Hi!
While this is a visa question, it is specific for teachers. So I did read rule 1 but this still fits better here.
I was browsing through some international schools for a change of pace. Maybe I get lucky and and find an open entry-level PE position (highly doubt that one) or at least an internship in PE. Then it hit me. Immigration has some pretty high demands depending on the type of visa you get.
If those schools go by the instructor visa, you need a degree (done), a license (done) and 5 years of experience. (far from done)
Are the rules different for those schools? Or do they go by another visa? (like humanities. Doubt it is the professor one)
The reason I am asking this is because those schools usually ask for 2 years of experience for full positions. There is a huge gap between 2 and 5.
Another reason I ask is because, if I am lucky enough to be accepted as an intern when the hiring period starts, it would be ridiculous to ask for 5 years of experience just to be an intern, so something doesn’t fit there.
Last reason is that, if I do manage to save up or get a scholarship for the sports master’s I want to do in Japan, it would be a problem if I would not be able to get a job after graduating because of something like this, or I should better say not be able to stay in the country for the job that I would probably get with such high studies. Sure, at that point I would have a lot of other options, but international schools would still be high on the list. (the master’s is still only a dream but maybe I should think about a “what if” too)
I know as a sport trainer I need only 3 years and years spent majoring are included.( It is convenienly included in skilled labor) I am already done on that side. But PE in a school and coaching are different things. I don’t know if schools hire you as a coach.
How did other international teachers that started in Japan or switched to Japan within the first years go about it, what visa are you on?
I was going at it a bit blindly only considering the requirements of the schools, thinking the wouldn’t ask for anything below immigration. Maybe I am right, but maybe I am not, so please let me know.
Thank you!
4 comments
Hi there. I taught PE and coached co-curricular sports at several international schools in Tokyo.
Teachers at international schools are usually on the *Instructor* visa.
As you state that you are a qualified and licensed teacher, apply for each and every advertised PE teacher position you can find and try your luck.
The five years of experience rule for an instructor visa only applies to schools under the authority of the Japanese Ministry of Education (MEXT).
If the school is a JCIS international school (accredited overseas), the five year rule is waived.
If the school is an article one international school (accredited by MEXT), the five year rule applies.
I thought the X number of years of experience thing only applied if you were trying to get the visa without having a college degree
JETs who come to teach English in Japan are on instructor visas and definitely do not come with 5 years of experience; most come with none
I had just 1 year of experience when I got offered my current job. I’m on instructor visa.