I thought that since this information would be more important than my random ramblings on experiences travelling around the cities, it would be useful to place it on a page by itself so that it can easily be accessed.
Where to look
The 4 major ALT dispatch companies in Aichi Prefecture are (in no particular order):
1) Interac
2) Cosmo
3) ALTIA
4) W5
Two other big players covering most of Japan are (again, in no particular order):
1) Borderlink
2) RCS
I doubt this list is comprehensive but it might be enough to get you places. You can try applying direct to these companies.
VISA
I noticed that people came to my site with queries on whether getting a VISA for Singaporeans is difficult. Though I am not sure what kind of VISA is being searched on, I shall offer what I have to the best of my knowledge.
Tourist VISA
You probably don’t need this information but I’m going to write it anyway. Having a Singapore passport gets you almost anywhere without having to apply for tourist VISA. Singaporeans get a 90-day tourist VISA on arrival in Japan.
Student VISA
As long as you’re accepted into an academic institute and do not have criminal records that make Jack the Ripper blush, you’ll probably get the VISA pretty easily. Different schools may work differently but the school I went to in Okazaki, called The Yamasa Institute, offered me a 15-month student VISA although I only applied for a 6-month course. It’s good because if you decide to continue your studies after 6 months, you do not have to worry about your VISA at all.
Work VISA
No matter what your nationality is, getting a work VISA from a student VISA is definitely easier than from a tourist VISA because you have already been screened from the application to get the student VISA, so conversion takes less time, yet it still requires one month for it to be processed.
The more important question, is probably what the criteria is to get a work VISA. Honestly, even the immigration authority does not reveal the criteria so you will never know why you were rejected if you were. The reason is clear, if the immigration tells people why their application is rejected, they will work around the system and find a loophole to get the VISA. But one thing for sure is that, in order to get a work VISA, you must have at least a Bachelor’s degree and have a skill that regular Japanese cannot offer. Because if what you can do is what any other Japanese can, there’s no reason to let you in to occupy space and compete with their own people. I know a Spaniard who actually got a job offer, but as he does not have a Bachelor’s degree, he couldn’t get his work VISA. Finally, applying for a work VISA from a tourist VISA might actually take 2-3 months. So, VISA-wise, I think it’s probably less about being a Singaporean but more about your background.
UPDATE (13/02/2011): I’ve recently learnt that even without a BA you can still get a work VISA provided you fulfill one of the 2 following conditions: –
1) You’ve got at least 10 years work experience.
2) You’ve got at least 5 years work experience in a specialised field.
Do note that both of the above must be related to the work you are applying for.
Interview
It’s not so much an insider information but I did have the privilege to talk to people who have connections to some of the ALT dispatch companies and learnt a little about the ALT system in general.
The reason why ALT dispatch companies exist is because most schools do not want to risk hiring a foreigner directly. The reason being that they probably had bad experiences in the past when these foreigners do not fit in well with the Japanese work environment and colleagues. If the schools hire via the dispatch companies, they do not have to deal with any of these problems. So,
Tip 1
Display your ability to fit into the Japanese environment and show your interest in working with them and in learning about their culture. Being a team player is important in the Japanese culture and they have a saying 出る杭は打たれる (loosely translated: the one that stands out will be beaten) but of course if you are able to play the role of the leader as well as the follower as and when the need arises, then you probably have a better chance of getting hired.
Tip 2
Do not say anything like you want to try and change the Japanese education system or the way English is being taught. No revolutionary is welcomed. The ALT dispatch companies do not want any trouble with the school as much as the school doesn’t want any trouble with you. So, any attempts at “changing the world” is frowned upon and will not get you anywhere near working here.
Tip 3
Seriously, if you want to get along with your colleagues, some knowledge of the Japanese language will definitely help. And if you bother to spend time learning the language, it is evidence of your interest and earnesty in working and living here and ALT dispatch companies would be more willing to hire you.
Tip 4
And especially for Singaporeans who, for some reason, are not the native speakers of English that most English language schools are looking for, it will definitely help if you get a teaching certification. It can be the PGDE from the MOE, which would mean you’d have at least 4 years of teaching experience, the CELTA from the University of Cambridge, or TESOL from Trinity College London. I personally hold the CELTA and a BA in English Language from NUS so I think that helped me quite a bit in spite of my lack of experience in teaching.
IMPORTANT: The above information is to let you know what to show your employer and not a guide to lying your way in. So, if you’ve got absolutely no interest in the Japanese culture, please do not lie through your teeth.
I’ll update this page again if something else comes up.
Hi! I found your blog through my search for “suspend singtel phone line” (imagine) and really enjoyed my visit here. I’m actually hoping to start my route to a teaching career in Japan, so everything was informative. It’s great to find a Singaporean ALT not in the JET, because I’m fully aware that I’m nothing like what the programme is looking for =P. Your blog gives me hope. ^^
I’ll be heading for Japan in a month for a 1-year language course. If you don’t mind, I hope to be able to tap on your experiences…please? よろしくお願いします、先輩~
Hey K,
Nice to hear from you. I’m definitely willing to furnish you with whatever information I have to the best of my knowledge, so do not hesitate to ask me anything at all.
If I may ask, where will you be studying in Japan?
