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JT Columns
Teach English in Japan
English language teaching opportunities in Japan abound for foreigners seeking employment or those simply wanting to experience life in Japan.  Since English is an international language, english language schools have become quite numerous in non-english speaking nations.  Japan's ELT infrastructure is one of the most extensive and efficient and offers positions to native English-speakers (and proficient non-native speakers) at large and well established ELT company schools. 

    While an uncredentialed native-english speaker are often able to find ELT work in the private sector, most schools require employees to be credentialed in some way.  A Bachelor's degree (in any major) is usually sufficient credential fo employment.  Some schools require only TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification, which can often be obtained in 2-3 months at minor expense.

    Teaching in Japan is can be a means of gaining valuable work experience while enjoying and experiencing the features of a rich and fascinating culture.  The Japanese are a polite and mannerly people, well-known for their industriousness.  You will be in the company of many groups of foreigners that have come to visit this unique country (British, Jamaican, Australian, German, African, Chinese, Korean).  Salary varies according to the institution and the applicant's credentials, but is generally in the range of Y 230,000-270,000 per month, which is equivalent to $1,869-2,195 US dollars per month.  Most  of these schools will also set you up with housing, pay a portion of your rent and get your Japanese working visa for you.  Some schools will even pay for your airfare to Japan. 

     We suggest that you research the environment and policies of your desired institution before committing yourself to contract (usually a one-year commitment).  Listed below are the three largest teaching institutions in Japan (some with over 450 teaching locations).  These are by no means the only options however; there are literally thousands of ELT schools in Japan and we have also included a links to one of the major online Japanese ELT employment listings, as well as a an extremely popular email-distributed employment listing.

Ohayo Sensei     [email protected]     
Send an email message with the subject heading "get issue" to their address below and they will put you on their monthly employment listings mailing list.  An excellent resource.

NOVA Group 
Is probably one of the easier schools to get a position; has a very progressive hiring policy.
http://www.teachinjapan.com

GEOS Language Corporation
http://www.teaching-english-in-japan.com

AEON
http://www.aeonet.com