and have the most difficulty acclimating.
So give that a think while you’re studying Japanese and keep researching, and don’t be afraid to change your plans if what you learn merits that.
Good luck.
>my monthly salary is around 215 dollars
Is this a typo?
​
26 years isn’t too old. I also don’t know Philippine law, but couldn’t you just… quit if you find a job in Japan?
I moved to Japan at 27. No regrets. 😀
I came here at 27. That was 15 years ago
I’m 40 and I’m still trying to figure out what my dream is. Don’t worry too much a out it.
Moved here when I was like 29 or something.
As long as your not an old fart getting a job teaching here is not difficult
I came to Japan when I was 29 as an ALT. I’m 33 now, married with a baby. It’s not a problem.
I came to japan right when I turned 27. No regrets.
You will meet people of all ages in Japan. People in their 40s and 50s working jobs alongside 20s and 30s. People with all kinds of different motivations and reasons for being here. You’ll be surprised at the diversity, which is not represented on here.
Given you’ve formal training as a teacher _and_ currently building experience in your home country, this would be considered one the best course of action to be on.
Take a look around r/internationalteachers for some helpful info but international schools around the world generally expect some domestic teaching experience on top of relevant qualifications.
Also 26 isn’t even old, wtf? I finished my teaching _degree_ at 26 lol. Maybe because you only did a bachelors but many people from western countries take up a masters too so starting work during late 20s or early 30s is pretty normal in this industry.
Think about it this way. You’re currently earning $215 (I assume USD). Would you rather be in Japan ASAP as an ALT/eikawa earning around the same, maybe up to $350? Or would you rather build experience and get hired by an international school earning at least $450+?
One of my colleagues is a Filipino who also worked in Philippines before this, I think she’s mid30s and has build an impressive resume in IBDP and it’s her first time to Japan and she seems to be loving it thus far.
I was 26 when I arrived recently. If you aren’t already, gain the life skills to live alone. It will make it easier. Also, study the HECK out of Japanese. It is certainly not too old.
I’m 27 and finally moving to Japan, would have been 25 but mfing Covid. I don’t regret waiting longer, the time I got with teaching practice through tefl put me in a better position for job interviews.