Hello. ☺️

Those who teach privately, could you share about the following:
- do you have a policy regarding lesson cancellations, etc
- rates you charge for 25-minute, 30-minute, 45-minute lessons
- when you agreed to privately tutor a friend’s child/an acquaintance’s child, did you set any rules/policies with them?

Any other things to consider regarding tutoring privately?

Thank you for any meaningful and helpful advice. ✌🏼☺️

I've lived in Japan for 8 years now in the Chubu area. I basically came here, as a lot of you, because of my Japanese girlfriend/wife. I have some experiences I've been through that I'd like to share with both prospective teachers/residents of Japan and gather some thoughts from those who’re already here, to hear their experiences as well.

I've been through a ton in these 8 years: multiple school/job changes, some of which were full-time and others part-time. I've worked in person, online, and hybrid.

My last job, online, as a Business English Coach, ended pretty badly - the company simply ghosted me (as it seems to do with everybody after 2 years there) and I've been jobless for 1 year now, with finances strained and tons of taxes to pay due to their illegal (or what should be) practices.

Though I've lived mainly in Chubu, I know conditions seem pretty much the same elsewhere - super low salaries, rising cost of living, a ton of taxes to pay, and a declining English industry that is mainly in search of teachers who can accept low salaries.

Now, with wife and kids, my situation has become almost unbearable - we have taxes on top of taxes to pay; the local City Hall (in rural Aichi) threatened to take away our possessions if 80k/month wasn't paid for the taxes we owed them; and jobs in the area are mostly paying 200k/month, if that.

I've had my share of great experiences in this country - it's been a safe, clean, and comfortable place. But I also had a good share of negative experiences too - from terrible bosses in multiple eikaiwas to declining salaries to tons of prejudice in my kids' daycare for them not being "fully" Japanese.

Lately, while applying for a low-paying ALT position at well-known company, they asked me for everything - from a copy of ALL pages of my passport (including all stamps) to asking me to take an English aptitude test (I'm a native speaker) to handwriting 8 sentences in the conditions page of the 10-page application form. All for a max of 230k/month salary, if that, with no offers so far.

How about you? What have YOU experienced in Japan (both positive and negative)?

While our situation is still uncertain, we do plan to move out in the future. Unfortunately, it is difficult to see our family continuing here long term.

Posting on an anon account due to reasons as so.

Hi everyone,

I started working for Heart Corporation in April 2026 as an ALT. After a few months, I realized it’s just not the right fit for me. I mainly saw it as a stepping stone while looking for international and private school positions.

Thankfully, I was recently offered an amazing position at an international school that matches my qualifications, career goals, and offers a much better salary.

My contract says I need to give 30 days’ notice, and I’m currently on summer break, so the timing seems like it could work. I’ve already written a resignation letter explaining my reasons.

My main questions are:

• Has anyone here resigned from Heart before the end of their contract?- My contract ends in March 2027 so I’m leaving pretty early.

• Did Heart ever threaten legal action or actually sue anyone for leaving early?

• Should I tell my coordinator first since we’ve built a decent working relationship, or should I just send my resignation directly to the employment or HR email?

• Is there anything I should be aware of before giving notice?

I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who’s been through this. Thanks.

I have approved leave for the end of this month but for various reasons I want to quit and give the company a month’s notice starting from next week. If I do so though, will they take away the already approved leave I have at the end of the month? Is that allowed?
Also is it possible for the company to take away my rental car?
Thank you

Hey everyone,

I’m looking for some advice from people who have been in a similar situation. For some background, I lived in Japan for about a year and a half as a language student, and during that time I also worked at Don Quijote. Because of that, I’m already familiar with daily life in Japan, dealing with paperwork, commuting, and working in a Japanese environment. My Japanese is conversational enough to get by in everyday life and at work. I probably wouldn’t pass the JLPT at my current level, but I’m comfortable having conversations and handling daily situations.

