These are the only two I use.

How do you exactly become an ALT, is there some type of program you join with everyone else, or do you just get hired on the spot by a current employer that gives you this title, and when you become an ALT are you also in the "JET Progamme"? It just seems being an ALT is like a field trip to Japan and teaching English, and I don't quite get it, so please explain.

ALT means Assistant Language Teacher. ALT generally refers to someone in the JET Programme, but really, its a pretty generic title that would probably apply to workers of the many other English teacher employers in Japan. You apply to the JET Programme as an ALT, and they place you in a location in Japan to teach at. They let you pick a 'preferred' location, but most people don't end up where they picked. Most ALTs work at two or three schools at a time (but there are some who work at many more). The initial contract duration is one year, but it can be renewed up to two more times (I believe this limit is being raised, however). Most ALTs do end up renewing their contract.

How much work you do as an ALT is a gamble. Some ALTs just end up going to a classroom or two a day and assist the English teacher by reading English for the class (see 'human tape player'). Other ALTs get more responsibility, they may get to do actual teaching and so on. Many ALTs complain that the work is not very challenging. That said, the majority of ALTs all say they enjoy their job, and like I said, most do opt to renew their contract after their first year.

Many people use the JET Programme to get a foothold in Japan. It's one of the easiest ways to start getting work experience in Japan.

The JET Programme--Official Homepage of The Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme

More information there.

Thanks for the response and the link as well. So basically, ALT generally refers to English teachers from the JET Programme, correct? Though it wouldn't be of surprise also if you are a English teacher that isn't in the Jet Progamme rather employed by a private company but still is refered to being an ALT, right? Also, another thing about the whole contract matter, so basically if you want to extend your stay there in Japan to continue teaching English, all you have to do is "renew" your contract, right? Or is there a some sort of limit that restricts your stay there and thats that? Thanks in advance.

You can be an ALT in different companies besides JET. There's also Interac and many others. Also, when you renew your contract your work visa is extended. You can stay and work in Japan for as long as you want as long as you have a sponsored work visa. The company you work for sponsors your work visa. Here's the Interac website.

Japan's leading private provider of Assistant Language Teachers - Official Website

Thanks for the response GhostBlade. After reading through the JET Programme website thoroughly, I can't say I'm all that interested in it, well the JET Programme basically. I guess I lean more towards private providers and Interac to say the least, just seems less stressing. Which do you prefer? Oh yeah, what stage are you at again in terms of applying for being an ALT in general?

I'm still a student and I will apply for JET when I'm in my last semester in a few years. The JET Program is the best program to be in if you want to be an ALT. They provide you with a plane ticket to Japan and treat you well. It gets positive reviews from everyone that's been a part of it and it's not stressful at all.

Really? It just seems so crowded to me, well considering countless people join every year. I'll definitely look into it though, hopefully everything works out for the best.

Edit: What do you mean by "treat you well" by the way? A free plane ticket is great, but it can only get you so far, in this case - Japan. Lol.

Well, they pay better than any ALT position that I know of and there's a week orientation in Tokyo upon arriving in Japan so you could probably explore some of the city in the meantime. Also, your rent is pretty cheap.

Hmm, I'm still wondering what are the households like, are they somewhat like a dorm, or do they live in the same building, or is it entirely up to us on what type of setting we live in? Do you know a particular website other than the official JET Programme website that explains the advantages and disadvantges of being a JET since I personally don't know anyone in particular that's in the program.

You live by yourself in an apartment. Here are some websites about JET and videos of typical apartments in Japan:

BigDaikon

IThinkImLost

YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

Shouldn't you apply for the JET Programme after receiving your bachelor's degree?

No. You can apply for JET during your last semester as long as you have proof that you'll graduate by July 1 of that year. The application is available in September. The deadline of the application is in November/early December.

If you graduate in the spring (which more college students do than in the winter), you missed the JET deadline by a few months, so you have to sit around for another half a year before the deadline rolls around again. I too am applying for JET this upcoming fall semester, as it is my senior year. Since I expect to graduate before summer, all should be well. They don't care if you haven't graduated yet as long as they know you'll have your degree by the required date.

I don't know, however, if this is the case for other Eikawa institutions.

