Universities in Japan have always been in the top rankings of the world, and some of them are hiring teachers to be part of their well-established standard of excellence. For those hoping to create a career for long-term financial stability, Japanese universities are open to welcome them.
- Teaching jobs in Japanese universities
- Typical minimum requirements of universities for teaching jobs
- Benefits and advantages of teaching in Japanese universities
- Summary
Are you having any issues with job-hunting in Japan?
Teaching jobs in Japanese universities
Living or traveling abroad allows people to explore new places and interact with other cultures. However, working in a foreign country provides people more benefits. It develops your confidence, flexibility, and adaptability to adjust to unfamiliar and diverse situations. You will also have a chance to learn new languages and improve your communication and innovation skills – skills that are a great addition to your repertoire as a worker. Lastly, being able to work abroad can open your mind for a better understanding of the world and global status.
One of the popular job destinations around the world is Japan. There are countless job opportunities available in the country for IT professionals, translators/interpreters, sales staff, military personnel, bankers, service staff, engineers, and factory workers. But, among the most sought-after jobs right now in Japan are those related to university teaching.
There are more than 700 universities in Japan, and most, if not all of them, offer subjects and courses that utilize English as the language of instruction. Because of this, English teachers are in-demand in the country. There are different kinds of English jobs available in Japan, such as “eikaiwa” where you would work at an English Conversation School and teach children mostly between the ages of 3-12. You can also be an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) in Japanese public schools wherein you are not going to be in charge of the class but rather are teamed up with a licensed Japanese teacher. Another work option is to be a private school teacher for junior and senior high school students. However, English university teaching is the topmost job among all of these in terms of benefits, pay, and time-off.
How can I get into university teaching?
There are two major ways to get into university teaching:
1.Through an agency
This is perhaps the easiest and most accessible way to work as an English teacher at Japanese universities. There are many recruitment agencies for university English teachers in Japan. You can find most of the agencies online. Some offer short-term renewable contracts and employ their recruited instructors to teach in one of their campuses and schools.
Getting into university teaching through an agency is a lot easier because it has lower qualifications and less requirements compared to getting a direct contract from a university. Most English teachers in Japan got into their jobs through registered agencies.
2. Through a direct contract
Another way of getting into a university job is by getting a direct contract with a Japanese university. However, this option tends to be more difficult in terms of the required qualifications and teaching experience. The process of finding and applying for vacant positions is also challenging, especially to Bachelor’s and MA applicants because universities would give priority to Ph.D. holders.
Do they offer part-time teaching jobs?
Yes, most Japanese universities rely on part-time instructors to provide most of their lessons. Some people start in part-time positions first and then eventually move into full-time work.
Working part-time is an excellent opportunity to take because many universities pay well for part-time teachers. You can also earn more by working at several places in a week, or even in a day, depending on your capacity.
Another option to consider is to become a dispatch teacher wherein you are actually employed by a company that will send you to teach a university. This could be a good starter because the requirements for dispatch teachers are less strict compared to full-time positions. However, if you are working with dispatch companies, there is a possibility that you will not get paid during the holidays.
Writer's Pick
Typical minimum requirements of universities for teaching jobs
Educational Threshold
If you are going to apply through agencies, the basic educational qualification is for you to hold a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
If you plan, however, to get a direct contract with a university, you must at least be an MA or Ph.D. holder to earn a spot.
Teaching Experience
Agencies usually require at least one-year English teaching experience either in an EFL classroom or other educational institution. On the other hand, getting a direct contract mostly requires applicants to have the same length of English teaching experience. Furthermore, it should be at a university level, particularly in Japan.
English Language Proficiency
Schools usually prefer native English speakers, but it is not entirely a requirement. Many teachers in Japan come from countries that did not speak English as their first language, such as France, Germany, and the Philippines.
If you are not a native English speaker, you typically need to speak the language at a near-native level of fluency and with confidence to convince your interviewer that you speak English well enough to teach it to others.
Visa and Permits
Other common qualifications and requirements you will need to apply for a job are the following: A Certificate of Eligibility (COE), Japan Visa (with the appropriate work permit), and a Landing Permit from the immigration inspector when you arrive in the country.
Benefits and advantages of teaching in Japanese universities
High Salary and Professional Growth
Generous pay is one of the biggest benefits of working in a university. The compensation varies for part-time and full-time teachers, but it approximately ranges from USD 2,000 to USD 5,500 per month.
Aside from this, working in topnotch universities will surely contribute to your professional growth as a teacher and will give you amazing and memorable experiences of teaching foreign students.
Working Visa Sponsorships
To help potential teachers, some universities and agencies also offer working visa sponsorships. For example, Westgate fully sponsors Japanese work visas for those coming from abroad while applying for your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) on your behalf.
Other Bonuses
Aside from the usual bonuses and paid leaves, agencies and universities usually also provide additional bonuses to teachers. Some companies will accommodate teachers in a studio apartment with basic furnishings. They will also subsidize a round-trip, or two separate one-way trips, economy-class international flight tickets up to USD 1,200 depending on the actual cost of the airline tickets and other taxes. Lastly, companies usually cover the commuting expenses of their teachers.
Other Benefits
Prioritizing the health and safety of the teachers, companies and universities also provide important benefits such as medical insurance, employment insurance, and worker’s compensation insurance.
Summary
Getting a university teaching job in Japan is indeed challenging and requires some effort, but it is not impossible. Although starting an English teaching career means that you have to undertake all the required qualifications, keep in mind that teaching English at Japanese universities is a genuinely rewarding profession. Also, remember that your efforts now will be too little compared to all the benefits that you will gain from this extraordinary opportunity in the future.