Thanks! I’ll be attending classes in a private university in Kyoto. Finally got my dorm and stuff settled, now I just need to find the time to apply for my visa. 待ちきれない~
Wow, Kyoto.
Excellent choice! I think you’ll have a great time there! =)
I wanted to be in Kansai =)
Somehow it feels more ‘homely’ than Tokyo, which has a bit of a おしゃれすぎる vibe to it. Or is it just me?
I was just looking at the ECC site and being extremely disappointed that my schedule doesn’t give me 4 weeks which matches any of the dates for their CELTA course. If only I had known about it earlier…
I don’t like Tokyo either, honestly.
Well, I like it as a tourist but I can’t imagine being a resident there.
Hello Jinhan, I’m yet another Singaporean reader of your blog. I’m fresh out of uni right now and I intend to study in the Yamasa Institute eventually and then teach English there, but only after I find a job here and earn the money first 🙂 I’ve got a question and I apologise if you’ve answered it somewhere else! When you started looking for a teaching job under your student visa, did your hiring company still sponsor your working visa or did they convert it for you? Is that how it works? Thank you in advance!
Hi shud,
I’m not sure how you define the term “sponsor” but in order to get a work visa, you must have a sponsoring company. So yes, the company hiring you will sponsor you. Do note that, however, the term “sponsor” here does not have any monetary connotations. Depending on the company hiring you, they might get whatever that is necessary from you, prepare everything else and bring you down to the city hall for the conversion application. Alternatively, in my case, they also prepared everything but they then handed all the necessary documents to me and I went to the city hall by myself for the application.
I don’t remember the exact price but visa conversion application costs around ¥3,000 or at most a little over ¥4,000, regardless of its success. As mentioned earlier, the term “sponsor” has no monetary connotations, thus, you will have to pay for it yourself. If your company reimburses you the amount, then good for you. I kinda doubt it happens though.
Oh.. I get it now. Your reply’s really helpful, thanks! And it doesn’t really matter what your nationality is, right? I once applied to Heart English School, they got back to me saying, “We don’t do visa sponsorship for nationalities that are not from NZ, Aust, UK” etc etc.. I think it would have turned out differently if I were residing in Japan though.
Hi gaijinhan. I’ve been applying for ALT positions via Gaijinpot and some dispatch companies, but to no avail. I even consider to take up a Diploma in TESOL to increase my chances of getting an interview. I’m afraid that despite this and depending on luck, it’d be back to square one. So when do you think it’s a good time to fly to Japan (on a Tourist VISA) and continue applying for ALT positions? If it’s impossible via a Tourist VISA, how about Student VISA? How did your previous school apply for one with a Certificate of Eligibility (COE)? Thanks.
Hi Koh,
I’d just say don’t stop applying. I didn’t just send out one application and got the job. It’s not supposed to be easy.
You could do the diploma if you want to but you should not expect to get B just because you did A, if you get what I’m trying to say. I don’t think you should hold back just because there’s no guarantee. Afterall, there’s no guarantee to anything right?
As for when would be a good time to try get a teaching job, I would say towards the end of the year when companies are busy hiring for the new academic year. Note, however, the new academic year begins in April, not January. But as visa application takes time to process, October may be a good time. January would be a little too late unless you already have your work visa.
Some time last year, a friend flew here on tourist visa and got a teaching job so nope, it’s not impossible to get a job on a tourist visa. I’m afraid I do not understand your last question. Perhaps you may want to put it more specifically.
Hi gaijinhan. As for my last question, I read from http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/long/visa1.html about work or a long-term stay. A Certificate of Eligibility (COE) is one of the necessary documents for applying a working visa, and it may have to be submitted by a proxy. Could you explain when you said “… you should not expect to get B just because you did A …”. Thanks.
Yes, you need a COE to get your visa for residence in Japan. You will get the COE either through the school you applied for or the company that hires you. They will go through the application process and get you your COE and send it to you. You must then bring the COE to the Japanese Embassy in Singapore to get the relevant visa. As for the last point, what I was trying to say was that you should not expect to get a job just because you went for the teaching diploma course. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try.
Hi gaijinhan. Sorry to bother you again. You mentioned that it’s possible to look for a job as an ALT on a Tourist VISA. However, most dispatch companies require the applicant “must be currently residing in Japan”. As such, I don’t think one who possesses a Tourist VISA would satisfy their requirement. Based on your earlier posts, having a Student VISA and convert it to a Work VISA later seems to be a better option. Taking up a Japanese Language course there is not cheap either. Well, I don’t wish to wait any longer and I’m considering to follow your footstep…
Hi gaijinhan. If I were to fly to Japan to search for an ALT job on a Tourist VISA for 3 months, how much (in SGD) do I’ve to bring or set aside to tide me over (e.g. cheap accommodation like guesthouse, food, transport, etc.)? Secondly, which part of Japan should I stay so that it’s near dispatch companies? Can I just walk-in to these dispatch companies to apply for an ALT job? Is it OK that you provide me your email address, so that I could ask for your advice in the future? I really appreciate your assistance.
Hi Koh,
I’m afraid for accomodation and some other stuff you’ll have to do your own research.
