Hello. I’m from a Western, English speaking country. I worked in Japan for roughly a decade at an *eikaiwa*. I hold a BA in Education from my home country too and I’ve taught in my home country as well.
Recently, there were two sudden deaths in my family. My brother passed away two months ago and left behind a wife and child. Plus, my mother-in-law (70) also passed away two weeks ago, leaving my 81 year old disabled father-in-law behind. We decided that we’d need to return Japan due to a variety of reasons.
However, I am a bit panicked after reading all the negative news about the teaching industry in Japan. I should make some points clear:
* We will own a house in Japan so we’re not paying rent.
* We will have about 20 million yen saved in total.
* We have a small child (will be 4 year olds when we move).
* My wife can make around 250k/month part-time.
I don’t need to make too much and I will inherit a lot of money in the future as well from my parents (hopefully not anytime soon). However, is 40+ too old to get a teaching job in Japan? I read in a couple of places that they only want to hire 20-something year olds and at my age it would be impossible.
Thank you very much for reading.
33 comments
Have you applied to any companies yet?
It sounds like you will be taking home combined maybe 350k with no rental costs. Won’t be luxurious with annual trips to Europe but should be fine for a middle class lifestyle
The fact that your have a spouse or PR type visa far outweighs the age thing. The reason they prefer the youth-hire is that those people tend to often be willing to be happy with the low pay and only stay 2-3 years. Older workers with more experience become frustrated with the pay easily.
If you are okay to start at about 200,000y to start as a supposed full-timer and slowly, maybe move up to 280,000 or 300,000 within 5 years, you should be fine. (Granted some can get a direct hire private school job within 5 years so perhaps 350,000-410,000).
My husband was 47 when he applied to an eikawa and got an offer no problem (no experience). He turned it down as he decided it wasn’t really wanted to do, but they didn’t seem to have an issue with his age.
You say you’ve taught in your home country. Was that all you did? You could potentially look into getting work in something else if you have the experience and just need to work on the language acquisition.
You are definitely not too old. Also, with a degree in education and experience teaching in your home country (I’m assuming you’re licensed/certified?), you should be looking beyond eikaiwa/ALT work. You can do a lot better and earn a lot more.
I think you will be fine getting a job if you are clean cut and not covered in tattoos
Shouldn’t be a problem at all.
Very sorry about your brother and mother-in-law.
In terms of your question – you’ll be fine. Probably not an overly extravagent lifestyle, but comfortable; Japan’s cost of living is much lower than people realize. And healthcare-related benefits are great, especially if you have a small child – healthcare for kids is free below certain incomes, various stipends from the government, which is kinda crazy (I’m way over the kakutei shinkoku salary level but still somehow get Y5000 per month per child…).
Sometimes, I think the answer to most questions here is Nike’s tagline “just do it “
Be aware that salaries for ALT have dropped to around 200K. Hard living on that amount in your 40s with a family.
>I hold a BA in Education
>I’ve taught in my home country as well.
If you’re a licensed teacher, you should apply to international schools. Age won’t matter at all, and you’ll have a better environment than some eikaiwa or alt job.
40+ is not too old. I have many friends working in the industry 40-60. Once they hit a certain age they can only do part time teaching. I think it’s 60 or 65?
If you enjoy teaching you shouldn’t have a problem settling back in. The salaries for ALT and Eikaiwa have changed a lot in the past 15yrs. It’s a lot less.
Try ALT if you want something different. I found it a better for my lifestyle because of the day hours, and having the weekend off, and there’s chances to speak Japanese with staff (depends on the schools). Also Eikaiwa’s 8-9 classes on a weekend was pretty hectic for me, and closing up, and leaving after 11pm – I was sometimes scared going home in the dark in inaka regions.
Then you can probably move into another job if you want to try another industry.
But you won’t have a problem starting at 40s. I’ve worked in a few companies and they don’t discriminate about the age when hiring. Being sociable, flexible, friendly, and doing well on the demo lesson and interview is probably what they look at the most.
You’re never too old to work 9 hour days without vacation for 220,000¥ per month from boarderlink, nova or some other trashy conpany.
Unless you don’t have a pulse. Then perhaps they wouldn’t take you.
Do you honestly want to teach at an eikaiwa? You are a real teacher, and presumably have knowledge of ESL methodology and pedagogy. Eikaiwa would be hell for someone with a teaching degree and real classroom experience. I kind of doubt they’d even want to take a chance on you. They don’t like to hire people who know their system is bullshit since those people tend to complain, try to change things, or quit really fast once they realize they can’t in fact change things.
You should look into higher education , or even ALT work, as you can work towards getting your Japanese teaching license and have your own classroom.
