Types of Teaching Positions

There are four main types of English teachers in Japan.
• High school teacher. Japanese high schools teach English as a requirement.
• University teacher. English is a popular course for Japanese university students, particularly those going into a business-related field of study.
• Conversation school teacher. These types of schools are somewhat alike community classes in America, all age groups and skill levels are welcomed. These classes generally teach conversational English.
• Business English teacher. A lot of companies and other establishments hire English teachers to improve their employee’s basic knowledge of the language for interacting with overseas investors and consultants.

Teaching Requirements
The type of certification you'll need to teach English in Japan depends on what type of teacher you're interested in becoming. In other states the profession of a English teacher require a TEFL certificate or major degree in the related discipline.  Japan, however, does not consider this a prerequisite, and has the largest number of uncertified teachers of any industrial nation.

 If you wish to teach in a conversational school or perhaps a high school, a college degree is satisfactory. Post graduate degrees are necessary to be able to teach English in most high educational establishments.

You should remember that despite its not mandatory, TEFL certification will give you an advantage over other applicants who are not certified. As competition for teaching positions increases, getting a TEFL or other teaching certificate is a good way to put yourself ahead when it comes time to find a job.