Job Discussion Forums

lanturn_shark · Joined: 24 Oct 2016 Posts: 3 Location: Hikone

Hello, and thank you for admitting me to the forum.

I am a 26 year old white male (I noticed race seems to be a kicker in some of the postings here), and will soon be moving to Japan to live with my wife in Hikone. I will have a TESOL/TEFL certification in hand upon arrival, and since my wife is a Japanese national, I have a valid work visa.

From what I see on job postings and forums, many English schools in Japan prefer a bachelor's degree, which I don't possess.

I also read that a major obstacle in teaching English abroad is getting a proper work visa, which I have overcome with the help of my lovely wife.

I understand that my prospects aren't as promising as someone with a degree.

Will my lack of a bachelor's degree be a deal breaker in getting a teaching job? Will the fact that I have a work visa and TESOL/TEFL certification neutralize my shortcoming of not having a bachelor's degree, or is that a deal breaker?

I do have experience teaching private music lessons, and coaching at a music school, but none specifically in English.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

Miura Anjin · Joined: 20 Aug 2014 Posts: 40 Location: Japan

hi lanturn_shark,

I had a couple of colleagues at Nova who were in a similar situation to you but they had no problem getting the job, so you probably don't need to worry. You might end up working in the chain eikaiwa, which vary from not great to horrible, but if you're lucky you'll find something good. The fact that you have the TESOL/TEFL certificate might help (my ex-colleagues did not have one).

lanturn_shark · Joined: 24 Oct 2016 Posts: 3 Location: Hikone

Thank you Miura Anjin, I am relieved to read that. I will look into those schools and see what they are all about. Basically, I want to have enough work to supplement our income while I try to infiltrate to the music scene in Japan. Eventually, it would be great to transition to teaching private English lessons, but it would probably be best to get some more experience first.

Much appreciated.

rtm · Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 1003 Location: US

kzjohn · Joined: 30 Apr 2014 Posts: 277

The reason you see a BA being required by schools is that immigration requires it to issue a work visa. Since you don't need that, it is no longer an issue.

Mention early on to any potential employer that you don't need a visa (that you're on a spouse visa), and then that you have a T certification, and the degree question may never come up.

Good luck!

victory7 · Joined: 22 Mar 2016 Posts: 68

timothypfox · Joined: 20 Feb 2008 Posts: 492

victory7, perhaps this should not be directed specifically at lanturn_shark, but raised as a separate topic to discuss in the forums. This is a Japanese government problem of education law and oversight, not a job seekers specifically...

taikibansei · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 811 Location: Japan

To the OP, as long as you (and your wife) are realistic about and satisfied with the potential hiring conditions--low salaries (200,000-250,000 yen/month) with few perks/benefits and no hope of advancement--then come on over. Assuming you're under 40 and presentable, you'll eventually find work. As you'll be either an eikaiwa teacher or a dispatch ALT, you most likely won't be doing much actual "teaching," so having advanced teaching qualifications would be a bit of a waste. (The better ALT positions that do require good teaching will probably not consider you without a BA, teaching experience/qualifications, and Japanese language ability.)

lanturn_shark · Joined: 24 Oct 2016 Posts: 3 Location: Hikone

It's been a long time, but I just wanted to follow up on this and say thanks for the tips. I was able to get work as an eikaiwa teacher in Shiga. Nothing glamorous, but it works for me.

RE: victory7

I can see where you're coming from, it's probably frustrating to put all that time and effort into getting a degree and not get compensated fairly. It wasn't my intention to undercut more experienced teachers, but to simply live and work in Japan for a while.

That being said, I think someone in my same situation with more qualifications would have better opportunities to earn a good salary. So, if anyone is reading this that's in the same situation I was, I would definitely recommend getting at least a bachelor's degree if you're planning on staying long term.

taikibansei · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Posts: 811 Location: Japan

Glad it worked out for you!

Sudz · Joined: 09 Aug 2004 Posts: 438

Something not known to many people is the fact that you can get a work visa here with 3 years of verifiable full-time teaching experience (without a degree).

I had success with this in the past.