Working in Japan, optimal steps?

[heyer]

Hey there. Recently I've been kinda hung up on the thought of teaching english in Japan. I've looked at the requirements for the different kinds of teaching jobs, but I found it hard to find a general consensus :/ Anyway, here is my situation:
The equivalent of a college degree
Completely fluent in English
18 years old
I don't really expect anyone to hire me with these qualifications, but I would like to know what I should do now to move towards my ambition of one day teaching english in Japan. I understand a TEFL course would come in handy, but that's about how far I've come.
I'm currently considering taking a bachelor in engineering with english or teaching as a side subject (It's a special system we have in Denmark)
All input is appreciated

 

[Glenski]

If memory serves, Danes can get a working holiday visa, and that means you can work PT or FT as long as the employer (ANY employer, not just for teaching jobs) feels you are qualified. No degree needed, but the WHV is limited to a year max. [BTW, the Danish site for WHV says you can't work FT, but the main WHV site says you can.]
MOFA: The Working Holiday Programmes in Japan

The problem lies in whether you are satisfied with that or instead want a work visa. The work visa will require that English be your L1, or that at least 12 years of your education was provided all in English. That's the problem coming from a country not recognized as being one where English is the native tongue.

An alternative solution is to gain 3 years of English teaching experience elsewhere, because that will automatically satisfy the requirements for a work visa, too.

Come to the ESL Cafe discussion group for more people to give advice.

 

[heyer]

Thanks alot for the reply!
I had actually looked into the working holiday visum before, but was turned down by the
"The Working Holiday visa is not appropriate for those wishing to enter Japan to engage in full-time employment " part
I guess I'll have to inquire the embassy about it.
By the way, do you mean Dave's ESL Cafe?

 

[Mike Cash]

Probably meant "ongoing full-time employment".

 

[Glenski]

I agree with Mike. Long-term FT employment (more than 3-4 months at a time) is not part of the WHV agreement (although some employers don't seem to care).

Yes, Dave's ESL Cafe.

 

[heyer]

Hey, it's me again!
I would just like to say thanks for directing me to the ESL Cafe. It's exactly the kind of resource I was hoping for!
A bit of a shame I can't sign up until mid August, but I'm in no hurry.

 

[Glenski]

Is there some delay on registering for the Cafe? Can't you still look around the posts?

You could also go to Gaijinpot.com, but beware that there are a LOT of flamers and trolls there. The Cafe is immensely more civil and helpful.

 

[heyer]

Registrations seem to be closed until August, but since I can still browse, I don't mind at all. ^^

 

[zoomingjapan]

"The Working Holiday visa is not appropriate for those wishing to enter Japan to engage in full-time employment " part

What they mean by that is that the WHV is mainly meant for younger people who want to go to a foreign country, travel around and work here and there to get money to support their trips.
It is NOT forbidden to take a full-time job with it.
You don't have to tell them what your plan is. It's none of their business.

I agree that the WHV is your best bet.
Be aware that it might be impossible to change your WHV to a real work visa once it's about to expire just like Glenski said.
Usually you need to be a native speaker (or have a passport of a country where English is an official language) or you need 12 yrs. of education in that language. This only applies if you want to be an English teacher, of course.
And it's NOT impossible, because I'm German and yet I managed to get a proper work visa for being an English teacher although my first application was rejected, too.

 

[Glenski]

What they mean by that is that the WHV is mainly meant for younger people who want to go to a foreign country, travel around and work here and there to get money to support their trips.
It is NOT forbidden to take a full-time job with it.

But the stupid Danish site says it IS forbidden, which is why we are trying to explain what is probably meant.

You don't have to tell them what your plan is. It's none of their business.

But you DO have to lay out a plan of sorts. Just how detailed may vary from country to country.