This site contains all the resources you'll need to get a teaching job in Japan. Where to look, who to contact, how to contact, and what kind of research is needed are covered by the links and information below.
Information Sources
other places to find info
This is an shortlist of some other great sources of information on finding work in Japan, and what it's like when you get there and start teaching.
- ELT News: Guide to Teaching English in Japan
- An excellent and thorough resource on getting the teaching job you're looking for.
- Teach In Japan
- by Jo Jo Ebisujima; an excellent guide to finding work in Japan.
- The Japan FAQ: Know Before You Go
- As the title suggests, useful things to keep in mind.
- Teaching in Japan
- Another good and general resource.
Online Job Resources
sites with job openings.
Resources to help you get the job you're looking for.
- ELT News
- The first and foremost resource for EFL in Japan. Includes news, resources, job ads, interviews, and teaching ideas and theories.
- Ohayo Sensei
- Get their job listings sent to your inbox (they're compiled every two weeks).
- GaijinPot.com
- A lot of job postings and a vibrant (buyer beware) message board.
- Dave's ESL Cafe
- Traditionally known as the biggest site for teaching jobs all over the world.
- EOL-Japan.com
- Another excellent resource with Japan-specific job postings.
- The Hokkaido Insider
- A subscription service by Ken Hartmann covering job openings in Hokkaido.
- TEFL.com
- An international site for language instructors, TEFL.com has resources for job hunting in Japan too.
- JobsinJapan.com
- Another useful resource.
- Teach in Japan
- by Jo Jo Ebisujima; an excellent guide to finding work in Japan.
- Japan Research Career Information Network
- Good site for finding university posts, as well as available positions at national and research institutions.
- Kansai Time Out
- A great place to go specifically for Kansai jobs.
- Kansai Flea Market
- Another good resource for Kansai jobs.
Online Teaching Resources
Nothing will take the place of a good and motivating orientation coupled with ongoing teacher training. However, the following resources are excellent supplements.
- ETJ Discussion Forum
- This Yahoo! mail group, called English Teachers Japan, is an extremely useful resource for all teachers.
- ELTnews.com
- This site has already been mentioned, but must cannot be overlooked for its well-written and useful teaching resources.
- ETJ Activities Discussion Forum
- Another Yahoo! group, this one specifically devoted to sharing teaching ideas.
- Genki English
- Take any problem in the world and it's invariably caused, or made worse, by a lack of education. Too many kids hate school because it's too boring. Genki English aims to give you all the songs, games, projects & ideas you need to bring the sparkle back to teaching!
- Starfall.com
- Where children have fun learning to read!
- ESLKidStuff.com
- ESL & EFL children's resources for English teachers and parents.
- English Language Listening Lab Online
- An excellent and popular online resource.
- ESL/EFL Resources for Teachers
- The title is self-explanatory: another great site.
EFL/ESL Blogs
Blogs about language education
Blogs you should be reading.
- couke street
- This is a blog I used to author. Of note is a series of articles about finding a job in Japan - and getting it. Go. Dig. Find.
- Effortless Language Acquisition
- AJ Hoyt is breaking the rules of language education.
- Dekita.org
- P2P in EFL/ESL
- The Linguist on Language
- Steve Kaufmann and language learning.
- English360
- Ideas and conversation about language learning, business, entrepreneurship & technology.
- Comprehensible Input
- trying to make sense of the ESL scene in Japan
Already in Japan? Recruit private students.
Here is a list of 1 to 1 lesson sites. The majority of them all you to post your personal information free of charge. Students peruse the website and then are able to contact you in order to set up lessons.
This is a massive and growing industry, and there are countless numbers of websites involved. These are the biggest and best of them.
This is a massive and growing industry, and there are countless numbers of websites involved. These are the biggest and best of them.
- SenseiBank.com
- A good-looking interface and comprehensive kodawari search highlight this excellent site.
- SenseiSagasu.com
- Another large and popular site. Of note in that is has a lot of teachers for languages other than English.
- FindaTeacher.net
- The companion site to SenseiSagasu.com.
- 121Sensei.com
- More of the same. At one time, this site was aggressively pursuing users through the Google AdSense program.
- FindStudents.net
- And more of the same.
- My-Sensei.com
- Yet another site. There really are lots.
EFL Books at Amazon.com
The Grammar Book: An ESL/EFL Teacher's Course, Second Edition
Amazon Price: $82.81 (as of 11/19/2008) 
Basic American Grammar and Usage: An ESL/EFL Handbook (Esl/Efl Handbook)
Amazon Price: $11.24 (as of 11/19/2008)
ESL/EFL Teaching: Principles for Success
Amazon Price: $26.10 (as of 11/19/2008)
