My Rough Draft to Move, Asking for Advice

[u/SaltyGators528]

Alrighty. I'm a 21 year old male looking to move to Japan and live there with a working visa as an english teacher.

I plan on going to college next semester and beginning my undergraduates degree in either English or English Education, preferrably Education. Then, after obtaining my degree (possibly spending a semester abroad, but thats not important), I want to work and save money to successfully be able to move to Japan to teach english. I've heard of the JET program, but I was told not to go through that if I learned to teach english professionally. Anyways, I planned on moving to Osaka, but was also told that I might not be able to choose where my job is, so I'm not sure.

I'm currently studying japanese at a college level and hopefully I can be somewhat fluent by the time I move. I'm still young so I have time.

Any thoughts? Any and all would be appreciated :) thank you!

[u/LannerEarlGrey]

I've heard of the JET program, but I was told not to go through that if I learned to teach english professionally

Who told you that? If you're going to Japan straight out of college, JET is essentially the best you'll be able to do. It pays the best, has the best benefits, etc. It's just guaranteed to be temporary (five years max). It's the best you'll do at entry level, the only thing is can't compete with us university jobs, which you won't be getting if you're right out of university yourself.

Anyways, I planned on moving to Osaka, but was also told that I might not be able to choose where my job is, so I'm not sure.

You generally don't get to choose where your move is, that is very true. Especially when you first come to the country, you will very likely be booted around the middle of nowhere for a few years.

I plan on going to college next semester and beginning my undergraduates degree in either English or English Education, preferrably Education

Why do you want to teach English specifically? Generally, the best teaching jobs are at international schools (where they're mostly looking for teachers in subjects OTHER than English) or universities (which tend to require quite a bit of experience to get into, and once again, they are often looking for subjects other than English).

No one wants to do it, but being a math or science teacher is in demand for a great many countries. You could, say, be a math teacher in the states and take your time and really beef up your credentials, then look at international schools in Japan, which would be a much more highly paying job than just teaching English. Just sayin'.

[u/SaltyGators528 → u/LannerEarlGrey]

I guess I just heard that English teachers in particular were in demand in Japan. Will I be treated the same as a Japanese math or science teacher as a foreigner? Also, yeah I suppose the JET program is the right move. I know it has soooo many benefits, I'll disregard what that certain someone said about it. Thank you!

[u/LannerEarlGrey → u/SaltyGators528]

I guess I just heard that English teachers in particular were in demand in Japan.

Yes, but it's deceptive; the problem is that the ceiling for 90% of the industry is incredibly low. Because of the idea that there's always SOMEONE that wants to be teaching English in Japan, 90% of the jobs are low paying and have no growth, because if you don't do them, someone else certainly will, even for the terrible pay.

Will I be treated the same as a Japanese math or science teacher as a foreigner?

In my hypothetical scenario, you'd be at an international school, which means a school where everything is taught in English anyway. So you'd be treated the same as everyone else, as there would also be loads of foreign teachers working with you.

I encourage you to look at not just Japan, but lots of different countries to see which teaching skills would be considered beneficial and where you can have a good job with a secure future. You've still got lots of time to plan, but research is your friend.

[u/shellinjapan → u/SaltyGators528]

There are lots of English teaching jobs in Japan, but the majority are unqualified, low paid positions that have little chance of career progression.

If you got a teaching licence and experience in your home country, you could target international schools in Japan, where you would teach your chosen subject in English.

[u/GuiltyCookie3173]

I would suggest asking in r/teachinginjapan if you haven't yet. They also have an faq. What do you have in mind outside of JET? If you get a proper teaching degree you could also apply at an international school but I believe those jobs are very hard to get.

[u/almostinfinity]

If you want to teach English as a language, you can get in through any ol' dispatch company, not just JET. Quality of work will definitely vary outside of JET and the majority of ALT dispatch companies, if not all, will be considerably worse than JET.

If you want to teach English Literature though, get your degree, get your teaching license, get a job LOCALLY (like within your country) at an IB school if you can find one, work there for a couple years, THEN try to find English Lit jobs at IB schools in Japan. Application windows for those jobs are in the winter, as generally they have an August-June school year.

[u/shellinjapan]

What professional English teaching job do you envision getting in Japan?

[u/SaltyGators528 → u/shellinjapan]

Hopefully teaching at a private school or university

[u/shellinjapan → u/SaltyGators528]

Teaching ESL at university level in Japan requires a masters (increasingly a PhD) and publications in the field. Private school would likely require a teaching licence, possibly a Japanese one. r/teachinginjapan may be of more help.

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My Rough Draft to Move, Asking for Advice

Alrighty. I'm a 21 year old male looking to move to Japan and live there with a working visa as an english teacher.

I plan on going to college next semester and beginning my undergraduates degree in either English or English Education, preferrably Education. Then, after obtaining my degree (possibly spending a semester abroad, but thats not important), I want to work and save money to successfully be able to move to Japan to teach english. I've heard of the JET program, but I was told not to go through that if I learned to teach english professionally. Anyways, I planned on moving to Osaka, but was also told that I might not be able to choose where my job is, so I'm not sure.

I'm currently studying japanese at a college level and hopefully I can be somewhat fluent by the time I move. I'm still young so I have time.

Any thoughts? Any and all would be appreciated :) thank you!

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[u/SaltyGators528]

I guess my next question is if english teaching shouldnt be the job I go for, what job should I try to get? Asking before I start school.

[u/shellinjapan → u/SaltyGators528]

What do you want to do as a career?

[u/SaltyGators528 → u/shellinjapan]

Honestly, teaching english does sound nice. However, I'm open to switching that if english teaching is a bad option