ESL Teaching Guide - Japan

Population: 128 million
Language: Japanese
Religion: Shinto, Buddhism, Christianity.
Time Zone: GMT/UTC +9
Dialling Code: 81
Electricity: 100V, 50Hz
Weights & measures: Metric
Currency: The currency of Japan is the Yen.

Breakdown of schools:
Vocational Schools - Conversational English, General English, ESP
Younger Learners - Conversational English, General English
Conversation Lounges - Conversational English
In-company - Conversational English, General English

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Teaching overview in Japan:	Different degree requirement for different nationalities. Teaching certificate highly recommended. Demand for teachers is highest in Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe, Fukuoka, and Kyoto. Visa required.
Cost of Living Index:	Generally, average salaries are higher than in your home country. Commodities such as rent and food costs are generally expensive compared to back home. Retail prices in places such as Tokyo are on par with prices in London or New York. If you live in the city expect to pay more whereas things are cheaper in provincial areas.
Teaching Salary Range:	Salaries are typically 220,000 - 320,000 per month. You generally pay between 6% - 9% in taxes. The busiest period is September to June.
Advantages:	Western style living and accomodations. Possibility for saving money.
Visa Information:
2 ways to get a visa in Japan (1)Having ESL employment before arriving (2) Entering Japan on a tourist visa and converting it to another visa type. Steps for acquiring a working visa before entering Japan. Step 1: First, find an employer. Once you have a found a job, you'll need several documents sent to your employing school. Step 2: Prepare the following documents to be mailed to your employer. Additional documents may be required depending on your employer. (a) ORIGINAL DEGREE CERTIFICATE (b) PHOTOCOPY OF PASSPORT AND STAMPS OF PREVIOUS VISITS (c) SIX PASSPORT PHOTOGRAPHS (d) SIGNED CONTRACT (e) FLIGHT PLAN (f) CELTA / TESOL COURSE CERTIFICATE Step 3:* Certificate of Eligibility. Your employer will contact the local immigration office in Japan and submit the proper documents on your behalf. When your employer receives your Certificate of Eligibility, they will mail it to you. Step 4: Take your Certificate of Eligibility to the nearest Embassy of Japan or Japanese Consulate along with your passport and other documents (see below.) These documents need to be presented in person. Required documents: - Certificate of Eligibility (a) Processing fee (a) Photocopy of the Certificate of Eligibility (c) 1-5 passport size photos This process can take up to seven days. Step 5: Enter Japan. Your Working Visa will be activated when you arrive. Step 6: Alien Registration. The final step is alien registration. Complete this step at the municipal office of the area you live. Foreigners staying in Japan for more than 90 days are obliged to complete alien registration. You will receive a Certificate of Alien Registration. You must carry this at all times. Additional Visa Links Japanese visa types. Types and Categories of Visa - http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/04.html Ministry of Justice Immigration Control and Refugee Act http://www.moj.go.jp/ENGLISH/information/icrr-01.html Immigration Procedures Guidebook http://www.immi-moj.go.jp/english/tetuduki/t_main.html#zairyuu Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) visa web site http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/index.html Working Holiday Visa http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/w_holiday/index.html