Teaching English in Japan is a popular option for native or fluent English speakers looking to live abroad. There are several paths:
JET Program / ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) positions in public schools. These involve assisting Japanese teachers with English lessons, often in elementary, middle, or high schools.
Eikaiwa (Private language schools / conversation schools), where teachers work with adults and children on English conversation, business English, private lessons.
International Schools, which often require higher credentials, may teach classes entirely in English, and come with higher salaries but with higher competition.
Private tutoring / online teaching also popular, especially supplementing income or while awaiting the main job.
Key Requirements
Requirement
Details
Bachelor’s degree (any subject)
Usually required for work visa eligibility.
Clean criminal record
Many schools require background checks.
Native-level English speaker or equivalent fluency
Preferred/required by many employers, especially in conversation schools and JET.
TEFL / TESOL / CELTA certification (often 120+ hours)
Not always mandatory (some JET/ALT roles accept without), but gives competitive advantage.
Valid visa that allows work
Employer or program must often sponsor work visa / status.
Salary & Benefits
Salaries range depending on role, experience, location, school type. For eikaiwa or private language schools, common monthly salary is ¥200,000-¥300,000+. International schools or experienced roles may pay more.
Benefits may include airfare reimbursement, housing or housing allowance, health insurance, paid vacation (depending on contract), sometimes bonuses.
Teaching hours vary; eikaiwa often include evenings/weekends; JET / ALT positions more regular hours.
How Dogpay Helps in the Teaching Journey
Scenario
Common Payment / Financial Challenge
How Dogpay Adds Value
Applying for certification (TEFL/TESOL/CELTA)
Courses, translation or notarization of transcripts, sometimes course fees paid in foreign currency; bank fees or FX spreads can add overhead.
Dogpay supports multi-currency payments, transparent exchange/fx fees, faster transfers; helps you track and collect receipts for credentialing or reimbursement.
Visa processing and relocation costs
Work visa fees, moving luggage or items, flights, initial living costs; paying from abroad may have delays or extra bank fees.
Dogpay helps facilitate cross-border transfers more cheaply and transparently; you can plan these payments and budget accordingly.
First month rent / deposit / apartment setup
Similar large upfront payments; sometimes landlords expect local currency, cash, or certified transfers; conversion cost and bank fees high.
Dogpay allows you to manage these large outgoing payments with clearer cost estimates and faster settlement so move-in is smoother.
Ongoing costs & salary reconciliation
Salaries in yen, many payments for teaching materials, commuting, phone/broadband; sometimes teacher must pay upfront and be reimbursed; foreign bank charges.
Use Dogpay to manage recurring expenses, track actual cost vs budget, handle receipts; minimize hidden costs in cross-currency or cross-bank transfers.
Tips for Success
Choose employers or programs that clearly provide visa sponsorship and clarify what benefits are included.
Save enough funds for at least several months of living costs, moving expenses, and initial setup.
When applying, have documentation ready: transcripts, degree certificates, passport, proof of English fluency, criminal record check.
Understand teaching culture in Japan: punctuality, formality, classroom etiquette.
