How to teach English in... Japan: step-by-step guide

A land of grace, elegance and stunning natural beauty, Japan is unlike any other country on Earth. For anyone seeking a life-changing adventure, few places can hold a candle to the Land of the Rising Sun.

There’s no doubt Japan is one of the best places to teach English abroad. But how do you go about it?

As one of Spain’s best rated TEFL schools, at TEFL Iberia, we’ve got plenty of experience helping English teachers set up a new life overseas. Plus, we have connections in the Far East.

From requirements to FAQs, here’s our guide to teaching English in Japan.

What you need to teach English in Japan

Bachelor's degree

You’ll need a bachelor's degree from a fully-accredited university to be eligible to teach English in Japan. This doesn’t have to be related to English, but English degrees are sometimes preferred by certain Japanese employers.

TEFL certification

A TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification is highly recommended. You might be tempted to try to teach English in Japan without one, but trust us… the vast majority of employers will insist on a TEFL certificate from an accredited provider. Our intensive TEFL course in Barcelona is fully Trinity CertTESOL accredited and would stand you in good stead. Not only that, it only takes 4 weeks to get your certificate, so you can be qualified and ready to head towards Japan in no time, if that's the plan.

Native level of English

To teach English in Japan in a local school you generally need to be a native English speaker. Most schools will only hire teachers who are from the so-called “Big 7” countries. These are the UK, Ireland, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Non-native English teachers with a TEFL certificate may be able to find work with private companies.

Health and drug tests

In line with the country’s official regulations, you’ll be required to pass a health exam and  drug test to teach TEFL in Japan.

Criminal background check

To be able to teach English in Japan, you’ll need to prove you have a clean criminal record. There are different ways to apply for a criminal background check, depending on your country of residence. In the UK, you need to apply for an ICPC (international child protection certificate) through the ACRO Criminal Records Office. In the US you need an Identity History Summary Check, known as a rap sheet, from the FBI. 

Visa

To teach English in Japan, you’ll need a work visa. This can be quite tricky, as there’s a lot of bureaucracy involved. The process involves submitting specific documents to a Japanese consulate in your country of residence.

There are a number of providers who offer TEFL programmes with job placements. We recommend going through one of these, as they can help you complete the Japanese visa application process. 

Teaching English in Japan: FAQs

Can I teach English in Japan without a degree?

No. You will need at least a bachelor’s degree to teach English in Japan. 

Can I teach English in Japan without a TEFL certificate?

Generally speaking, yes. There may be a few exceptions where you can teach English in Japan without a TEFL certificate. But we highly recommend getting your TEFL certification if you’re interested in going to Japan to teach English. 

How much do English teachers get paid in Japan?

As an English teacher in Japan, you can expect to make between €1,200 (¥208,500) to €1,700 (¥295,000) per month. This will give you enough money to live comfortably in one of the country’s major cities and explore the rest of Japan.

Experienced English teachers teaching English at Japanese Universities or other academic institutions could make as much as €3,000 (¥520,000) a month. 

Are English teachers in demand in Japan?

Yes. Japan increasingly values the ability to speak English, with a particular focus on teaching English to children in schools, to young adults in universities and to professionals in businesses across the country. As a motivated TEFL teacher, you should be able to find employment at any time of year

What type of visa do you need to teach English in Japan?

You need a work visa. As we mentioned above, it’s best to get your Japanese visa through an accredited TEFL provider offering a placement program.

Does TEFL Iberia offer guaranteed placements in Japan?

Absolutely. In fact, it’s the best way to become an English teacher in Japan. 

When you complete the Trinity CertTESOL in Barcelona as part of our TEFL & Work Placement program, you’ll benefit from our extensive partner network to get a guaranteed job placement teaching English in Japan. 

Ready to take your first step towards becoming an English teacher in Japan. Contact our team at TEFL Iberia today!