Japan is one of the heavyweights of the TESOL world. It is safe, exotic and generally pays well.

The last point used to be a general truth. But things are changing. The economic recession which gripped Japan in the late 1990s - and continues to do so - has put a wage ceiling on some of the best paid jobs, with many language schools now struggling to survive.

Most teachers organize jobs before they arrive in Japan. Applications from suitably qualified teachers to any of the big school chains (GEOS, Shane, Nova, etc) will generally result in an offer of work and an 'Accommodation + Flight' deal. It is also possible to find work from inside Japan, though the visa application process can take up to 3 months.

Demand is highest for Business English, Conversation English and English for Younger Learners. There is also a preference for American-English. Many jobs involve a heavy workload and a lot of travel, though conditions are generally very good and most teachers find that Japan is one of the few places they can actually save money on an ESL/EFL salary.

Less experienced teachers might consider applying for the government-sponsored JET program, which offers a one-year contract and excellent conditions to successful applicants.

Most (though not all) schools in Japan require teachers to have a university degree and an internationally-recognized TESOL certificate.