I am not even asking to work in Tokyo. I would be more than happy to work in the middle of nowhere. So why is it so hard to find a position. I checked Gaijin Pot and Dave's ESL cafe.
Japan - 5 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
Because in Asia, generally people go to private schools or all the positions are filled. Sorry.
2 :
Education is deadly serious in Japan, some kids commit suicide if they fail exams, rather than face their parents. That's why they require excellence in their teachers. Even just teaching English there requires a BA whereas in other Asian countries like China, South Korea, etc, just a TESOL certificate will get you a job somewhere. If you want to visit Japan, why not work elsewhere in Asia & use the $$ earned to go to Japan as a tourist? Also staying in Youth Hostels (which are for anyone any age) will save you a lot of $$ as accomodation is your biggest expense there. Or you could try to find a room with a family for free, in exchange for you teaching English to their children/teenagers.
3 :
Public schools can't just hire random people, they need to be screened. They're hired by the Board of Educations through programs like JET or Interac
4 :
All you can do is just helper or assistanse for English teaching if you have no national qualifified certificate of teacher, which you can only apply and pass it after graduation from Japanese university or college in Japan. Your background, experience or any certificate out of Japan to teach has no use to get teacher position in public school of Japan. It is Japanese educational system. Not your system. Japanese official consider they would need their own teachers for their own public education historically. It works actually. Private schools are different stories. It depends on your skill and reliability between you and school.
5 :
About 5-6 years ago the government changed the law regarding hiring foreign teachers. Before that if schools wanted a native English teacher, they had to hire one FULL TIME and provide visa sponsorship. When they changed the law, schools were allowed to get teachers part time from or "rented out" from big Eikaiwas. Therefore they had no legal responsibility and could end their contract whenever they wanted to. Schools would rather get part time teachers from Eikaiwas.
