Living in Japan

Teaching English in Japan: JET, Eikaiwa and ALT Programs

By JAPN Published · Updated

Teaching English in Japan: JET, Eikaiwa and ALT Programs

Programs Available

The JET Programme (Japan Exchange and Teaching) places roughly 5,000 participants from 50+ countries annually in schools and government offices across Japan. ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) positions pay approximately 3.36 million yen annually with flights, housing assistance, and health insurance provided. Contracts run one year with renewal up to five years. Applications open in October for the following August start. Competition is significant with roughly 30 percent acceptance rates for English-speaking countries.

Eikaiwa (English conversation school) chains like NOVA, Gaba, ECC, and Berlitz hire year-round with less competitive entry requirements than JET. Pay ranges from 250,000 to 300,000 yen monthly. Hours typically include evenings and weekends when students are available. Private tutoring through platforms and cafes provides supplemental income at 3,000 to 5,000 yen per hour. A bachelor’s degree in any field is the minimum requirement for all legal English teaching positions in Japan.

What to Expect

Teaching conditions vary dramatically: JET ALTs work in public schools alongside Japanese teachers of English and may teach at multiple schools weekly in rural placements. Eikaiwa teachers follow company-provided curricula in private school settings with adult and child students. Rural JET placements provide deep cultural immersion but limited English-speaking social circles. Urban eikaiwa positions offer convenience but less cultural integration. Both paths provide visa sponsorship, and the teaching experience serves as a gateway to other careers in Japan.

Programs and Opportunities

The JET Programme (Japan Exchange and Teaching), sponsored by the Japanese government, places approximately 5,000 participants annually in public schools across Japan for one-year renewable contracts at 3.36 million yen annually. Applications open in late autumn for the following August start. Positions are assigned to locations across Japan, from central Tokyo to remote island villages, with no choice of placement. Private eikaiwa (English conversation school) chains like Aeon, ECC, Berlitz, and Gaba hire year-round with more flexibility on location and schedule, offering salaries of 250,000 to 300,000 yen monthly. Independent ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) dispatch companies including Interac and Altia Central provide school placements with slightly lower pay but sometimes more predictable schedules. Private tutoring through platforms like Cafetalk and Amazing Talker supplements income at 2,000 to 5,000 yen per hour. A bachelor’s degree in any field is the minimum qualification for most positions, and TEFL certification improves job prospects and pay.

Beyond formal teaching positions, tutoring opportunities exist at community centers where volunteer English conversation groups welcome native speakers as practice partners. These unpaid positions do not violate visa restrictions and provide genuine cultural exchange. The demand for English education in Japan remains strong despite decades of investment in English language instruction, as the education system’s focus on grammar and reading over conversation produces graduates who can pass written tests but struggle with spoken communication.

Life as an ALT or Eikaiwa Teacher

ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) positions through programs like JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme) place native English speakers in public schools across the country. JET offers a structured entry: the Japanese government handles visa sponsorship, provides a salary of approximately 3.36 million yen annually, and arranges initial housing assistance. Placements are nationwide, and many ALTs end up in rural towns where they become minor local celebrities as the only foreign resident.

Eikaiwa (English conversation school) chains like AEON, ECC, GABA, and Berlitz operate in every Japanese city and recruit teachers year-round. Starting salaries range from 250,000 to 280,000 yen monthly for new teachers, with one-year contracts that may or may not include housing assistance. The work typically involves teaching small group or private lessons to adults and children, with evenings and weekends as peak hours. Independent teachers with established client bases can charge 3,000 to 6,000 yen per hour for private lessons, particularly in Tokyo’s business districts where executives seek English coaching for international negotiations.

This content is for informational purposes only and reflects independent research. Details may change — verify current information before making travel plans.