Teaching English in Japan – Non-Native Speaker

Being a Non-Native Speaker in an English Conversation School

Many people wonder whether they’re able to be an English teacher in Japan if they are a non-native speaker of English. The short answer is yes, it is certainly possible. I’ve worked with non-native English speakers in Matsuyama and Imabari.

In order to talk about this question with greater authority, I’ve conducted an interview with three non-native English speakers that I have met through teaching English in Japan. I hope that their experiences can give you an idea of what to expect when applying for a teaching job in Japan as a non-native English speaker. But most of all, I hope that their experiences will encourage you to go ahead and apply for jobs that you see listed. It certainly is possible.

Click here for my post, “Advice for Non-Native English Speakers: Getting a Job Teaching English in Japan”.

Interview with Adina Nicolaiciuc

Where are you from?

I’m from Romania.

How long have you been learning English?

I’ve been learning English since 5^th grade so, if my math is correct, it’s been 19 years now.

Why did you want to come to Japan?

Saying that Japan was the only part of Asia that fascinated me would be a lie. Truth be told, I’ve always been interested in East Asia, ever since I met the first Korean people that came to my hometown. Initially, I was intrigued that they ate so much rice but then that fascination grew into a hobby and later on into a dream. It wasn’t just the food, but the cultures. I found them to be so different from Europe, yet so similar at times. History played a huge part. Later on, I read James Clavell’s Shogun, which is a pretty accurate description of Japan, very well documented. It was then when I thought to myself ‘I want to visit Japan!’ I think I had already decided I wanted to study an Asian language. When I went to apply to university I left home thinking that I would learn Korean but somehow I ended up writing Japanese on my application. My father wanted me to learn Chinese because he thought I’d have more job opportunities after uni. I think he’s still a little disappointed that I chose Japanese, but he’s probably proud that I moved here.

What is your job?

I work as an English teacher in a conversation school, known as an eikaiwa. The classes I teach are all very different. The age of my students is also very diverse, ranging from babies to adults. Working in a conversation school is different than being a teacher in a public school. The relationship with your students is different. It takes a lot of preparation and patience and you want to cater to the client because your job basically depends on it.  It’s up to you to make the lessons fun and engaging so you can keep the students you have, but also bring in new ones. Not to say that I’m getting paid according to the number of students but if the business goes well it’s probably in everyone’s benefit.

Your duties as an eikaiwa teacher are pretty diverse. When you work in a Japanese company (any kind of company) you are expected to keep your work place very clean. There’s no such thing as a cleaning person, everybody has to do it. You are also expected to advertise your company or accompany your manager to all kind of events. Lesson preparation is probably your most important duty. You’ll most likely have a curriculum that you have to follow but each teacher has their own style and it’s up to you to find your own and perfect it. You’re also in charge of coming up with ideas and to prepare for events like for Christmas and Halloween parties. Training new people is also part of your job.

How did you find out about the job opportunity?

I had a friend who was already living and working in Japan and she recommended me for the job. Prior to that I had searched and applied to some schools but with no real success.

What was the application process like?

The application, in my case, was not at all complicated. My friend put me in contact with my current boss who, I guess, read my resume. After that we had a Skype interview and I received the answer within a few hours. We then started the Visa application which, in my case, took a little bit longer because I had no passport. But after that was done, it was a matter of weeks until I moved in Japan.

Was there any trouble getting a Japanese Work Visa?

I’d say no. There wasn’t that much paper work, at least not on my end. I guess being sponsored has its perks.

Do you think that being a non-native English speaker worked against you in any way (during the hiring process)?

Yes and no. Yes, because initially my salary was lower than my native counterpart. And no, because the image in Japan is that all foreigners can speak English very well. There aren’t many people who actually care if you’re a native or not and there were very few instances when I felt that my English abilities were not enough.

Are you treated as inferior by your co-workers because you’re not a native speaker?

Not at all. There are a few jokes here and there from some of the native speakers, but it’s all in good fun and not at all ill-intentioned.

Does being a non-native speaker of English give you any advantages in your job?