JET programme participants often live in the apartment of their predecessor and inherit all their belongings in most cases such as a fridge, futons, couches, TV's, bikes, books, lesson plans, etcetera.

The application and interview process is 9 months to a year from the time of applying to the time your job begins which is why you will apply before you have your degree.

There are two start times for ALT's (including JET's), the majority start in August while some will begin in April depending on when your predecessor is on their way out.

There are a lot of perks to being a JET. The only downside is the placement part in that you do not choose where you will be working.

Are you in the JET Progamme, or were you hired through a private company?

I work for a company so I'm not a JET. The reasons are simply that by the time I decided to teach English in Japan I did not have time to apply and second I didn't think I would be accepted because on paper my university career did not look so grand. I have thought about applying to JET, but I would have to return home to do so which wouldn't be all that bad considering it would give me nearly a year at home.

So to clarify, you can not apply to the JET Programme from within Japan. Why? I don't know, it is fairly retarded. Let me outline the perks of being a JET a little more for you.

All ALT's are paid by the board of education that they work for around 300,000 yen per month. For the board of education, the cost of hiring a JET versus a private is nearly the same. I say nearly because JET's have all these little conferences they get sent off to, so occasionally they can be a little more expensive but not much more.

If you work for a company, your company is earning whatever they are not paying you out of that 300,000. For most companies that means around 50,000 yen a month per ALT that they hire and contract to the board of education.

However, as a JET programme ALT the pay you take home at the end of the month is not 300,000. JET's pay into the Japanese form of social security which takes around 40,000 yen per month. Non-JET ALT's pay the minimum income tax in Japan which is around 9,000 to 10,000 yen per month. However, JET's have the opportunity to file a form to have most of what they have paid into the pension plan returned to them at the time they leave Japan. So around a thousand dollars or so at the end of their stays will be returned. Most non-JET's are also paid completion bonuses but not nearly as much as the combined bonuses of airfare along with the pension returns. So month by month we make the same but in the long run JET's take home more.

Now for the other benefits.
JET's receive a inheritance basically of a lot of things from their predecessors. If you are a non-JET and your company does not promise such things as bedding, deposits for you apartment, an apartment that comes with a TV, fridge, microwave, light fixtures, stove top, and a washer. You might end up having to buy all these things yourself. Yes, some apartments in Japan do not have light fixtures and stove tops. Then you have other perks like all the books most JET's leave behind, bicycles and basically whatever they deem not worth taking home. Now there are a lot of companies out there that will set you up with most of these things. Some companies will even be providing you with a car and paying for insurance and things like that. It all depends on what you are promised and what you can weasel out of them.

Third benefit of being a JET, automatic friends. I have friends that are JET's and those that work for other companies. But to be completely honest, JET's tend to either stick together or congregate more with other JET's than other ALT's working for the same company. Why? JET's always have these JET conferences and parties throughout the year and the only way I would know about them is when my JET friends invite me. Then I always get the, "What? You're not a JET. Why are you here?" To which I reply, "My friend so and so said there was a lot of beer here, so here I am." Anyways, the point is you are automatically in a little club whereas other ALT's have to go out and demonstrate our ability to make friends on our own. It is almost like joining a fraternity in a way.

Hmm, thanks for the response Jason, much appreciated. Well to be honest, I'm not too into the whole "fan club" and local parties that JET provides, I'm more into the culture and want to learn from them as well, would you recommend me joining a "private company" like yourself instead of joining the JET Programme? Also, I also have a problem with the time of process when applying to the JET Programme, which is another drawback of the program itself. How's working for a company so far for you, and if you could join the JET Programme if offered, would you have a change of heart or stick with your company?

Edit: Also, say I'm not into the whole orientations and countless gatherings that incoming JET's have to go through when they first arrive in Japan, is my best bet to avoid such matters is to join a company?

Are you saying you don't want to be trained on how to do your job? Because that's what most of the orientation entails. Working for the JET Programme isn't going to make you miss out on any of the 'cultural' aspects of Japan. It's your choice whether you want to congregate with other foreigners all the time or not. You can be as independent in the JET Programme as you can in any of the other private Eikawa companies - no one's making you attend JET "parties".

Concerning differences between JET and private companies, where and how often you work is usually different. But your day-to-day life and your social life, as well as how you want to experience Japan culturally would not be different.

