how do i go about teaching english in japan without having a degree?

Question

i would like to teach english in japan, but i am unsure how i should go about applying and which agencies i should go through, and if i need a degree or not

Answer 1

You would be teaching illegally. Japan requires all EFL teachers to have a four-year undergraduate degree (in any subject). Bad Japanese schools love screwing around with teachers working illegally (witholding paycheques, demanding unpaid overtime, revoking offers of accomodation, etc). Good schools only hire legal teachers.

But honestly, Japanese culture puts a lot of emphasis on educational qualifications. Just look at the number of cram schools that prepare students for college. No students would respect you if they found out you didn't have a degree. Anyone paying for a course taught by someone without a degree would demand their money back.

I have a BA in English, a TESOL certificate (CELTA), and I'm currently completing a BEd in Secondary Langauge Arts Education. I taught some Korean university students this summer, and they reported back to their Korean agent that they were dissatisfied because I was so young. Nevermind my degrees, certificates and experience (I've taught at Motorola, HP, IBM, etc). Age, qualifications and status mean a lot in Asia.

Answer 2

Good luck!
The first thing you need is a basic qualification in TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language). There are many accredited academies which will help you get this qualification. The cost and time needed to complete the course vary from academy to academy, but as Japan is a competitive market, you should aim for the best.
There is a newsletter for teachers who work in Japan www.eltnews.com where you can get vital information about job offers and help with placement.
You should get some experience under your belt before you go. See if there are any academies in your area which are looking for teachers. The academy where you do your course should also give you valuable classroom time where you can improve your teaching techniques and, more importantly, you can discover if teaching is really for you.
As for teaching without a degree. Well, there are many academies which take on native speakers as teachers simply because they are native speakers. This does not mean that they will be able to teach it. Knowing that something is right and then explaining to someone, with perhaps a limited knowledge of the language, why it is right, is a different kettle of fish.
I wish you well in your "quest", I've been teaching English as a foreign language for nearly 20 years and I've never regretted it. Well, nearly never.

Answer 3

I am a teacher in California but I am not familiar with what Japan requires - but I would imagine if you talking about public schools you will need a Bachelor's Degree and their equivalent of a teaching credential.
Perhaps search on line or probably just call the Japanese consulate closest to you, and ask them. If you reach the right person they may know or can coonect you with the agency you need in Japan.

Answer 4

Basically you cant as you need the degree to get the work visa but if you want to teach in Asia, I work in China and although the pay is less you can teach on a EFL certificate. There are various ones to choose from after that just type EFL teachers into a google search and there's hundreds of agencies to choose from

Answer 5

You big problem is going to be the work visa. Basically you need a degree in something. Lots of schools will hire you for work in EFL without any EFL specific training at all. Thye give you training so you can teach in their system. (Google GEOS, AEON, ECC and NOVA to see the recruiting policies of the top 4 school chains.) But you will not be able to get the visa to work for them if you don't have a bachelor's in something or other. As for trying without a degree, I don't recommend it. You would be working illegally (taken very seriously by the government here) and opening yourself up to abuse from any employer underhanded enough to take you on.

Answer 6

It was years ago, but at a large private English language school in Tokyo, I met several people from US and UK which had been teaching English without having a degree. They were all married with Japanese women and already had a visa with work permit for full-time when they were employed.

Answer 7

do a TEFL (teaching english as a foreign language) course - most colleges run them.

Answer 8

try and contact these
http://www.transitionsabroad.com/publications/magazine/0209/live_learn_teach_japan.shtml

http://www.teachinginjapan.com/

Answer 9

ah so

Answer 10

www.thejapanfaq.com/FAQ-EFL.html