Teach English? no degree

[AngryGerbil]

I'm new and overwhelmed here but...
I have a frantic desire to travel to japan. Ive looked into teaching english as a cost effective way to do so. But this has only brought me to companies like Aeon that only accept people with English speaking roots and a degree. The second of which I do not have.
is there SOME way to get around this? or is there a degree I can acquire thats REALLY quick
also does the teaching english allow for stints in Japan as short as 3months? 6 months? Thats probably asking alot! But I thought id ask anyway. Its okay if they dont! I suppose.
sry if this is in the wrong forum or a boringly common post/question.

 

[Ewok85]

You need a degree to be allowed to work in Japan - its an immigration requirement.

By this you need to have graduated from a college or university.

Look at a working holiday - http://www.ca.emb-japan.go.jp/canada_e/VisaTravel/workingholiday.html

 

[ET_Fukuoka]

For short stints I would go the studying Japanese route with a student visa.

 

[yukio_michael]

For short stints I would go the studying Japanese route with a student visa.

This requires some ammount of money up-front which the original poster seems not to have if they are looking for a means of supporting themselves while in Japan.

I'm new and overwhelmed here but... I have a frantic desire to travel to japan.

Being overwhelmed and frantic aren't two of the best qualities to plan a move to another country around. Take your time and be prepared, regardless of what you do. Japan's not going anywhere.

 

[ET_Fukuoka]

If you can afford a ticket to Japan just fly there and look for a job at one of the smaller English schools. You might get lucky, but don't hold your breath. It is possible to find a job without a degree, but not easy.

 

[Nall-ohki]

If you can afford a ticket to Japan just fly there and look for a job at one of the smaller English schools. You might get lucky, but don't hold your breath. It is possible to find a job without a degree, but not easy.

I'm torn by this - it is possible, but it's like saying "if I go and hang around Hollywood directors, perhaps one of them will ask me to act!".

It's really a crapshoot. The chance of it happening is indeed non-zero, but I wouldn't suggest that you try it.

Frankly, if you want to come to Japan and teach English (not a lofty goal, but not a terrible one), then go and get a degree. That's the only thing in your way.

 

[Ewok85]

If you can afford a ticket to Japan just fly there and look for a job at one of the smaller English schools. You might get lucky, but don't hold your breath. It is possible to find a job without a degree, but not easy.

Uhh no? Without a degree he cannot legally work in Japan unless he meets other conditions (be married to a Japanese national, be a dependant of someone who has a valid working permit, or have prior English teaching experience).

Its not about if someone will hire you or not.

 

[macadamia_cocoa]

Okay, definitely try out the Japan Exchange Teaching Programme. It's the best program for teaching English in Japan.

Unfortunately, you'll be there for much longer than 3-6 months. The contracts are for about two years usually, but I think that's better because you get a full experience.

Good luck with your search.

 

[ArmandV]

I wonder how women who work in hostess clubs or as "exotic dancers" get around the B.A. degree requirement? They seem to have no difficulty in getting work and their employers handle the visa paperwork from what I've heard.

Bear in mind that I not suggesting these lines of work, but it does seem that some have managed to get around the degree requirement.

 

[ET_Fukuoka]

I know at least 3 people that don't have BA/BS degrees that are teaching and have been in Japan for several years. So, it can be done but it "aint" easy to do.

PS. 2 of the 3 have started working on their degrees. LOL, so even they realize it's not the best situation to be in.

 

[Ewok85]

I wonder how women who work in hostess clubs or as "exotic dancers" get around the B.A. degree requirement? They seem to have no difficulty in getting work and their employers handle the visa paperwork from what I've heard.
Bear in mind that I not suggesting these lines of work, but it does seem that some have managed to get around the degree requirement.

Entertainer visa. Famous for just the reason you said
(Entertainer visa has requirements that lie with the employer, not the employee, which makes it simple to get people in the country if you meet requirements).

 

[Thunderthief]

Don't you have to have degree's in English and Japanese? Maybe im wrong.

 

[Mandrake.]

Possible with proper visa support, or with adequate experience.

 

[ArmandV]

Entertainer visa. Famous for just the reason you said
(Entertainer visa has requirements that lie with the employer, not the employee, which makes it simple to get people in the country if you meet requirements).

The thought occurred to me about the entertainer visa hours after my post. Thanks for confirming my suspicion.

 

[Ewok85]

The thought occurred to me about the entertainer visa hours after my post. Thanks for confirming my suspicion.

Its also got a huge (and I mean HUGE) number of people currently using it in Japan. The numbers blew me away

法務省 (DATA SECTION PDF)

From memory it was more than the people holding "Instructor" or "Specialist in Humanities" visas!

 

[daveng]

Is English teacher a well-paid job in Japan?

 

[JimmySeal]

Okay, definitely try out the Japan Exchange Teaching Programme. It's the best program for teaching English in Japan.

Unfortunately, you'll be there for much longer than 3-6 months. The contracts are for about two years usually, but I think that's better because you get a full experience.

Good luck with your search.

JET requires a university degree, though they do make RARE exceptions for people with teaching certification (though that usually requires a university degree). Contracts are for 1 year, renewable up to 2 times.

 

[Ewok85]

Is English teacher a well-paid job in Japan?

The normal starting wage for non-direct hire in normal schools and eikaiwa (for people who do not have experience, teaching licence and degree/masters in Education) is around 250,000yen. With the yen being weaker lately its not as good as it used to be.