That said, you said you were just becoming a senior in high school if I remember? These things are a long way off for you. You should be thinking about where you want to go to school. Which school, the costs, etc -- you should be looking at schools and asking whether this school will give you the skills you need to work in Japan - it's fine to investigate your future career prospects, but you shouldn't worry about all the minute details until you're a little further along in college. Trust me, even if you still want to go to Japan, your aspirations and goals of what you want to DO in Japan may change by the time your in your junior/senior year of college.

Most of the JET gatherings when you first arrive are not only to learn how to work as an ALT but also to learn how to live in Japan. We, English teachers and other foreigners in Japan, will always learn a lot from those here before us.

Even when working for a private company, you will still have to go to numerous work related functions of the same kind and often with JET participants. The point I was trying to make was that JET's are simply more likely to meet a lot more people because of being in the JET program.

If I was offered a position in JET, yes I would probably take it because of the money. The reason I haven't applied, I enjoy the fact I can live where I choose to at the moment and if I needed or wanted more income I could simply get a few weekly private students.

Working for my company has been a good experience. I have been told that they are one of the best in the region, but now that it is nearing the end of my contract period I may be moving on despite how good they are or how much I like my school.

Why? Just to see if 1) I can get a better offer and 2) getting a better job is fairly easy once you have that first year of experience.

So far, I would much rather work in a private company rather than the JET Programme since you can ensure yourself the place you want to work in, I hear in JET you have a less likely chance of teaching in the area you much prefer. Also, why do they call them "private companies", aren't they just companies?

I don't know why, but when you tell someone you are an ALT they ask, "Are you a JET?" To which we answer, "No, I'm a private." JET's actually call the program their company. Whenever the program does something for them they say, "My company provides this wonderful book." And people ask, "What company do you work for?" Then they say, "Oh, I work for JET."

I think the term 'private company' is used specifically in contrast to the JET Program because JET is an institution run by the Japanese government and not a business or company.

That's where my point come across, I have no interest in working in a program. I would much prefer to work in a company rather than say, a social club for English teaching, mind me. To me the JET Programme is a great way to learn and teach to the Japanese audience, although I also feel it has its major drawbacks, such as being overcrowded and the draw out orientations when first arriving in Japan (i.e. JET lag), and not to mention, the time frame when applying for the program itself. Also, another thing about the orientations, I hear many people skip out on it due to sheer boredom and also to explore more of Tokyo. I'm sorry, but to me it just reminds me of high school all over again, but thats just me, and I'm not into that cycle anymore. So yes, the JET Programme is not looking to good for me at the moment, and I can't say I'll have a change of heart in the near future as well.

I still think you're getting the wrong idea about JET. There's a lot of participants, but what matter does that make? It's not like you share the same school or even the same city with all of them. You'll likely not be working with any other foreigners at the school you're sent to. After arriving in Japan, the orientation in Tokyo is only three days in length - not exactly high school.

Another thing to consider is that you can hop aboard JET with no Japanese experience. Getting a teaching position elsewhere will be more difficult if you haven't learned a good deal of Japanese already. It's a bad idea to come to Japan before you know you have a job secured, so you'd have to learn [some] Japanese before coming.

The JET Programme is by and large considered to be one of the best programs for people to get working in Japan. Your life wouldn't be that much different were you teaching for a private company - you'd get up in the morning, leave your Japanese apartment for a ridiculously long commute to your school, and be an assistant language teacher.

It's rather unsettling to hear you have such a low opinion of the JET Programme when you don't seem to have a decent idea of what exactly it entails.

The ALT's that are usually moving around from one school to another do not usually have that far to go. The rest of ALT's hired by companies are usually placed close by them the same as a JET.

Working as an ALT for a company versus for JET, there are practically no differences as far as what you do for work.

Working as an ALT rather than an eikaiwa teacher, there are going to be a lot of differences.

