Teach English in Nagoya & Tokyo | NewPathRecruitment

Japan

FAQ - Japan

It is important to remember that each school is different, and so the answers to the following questions are only a general guideline.

FAQ - Answers

What are the basic qualifications?

For most schools, the basic qualifications are as follows:

Have a 4 year university degree in any discipline
Have no criminal record
Be healthy
Be genuinely interested in living and working in Japan
Be genuinely interested in teaching
Professional, responsible, enthusiastic, caring

How long does it take to get a Working Visa?

Usually schools will want to hire a teacher two to three months before the start date. There are a couple of steps that have to be taken for the Work Visa to be processed, and this timeline is usually the minimum time required.

Do I need to provide a criminal record check?

Most schools will want you to provide a criminal record check after you have been hired. The cost of the criminal record check is paid by the teacher.

Do I need to be able to speak Japanese?

It always helps if you do know some Japanese, but for many schools, it is not a requirement. It is suggested that you try to learn some Japanese while in Japan in order to help you become more immersed in Japanese society.

When can I start?

Different schools have different starting dates. Some schools will have starting dates every month, while others may only hire during a particular time of the year.

But due to the visa processing time, it is best to apply ahead of time as much as possible.

How do I apply?

First step is to contact us by email or phone, and send us your resume and cover letter.

Most contracts are one year long because the Work Visa is good for one year.Back to Top

Will I be provided with an airfare ticket?

Most schools will not pay for your airfare ticket. However, some schools may have a loan program.

Will I be provided with an apartment? How much is rent?

Most schools will provide you with a subsidized apartment. It is usually a single apartment with the basic furnishings. In Japan, if you try to rent an apartment yourself it can be very expensive, and apartments in Japan do not come with any furnishings. You would have to buy your own stove, refrigerator, and even your light fixtures! So most schools will provide you with an apartment but you will have to pay rent. The rent will depend on where you are living. In large urban areas, the apartment size will be smaller and the rent higher. Whereas, living in a more rural area, your apartment may be larger and the rent will be less expensive.

Is there training before I start teaching?

Most schools will provide training at the beginning in order for you to understand their curriculum, teaching methods and styles, and how to manage the classroom. Some schools may also provide training and teaching assessments throughout your contract.

What is the average salary?

The average salary for a full time English teacher is 250,000JPY. This is quite standard in Japan. The income tax is approximately between 5 to 8 percent.

What will my work schedule be like?

This will depend on what type of school you are working for. For public schools and international schools, your work schedule will usually be five days a week between 8am and 5pm. If you are working for a private school, your work schedule will be five days a week with your lesson times starting later on in the afternoon around 3 or 4pm and finishing, at the latest, 9:30 or 10:00pm. Most schools will provide you with some paid vacation holidays, as well as days off for national holidays.

Can my girlfriend/boyfriend come with me?

This depends on the school. Most schools will consider hiring couples, but it depends on the type of housing they provide. If a school only provides single apartments, the couple will have to live separately.

How many students are there in each class?

This depends on the type of school you are teaching for. If you are working for a public school, your class size will be twenty to thirty students per class. If you work for a private school, the class size is generally smaller, anywhere between one to twelve students.

Is there a set curriculum, or do I make up my own lessons?

Some schools may have a particular amount of content that must be taught within the school year. But the teacher may have flexibility on how he/she teaches the content. Some smaller schools will give you lots of freedom and allow you to create your own lessons from scratch. Larger schools, on the other hand, usually have a set curriculum and the teacher will follow it, while creating some parts of the lesson on their own.

When teaching, what should I wear?

Your teaching attire can range anywhere from business formal to business casual to relaxed casual attire. It will depend on the school and what image they want to portray to their students.

What’s the weather like in Japan?

In general, southern Japan is warmer than northern Japan. In the north, the winters are very cold with the average temperature at about -9 degrees Celsius. In the middle area of Japan, where the large cities are located, the average winter temperatures are about 3 or 4 degrees Celsius. In the southern parts of Japan, the average winter temperature is about 7 degrees Celsius. In the summertime, the southern and middle areas of Japan are very hot and humid. The average temperature is about 27 degrees Celsius, but there are days when it is 35 to 37 degrees Celsius. The northern areas are cooler with less humidity, and with the average temperature at about 21 degrees Celsius.

Is the cost of living very expensive?

Most people have a pre-conceived notion that Japan is a very expensive place to live. While this is true in some areas, and also depending on your lifestyle, once you have lived in Japan for awhile, you will know, for example, where the cheap supermarkets are, or when particular stores are going to have sales. Japan can be an expensive place, but it will depend very much on your lifestyle and your spending habits.

How much can I save?

If you are receiving a standard full time salary, after all the expenses - rent, bills, transportation, food and entertainment, you can save anywhere between 30,000 to 80,000JPY.

How do I get around Japan?

Japan is a small country with an excellent transportation system. Therefore, most destinations are easy to get to either by trains, subways, or buses.

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