I can only suggest that you set aside at least 3000 yen/day for food and 1500 yen/day for transport. Everything else is really different depending on where you put up at. Besides, I’ve never rented apartments for a couple of months like that, so I’m afraid I don’t have good advice on that.
As for my email address, I’m afraid I’ll have to turn that down for a bit as I would like to, as much as possible, keep content for this page on this page.
Hi gaijinhan.
Thank you for creating this blog for me to stumble upon.
Previously i had known that it was possible for foreigners to gain entry to Japan through teaching English but i was unaware how this option was available for Singaporeans.
Reading your blog really opened my eyes and clarified many unknowns for me.
However, I do have still have some queries and I hope you can answer them for me.
1) Simply straightforward question:
Is becoming an ALT the easiest to gain entry to work and reside in Japan?
2) Important question people neglected asking:
Is there any discrimination between being male or female for becoming an ALT? Any restrictions on age?
3) How possible would it be for you to swtich jobs from being an ALT to other careers such as office executives, etc? Because I reckon many people would think of working as an ALT as a means to gain entry into Japan, and use it as a stepping stone into other career pathways we truly want.
4) How important is Japanese proficiency in applying for an ALT position? Is it necessary?
I understand that you studied for half a year before trying out the ALT post. Did you start off as a beginner? What is the level you stopped at?
Several sources have indicated to me that some schools would prefer you to know conversational Japanese to be able to communicate with school officials but it is not needed for classes.
But would being proficient in the language give you a better chance in the interview, hence the stronger possibility you will get hired for the post.
Reason I am asking this is because right now I am taking Japanese classes with a private tutor who comes by my house to coach me. My proficiency is still on quite a low level. My initial plan was to wait til I attain at least JLPT n2 before I source for jobs, because theres about the bare minimum Japanese firms in Singapore would expect employees to have.
However, with your blog and information from some sources, I dont know if I should start applying immediately or wait til I reach a higher level on the language before doing so.
I hope you can provide me your advice on that.
5) I understand it would be good to have a certication on either CELTA, TESOL, TEFL.
However, which one of the 3 is the most applicable for applying for an ALT position?
You mentioned you took CELTA in Thailand for a month. Can you elaborate with more details on which school you studied in? Your accomodations? Overall cost of your expenditure in Thailand during that one month?
Hi Si Han,
That’s a lot of questions I’m not sure if I can answer and I’m sure I’ve written some of that before in some posts as well.
Q: Is becoming an ALT the easiest to gain entry to work and reside in Japan?
A: I honestly have no idea if it is the easiest way.
Q: Is there any discrimination between being male or female for becoming an ALT? Any restrictions on age?
A: I can’t say for sure because I have not witnessed or heard of any such cases.
Q: How possible would it be for you to switch jobs from being an ALT to other careers such as office executives, etc?
A: I wouldn’t say it is not possible since I know a number of people in a variety of professions having started from teaching.
Q: How important is Japanese proficiency in applying for an ALT position? Is it necessary?
A: I am pretty certain some level of proficiency is required in order to communicate with other school staff but as for the level of knowledge expected, I have no idea.
Q: I understand that you studied for half a year before trying out the ALT post. Did you start off as a beginner? What is the level you stopped at?
A: No, I didn’t start as a beginner. I came here with a JLPT2 and left the school with a JLPT N1.
Q: Several sources have indicated to me that some schools would prefer you to know conversational Japanese to be able to communicate with school officials but it is not needed for classes. But would being proficient in the language give you a better chance in the interview, hence the stronger possibility you will get hired for the post.
A: Yes, I believe so, though there is no quantifiable basis for my belief.
Q: I understand it would be good to have a certication on either CELTA, TESOL, TEFL.
A: I believe I wrote about the certifications in detail in one of the posts somewhere. If you don’t mind using the search field to look for the post, I think it would be pretty helpful. Search “CELTA.”
Feel free to ask me more questions if you need more answers.
Bests,
Hi, I’m graduating next year in April and am planning work in Japan as an ALT. If you don’t mind, could you let me know which company you’re with? I’ve submitted my application with Interac so far, and I’m still reviewing the others that you mentioned. Was hoping to hear about your opinions on the various companies you listed and their pros and cons. Thank you!
Hi Jane,
I’m no longer with an ALT company. Or should I say, I’m no longer teaching. I was with Cosmo for 6 months and although I was offered a contract with ALTIA after that, I went for the Board of Education in one of the cities who also very kindly gave me a contract.
In general, Interac gives me the impression that they don’t go for Asian faces although I have no supporting evidence for that. I guess the pros of Cosmo is that the owner is willing to be your guarantor should you require one to rent an apartment though the others may also do that but I haven’t got the chance to find out. The downside is Cosmo gives you contracts on a 2-month basis, so you have to go sign a contract once every 2 months. Also, you don’t get paid on days you don’t work, which means you get zero during school holidays.
While I didn’t accept the contract with ALTIA, the good thing about them is that if you were to be assigned to a countryside area, they provide you with a car. They have 2 plans for the car, the first is which you are only allowed to drive to and from school. Vehicle insurance is paid for but you are not even allowed to stop by some place on the way to school or home. The other plan is that you can drive it anywhere, anytime but you would have to pay for the insurance yourself. Also, you get paid a fixed sum every month regardless of the number of holidays in the month. This means, you get paid for not having to work the whole of August and all other school holidays.
