Japan English Teacher Job Advertisements

International Centers

These centers have a combination of facilities to promote “internationalization,” including libraries, conference rooms, and information boards for foreign services. International centers are usually great places to post your personal ads, because people with international interests frequently peruse the boards.

For additional information on local job opportunities, contact the local YMCA and other international organizations.

Newspapers

The Japan Times, The Daily Yomiuri, and the Asahi Shinbun all publish English -language papers that contain job listings. The best place to find a current listing of available English-teaching jobs, however, is online! Even Craigslist has plenty of listings – see their Japan site. Don’t discount ads that list requirements like, “Teacher must have TESL certificate, working visa, and experience.” While these requirements intimidate most inexperienced English teachers, we recommend calling anyway. There usually aren’t enough unemployed teachers with these requirements to fill all the jobs. Furthermore, these schools often need teachers immediately, and may forego their stated requirements in order to meet a hiring deadline.

Universities

Many English teachers advertise their services on university job boards by posting notices that include their name, phone number, and qualifications. You may want to do this too.

Put up as many notices as possible. Job boards are usually located in the student center or areas that post job-related bulletins.

Japan Association of Language Teachers (JALT)

This association, which was created to improve English and Japanese language teaching and learning, has information on ESL jobs for those who have a degree in teaching English, TESL certificate, or the equivalent. They publish an annual journal and a monthly newsletter, and hold monthly meetings. This organization also provides grants for research and material development. JALT can be reached at the following address:

Japan Association of Language Teaching
Website

Teacher Brokering Companies (TBCs)

TBCs act as brokers for Japanese public and private English schools, including junior and senior high schools, English conversation schools, in-company schools and vocational schools. They offer no in-house English classes, but they generally put their trainees through a two-week, paid training course and hold monthly meetings with all their teachers. Some of the advantages of working for TBCs are:

High wages
Paid vacations
Training
Access to teaching resources and audiovisual equipment
Guarantorship
Help finding and sometimes paying for an apartment

The JET Program

The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET) is an international exchange program sponsored by the Japanese government which seeks to help enhance internationalization in Japan by promoting mutual understanding between Japan and other nations. The goals of the program are twofold: to enhance foreign language education in Japan; and, to promote international exchange at the local level through fostering ties between Japanese youth and citizens of other countries. Participants are placed in either Japanese public schools or Japanese local government offices all over Japan. Check their website for the latest details about positions available, pay and benefits, and more.

Sending Organizations

Sending organizations are recommended for people who want to have a teaching job before they get on the plane to Japan. Applicants must be willing to commit to teaching for at least one year. These agencies screen, interview, and hire prospective applicants on behalf of schools in Japan. Compensation varies widely depending on the school, but typically includes a competitive salary, room, board, health insurance, and round-trip airfare.

AEON Inter-Cultural USA Corporation

AEON recruits throughout the United States and Canada and places North American teachers in their 250 branch schools in Japan, which are located in both rural and urban areas. Teachers are given a choice between teaching in either adult or children’s schools. Interviewing takes place in the UK, Australia, United States, and Canada. Their website is loaded with information about upcoming hiring events, pay and benefits, job requirements, and more.

Other Sources

Other good sources are the local city hall, JR station, and library, where notices of international club meetings and activities are often posted. These meetings are a great way to meet other teachers and gaijin and to get new job leads.

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