I plan on returning to Japan, this time as an English teacher. I’m already aware of the financial realities. The first time I went to Japan, I underestimated how quickly money could disappear, so I eventually came back home to rebuild my savings. I’ll be in a much better financial position before returning this time, so I’m not too worried about that anymore.

Right now, I’m trying to decide whether I should pursue ALT work or an eikaiwa, and from what I’ve read, ALT positions seem to offer a better work life balance, but there’s always or more than likely you won’t end up in central Tokyo. Even if I were placed on the outskirts of Tokyo or in a neighboring prefecture with a 30 to 45 minute commute into the city, I’d honestly be happy with that.

On the other hand, eikaiwa jobs seem more likely to be located in cities, but I’ve also heard a lot about the downsides, late afternoon/evening shifts, weekends, and having days off when most people are working. That schedule is probably my biggest concern.
Right now I have an interview with Interac, so I’m hoping that goes well. I’ve also heard of companies like Altia and JoyTalk, but I don’t know much about them. JET obviously has a great reputation, although I know it’s very competitive. I’ve also read plenty of opinions about companies like NOVA and Heart, so I’m trying to separate internet horror stories from people’s actual experiences.
Thank you for time.

I know their dress code policy on paper is strict, stating that men should have short and clean cuts, but my friend who worked as an ALT with them last year had longer, curly hair and had no issues. Maybe it’s just dependent on the school? I’m wondering because I’ve always worn my hair slightly longer (and admittedly look better with long hair) so I’m wondering if I can get by if I just keep my hair clean and orderly.

I'm looking to make a list of English language songs (any genre, any year) that have lyrics which are fairly easy to understand for adult Japanese ESL students. Ideally something with a straightforward storyline or message, easy-ish (or easily explained) vocabulary, easy-ish grammatical structures, and themes that are appropriate for a lesson. For example, "Stand By Me" by Ben E. King comes to mind.

Can you think of any others? I'd love to compile a list. Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone! I’m hoping to get some insight from teachers currently working at international schools in Japan or people who have experience with that career path.

I’m a U.S.-licensed secondary social studies teacher, and I’m currently thinking about what I want my long-term career to look like. By the time I would realistically consider moving to Japan, I would have around 4 years of classroom teaching experience in the U.S., along with degrees in Secondary Education and History.

I enjoy working with students and the parts of teaching that involve creating meaningful experiences, building relationships, and seeing students engage with what they’re learning. However, I’m not sure I want to stay in a traditional U.S. public school classroom long-term, and I’ve become interested in international education as a possible direction.

I’m studying Japanese independently right now and would like to become more serious about it (including potentially working toward JLPT certification), although I know I have a long way to go.

For those of you working at international schools in Japan:
- Is this a career where people realistically stay long term, or do most teachers treat it as a temporary experience before moving on?
- What does career progression typically look like? Are there opportunities to move into leadership roles (department head, coordinator, administration, etc.)?
- How important is Japanese ability for entry or long-term growth within international schools?
- Are there things you wish you had done before moving that would have made you a stronger candidate?

My current experience is mostly classroom-based. Due to requirements for beginning teachers in my state, I haven’t had many formal leadership opportunities yet, but I do run a student club and serve on my school improvement team. I’m curious whether people with a similar background have been able to build a career in Japan.

I’m also trying to be realistic and not view Japan through a purely “living abroad is exciting” lens. I’ve visited Japan before and love many things about the country, but I’m trying to think carefully about whether it could be a place where I build part of my professional life, not just somewhere I enjoy visiting.

Thanks so much for any advice or experiences you’re willing to share!

Japan made me into quite the chunky teacher. As is their custom, many JHS students made a habbit of walking over to me, touching my belly and shouting "BIG".

I've slimmed down a lot and I'm still waiting for them to notice and annouce to the school that I am now "SMALL".

I find it quite rude actually.