I think it does. From my experience native speakers tend not to think of why a certain thing is the way it is. I’m talking mainly about grammar and idioms. Teaching English to Japanese people it’s a tricky business because the languages are so different and so are the cultures. As a non-native who has been through the learning process I’d say it sometimes is a little bit easier to explain certain grammatical points. I’d also say that a non-native speaker has a deeper understanding of how much students struggle when learning a completely different language but I wouldn’t dare to say that a non-native speaker makes a better teacher or vice versa.

What advice would you give to non-native English speakers looking for an English teaching job in Japan?

I would say to have patience and look for the right company for them. There are many job advertisements and you should do your research about the company and the place (town, city) before taking a job in Japan. And I think this applies to everyone, not just non-native speakers. I also think that being a non-native speaker should not be seen as a flaw because in eikaiwas all teachers have the same job whether they are native speakers or not.

Thank you so much for your time, Adina.

Interview with Uli Merker

Where are you from?

I am from Germany.

How long have you been learning English?

I have been learning English for about 25 years. I am 30 years old now.

Why did you want to come to Japan?

I fell in love with Japan for various reasons when I was 11 years old. It was just something I had to do.

What is your job?

I teach English conversation to children, young adults and adults and a little bit of German at university.

How did you find out about the job opportunity?

When I came to Japan 5 years ago with my working holiday visa I found the job offer on one of the websites. I went and my employer asked me to stay. It quickly turned into five years. I’ve recently changed jobs, one of those I found because I wrote a lot of blind applications.

What was the application process like?

First I wrote an email and then I had a Skype interview.

Was there any trouble getting a Japanese Work Visa?

No, not really. Being German and wanting to be an English teacher, I needed to prove that I had English during University.

Do you think that being a non-native English speaker worked against you in any way (during the hiring process)?

Yes, I do. Native speakers are much more sought after in Japan and I can understand why. I feel that if I and a native speaker would apply for the same job, chances are that the native would get it, even if my teaching experience is higher.

Are you treated as inferior by your co-workers because you’re not a native speaker?

No, that never happened to me. I was always lucky to be around language loving co-workers. Usually they would help me with finding just the correct word or we would start discussing certain language similarities and differences.

Does being a non-native speaker of English give you any advantages in your job?

I think, that because I went to the whole process of learning English, I know how my students feel. The frustration, the confusion and the happiness of getting it right. Furthermore if one of my students doesn’t understand the usual explanation, I can use other approaches gained through learning other languages to explain.

What advice would you give to non-native English speakers looking to teach English in Japan?

Having a TOEFL or TOEIC certificate might come in handy. I also think that being able to speak Japanese is an extra plus point.

Rather than starting in a big city, rural Japan might be a better place to get a foot in the door. I feel that the competition in the big cities is much higher than in the countryside, since most  foreigners seem to want to stay in the bigger places. Once you have been at an English school for a while and gained experience, it should be easier to find other jobs.

Interview with Kylie Heynsbroek

Where are you from?

I’m from the Netherlands.

How long have you been learning English?

I had my first real English lesson in 5 th grade, so that makes it about 14 years. I had
learned some English from exposure to the language on TV and by playing video games
before that, though.

Why did you want to come to Japan?

I’ve had a fascination with the country since I was a child. Coming to Japan had been a dream for me since before I started studying Japanese at university. Fortunately, I had the opportunity to go to Japan twice as an undergraduate student and one time as a graduate student. I really loved those experiences but I knew that I wasn’t done here yet. I knew that life in Japan as a student was different from life as a proper working adult, so I wanted to experience life from that perspective as well. It would be something I’d regret if I never tried it. I’ve always been drawn to Japan because so many things I ended up loving are from Japan, so not coming back was not really an option for me.

What is your job?

I’m an English teacher at an English language school (Eikaiwa). I’m currently teaching both children and adults. So of course, my lessons vary very much depending on what classes I’m teaching and not one day is the same. Classroom lessons usually go up to 7 students, but I also teach many students one-on-one. Because the classes are so small, you get to interact with the students on a more individual level and you sometimes even get to know their parents. Keeping the students and their parents happy is one of the most important aspects of this job. 