Needless to say, the Board of Education pays the best and has the best benefits. You even get annual leave and sick leave, which is practically non-existent in regular Japanese firms unlike in Singapore.
Hi there,
May I know what are the benefits that company provides for ALT? Do we have to pay for our own air tickets to Japan?
Hi Jasmine,
As far as I know, no dispatch company pays for your tickets to Japan.
It only makes sense because you are hired as a dispatch worker, not a permanent staff.
To put it more simply, you are like a freelancer registered to the company and if a school needs you, they will send you there. The school pays the company and the company pays you. However, if you do the JET program, your return ticket to Japan is fully paid for.
Regarding other benefits, it really differs from company to company. Some pay for your transport to and from school, some even provide you with a car if you teach in the countryside. There are those that pay you by the hour, so you don’t get paid during holidays but also there are some that pays you per month even during school holidays (which means you get paid without having to work for the whole of August).
Thank you for your reply. I’ve read some horrific experiences for ALT like they did not get their pay, not pay in the full amount, terminated suddenly without reason, etc. I am wondering is it common?
Also, is there any other ways to earn extra money in Japan, like tuition,etc?
Hi Jasmine,
I think it used to be pretty rampant but the law has caught up with many of these though I’m not certain if it’s completely dealt with.
I’m pretty sure part-time teaching is available. I used to teach as an ALT in the day and at Aeon on some nights. I also know many other ALTs doing the same as some of them contact the rest of us on such jobs when they hear of some openings at the places they are teaching.
Hello, how are you?
I’ve been reading your blog and I must say it’s very informative.
I’ve got a question that you might be able to answer: last week I finished the CELTA course and I got a pass B. I’m a non-native speaker of English, though (I’m from Argentina). Is it still possible to get a teaching job in Japan even if my native language isn’t English?
Hi Alejandro,
Thank you for reading.
I believe it’s not impossible to get a teaching job because I’ve met other non-native speakers teaching here, most of them from around Europe and many of them do not even have proper teaching qualifications so you’re probably in good stead.
Hey there,
I’ve been wanting to leave the country in almost forever.
Anyway, as I only have a diploma, I’m currently in the process of deciding on a degree.
I’ve been considering a degree of interest in Kaplan, or an educational degree at NIE.
In addition, I’ll be wrapping up my Japanese studies soon, with either a JLPT 1 or 2 depending on my performance in July.
Here’s my question, have you heard of any NIE fresh grads who were able to get hired to teach in Japan successfully?
Hope to hear from you soon.
PS Sorry if this is a duplicate post, I was kind of testing as it seemed that my post didn’t get through.
I realised that NIE isn’t much of an option as I’d be 30 or older after serving the bond.
Have you heard of anyone being hired with a Kaplan degree?
I’m considering Kaplan because the course is only about a year and a half.
Realised that if I go with NIE, I’d be 30 or older by the time I finish the bond. So it’s probably not a good option.
Have you heard of fresh grads from Kaplan getting hired?
Hi yangg,
Like you said, it’s not possible to come immediately after graduating from NIE due to the 4-year bond.
And I’m afraid I don’t really know where everyone else graduated from, but I really don’t think you should be too bothered about the school.
If you’ve seen my older posts, I know people who are working here with only a diploma.
Realised that I wouldn’t want to consider NIE as I would be 30 when I’m finished with fulfilling the bond.
I’m considering Kaplan because the course is only 16 months.
Have to heard of fresh grads from Kaplan getting hired?
Sorry if this is duplicated again, I think something wrong’s with my browser
Hi gaijin,
Thanks for your quick reply.
Guess I’ll wait til I get my results from the July exams.
In any case, I’m guessing the people working with their diplomas have worked for at least 5 years in their specific fields?
Hi,
You’re right, they have.
My point is, as long as it isn’t some dubious university or degree mill you got your Bachelor from, it shouldn’t be a problem.
Hi again yangg,
I just saw your comments on the Kaplan course being 16 months.
Somehow it ended up in the Spam folder.
I read that one of the requirements for a work visa here is a 4-year university course.
My apologies, I didn’t read more carefully into the details before reply.
Hi gaijin,
I’ve looked it up a little, and I’ve seen posts elsewhere where a copy of the immigration law does not state that a ‘4-years’ bachelors degree is needed.
The links below are for reference:
http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20101115115653AAet8S2
http://www.eslteachersboard.com/cgi-bin/japan-info/index.pl?page=3;read=18
However, I’ve yet to find the official page where the law is stated.
Do you know if there is a way to confirm this?
Hi yangg,
My apologies, i must’ve mixed it up. Most companies state that they require you to have a bachelor through completion of a 4-year degree course. But i doubt it’s that strict if the school is legitimate.
I have no idea how I stumbled upon your blog, but your blog is eerily similar to my own experiences! (Except that I’m not an English teacher)
Nice blog!
Random comment by fellow Singaporean in Tokyo
Hi Z,
Thank you for the comment.
I’m no longer an English teacher either.
