Teaching in Japan is an amazing experience but getting a job before you head there can be very difficult. Footprints Recruiting has partnered with the largest ALT provider to the Japanese public school program to hire 250 teachers for public schools in Japan.
Public School Teaching Jobs in Japan
As an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) our teachers are partnered with Japanese Teachers of English (JTEs) and Homeroom Teachers (HRTs) in elementary schools, junior high schools and high schools around Japan. As an elementary teacher in Japan, or ALT, you are often shared among many different classes and even many different schools which can be challenging when considering trying to establish student relationships or progression but Assistant Language Teachers are more viewed as the fun teachers. Your role is to visit a class once a week with the promise of fun, interactive lessons that many Japanese students will look forward to as the highlight of their week. Junior high school assistant language teachers in Japan work with Japanese English teachers to incorporate national curriculum objectives in activities that help progress students' communicative abilities and make classes active and fun. Many junior high school English teachers will also participate in after school activities ranging from sports to arts. High school Assistant Language Teachers are assigned to lead special communicative classes and they supplement textbook material introduce by Japanese Teachers of English.
Requirements to be an English Teacher (ALT) in Japan:
- must be a native English speaker from Canada, the USA, Australia, NewZealand, the UK, Ireland or South Africa.
- must have a 4 year diploma or bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college
- must have transcripts from all post-secondary institutes attended for degree or diploma or a letter from the university or college registrar stating that you have graduated. No future tense explanations accepted.
- must have a clear criminal record
- must have a clear health record
- must have a valid passport from Canada, the USA, Australia, NewZealand, the UK, Ireland or South Africa.
How long have you been in operation?
Footprints started in 2001 and our partner was founded in September, 1972, and serves hundreds of schools and Boards of Education throughout Japan by providing highly motivated and qualified Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) to Elementary and Junior High schools in various locations throughout Japan.
How many schools do you have in operation?
In addition to its Head Office in Tokyo, there are branch offices in Hitachi, Chiba, Yokohama, Hamamatsu, Nagoya, Osaka, Hiroshima and Fukuoka. Based out of its Head Office and these branch offices, our ALTs are now working in the following locations throughout Japan: Hokkaido, Akita, Niigata, Iwate, Fukushima, Tochigi, Gunma, Ibaraki, Chiba, Tokyo, Kanagawa, Yamanashi, Shizuoka, Toyama, Aichi, Mie, Osaka, Okayama, Hiroshima, and Fukuoka. Every effort is taken to accommodate each candidate's individual location preferences. However, all assignment location decisions are based on personnel needs at any given time and location preferences cannot always be matched.
How many foreign teachers do you hire/recruit a year for Japan?
Approximately 250 overseas teachers are hired every year and there are currently over 2000 teachers working for us in Japan right now.
What is the ratio of foreign teachers to native teachers?
In most cases you are the only foreign teacher at the school but you are often not the only foreign teacher in the area. There are typically many other foreign teachers around though they could be employed by different schools or private language academies.
How is the English-speaking ability of the native teachers?
It varies depending on school level. Most native teachers working in Junior High Schools speak English, but this is not usually the case in the Elementary schools.
How are interviews conducted, in person or over the phone?
To be considered for a position, attendance at one of our overseas seminar / interview sessions is compulsory. Overseas presentations and interviews are regularly held in Canada, the U.K., the United States and Australia.Do teachers tend to renew their contracts?
Yes, the average term of employment for our teachers is now over two years. According to a survey completed by our current workforce, approximately 70% of our teachers intend to renew their contracts.
When will I know I have a job after an interview with a recruiter?
An email from the head office in Tokyo, advising you as to whether you have been successful or not will be sent to you within three weeks of being interviewed, provided you have submitted all visa related documents and work or academic related references and we have been successful in contacting them. Please note: we cannot process your application or determine if you are a successful candidate until we have received all of the required documentation.
When will I know about my actual placement?
One of the biggest sources of frustration for both successful candidates and the Interac Human Resources Department is that the Boards of Education can be very slow in confirming positions. You might be offered a placement within one month of being hired, but usually you will not find out about your confirmed placement until one month (or less) before your arrival date. This is another reason why we ask our candidates to be flexible with their location preference.
What is the dress standard for teachers in Japan?