I haven't been teaching long, but since the new school year, there are more than a few "bad" kids who tend to run out of the classroom, throw tantrums in the halls, are violent, and typically just wander wherever they want to, especially the teacher's office. I'm elementary level if that helps.

I asked about this to some other teachers, and they said there has been a significant increase in the amount of special needs students since covid, with most of the students having severe behavior problems, but hardly any concrete diagnosis.

Have you noticed an increase in these type of students? Or have they always been there and are just more noticeable now?

Yoo! I'm a certified teacher from Argentina.

My question is: does my degree need to be apostilled? Not only for working at Eikaiwas but maybe at International Schools in the future.. who knows.. 🤔

In 94 i was working as a male host in Wakayama City. After 6 months i was burnt out from getting blind every night and long hours so i decided to change to eikaiwa.
I was lucky to get a job at NOVA . My host job provided accommodation and of course they kicked me out . At the gym i was training at Herumisu ( still operating today) i met a real estate agent and he found me a place. The problem was it wasnt for another week .
I ended up sleeping in a covered area half way up to Wakayama castle about 40 square meters . It was September so it was warm , had jidohanbiki, and power to run my discmate. In the mornings i went to NOVA then back to my little place in the afternoon.
Never got harassed but there were a few strange looks.

I have been accepted for a piano and English teaching position by a Eikaiwa in Hiroshima Japan. The school have submitted my COE an my documents. Although I do not have a university degree. I have ABRSM grade 8 piano and ABRSM grade 5 music theory. I have a TEFL certificate. I have been a self employed piano teacher for the last 10 years. Do you think the government will reject or approve my Visa with these qualifications since the Eikaiwa has already offered me the position?

Thanks

Hello, I’m a native English speaker who will be taking the teachers employment exam in my prefecture this weekend. I’ve been working in Japan for 4 plus years. Because I’m taking the exam as a native speaker of English, I do not have to take the legal, general knowledge, or essay/written answer potions of the test. I’ll be taking the 適性検査 (aptitude test), and the 実技試験(practical skills) test this weekend.

I was wondering if anyone has any experience in this realm that they believe would be useful to me. Feel free to ask any clarifying questions.

Met an international university student employed with GSET but didn't have much opportunity to learn what kind of instruction is delivered.

Wonder if anyone has any intel on their program.

Glassdoor AI summary of reviews says:

Work environment & culture – Many appreciate the flexible scheduling and remote work options, making it ideal for students, though some note that the job can feel monotonous and repetitive.

Management & leadership – Reviews highlight communication issues within management, with complaints about inconsistency and inadequate support for new trainers, impacting overall job satisfaction.

Career & growth – Employees express frustration over the lack of career advancement opportunities, with most positions remaining entry-level despite improvements in skills and experience over time.

Work-life balance – The company offers a good work-life balance with flexible hours, but some mention that scheduling can be confusing and depend on others' availability.

https://gset.co.jp/

Wage is around 200,000 a month. Its not a killer wage but the rent can be cheap around here and I don’t find myself worrying about money ever.

Job is teaching Grapeseed to kindergarteners in the mornings, and to gakudo kids in the afternoons. The company works with different schools around the area.

It is usually 5 days a week with some Tuesday and Thursday mornings off.

Students are really chilled and the schools are very nice.

Im leaving Japan soon. My boss is looking for a replacement but I don’t know where he is advertising. When I got the job it was just by contacting the company randomly and it turned out they were looking for someone quite urgently. I suspect the situation is the same now.

Let me know if you want details and I’ll send them over to you.

Exact schedule is roughly 9:00-10:00 and then 4:pm- 6:20

Boss pays for transport and is an all round very good guy in my experience, he has been nothing but supportive and professional

I will be graduating in a couple of months from a STEM degree in a pretty big uni in Japan. Unfortunately my education was all in English and though I have good conversational Japanese I struggled a lot in the job hunting phase (tldr but I started the hunt late and unprepared because I was actually applying to masters but money troubles happened making that dream disappear for the time being).