No no, you seem to be misinterpreting my message. First off, when I meant attending the orientations at Tokyo were as if it were "high school", I basically meant the social behavior that seems to spreading when attending the orientations itself, basically some people or the "new" particpants feel the need to skip out on the orientations to explore a little more of Tokyo while they are there or due to sheer boredom or the like. Also, you seem to believe that JET is the only key program in teaching and getting in Japan, there's countless programs and or companies out there willing to provide these quality services, and a handful of them don't require you to be fluent in Nihongo as well, so that's that. As for the JET Programme vs. company debate, it's practically pointless to compare the two since what they do for work and how they do it is relatively the same. The reason why I would rather work in a company than say a program like JET, is due to personal reasons, for one, I'm getting my bachelor's degree in Business Administration, so of course its only natural for me to seek out a job occupation that has a business-like environment that I can work and learn from, say like GABA for instance.

About how I feel towards the JET Programme, I believe its a awesome program to learn and experience from in terms of just getting out there in Japan, and a great one at that. I did my fair share of research on it and also had countless discussion on it with fellow participants and retirees, so telling me I don't have a "decent idea" on it without personally knowing my stance on the whole program itself is quite "unsettling" as well. Forgive me if I sound rude or rub off in the wrong way, but thats my stance on the JET Programme.

The best way to begin teaching English in Japan may or may not be through working as an ALT. Teaching English is the easiest way to start working in Japan, but you are right Osensei there are so many ways to do that how do you know what is best.

First the three basic options you have as an entry level teacher with no experience, well four.

1) The JET Program

As I have stressed many times before JET's are ALT's. The do the same job for a little more money. There is one entry a few pages back on the differences, but the main differences will be the hiring process is longer, you are placed where they decide to place you and there is the money.

2) Private ALT's

This is what I think you were really asking about. How do I find a good ALT company to work for? You asked what I think the best is, and to that I have to answer Interac is number one as far as being an ALT. However this means their selection process is a bit more demanding. I have an interview with Interac in 2 weeks for which I will go through a 45 min questioning, personality test (what?) and make a video for them to show to prospective schools. It is a bit over the top, but there is more upward mobility in a big company like Interac. They have a school for learning English in Provo, Utah and offer the chance to move up the ladder in Japan as well. Also if successful, I will have a wider range of locations to choose from.

After Interac, there are only a handful of companies along the same size as they are in ALT staffing. Interac is simply the largest in Kanto, but I think they have one fairly big competitor in the Kansai region. When it comes to working for the other companies, they are seriously all the same it seems. The only difference being is how much they are willing to do for you as far as getting started in Japan and monthly pay. They are all trying to make money and you are really there money makers.

If you want to talk about work environment, I can't really help you there. That is because while you are employed for this company, you are working in a school. And if you do come to Japan as an ALT, you will learn very quickly that all schools are different. They all expect different things from their ALT. You won't know if you've got a good one or a bad one until you are there. To be quite honest, my school is one of the tougher ones to work for in that my classes are run and designed by me. Without experience, that was really tough in the beginning. Some of the human tape recorder types always get jealous when I tell them this, but to be honest it is not so easy to design lessons that will get your students involved and master the skills they need at the same time.

3 and 4) The Eikaiwas

Working in a conversation would be another world compared to ALT. I list them as 3 and 4 because there are two types, big and little. Big is something Aeon, Nova, Gaba, Geos and one or two others. These have curriculums. They have textbooks. Although at Gaba you are working one on one so you are not really moving a group of students from one level of ability to the next. Little are the one shop operations you can find all over Japan. Some foreign owned and operated, as in by the teacher themself, and others are owned by Japanese and staffed by foreign teachers. Then there are a few that are owned and taught by Japanese. In a small eikaiwa, you and maybe one to six other teachers are the school. You have materials, but all the planning of what needs to be taught is on your shoulders. Some of these local operations do have a head teacher who plans and designs the curriculum but maybe not.

Working in an eikaiwa has it's benefits. Smaller classes, less of a Japanese work environment (good or bad depending on how you look at it), special events at eikaiwas are holiday kids' parties versus things at public schools like sport's days and graduation, you are not the only foreigner around in most cases, you can see your students progress more where as in the case of ALT's we only see the good and the bad at English and they don't really change (good kids go to eikaiwas), and probably some other things. This is all just speculation because I have not worked in an eikaiwa. I have done part time work for them but not much.

The best amongst the biggest, looking in from the outside I will say Aeon. Better pay, that is all I can see. Gaba is also supposedly top notch but you are basically selected by your students and then you have to design a lesson to meet their needs. Aeon and Nova, you are going to be guaranteed a certain amount of work each month whereas Gaba just depends on how much work you can get.