Hi there, just wanted to ask, how hard is it to get a student Visa to study the Japanese Language in Japan itself? For example, at the Yamasa Institute u mentioned. Do I need a guarantor if I am from Singapore but without a degree? Thanks
Hi Maurice,
I don’t recall requiring a guarantor but I had to send a bank statement to prove my financial capability to live for 6 months in Japan.
And no, I don’t think being a degree holder is a prerequisite for student visa approvals in language schools.
and another question, if say i get to study at Yamasa Institute with a student Visa, will it be easier for me to convert from a student Visa to a Work Visa if I dont have a degree and the lack of years of experience needed in related field to make up for a lack of degree?
Thanks in advance.
Hi again Maurice,
No, having a student visa does not exempt one from the prerequisite of either 1) being a degree holder, or 2) having at least 5 years work experience in a specialized field or 10 years in a non-specialized field.
It’s easier in the sense that it is no longer a new residency application, but is a conversion, so the documents required are fewer.
Hi there! If you don’t mind, may i ask what is your current job? Since you’re no longer teaching english?
Hi Van,
I’m currently with a translation company.
Thanks! I was wondering if the Japanese firms are particular about the bachelor degree that foreigners hold? I’m actually interested in the industry you’re working in so it would be great to know what they look out for!
Hi Van,
Depending on whether the company is specialised in a particular field, they may require certain majors, but you may like to know many such companies don’t limit themselves to any particular field so they typically welcome people of all majors.
Also, I read that you had a diploma in IT? Can I ask what was your gpa? When you applied for the Japanese studies course in NUS? Pardon me for asking all these. As right now I just graduated from poly and I’m actually interested to pursue a language degree. I want to make sure I choose the right degree!
Hi again,
Ah… I don’t really remember my GPA. I think it was something along the lines of 3.45.
I understand that living in Japan is quite costly but I assume the salary is also higher? Is that right? Hmm do you get to save enough for certain luxuries? Because I understand that if I work there, whilst renting an apartment as well as spend on the basic necessities, it could leave little to save?
Yes, the average salary is higher than in Singapore but whether or not you can save is really down to your expenditure and lifestyle.
I get to save a little bit on certain months, but there are months when I don’t get to save anything as well.
Hi, i just found out your blog yesterday and i want to say you really give insightful and entertaining posts into the life of Japan. You have earned me a follower 🙂
Like you, i have been fascinated by JP culture since young, and would very much like to live/work over there in future. Hence there are a few questions/statements i would like to ask/made.
1) You mentioned that you are proud to be a singaporean. That’s nice to hear as a fellow singaporean! Certainly heartening. 🙂
2) I am currently studying Japanese in SG for 4 years now and have a N3 cert. I heard you need a minimum of N2 cert to find employment there. Is it true?
3) You have tried a lot of different styles of transportation in Japan and seemed adventurous. Will you be trying hitchhiking soon? haha
4) You mentioned that the nation has serious cases of bullying, and i kind of concur with that. JP seems like a wonderful place to many tourists but most doesn’t know its ‘inner workings’. There is a reason why it boasts one of the highest suicide rates in the world. This comes back to my question. As a former ALT, how do you find the school environment in Japan? While i was there as a tourist, i realized that most students keep to themselves on school trips(which is how i find them), and while they seemed to be in groups, there is this dis-connect feeling that they are in a group for the sake of being in a group, and not so much genuine wanting to be together. I guess it has got to do with the collectivism culture of the country.
5) This point is also an off-shoot from Q4. I am currently studying hospitality in SP, and i plan to double major in psychology and JP studies in NUS after graduation and NS. Since you mentioned that i am more likely to find jobs which ordinary japanese can’t do, i suppose my best bet is becoming an English teacher. Given the bullying in schools, what are your views of a gaijin stepping in to protect the victim student? I am not trying to be like Onizuka in GTO, but as someone who was bullied in primary sch, i can definitely relate to how it feels like to be a victim, and also because i think a teacher has a duty to defend his students if he witnesses such actions, as students look up to them.
6) How did you save up 30k in 2 years? Not looking for a shortcut or anything in life, but you seemed like a legitimate dreamer who hard-mode his ass to his goal. Just that i don’t see how an undergraduate student can earned that part-timing. Obviously, you are not obliged to answer this.
I think that’s all for now. Once again, thumbs up for your blog and please continue to give your fellow countrymen more insight into the land of the rising sun! =D
Hi, Kai.
Thank you for your comment. I’ll try to answer your questions.
2) I am currently studying Japanese in SG for 4 years now and have a N3 cert. I heard you need a minimum of N2 cert to find employment there. Is it true?
A: It is true many Japanese companies would like you to have a minimum N2 or be able to converse fine in an office setting. However, there are many firms that don’t require you to speak any Japanese at all as well.
3) You have tried a lot of different styles of transportation in Japan and seemed adventurous. Will you be trying hitchhiking soon? haha
A: I’ve definitely thought about it and might do it one of these days! I’ll write about it if I do.
4) You mentioned that the nation has serious cases of bullying, and i kind of concur with that. JP seems like a wonderful place to many tourists but most doesn’t know its ‘inner workings’. There is a reason why it boasts one of the highest suicide rates in the world. This comes back to my question. As a former ALT, how do you find the school environment in Japan? While i was there as a tourist, i realized that most students keep to themselves on school trips(which is how i find them), and while they seemed to be in groups, there is this dis-connect feeling that they are in a group for the sake of being in a group, and not so much genuine wanting to be together. I guess it has got to do with the collectivism culture of the country.
