Job Discussion Forums

flow · Joined: 31 Aug 2012 Posts: 44

Hi there!

I am a qualified and experienced TEFL teacher, 46 years of age, non-native (born in Sweden but did pri/sec/uni in the UK) - still possible for me to land a teaching position at a primary/secondary school in Japan?

Thanks guys!

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

If those years in the UK total 12 or more, you qualify for an Instructor visa, which means you can be an ALT in a public school. You canNOT be a solo teacher there; that requires getting a Japanese teaching license by attending university courses here.

If you are licensed and have 2 years of teaching experience in Sweden (I think you meet those requirements), you can apply for international schools. I am not sure what further qualifications are needed.

Being 46 is not really a detriment.

G Cthulhu · Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2012 12:34 pm Post subject:

A Japanese teaching license requires you to pass the license exam in each prefecture. None require courses at a Japanese university per se. You didn't mention anything about having teaching qualifications other than saying "qualified and experienced" for TFL, so you're probably pretty limited beyond the usual gigs, which sucks based on the level of experience, but thats the likely reality. You'd clearly qualify for a visa because your entire schooling career has been in Eng environments. No reason to assume you could teach at an international school without a recognised subject qualification.

Good luck!

flow · Joined: 31 Aug 2012 Posts: 44

Thanks a lot for this G Cthulhu and Glenski!

I got a degree on top of that I have a TEFL Diploma (full-time 1 year course at Uni) and close to 20 years of teaching experience in several countries at language schools, public/private high schools as well as universities; teaching mostly English, also taught social studies from time to time.

I am not looking for an International school job per se. I am just looking for a normal teaching gig at a normal public/private Japanese school as an ALT. But I am not a licensed teacher. got a BA in an unrelated field plus TEFL, that's all really.

I also plan to take a CELTA in Japan with TEFL Life (also called TEFL International run by Martin and larry I think) as I have been away from teaching for well over a year now, gotten a bit rusty, and I want to be at the top of my game once again. So, anyone reading this, feedback on TEFL International Tokyo is very much appreciated!!

By the way, what is competition for jobs at primary/secondary schools like in the Tokyo burbs / Japanese countryside?

Also, if anyone reading this could shoot some info my way regarding pay and working conditions as an ALT in Japan, and if I would be able to bring in dependants after having obtained an ALT visa and been working in Japan between 3 to 6 months?

Thanks!

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

I agree with G Cthulhu about your eligibility for regular teaching work.

Competition for jobs here is very high. If you can't get an ALT position with JET programme (applications due end of the year, so check what your country's deadline is), then dispatch companies offer ALT positions, but they seem to have a less than stellar reputation, so keep that in mind.

Rural positions are in more demand by employers, since many/most candidates want the bright lights of the bigger cities.

Pay.
It has deteriorated in the last few years. What used to be a standard 250,000 yen/month is now variable. You could find something as miserable as 180,000 or as high as 275,000, but expect something more along the lines of 220,000 as an average. Locations will vary based on cost of living.

Employers are dodging the obligation to pay half of pension/health insurance nowadays by claiming only your classroom hours, so even though a job is labeled as full-time, to the government the employer makes it look like part-time and they can legally do that to save money. I'll let others describe ALT working conditions, but you can glean something from the JET program ALTs at bigdaikon.com .

Yes, if you get a work visa, you can bring in dependents. They will, of course, get a dependent visa. I don't think there is any delay in that.

G Cthulhu · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2012 1:31 am Post subject:

steki47 · Joined: 20 Apr 2008 Posts: 1029 Location: BFE Inaka

G Cthulhu · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2012 12:54 pm Post subject:

It was raised to 45 a couple of years ago around the same time they introduced the 4th & 5th year positions. The zeroing out of interview scores for anyone 45 or older was much more recent. I haven't looked to see if that's changed this coming cycle, but as far as I know that's still the guideline.

hagiwaramai · Joined: 24 May 2010 Posts: 119 Location: Marines Stadium

G Cthulhu · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2012 6:36 pm Post subject:

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

G Cthulhu · Posted: Thu Sep 13, 2012 6:17 pm Post subject:

mitsui · Joined: 10 Jun 2007 Posts: 1562 Location: Kawasaki

I think it is possible. I knew women from Korea and Poland who got jobs as high school teachers since their MAs were in TESOL from the USA.

I know a Finn who works at a university in Tokyo but she has a doctorate.

I think you could even get a job at the British Council.

hagiwaramai · Joined: 24 May 2010 Posts: 119 Location: Marines Stadium

weigookin74 · Joined: 30 Mar 2010 Posts: 265