Site Search:
 
Get TEFL Certified & Start Your Adventure Today!
Teach English Abroad and Get Paid to see the World!
Job Discussion Forums Forum Index Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Students and Teachers from Around the World!"
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Is it possible to work in Japan without a degree?

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Japan
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
kawaiikunoichi



Joined: 10 Sep 2012
Posts: 1
Location: Sydney

PostPosted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 12:11 pm    Post subject: Is it possible to work in Japan without a degree? Reply with quote

I apologize in advance if this question has been asked many times before.

I have a certificate IV in TESOL with no teaching experience and i am looking for a way to get started.

Any advice would be much appreciated!!! Smile
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
GambateBingBangBOOM



Joined: 04 Nov 2003
Posts: 2021
Location: Japan

PostPosted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 1:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you are married to a Japanese national, then you can get a spousal visa.

If you have three (I think) years or more of experience, then you can use that instead of the undergraduate degree to get a visa.

If you are a bartender you may be able to get an entertainer visa.

If you are a pro-sports player then you could get a visa.

If you are (and you ARE, according to what you wrote above), a regular person who just wants to teach English in Japan but are not married to a Japanese person then no, you cannot teach English in Japan without a degree.

Sorry. Try China. Or South America (or maybe Mexico?).
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
thomthom



Joined: 20 May 2011
Posts: 125

PostPosted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 7:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Finding ESL employment in basically any country without having a bachelors degree is very, very difficult. I could only imagine it possible in the most dodgy schools and in the worst locations. And Japan is generally a more competitive place to find employment than Korea, China, or most SE Asian countries.

Anyway, short answer: you literally cannot get a teaching visa without a degree.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message AIM Address
Glenski



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

PostPosted: Sun Jan 13, 2013 11:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

gambatte is right about the 3 years of related work experience necessary.

Moreover, your avatar shows Sydney, so are you Australian? If so, you might be eligible for a working holiday visa (which requires no degree and no sponsor for a visa).
http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/w_holiday/index.html

In addition, if you are married to a non-Japanese who has a visa to work here, you don't need a degree to work, but it will only be part-time. Same goes if you are a student visa holder.

I strongly urge you to get a degree if you are interested in making TEFL a long-term career. You will only be disadvantaged without it.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Pitarou



Joined: 16 Nov 2009
Posts: 1116
Location: Narita, Japan

PostPosted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 6:31 am    Post subject: Re: Is it possible to work in Japan without a degree? Reply with quote

kawaiikunoichi wrote:
I apologize in advance if this question has been asked many times before.

I have a certificate IV in TESOL with no teaching experience and i am looking for a way to get started.

Any advice would be much appreciated!!! Smile
No degree, no experience, and no special ties to Japan = no visa. Sorry, pal. Try elsewhere.

(The forum rules include strict sanctions against any discussion of fake degree certificates, so please don't ask about it.)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Pitarou



Joined: 16 Nov 2009
Posts: 1116
Location: Narita, Japan

PostPosted: Tue Jan 15, 2013 6:34 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

GambateBingBangBOOM wrote:
If you are a bartender you may be able to get an entertainer visa.
But you'd have to work as an entertainer.

(Surprisingly, working in an eikaiwa does not count as being an entertainer!)
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Job Discussion Forums Forum Index -> Japan All times are GMT
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


This page is maintained by the one and only Dave Sperling.
Contact Dave's ESL Cafe
Copyright © 2018 Dave Sperling. All Rights Reserved.

Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group

Teaching Jobs in China
Teaching Jobs in China