Qualifications & Requirements to Teach English in Japan

Base Requirements for English Teachers

As well as having the mental aptitude and a desire for the challenge of living and working overseas, to be eligible to become an Interac Assistant Language Teacher (ALT), you must:

 

  • Be a native-level speaker of English
  • Have received an education conducted in English for at least 12 years
  • Have at least a bachelor’s degree in any subject from an accredited university
  • Be a team-player that is professional, flexible, cheerful, and energetic
  • Be under 60 years of age

While not required, it helps your chances if you:

  • Hold a driver’s license
  • Have teaching experience
  • Have a teaching qualification, e.g., CELTA, DELTA, and TEFL
  • Have studied a second language at school or university
  • Can speak some basic Japanese
Read on to find out more about what you need to become an English teacher in Japan. If you want to teach in Japan, here are the requirements and formal qualifications you will need. We’ll also cover what’s expected of English teachers, such as dress code, money saved and character traits.

Requirements for Domestic Applicants (already living in Japan)

If you currently reside in Japan you must hold a valid residence/visa status that allows you to live and work in Japan and possess a valid resident card or Certificate of Alien Registration (“gaijin card”) in addition to the base requirements for teaching English in Japan.


The main status of residence required to be an Interac ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) is Instructor, however, you can also work if you hold a Permanent Resident, Spouse or Child of a Japanese National, Spouse or Child of a Permanent Resident, Special Permanent Resident, and Long Term Resident status.


Relevant qualifications for teaching in Japan

 

Bachelor’s level degree in any subject

 
Most applicants know a degree of bachelor’s level, or higher, is required to teach English in Japan. But some people aren’t aware this degree can be in any subject. 
 
Although certain degrees, such as English language or teaching degrees, may prepare applicants for the responsibilities of a teaching role in Japan, a degree in any subject will meet the requirements to become an ALT. 
 
Higher-level degrees, such as Master’s degrees or doctorates, can also help aspiring teachers to stand out from the existing pool of applicants.
 

Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) Certificate

 
Again, although a TEFL certificate can be advantageous and help you to stand out amongst other applicants, TEFL qualifications are not a mandatory requirement for teaching in Japan. 
 
These internationally-recognised credentials are preferable for employers, as they demonstrate that the applicant has relevant experience teaching in a classroom, and understands the fundamentals of teaching English to non-native speakers. 
 
However, if you don’t have a TEFL certificate, this certainly isn’t a barrier to a career teaching English in Japan.
 

Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA)

 
Another qualification which can be an advantage, but not essential to becoming an English teacher in Japan, is the CELTA. This qualification recognizes that an individual has acquired the relevant skills to teach English as an additional language to adults. 
 
The CELTA includes becoming familiar with teaching theory, and applying this to real-life classroom situations. It can be a great tool to gain teaching experience which employers like to see.
 

Diploma in English Language Teaching to Adults (DELTA)

 
The DELTA is the more advanced version of the CELTA — a diploma-level qualification which demonstrates that an individual has an advanced teaching skill set in the field of teaching additional languages. 
 
Individuals with this qualification will likely be attractive candidates to employers in Japan, who deliver classes to adult language learners.

Can I become an ALT with Interac without a degree?

One of our most-asked questions is if you can teach English without a degree – unfortunately, you need to have a bachelor’s from a valid university to be eligible. However, this degree can be in any subject and doesn’t have to be a teaching degree.

 

If you have any questions about the qualifications needed to become an English teacher in Japan, don’t hesitate to contact us.



Teach English in Japan

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Initial Money Requirements for Assistant Language Teachers

For recruits arriving from overseas wanting to teach English in Japan, you will need to have approximately 500,000 yen available to you in accessible cash (i.e. not credit card!) so you can cover costs associated with setting up your apartment and sustain yourself until the first payday.

 

 

Successful candidates may be offered some financial assistance (up to 250,000 yen) in the form of a short-term loan with an interest of 2% per year on the principle amount borrowed. Your loan will be deposited into your bank account when it is opened, so please do not plan on using this money for at least two to three weeks after you arrive. You can find out more about living costs in Japan here.

 

Expectations During the Recruiting Process

Once you have submitted your application, it is expected that you:

  • Immediately and completely respond to our communications and office requests
  • Have your documents complete, neat, organized, and sent at the right time
  • Come to your interview/seminar well presented in business attire, meaning suit, tie, etc
  • Show an understanding of the opportunity you are being considered for as well as the costs associated with moving to Japan
  • Show a willingness to be flexible, especially about your placement location
  • Are polite, articulate, and well-spoken and can demonstrate cultural sensitivity
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Women teacher teaching the alphabet on a whiteboard

Expectations Once You Become an Assistant Language Teacher

Once you become an Interac ALT, it is expected that you:

  • Will comply with the laws of Japan and the expectations and processes associated with the administration of the law.
  • Will comply with the spirit and letter of the Interac Group’s values and ethics.
  • Will uphold good character and behavior both at school and during your free time.

There is a high social expectation placed on anyone who is a teacher in Japan, including Interac ALTs. All teachers, including ALTs, are expected to set a good example for students in and outside the school gate. This means upholding good character in your free time as well.

Dress Code Requirements for Teachers in Japan

Keeping with high professional standards placed on teachers in Japan, it is required that you maintain a professional appearance. All Interac ALTs are expected to wear business professional attire during working hours.

Learn more about our ALT dress code

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Health Checks Requirements for Teachers

If you are recruited from outside Japan, you will be required to undergo a company paid health check upon arrival and annually thereafter. If you are recruited from inside Japan, you will be required to undergo a company paid health check annually.

Drug Screening

Interac maintains a drug-free workplace and conducts drug screenings and random testing to all employees. All Interac ALTs must pledge that, while in Japan, they do not and shall not knowingly possess and/or take drugs and synthetic psychoactive substances that violate Japanese law.

 

Any more questions about what you need to become an English teacher in Japan? Get in touch with our friendly team of advisors, or read our blog for more information and tips.

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ALT Requirements and Qualifications: Frequently Asked Questions

Whilst a goal of teaching English in Japan is certainly achievable, provided you have the required qualifications, there is some competition for the limited number of teaching roles.

 

When you apply, you should try to include qualities in your resume which will help you to stand out from other applicants.

 

Whilst a TEFL or CELTA certificate can certainly be an advantage, employers will also look for extracurricular activities, volunteer experience, and other special skills which speak to your character and what you can offer beyond your qualifications as well.

Salaries for English teaching positions in Japan vary, based on the job description, responsibilities, and your employer.

 

As an Interac Assistant Language Teacher (ALT), your annual salary will typically be between ¥2.4 ~ ¥3.0 million per year, paid in equal monthly instalments.

 

For more information on salary, and the ALT role itself, feel free to read the full ALT job description.

No, you do not have to be fluent in Japanese. While there may be some advantages to knowing the local language, many Assistant Language Teacher positions have no requirements for applicants to speak Japanese.


It may be beneficial for your day-to-day life outside the classroom to learn at least some basic Japanese, and some schools even offer Japanese lessons for teachers who come from abroad. 


However, not being able to speak Japanese shouldn’t hold you back.

TEFL qualifications, and other language teaching certificates, are not required to teach in Japan. However, completing one of these courses may help your resume stand out from other applicants.


TEFL courses are designed to prepare individuals for teaching English as a foreign language, and the unique skills that are needed to do so. Therefore, many employers in Japan will recognise the value of a TEFL qualification as they read through your application.