A: The schools I went to had wonderful students. No doubt, some students were often picked on, but not the serious kinds. Just the typical “you are so troublesome, I don’t want to hang out with you” kind.
5) This point is also an off-shoot from Q4. I am currently studying hospitality in SP, and i plan to double major in psychology and JP studies in NUS after graduation and NS. Since you mentioned that i am more likely to find jobs which ordinary japanese can’t do, i suppose my best bet is becoming an English teacher. Given the bullying in schools, what are your views of a gaijin stepping in to protect the victim student? I am not trying to be like Onizuka in GTO, but as someone who was bullied in primary sch, i can definitely relate to how it feels like to be a victim, and also because i think a teacher has a duty to defend his students if he witnesses such actions, as students look up to them.
A: The truth is, there are tons of jobs that require a 2nd language which most Japanese can’t speak, so your options are not limited to teaching. As for the case on bullying, I think you can do what you can to stop one if you see one, but as we are not formal employees of the school, it is difficult to go too far but refer the case to the school head. Unfortunately, some principals refuse to acknowledge the presence of bullying which resulted in suicides such as the one in Shiga prefecture last year. But the situation appears to have improved with multiple publicized cases with one involving a Kendo coach who kicked and punched his students.
6) How did you save up 30k in 2 years? Not looking for a shortcut or anything in life, but you seemed like a legitimate dreamer who hard-mode his ass to his goal. Just that i don’t see how an undergraduate student can earned that part-timing. Obviously, you are not obliged to answer this.
A: I didn’t earn that part-timing as a student. It was after graduation when I started working that I managed to save that amount. If you do a simple calculation, that would be $1250 a month for 2 years. I believe a fresh grad takes home at least $1800 a month. $300 for transportation, and $300 on food should bring you quite close to that amount although I was just lucky to get a much better paying job. At that time, my monthly expenditure was no more than $500 because I hardly went out and ate $3 coffeeshop meals everyday.
Hi!!!!! Presently I am doing my Post-grad diploma in education at NIE… I got a BA in linguistics from NUS as well, so i am your junior haha… Alright, a few questions…
1) After PGDE, I will accrue 3 years of teaching experience…. Do you know if PGDE is as recognized as the other education certificates? Do I need to get further teaching certificates like TESOL or CELTA? Will what I have be a good starting point to get into Japan (As a teacher)?
2) What level of Japanese proficiency do I need? Presently I only did a level1000 course in Japanese language in NUS.
3) Do you prefer the bustle of tokyo or the rural/sub-urban areas?
Hi Kit,
1) I wouldn’t say a PGDE or a CELTA is better. Put simply, it’s comparing a post-grad diploma with a certificate. But teaching experience would definitely help especially if you are going to do the JET program although the PGDE is for teaching while CELTA is for teaching English to speakers of other languages. I wouldn’t say you need TESOL or CELTA because, like I’ve mentioned in earlier posts, most teachers here have no mentionable teaching qualifications.
2) As I didn’t do Japanese in NUS, I don’t have much idea to what level that is, but based on my experience doing level 1000 Thai and Malay, I would think it’s better if you can further your Japanese language skills although no company has ever explicitly raised any requirement of Japanese language ability for teaching here.
3) Frankly, I didn’t want to live in Tokyo before I came. But after I moved there, I actually liked it. There’s more life and more things are happening. I kinda got tired of it after some time though and now prefer being in a more sub-urban place, where I am now. It’s also just an hour away from Tokyo, so all is well.
Other than teaching in Japan, are there other jobs which are favorable to Singaporeans?
Hi John,
Jobs that are favourable to Singaporeans… I would have to say whatever company that is looking for Singaporeans. That’s pretty much it.
Honestly, after coming here, I’ve met lots of people who can speak 3 languages and up. While it’s still an advantage for Singaporeans, it is not as rare as you think it is. You might stand out in a competition with Japanese people, but you pale in comparison in regard to your Japanese language skills. And being at least trilingual is pretty much what most foreigners here working at regular Japanese firms are.
Think about it, most Europeans speak their native language and English. If they’re here, they usually speak Japanese as well. If you see a Swiss, that’s German, French, English, and Japanese at the minimum. A Scandinavian? Norwegian, Dutch, Swedish, English, and Japanese. The only upside is, many companies are venturing into China, so if you could do Chinese, it’s one more point for you.
I read that the ALT if applied through the embassy only applies for ALT. If i were to extend work visa or something, will it be possible?
Or must i leave japan first?
Hi Matthias,
I’m not sure what you mean by ALT applied through the embassy. If you’re referring to JET, I believe the work visa is different from regular work visa. According to the JET website (http://www.jetprogramme.org/e/faq/faq06visa.html#6-2), ALTs are given the Instructor work visa, which may not allow you to work anywhere else. However, if you get your ALT job through a dispatch company, your visa will most likely be of the Specialist and Humanities/International Services type (http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/long/index.html), which practically allows you to do almost any kind of work (except adult entertainment work, i.e. sexual services etc.).
