Gearing Up to Teach-in-Japan!

Posted on 11/28/2023 Last updated on 01/11/2024

Have you imagined yourself with a work-life alignment? Indulging yourself in a new place rich in culture and people? Getting paid to have fun? If this is the life you’ve been dreaming of, Japan is the right country to make this happen!

Handle Your Resources Well

Japan has always been one of the top list most visited countries in the world. Tourists fall in love to Japan’s charm every time they visit, so how much more if you live and work here for good. One of the requisites in teaching English in Japan is flexibility, from the place you will be assigned to, the people, and the food, but one thing Japan can guarantee is that each city has something great to offer.

Great in terms of salary, great benefits and great supports provided such as housing, health and social insurance, transportation allowance, and most of all the programs organized for the teachers and students to experience cultural exchange by interacting using the English language. You will also be provided with vacation leave with pay, so plan ahead of time and explore Japan as much as you can. Remember you are paid to have fun.

Manage Your Expectations

Working in Japan is a humbling experience but at the same time it is overwhelming if you have a different perspective. So, know how to manage your expectations.

First time travelers might find the train system in Japan a bit complicated, so it would be best to study a bit or download navigation applications on mobile phones like “Navi time” before coming to Japan. Always be on time at the train stations otherwise you will miss your train and wait for the next departure.

Prepared rechargeable travel cards is a game changer in Japan since you pay and move around the city using a single card conveniently but still don’t forget to bring cash outside since some shops or busses don’t take IC cards.

You need to pay for almost everything you need in Japan but If you know the right places to shop for a right price it would make your experience cost-effective. Shops and convenience stores are almost at every corner of the streets and could just grab anything you want yet manage your expenses correctly.

Meet The Expectations

As a foreign English teacher, you are the ambassador of your country, the medium to share your life to your students, to make them wonder, be curious and learn more from you by communicating through the English language.

Be Functional as much as possible in schools and take all the opportunities you have to be visible to the students and make it to your advantage to expose them in a normal English conversation. Follow the rules of the school, respect the school’s system and stay professional at all times.

Be Mindful

You have a lot to gain in Japan, but there are also things that’ll be different. Real time spent with family or friends, your habits, food, garbage disposal system and attitude towards work Japanese are very passionate of what they are doing and it’s evident from the result of their services. Being on time is a standard and in Japan coming to work early is an effort and manifestation of moral values which is one of the standards observed in a working environment in Japan.

Disposal system in Japan might sound complex to others but you will learn a lot of skills by following this simple system in daily manner. Japanese are very responsible and organize of their things, so if we can do the same during our stay in their country it would be a lot easier for everyone.

Japan is just like other countries, there are roles and individual responsibilities to follow. There are hustles and difficulties along the way but if you are mindful of what you have while you are in a different country and grateful of your experience, everything is possible and feasible.

Know your resources well, manage your expectations and always be mindful. Good luck, and have fun!

Ready to begin your own teach-in-Japan adventure? Apply with Borderlink today!

Top photo: pAC_tonko on PhotoAC