JAPAN IS A VERY CONSERVATIVE COUNTRY!! ALTs and LCs must wear business attire during orientation, on all teaching assignments, or when visiting the office. Clothing standards in Japan are conservative and professional for both men and women. Similarly, if you have tattoos, please be sure to wear clothing that covers them at all times.
When can I start working as an ALT in Japan?
We can offer two start dates: early April and early September (you would be required to travel in late March and late August, respectively, to attend the orientation period). Positions will be for approximately eleven and seven months respectively. This is to coincide with the Japanese academic calendar. Please check our homepage for a detailed recruiting calendar and seminar dates and locations in your area.
When will I begin teaching?
Teaching assignments usually start approximately five to ten days after arrival.
Where will I be teaching?
ALTs work in Japanese Government schools and in most cases, you will be shared by many schools. Most ALT assignments include a combination between elementary and junior high school. In certain circumstances, you may have the opportunity to teach at a high school. These positions are limited to certain regional areas and will require you to be very flexible with your location preferences if you prefer to have such an assignment. Please note that preferences will be considered but we cannot accept specific requests.
How will I travel to my schools?
Some ALTs travel to school by bicycle, train or bus. All ALTs are reimbursed for their work-related transportation expenses. Most of the positions offered to overseas candidates require driving.
Do I need a driver's licence?
Some teaching positions may require you to have a driver's licence. In addition to your drivers’ licence, you will need an International driving permit in order to legally drive in Japan. Please check the links below to obtain more information pertaining to these permits. At this stage we simply ask you to familiarize yourself with IDP application procedure by checking the links provided below. The Placement Department will be able to provide more detailed information in due course.
- USA - www.aaa.com
- CAN - www.voyage.gc.ca
- UK - www.theaa.com
- IRELAND - www.aaireland.ie
- AUS - www.aaa.asn.au
- NZ - www.ltsa.govt.nz
- SAR -www.aa.co.za
What are the working hours?
While ALTs may be at school for up to 40 hours per week, between the hours of 8 AM and 5 PM, Monday to Friday, their assigned working hours will be 29.5 or less. The exact working hours will be determined by the school(s) the ALT has been assigned to. Weekends and public holidays are recognized as days off apart from attendance at special school events.
How many lessons will I teach each week?
Most ALTs teach approximately 20 lessons per week, depending on the school. The remainder of their assigned work time includes lesson preparation and designated activities with students, such as eating school lunch.
What are the vacation periods?
You are paid for all national holidays (about two weeks in total) throughout the school year. In addition, you will receive a three to five week break between the end of July and the end of August, depending on which Board of Education you work for (the actual dates will vary according to your school schedule). You will also have about two weeks at the end of December until early January for the winter break. Again, the actual dates will depend on the school, but a general rule of thumb for the winter break is December 23rd (the Emperor’s birthday) until around January 4th. Within your contract, you are also entitled to five personal days after the first 90 days of continuous employment and 80% attendance. It is expected that these days are to be taken as sick days. Japanese business practices frown on actually taking personal days as vacation days, and it is not recommended to do so.
How long are the teaching positions for?
Most ALT positions start in early April or early September and last until March the following year. Arrival dates are usually late March and late August. Only applicants who are able to commit to the full term of the assignment are eligible for employment consideration.
How many schools will I visit?
Most ALTs are based at either one main “base” school or visit a number of schools. The average assignment is between three to five schools, but some Japanese Boards of Education (BOE) have the ALT work in 10 schools or more. The actual school assignment is usually not given by the BOE until about one month before you are due to arrive in Japan.
What are the ages of the students? Elementary school students are between 6 and 12 years old. Junior high school students are between 12 and 15 years old. High schools students are between 15 to 18 years old.
What is the monthly salary?
Salaries range from 230,000 JPY to 250,000 JPY depending on the position requirements.
When is payday?
ALTs receive a monthly salary, deposited into their account, on the last day of the month. When this day falls on a weekend or national holiday, the salary is deposited into the account on the previous business trading day. Depending on the starting date, the first salary will be received approximately six to eight weeks after commencing employment.
Does Interac offer Japanese lessons?
We offer free online Japanese lessons that are accessible to all of our ALTs.
Does Interac arrange for my travel to Japan?
ALTs are responsible for organizing and funding their own transportation to Japan, including airfares. BOOK YOUR TICKET HERE
When should I buy my plane ticket after being hired?