I believe there is no need for you to leave Japan, but you will be applying for a Change of Status instead of an Extension.
Hi! I’m a JC1 student in Singapore who was pretty aimless till I accidentally found out about your website via Google. I’ve always wanted to explore working overseas, mainly due to my interest in experiencing life outside Singapore, but did not know what to work as in the future. Seeing this web page, I’m beginning to have this deep interest in working as an English teacher in Japan too like you! =D I have millions of questions, but I should not waste your time too much and just ask a few first.
1) If I pick up an Accountancy and Business degree, would I still be eligible to teach English in Japan? Even if I go on to pick up CELTA and JLPT.
2)Must you like be totally almost perfect in English to be able to teach well? As in if you do not know some stuffs that your students ask, will it affect your job there?
3)After working as a teacher there, is jumping to other careers easy?
4)Do students take a foreign teacher seriously during lessons?
5)For CELTA, if my English standard is of an ‘A’ Level student, is it still possible for me to score well there? And is the ‘A’ Level standard English sufficient to be ALT in Japan?
6)THANKS A LOT FOR TAKING YOUR TIME TO READ AND ANSWER MY QUESTIONS!! 🙂 I will ask my other questions next time!
Hi Jin Han,
I’m your frequent reader, though this is my first time posting. I’ve recently been offered an English teaching job in Hiroshima. My contract stipulates that my monthly pay is 250 000 Yen before tax and health pension deductions. Since you have experience working in Japan, can you please advise me on what is the net pay after those deductions?
I’m not a huge spender, but I’m trying to save at least 100,000 yen a month. Do you think it’s possible?
Any opinions or feedbacks are welcome. Thank you in advance, and keep writing! I enjoy reading your posts, especially when I miss Japan. 🙂
Serene
Hi Serene,
Congratulations on getting work here.
Income tax, pension, and health insurance typically come up to between 30,000 to around 50,000 yen per month. So after deducting them, your take home pay would be around 200,000 to 210,000. But if I did not remember wrongly, you do not have to pay for pension in your first year of work here, so you should have a little more to bring home.
I’ve never lived in Hiroshima so I don’t know the market rate of typical single-room rental, but setting it at a conservative 50,000 yen, you would have 50,000 yen left for food and other entertainment (assuming your company pays for your commute). 50,000 yen will be enough for food if you don’t go for expensive meals everyday, and will be more than enough if you cook everyday for every meal.
Bear in mind your initial costs though because they would cost quite a bit to rent a place and get all your basic necessities and furniture.
Objectively speaking, saving 100,000 yen a month is possible (after you’re done spending on settling in) but it feels a little tight to me. I used to draw the same salary as you and at times, when I thought I could save 100,000 yen, I ended up with nothing at the end of the month. No idea where those money went O_O!
If you manage to consistently save that amount without much trouble, I’d definitely want to hear some tips from you.
Hi Jin Han,
Thank you for the super fast reply! 🙂
Transportation is covered by my company, and you are right, the school that I’m working for told me that the rent is about 50 000 yen (furnished and near my work place). I’ll update you if I can actually save up 100 000 yen…perhaps with my mum’s nagging I can actually do it…hur.
Another quick question if you don’t mind, when you first applied for your work visa (assuming it’s under Humanities visa), did you have to hand in your transcripts as well? Or is the degree certificate sufficient?
Thanks once again,
Serene
I’m sorry, I can’t really recall but I think I submitted both the transcripts and the cert. Note that they must be originals.
Hi, Jin Han. Good day and I hope you’re doing well. I stumbled upon your blog while looking for experiences on CELTA/TESOL. I’ve been thinking of trying to move to Japan to teach English. I have not really thought about taking the CELTA/TESOL courses since I get the impression that it is not a minimum requirement. However, I am now seriously considering going for the course as I believe it would add to my credentials and provide me with the basics of language teaching.
CELTA is a bit too expensive for me. I found a few schools offering a Diploma in TESOL (such as this – http://www.academyforteachers.edu.sg/teacher_courses.html – and this – http://www.britisheducationcentre.org/T.HTM).
However, I’m not sure whether most employers would prefer a CELTA cert over a Diploma in TESOL. Could you give your thoughts on this please?
Thank you.
Hi Angelo,
I browsed through the links you provided and found that
1) Academy for Teachers TESOL is awarded by The Academy for English Language Teachers (registered with Council for Provide Education, Singapore)
2) British Education Centre TESOL is awarded by LTTC (endorsed by TQUK and regulated by OfQual)
This means, neither are the TESOL that is ranked on par with CELTA. Like I’ve mentioned somewhere in my posts, you have to be careful with the term “TESOL” because it can refer to either the teaching certificate awarded by Trinity College London, or a generic teaching cert. The above two links appear to be the latter. For CELTA, whose diploma version is DELTA, they are both awarded by Cambridge ESOL, part of the Cambridge University we all know. The requirement to do a DELTA is to have taught for at least two years AFTER obtaining the CELTA. Which makes me uncertain about the diplomas offered by the school you showed me. Note that I’m not saying they are no good. I’m just saying I don’t know much about them.