Barring that, look into teaching business English. It’s also a shit job but at least you won’t be policed as they tend to expect their teachers to already know how to teach independently and don’t make you follow some idiotic “method.” like eikaiwa do.
That’s my advice, as someone who’s done eikaiwa then moved into higher ed.
You definitely aren’t too old, having experience teaching both in Japan and in your home country is a major advantage.
A bigger concern would be Japan’s inheritance laws, it may be that after living here for a few years you could end up paying a lot more tax on your inheritance if it is coming from outside of Japan.
Aside from that though you’ll probably have a much easier time finding work and living here than a typical fresh off the boat college kid.
You’ll be fine.
You should look into teaching at an international school since you are certified in your home country and have experience. The hours and pay are much better and there is no to little cost for your children to attend. Plus retirement is quite good … just a thought.
I’m usually very negative about these kinds of posts. Weird ass people wake up and want to work here without ever visiting or knowing 2 things about Japan. Your situation is completely different. You’re married to a Japanese national, you’ve worked here before and have Japanese family here. It makes a lot of sense. I think you’ll have a much easier time getting a job than most people and your lifestyle should be fine(free rent and your wife working). Best of luck man.
Ezpz. You got this, sir.
If you can get your own visa… You’re hired. No problem. This is more important than any other hiring factor.
You should be fine, especially with your experience. Consider the ALT dispatch route, negotiate your salary 250~300 (Don’t let the kids here tell you it’s not possible, it is) I know of quite a few retired educators 60+ who consider ALTing part of their retirement plan. Easy 8:30~4:30 schedule gives you plenty of time with the family, covers your family’s healthcare and reduces your total tax exposure since it doesn’t take into consideration your savings. Check out this website, excellent adult community in Japan for financial strategies.
https://www.retirejapan.com/blog/the-retire-japan-master-plan/
Feel free to PM.
You need to be very careful. Teaching English in Japan now is a real shit show. Make sure you have a firm offer before you move. Are you going to send your kid to a Japanese school? International schools will cost you, big time. You mentioned an inheritance, if you are a tax resident here when you inherit, you will also be subject to Japanese taxes on your inheritance. If it is big enough it can be taxed at 55%. You really need to think this through, and make sure you make an informed decision. There are a lot more welcoming countries these days than Japan. I have been in Japan since 1989, my wife and I will relocate when she retires in a couple years. Not worth it to stay here anymore.
To be perfectly honest, having a BA in Education and having taught in your home country puts you leaps and bounds ahead of the typical yo 20-somethings that land here and aren’t as fussy about a low paying job in the Eikawa industry.
Also bear in mind that Eikawa is not the only avenue for teaching in Japan, and neither is the ALT gig. With your education and experience, there’s a very real possibility you can find teaching opportunities with international schools that serve the expat population or provide some sort of hybrid approach that caters to foreign and local clients alike.
But that only really applies if you’re living in or near a major metro area.
If you are planning to live within a reasonable distance to a major city (Yokohama, Osaka, Nagoya, and of course Tokyo), then I’d recommend you cast a wider net when it comes to teaching.
You sound very comfortable. You’ll be able to find jobs pretty easily. Direct hired by private schools prefer the experience and want reliable teachers more than others.
You’re good to go. Rent would’ve taken a big chunk of your pay. You’re qualified so get your licenses ready. International or private schools are best.
Never to late to be exploited.
Dude, I’m 44 with zero experience in teaching and I’m here doing it in Japan. It’s not a matter of age.
You should be aware, though, that the global economy is about to take – how shall I put it? A massive shit. One can blame the longterm debt-based fiat borrowing system and too much money-printing by governments for that. Japan will be affected too, and in no small way. So just be aware of that. Things will be getting harder.
The teaching salaries here are not improving, and are not likely to in most circles. As you probably already know, English is not exactly a priority for most in Japan and it will be among the first industries to be pared down, like most non-essential things in hard times.
As a fellow 40-year-old westerner also having to move to Japan in the near future I really appreciate this post and I’m sorry about your predicament OP.
Hopefully you’ll be able to make a smooth transition to life in Japan and if I ever come across you ocha is on me.
Stay in your own country and keep building there. Japan is a race to the bottom, and not something you want to be doing in your 40’s
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If you get that spousal visa or PR, you can definitely get something from a reputable school and just skip the trashy eikaiwas and sketchy dispatch companies. If you’re close to an MA, then you can probably just apply anywhere.
Re working even as an ALT etc in older age ….. yes, things have changed a lot here, while obviously still rare it is much more possible to work as an ALT etc past 40, even past 50 if you have the right experience (as you do it appears) etc