We ask that you do not buy your plane ticket until your placement has been confirmed. The Tokyo head office will also be in contact with you through email to invite you to take part in our Orientation. The placement department will instruct you to purchase your ticket to Japan as soon as your placement is confirmed. This is usually done one month before your departure.
Where can I get airline tickets to Japan at an affordable rate?
We have a preferred travel agent who is familiar with arranging the travel needs of our English teachers and they are able to get access to discount fares that are cheaper than most internet fares. We also HIGHLY recommend booking your flight through the Footprints travel agent to ensure you have a point of contact in case there is an emergency situation. Most websites or electronically booked tickets don't offer you any last minute opportunities or contingencies for emergencies. Again, we STRONGLY recommend that you use our travel agent: BOOK YOUR TICKET HERE
Who pays for transportation from the airport to the orientation venue/hotel?
You will be responsible for your own transportation costs to the hotel where the orientation will be held, or to reach your assignment location should you elect not to attend the orientation. Once you are at orientation, all company-related travel costs will be paid by the company.
Where will I stay during the orientation?
For overseas recruits, the company will organize and cover the expenses for the accommodation (hotel or similar-shared room type) during the orientation. New recruits are provided with this information, including thorough directions from their arrival airport to the orientation venue or placement location, prior to their arrival in Japan. Depending on your placement location, you might be invited to attend an orientation directly with your individual branch and will not be required to attend an orientation in Tokyo. This will be made known to you once you have accepted a placement and prior to your arrival.
What is the orientation program like?
The company offers new recruits a comprehensive orientation program to help Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) get accustomed to Japan and learn about Japanese schools and the company. Sessions include an introduction to the Japanese schooling system, school activities, working in elementary schools, first day and first class, and so on. Orientation also includes developing life skills and social awareness to live in Japan. Teachers also have access to a large number of teaching resources to use in the classroom. These include music CDs, flashcards and a comprehensive database of downloadable material from the training department intranet (lesson plans, flashcards, activities and more).
Our experience is that almost all of our ALTs welcome the chance to take part in the orientation program. In addition to helping you get adjusted to Japan, it gives you the chance to meet many other new ALTs some of whom will be placed near you. If you do elect not to take the orientation, this will not impact on your job status or, your ability to perform effectively as an Interac ALT as all teaching materials, resources and lesson plans are available to all our ALTs on-line once they begin teaching.
How much money will I need to bring with me to Japan for setup costs?
It is recommended to bring 500,000 JPY to ensure a smooth transition in moving to Japan. This money will be used to pay initial costs for an apartment, buying household supplies, furniture, and to have enough to live on before receiving your first salary, which is paid at the end of the following month. This is the standard pay cycle in Japan. Successful candidates may be offered some financial assistance (up to 200,000 JPY) in the form of a short-term loan with an interest of 1% calculated each month on the principle amount borrowed. We do, however, ask that you be prepared to bring the majority of the advised funds with you. These funds will be disbursed after you have set up a bank account, so please do not plan on using this money for at least one week and a half.
How should I bring my money to Japan?
The most reliable method is to bring all funds from overseas in traveller’s cheques. Bankers’ drafts, credit cards and bank cashing cards are not recommended because of the limited places that you can use them. It is also not recommended to bring cash, except for the amount required to secure an apartment upon arrival.
If I need a loan, how is this handled?
For candidates requiring a loan, you will need to tell the recruiter during your interview exactly how much you will need. If you wait until just before you arrive to give us this information, your loan payment might be delayed. The way the loan is processed is as follows:
- You request the loan amount (up to 200,000 JPY maximum)
- This information is given to the company to reserve the money for you before you arrive.
- Upon arrival in Japan (during the orientation or first school) you will need to get your alien registration card and an address where you are living before you can set up your post office bank account.
- You need to submit a loan application form to your branch (this is done AFTER you arrive in Japan, not before).
- Once your bank account is set up (after receiving your alien registration card), the company can then deposit the loan amount into your bank account.
Please note that you will need to bring enough cash with you to Japan to hold you over until the loan can be processed and deposited into your post office bank account. The approximate timeline for this is about 10 days to two weeks.
Are advancement opportunities available within the company?
Some advancement opportunities arise from time to time, either by becoming staff members in company departments or being promoted to a branch office managing consultant position. There are other opportunities such as head teacher in your area. These positions will usually pay a higher salary.
Find out more about our teaching opportunities in Japan on the Japan Teaching Job Board.
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