And that's all for now. It's Saturday. I should be playing online poker, later.

Thank you for the intensive response Jason. Another question that comes to mind at the moment, so I believe; I currently hold a BA and MBA in Business Administration majoring in Project Management, and I was planning on becoming an ALT or eikaiwa teacher for a year or so until I get a clear-cut idea of what career I wanted to pursue while in Japan. Now, since my degrees and experience don't come so easily these days I'm looking foward into a high-salary paying job, well ALT or eikaiwa teacher so to speak, out of the programs and private companies that you come to know (experience or heard of), which would you recommend me? Any advice is welcomed as well.

Compared to what you can do with a masters in business administration in the US or any business related job, English teaching is not going to match that as far as income. Maybe after three years experience and making all the right contracts you could find a couple of jobs that combined would give you the equivalent.

The best job for you would probably be as an executive recruiter or working for a US firm in Japan. Recruiters make up the second largest profession in Japan for English speakers following teaching. Another option would be to start at one of the big teaching companies and work your way up into some sort of management postion which would take you a year or two.

Overall though, I am not 100% sure you are ever going to be able to match your earning potential in US by working in Japan. Why? Japanese companies have a different way of paying their employees that results in the lower level making more than US counterparts and the upper execs making less.

Which company would you recommend me for teaching English while in Japan? If you can't answer wholeheartedly, just pretend you were in my shoes and was thinking about which company would suit me best for English teaching.

I would start at Aeon, but then again maybe that is because it is where I want to work. Starting off in the JET program would be good, but maybe you are better suited for something like this:

F.I.A. provides professional language training to multinational corporate clients across scenic Shizuoka Prefecture in Japan. We are searching for professional English Teachers who are able to begin in summer 2007, for both our Intensive Language and On-the-Job programs.

REQUIREMENTS
- University degree
- Previous ESL/EFL experience
- ESL/EFL qualifications preferred

WE OFFER
- Starting salary 253,000 to 273,000 yen/month.
- Subsidized, semi-furnished accommodation
- Generous holiday package
- Ongoing professional development
- 1 year renewable contract, sponsorship


F.I.A.'s selection process requires a face to face interview, therefore, only candidates currently living in Japan need apply. Please send your resume and professional cover letter directly to F.I.A. to the:

Director of Personnel
F.I.A. Language Training

I just pulled this straight from Gaijinpot's job listings. There is no clear number one place to be in the world of teaching English in Japan. It is all about luck, timing and your ability to convince people that they would be retarded not to hire you.

wow cool
what other benefits are there when u teahc in japan?

Why AEON and not the JET Programme? Also, I was only planning on doing this particular work for a year or so, so moving my way up in management doesn't sound to far off. Moving slightly off topic a bit, well off the teaching English topic, why do so many ALTs prefer to move in apartments over hotels while staying in Japan? I mean, I've seen some quality hotels in Japan but usually I find that same "typical" person who prefers a 1,000- year-old apartment over a nicely furnished room in a hotel? Maybe its just me watching too many YouTube videos on living conditions as an ALT, but why is this?

I have never met anyone who has or could live in a hotel for very long in this country. China is another story, but in Japan hotels are expensive. They are really small too. Most of the time you end up in the former ALT's apartment because it is the easiest way of doing things. Especially if it is already equipped with lights, a washer, etcetera. And you don't have to pay the key money and realtor fee. Most people I know have fairly nice apartments. I know a few who live in houses all to themselves for around the same price or less. Maybe the horror stories you've heard or seen had slobs for previous teachers.

I only said Aeon because you were asking about what type of company you could move up in. JET is not the type of place for that. If you are going to do the JET program, that is fine because you can still move on to other things afterwards. It is the best place to be if you are set on being an ALT.

I guess its just me not liking the hand-me-downs. Carrying on though, can someone with my status (BA and MBA carrier) teach at a University? I hear those who possess a master's degree qualify to teach English at Universities.

Yes, you would need the graduate degree in teaching English along with lots of experience. And to get a full time job at a university, you also need to be published.

Published?

Published as in written a book or a few articles about teaching English.

~writing on JF certainly would not qualify.