I did a quick search on LTTC and found that they seem to be more well-known for their online TEFL courses. I don’t know much about TEFL but the ECC where I attended the CELTA course had TEFL courses to prepare trainees for the CELTA course. You decide for yourself. Also, it might be good to do more research on TQUK and OfQual if you’re going for the LTTC-awarded course. As for the Council for Provide Education, it seems to be a government agency which regulates educational institutes. In which case, I’m sure there’s value in their certs. As for how recognised they are overseas, you’ll have to do more research on them as well.
Finally, I wouldn’t say employers would prefer a CELTA cert over a Diploma in TESOL since you’re comparing a cert with a full diploma. However, just make sure the diploma you have is properly recognised since there used to be many useless teaching cert programs around the net (and there may still be).
Thank you for the swift reply, Jin Han! I appreciate it very much. 🙂
one more question to my earlier post. alot of the ads i see for english teacher states ‘english:native level’. Does it mean that singaporeans are at a disadvantage because we are not considered as native speakers? or are they just looking for white people?
Hi Marko,
1. What are the requirements for a position with the board of education?
– I guess it differs from city to city, but the one I was with cited at least a year’s experience in teaching as an ALT, and living in the city itself, both of which I didn’t fulfill.
2. Which is the better option? a dispatch recruiter or private school?
– I can’t really say which is better since I’ve never taught at a private school.
3. alot of the ads i see for english teacher states ‘english:native level’. Does it mean that singaporeans are at a disadvantage because we are not considered as native speakers? or are they just looking for white people?
– Again, it’s really hard to tell what the schools are thinking. They could be looking for white people for marketing purposes. But as you understand, I’m neither white nor from any of the listed English-speaking nations. I’ve met many Filipinos who were teaching as ALTs as well, so not all schools are looking for white people.
Hi Jin Han,
I’m glad to be introduce to your website:)
I started to have the idea of moving to Japan in 2010 actually. However, i had never been as firm as you did in order go execute it. For the past 5 years, I had been visiting Japan annually.
I’m also an educator, art educator and not English teacher. I have strong interests in visual arts, so I was wondering if it’s possible for a gaijin to get a visual arts-related job in Japan? I read in your article that it’s easier if one has a specialized skill in order to get a working visa, I was wondering if visual arts can be consider one?
On a side track, may I ask if you know about the procedure to get into the university in Japan? I’m looking at Kyushu university and Tokyo Geidai.
Thank you and have a great day ahead?
Hi ジン,
To be frank, I have no idea what exactly falls under specialized skill apart from the more technical ones like programming and engineering. I don’t think it’s impossible to get a visual arts-related work here especially since the current PM is extremely welcoming of foreigners.
I’ve also never applied to study at a local university so I can’t comment on that. But I’m pretty sure there’s a section for foreign students on the university websites.
Hi there gaijinhan. I have heard that you are now a translator. If its comfortable with you,is it ok to know how much an average translator is earning as well as the career path and pay increments?thanks!
Hi ルイス,
I’ve actually pretty much left the translation profession and only doing very occasional freelance assignments but I’ll do my best to offer something of value.
First, let’s assume that by “translator,” you do not include interpretation work since the pay scale and unit of measurement varies greatly. Second, since you mentioned “career path,” I would also assume that you are not referring to translating as a freelance translator. With that out of the way, let’s get onto the main points.
Translator pay scales can vary greatly depending on the field and industry you are in. For example, if you work as a translator at a translation agency, depending on your skills and experience, your pay can range from 250k yen per month to 450k yen per month (also depending on your specialty). General fields tend to pay less as compared to technical fields. If you work at a legal or major IT firm, your pay can be from 600k per month upwards.
Since I haven’t been doing translation in many companies, I can only offer what I’ve experienced at my company and what I’ve heard from others. Because the company was in the red when I first joined, there weren’t too many benefits and the pay wasn’t that good. One year later, the company went into the black and I got a pay increment of 10k yen. When my Japanese friends heard about the 10k yen pay increment, they were all shocked because apparently, pay increases only a few thousand yen a year in Japanese firms.
It’s hard to talk about career paths since it depends on what company you are in. At translation agencies, you can probably do project management etc. where translation-related positions are abundant. But at law firms and IT companies, it’s hard to imagine there be positions you can move to although I could be very wrong.
So what about general admin jobs using my bilingualism as an advantage?i have noticed that I can get up to 3,000 plus sgd as a fresh grad in Singapore. How is it over there? Do yo u recommend me to work here a few years here for experience first before leaping over?thanks!
I’m surprised you can get over $3k as a fresh grad for general administrative positions in Singapore. I kind of suspect administrative positions don’t pay that well in general and probably are not open to foreigners unless they require your skills that Japanese people in general do not have.
When you say bilingualism, I’m assuming you mean English and Mandarin. In that case, your options to work at local companies may be fewer unless you mean English and Japanese, which might put you in a better spot. But of course, again it’s not impossible even if that isn’t the case. If you don’t already speak Japanese, I would recommend picking it up because most foreigners I know here are at least tri-lingual.
I meant Japanese and English, sorry. Haha. So do you plan to get married and get a hdb too? I want that too but at the same time I also wanna fly over to Japan and work there too><
I haven’t really thought about marriage, much less HDB.
It doesn’t feel like I can afford one and I don’t want to get stuck in a debt (yet).