Why you MIGHT NOT want to teach English in Japan

For some of you, teaching English in Japan is a very exciting idea that you might want to try. But there are many people who are doing it and regret it. And the same might happen to you IF you don’t know some of these very important things about teaching in Japan.

There are 4 big reasons why so many people start their Japan lives at teachers, but there are also some reasons why many people can't get out of it, even if they don't want to teach anymore. There are also some good tips on how you can get out of teaching!

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Songs Used:

[MrsEats]

What skill are you planning on working on for 2022?

[dinogirrl]

My favorite mistranslated menu item at a Japanese restaurant in the US was: chicken rude and offensive...they meant 'jerk chicken' (a spicy chicken dish)

[davidl]

Thumbs up for the short tomahawk sign.

[Jordan-inJapan]

Well, I’ve been living in Japan and teaching English here for the last 20 years, and I can say that the info & advice from ‘Mr. Eats’ was solid. I just want to clarify something for those who might be confused. The term ‘ALT’ (assistant language teacher) refers to English teaching jobs in the public system, for example with the jet program. In that case, you are not a “real teacher“, but an assistant to a licensed teacher in the classroom. Teachers who work in private English conversation schools are not ALTs. In the conversation school, you are usually main teacher. (harder work, for not necessarily more pay.) Just in case anyone was confused!
But yeah, teaching English in Japan is great. But I agree that it’s not for everyone!

[dtown]

It's the same here in Korea. Either come for 1-3 years, learn the language, save money, travel, etc. and leave or you'll end up trapped. If you do stay long term in either country, please, please learn the language to get more types of jobs, start a business, or develop other skills for when you go back home. I've seen so many "teachers" here that are still in the same shitty low paying jobs and they are absolutely miserable.

[QuesoGr]

I love her humor so damn much. Never change, Mrs. Eats lol

[JukeboxGothic]

My half Japanese friend used to ask me words he was unsure of when we shared a house. One day he asked me, "Andrew, what's an auto pussy?" I asked him, "what the hell are you reading". He showed me. The word was autopsy.

[anniastarvoice]

In my case, I teach business English online here in Japan. I can set my own rates, schedule, and lesson plans. No meetings or colleagues. I do have to supplement it with other work but overall I really enjoy it because of how much freedom it gives me and just how interesting it is to talk with so many kinds of students of different walks of life (I’ve even had Japanese students who took my lesson from Germany or India!). Overall, I can earn enough to not have financial troubles and save up money.

[Ahahahahstayingalive]

I plan to teach as a ALT while I slowly build up tutoring clients. Great way to get clients too. I also plan to learn more languages and get certified for teaching. My passion is to be a language teacher so I think ALT is a great opportunity for me and I’m so excited.

[pedanticm]

I have some friends who went to Japan on the JET program and never came back because they loved it so much. One even opened a bakery.

[JoeXTheXJuggalo]

There's another Japanese YouTuber I watch and he taught English to Japanese people. He said he felt like his teaching job was more like babysitting adults for a so many hours a day. His English is really good and he said lots of Japanese people he was teaching kept on assuming he was a Japanese-American that moved to Japan to teach English.

[tsexport]

One thing that you get with an ALT position is directly experiencing school life, an experience that most Japanese people go through. Very valuable if you end up living in Japan. You don't get this experience in an office or factory.

[nathanyork]

Finishing up my M.A. TESOL in the US. After that I’d like to work here for 2 years, save $$$ and move back to Japan. I loved being an ALT; it inspired me to get my Masters. Maybe I’ll even start my own café/Eikaiwa someday

[madelinetracy]

It makes me sad to hear that some people look down on ALTs! I’m a Music teacher in the U.S. and sadly, there are teachers and others who look down on us too. An average American teacher deals with a classroom of about 35 students for eight hours a day. “Specials” teachers (who teach art, music, P.E.) see several different classes per day. In a week, I teach about 1, 243 students. Just because it’s a little different doesn’t mean we don’t deserve respect for our hard work. ALL teachers deserve respect 💜

[jacksonsplace]

Great video. I was an ALT for a year and had also a part time job. I was an once in a lifetime experience. After the school year, I realized that it was easier for me to return to my home country to accomplish my goals. If I stayed, I don't know what I would had become.

[russellschaeffler]

One issue I have run into with living in Japan and working remotely for a company outside Japan is taxes and creating a Japanese financial history. That along with not having benefits like Nenkin and health issurance paid through an employer, meaning I have to cover that out of pocket. So I would recommend even if you have an online business or work remotely for a company outside Japan, try working for an employer in Japan even part-time, that might at least cover some of your requirements with Nenkin and health insurance. It can also help you qualify for credit cards or loans if the need arises.

[Save.the.legends]

In 2015, I work as an ALT in Osaka - I loved it, but sadly I was only able to stay for about two years because my wife had medical issues. We returned to the U.S, I earned a Master's of Education, got a lot more teaching experience and went through a divorce. I've saved up money and bought ALL the camera gear to do YouTube and a photography side hustle on top of teaching.

So, now I'm ready to go back. I returned to the states not because I wanted to but because of the circumstances. The current biggest issue I see is that the borders are closed and it's hard to get a job outside of dispatch companies. I was hoping to get hired on with an international school from the start this time around but that's not the case. Most companies seem to only hire if already in country with a work Visa. Not cool. I've waited a long time to go back, 7 years.

I have an interview next month for a teaching job in Japan with a dispatch company. I guess I'll start over with them, and eventually branch out to an international school or maybe my photography or YouTube channel will become something. The point is that I want to get back out there and try again - reclaim an old dream, this is my "what if" story.

[tsexport]

Needs a correction. JET Program doesn't require a 4 year Bachelors degree for admission. A 3 year Bachelors degree is fine. e.g. from UK and British Commonwealth countries.

[PCStPierre]

I taught in Korea. It was a good experience, but I definitely got culture fatigue and needed a break after a while. If you immerse yourself as much as you can and really adapt yourself to the new culture it’s easier. Not sure if the adjustment is any different in Japan. Just be humble and learn, and you’d be alright.

[basselhkhaled]

As someone who’s supposed to be starting April (still considering the job), this was a very helpful video. Thanks guys! I really appreciate it 😃!