Job Discussion Forums

Jaochoo · Joined: 25 May 2003 Posts: 1

Greetings!

I hope this is not a re-hash of old material, but I was wondering if anyone could tell me the minimum qualifications for legally (with work permit and visa) teaching English in Japan.

I do not have a bachelor degree, but will soon have a TEFL certificate from Thailand where I intend to gain at least six months to a year's worth of experience teaching EFL. I am a youngish fifty years old and feel I will make an extremely good, dedicated, and dependable teacher. Also, if it is possible to teach in Japan with these minimum qualifications, what sort of remuneration might I expect?

Thanks, Jaochoo Smile

Lucy Snow · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 218 Location: US

Sorry to say this, but you will be unable to work legally in Japan without a BA. You may want to look into getting a job in China--from what I hear, many schools will hire you with only a Tefl certificate.

R · Joined: 07 May 2003 Posts: 277 Location: United Kingdom

Lucy meant without a BA! Very Happy

You could always start teaching somewhere that you don't need a degree, and do a BA via distance learning. Depends how long you plan to do the 'dance of a thousand mispronounications'* for, I suppose.

*Okay, this is lousy, but the best I could come up with.

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

Lucy Snow · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 218 Location: US

Thanks R.--should have read my post more carefully before hitting the "submit" button. Embarassed

Glenski--he's not eligible for the WHV because he's fifty years old.

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

Lucy,

I know he's not eligible for the WHV. I mentioned that.

I took the time to describe the WHV possibility just in case someone else reads this and is in the right age bracket.

Lucy Snow · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 218 Location: US

Ah, Glenski--someone else may read it, but will they believe it's true? Smile

You know the drill--"I know that I'm from the US and don't have a BA but I really, really want to teach in Japan and I can't believe they won't let me!"

R · Joined: 07 May 2003 Posts: 277 Location: United Kingdom

I believe that the age requirement for UK citizens wanting a WHV has been reduced to 18-25. I wonder what an Aussie in their late 20's can do that a Brit can't? Answers on a postcard please...

markosonlines · Joined: 22 May 2003 Posts: 49 Location: Ise

R said;

[quote]I wonder what an Aussie in their late 20's can do that a Brit can't? Answers on a postcard please...

That's easy....... Play cricket Very Happy

haha

BenJ · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 209 Location: Nagoya

I think it's to do with the reciprocal political/cultural arrangements between Japan and Australia...

...and cricket, soccer and rugby Very Happy

voodoochild · Joined: 04 Apr 2003 Posts: 80

I hear that you need a 4 year degree for Japan but in the UK you can do a bachelors degree in 3 years , so would a 3 year UK BSC be unacceptable for the Japanese immigration??
Mad

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

Voodoo

bachelors degrees take 4 years to complete in the US and Japan but only 3 in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the UK. I am from New Zealand, have a 3 year undergraduate degree- 3 year degrees from the UK are acceptable. Unacceptable are 2 year junior college diplomas or fake degrees off the Internet (we wont get into that one just now). You have to have attended university for 3 years in the UK and graduated to get a work visa.

ruggedtoast · Joined: 04 May 2003 Posts: 81 Location: tokyo

my girlfriends over 27 (uk) shes applying for her WHV back in england now and, the japanese embassy said that as long as youre under 30 theres no problem.