Besides teaching you are also responsible for keeping the school and classrooms clean. It is up to you to monitor the progress of your students closely and to prepare for each and every lesson. As a representative of your company you’re also expected to promote or advertise for your company in different ways. You will be expected to create ideas for fun lessons and you are expected to prepare for and work during special events. The job includes a lot more than just teaching. 

How did you find out about the job opportunity?

I had a friend and university senior who lived in Japan at different eikaiwa school from the same company chain. She recommended me for the job. From outside of Japan it is difficult to apply for a job as an English teacher if you’re a non-native speaker, so I didn’t really bother before that. This job came right as I was figuring out what I wanted to do after my graduation, so I took the opportunity.

What was the application process like?

It was fairly easy. I had a Skype interview with my boss and two coworkers. Within the following hour I heard that they wanted to work with me and I got an email regarding the documents I had to prepare a few days later.

Was there any trouble getting a Japanese Work Visa?

I don’t think so. The process took about three months because I had to send some additional information in December, which is one of the busiest periods for the mail both in Japan and in the Netherlands. Other than that it went smoothly.

Do you think that being a non-native English speaker worked against you in any way (during the hiring process)?

Sometimes, yes. I think that a belief exists in Japan that someone is a perfect teacher as long as they’re a native speaker. That sometimes puts more pressure on non-native speakers to prove their capabilities. There is also a difference in salary when you’re not a native speaker. At the same time I don’t think many people actually care whether you’re a native speaker or not when it comes down to it; their main goal is to learn the language. 

Are you treated as inferior by your co-workers because you’re not a native speaker?

I’ve never experienced anything like that before here.

Does being a non-native speaker of English give you any advantages in your job?

I think so. As a non-native speaker you are made more aware of the grammar rules behind the language as you’re learning it. I would have more trouble if I had to teach Dutch because I never thought about how or why my language works that way. That being said, being a non-native speaker doesn’t make someone better than a native speaker and vice versa. I think both have their benefits and disadvantages. Having learned Japanese has been helpful for me, because I experienced what it was like to learn a language that is completely different in every aspect. English and Dutch don’t have nearly as many differences.

What advice would you give to non-native English speakers looking to teach English in Japan?

If you can, try to get as many connections as possible. That helps in finding out about jobs you wouldn’t find as easily. It is certainly not impossible, but it’s not easy if you’re trying it from outside of Japan. Patience and endurance are great virtues if you’re in that situation. Do proper research of the company and the city/area before you take the leap. It goes without saying that if you have something to show for your teaching capability, it will also greatly improve your chances. And of course, don’t give up. 

My Own Thoughts on Getting an English Teaching Job as a Non-Native English Speaker

Most of the well-known national schools throughout Japan only employ native English speakers. If you want to teach English in Japan as a non-native English speaker it’s better to approach smaller, individually owed, conversation schools. I’ve worked in two small conversation schools in Ehime, and both of them employed some non-native English teachers.

As well as this, you’ll probably find that your best bet is teaching children and high school students. When teaching children your employer will be less worried about accent or that you may not be using “idiomatic” English.

As Adina says above, there are times when being a non-native speaker and learner of English is an advantage. Play to those advantages by emphasising your strengths like having a great ability to explain English grammar, or an appreciation of how to approach learning English. They are things that the native speakers in a school can’t offer.

A final piece of advice that I would offer is to improve your Japanese. At the conversation school that Adina and I work at there are high level students who often request to be taught by a native speaker. They have a good grasp of the grammar and are looking to improve some of the more minute areas of the language such as idiom and rhythm. Often the students who don’t mind whether they have a native speaker or not are those students that need a little more support. If you can help these students by being able to explain some things in Japanese, that will make you a greater asset in the eyes of the employer.

Click here for my post, “Advice for Non-Native English Speakers: Getting a Job Teaching English in Japan”.

Please leave me some feedback

I am planning to write more posts about job possibilities in Japan for non-native English speakers. Please leave me a comment about what kind of information would be the most useful.

Are you struggling to find schools that hire non-native speakers? Are you worried about the quality of your resume or cover letter? Are there any other issues that are either stopping you from applying for jobs or keeping you from being hired? I would love to hear about them.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my post.