N
The Global Insight

How do I become an English teacher in Japan?

Author

Christopher Davis

Updated on April 02, 2026

In order to teach English in Japan, most teachers will require a Bachelor’s degree and a clean criminal record. Teaching certification, such as TEFL, is preferred but not required. The average salary for teaching in Japan is $1,700 – $5,000 USD per month.

Is it easy to get an English teaching job in Japan?

If you’re interested in teaching English in Japan, you’re in luck since getting a teaching job in Japan is super easy because English teachers are in high demand! Whether you’re a new grad or a certified teacher, there are plenty of opportunities to land a teaching job in Japan.

Can I make a career out of teaching English in Japan?

For instance, you may start off your career teaching English to young learners in Japan and later decide that you’d like to work with teenagers at a cram school to prepare them for English university entrance exams. Making this career move is completely doable with some additional training.

Can a foreigner become an English teacher in Japan?

Mostly though, it is Japanese people who teach English in schools, but it’s possible for foreigners to teach solo in Japanese schools. If you mean a language teacher probably no more than a university degree. A degree is a MINIMUM requirement for obtaining a work visa.

Is teaching English in Japan worth it?

Teaching English in Japan is a great way to spend a few years, pay off college debt, learn a LOT of Japanese, meet people, and perhaps travel a bit…. but getting your Bachelor’s and your Master’s is essential to reputable employment. As you are a freshman, you have an even better opportunity ~ STUDY in Japan first.

Can I teach English in Japan without a degree?

If you want to teach English in Japan and you don’t have a degree then, unfortunately, your options are pretty limited. A degree – in any discipline – is required to get a work visa to TEFL in Japan, so without one you aren’t eligible. A student visa. Or a Japanese passport.

Is being an English teacher in Japan good?

If you’re an English native speaker, or anywhere close to native and have a TEFL certificate, you’ll most likely be able to score a job teaching English in Japan. The teaching English job market in Japan is hot hot hot—great jobs, great support systems, and great salaries, too.

Are teachers well paid in Japan?

Most first-time English teachers in Japan get paid between 247,700 JPY ($2,250 USD) to 286,200 JPY ($2,600 USD) per month. For teachers interested in the JET program, first-year participants receive an average monthly wage of 280,000 JPY, ($2550 per month) with yearly pay increases.

How difficult is it to teach English in Japan?

Teaching English in Japan is popular because of the ease of employment and higher standard of living. Thanks to dispatch companies and other programs, job placement is not difficult. Benefits can be fantastic, and you get to work with students who are typically well behaved and want to learn.

What’s the best way to teach English in Japan?

Options for Teaching English in Japan 1 ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) teaching jobs within the Japanese public school system 2 Teaching jobs at private language institutes (also known as English conversation schools or Eikaiwas) 3 Teach English in Japan Summer Program 4 Teaching English to Japanese students online from anywhere in the world

What’s the easiest way to get a job in Japan?

Teaching English will be your easiest option (if you are a native English speaker that is). All of the sites below are pretty similar and have a massive amount of teaching English job options.

When do English teaching jobs start in Japan?

You will be expected to work around eight hours and teach four lessons a day. Contracts for English teaching jobs in Japan in the public school system usually start in April and September and run until late March of the following year. English teaching jobs in Japan are also widely available in private language institutes throughout the country.

What kind of experience do you need to be a teacher in Japan?

Japanese language experience is helpful for daily life, but not necessary. Teachers speak English at the schools. Applicants should possess a genuine interest in the culture and people of Japan as well as in teaching and business.