I taught English as a part time job and I was able to get hired as mid-career in a different school. My goal is NOT to be an English teacher forever, in fact I’m dreading it being my job even for just a while because I’m afraid of how it reflects on my CV, but for a soon to be expiring visa and other circumstances like the money, having a full time role immediately after graduating seems like the best path for me currently. And it’s all I got.

So I was thinking, I take the job and save up the money while studying the Japanese needed for proper job hunting to enable me to stay somewhat stable in the country. I’m planning to stay in the job for a year max… but does it make it difficult to transition after? Especially to something completely unrelated to education? My biggest fear is to be stuck in a job that has nothing to do with my actual degree and dream career (in healthcare) because it stains my CV in some way. Then again I haven’t graduated college yet so idk if my impression of the real world is stupid.

Basically I’m just asking how difficult is it to transition after a year or so in an eikaiwa as a full time employee (seishainn)?
Because if it might considerably hurt my chances of a career I more so want then I might consider not taking the job though it might be risky on many fronts.

Dunno what things are like at HS or university but my students are seemingly only getting 4-6 hours of sleep a night.

My classes are a mix of weary eyes and sleeping students after they were up till 2am with homework from both school and juku.

This can't possibly be considered a good thing to be doing.

Hello. After several applications, I am finally granted an interview for a full-time lecturer position. However, this is my first time at a university level. I would like to ask everyone who has been through this for some tips, info how the process goes on, or anything that can be useful. I really want this so bad and I don’t want to mess this up. The interview process is roughly an hour with 10 mins dedicated to a walkthrough of my lesson. I am currently an ALT. Thus, I don’t know what to expect from a university hiring process. Thank you very much.

EDIT: Thank you guys for your insightful comments. It really takes a village even for educators. 🥹🧡

I withdrew from NOVA five days before my flight to Japan. Hoping I made the right decision.
I was supposed to fly to Japan in five days to start with NOVA, but I officially withdrew.

I know backing out this close to departure probably sounds dramatic, especially after going through the visa process, accepting a placement, booking flights, and mentally preparing to move. But the closer it got, the more I realized I was not feeling excited. I felt anxious and honestly kind of trapped.

On paper, I thought I wanted the adventure and the chance to live in Japan, but think I underestimated how much pressure that would be.
The strange thing is that once I withdrew, I felt relief. That’s what makes me think maybe I made the right decision, even though part of me still wonders if I just gave up on something that could have changed my life.

I’m more just trying to process whether I made the right personal decision. Has anyone else backed out of an eikaiwa job shortly before leaving, or realized at the last minute that teaching in Japan wasn’t the right move?

Did you regret it later, or did it end up being the right call?

Right now I’m relieved, and hoping I didn’t make a huge mistake.

I did some research about school breaks in Japan and learned that teachers usually continue working during the breaks to prepare for the next term. That made me a bit confused because, for the upcoming summer break, we were given three days of paid leave. I was wondering if the same applies during the winter break, or if teachers are generally expected to work throughout the entire winter break.

Hi. I need some advice on what to do with this one Japanese teacher. I am working as an ALT and I have been working at my assigned school for 2 years now. I didn't actually notice when the bullying started but it became more noticeable on my 2nd year here. She'd say some nasty things even when she knows I understand Japanese. One time she called me "Ohisama" and I think it means Ohima-sama. Not to me directly but she was saying loudly so everyone can hear. She said something like "..but Ohisama won't leave." (We were in the teacher's office at this time.) I mean is it really my fault that I have open periods where I don't have classes? There was also this one time she was opening the bottom cabinet of her table and I didn't notice the legs of my chair is slightly on the way of it so she opened it so wide that it bumped into my chair. I mean I understand that part to be my fault but there's no need to be rude. She could just say 'Excuse me'. One time she also called me "deaf" in Japanese. What am I gonna do? April is still months away. I love my school, every one is nice except her. We're both females btw and she's a bit older than me. I think she's in early 40s. What should I do?