Westgate Japan Young Learners & Secondary School English Program
Turn your teaching experience into a rewarding career in Japan while making a lasting impact on students learning English. Westgate gives qualified educators the opportunity to lead their own classrooms, gain international teaching experience, and live in Japan with visa sponsorship and relocation support.
What this is
Westgate's Young Learners and Secondary School English Programs place qualified English teachers in schools around Nagoya, Japan, where they teach as the sole instructor rather than serving as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT). Depending on your assignment, you'll teach either young learners or middle and high school students using Westgate's established English programs. Contracts are available for a single term or an entire academic year, and Westgate provides visa sponsorship, accommodation support, and training to help instructors prepare for life and work in Japan.
Who it's for
- Qualified EFL/ESL teachers looking to teach in Japan
- Licensed elementary, primary, or secondary school teachers
- Experienced English teachers with substantial classroom teaching experience
- Educators who want to lead their own English classes instead of working as an ALT
- Teachers seeking international classroom experience in Japan
Requirements
- A bachelor's degree or more advanced qualification
- Either EFL/ESL classroom teaching experience plus a teaching certificate or credentials, OR 1,000+ hours of actual EFL/ESL classroom teaching experience in place of formal certification
- Young Learners positions require some classroom teaching experience with young learners
What you get
- Starting pay of ¥260,000/month for instructors with under 500 hours of teaching experience plus certification; ¥275,000+/month for those with 500+ hours plus certification, or 1,000+ hours without formal certification
- Partial flight cost subsidy (exact terms confirmed at contract signing)
- Enrollment in Japan's National Health Insurance, covering 70% of medical expenses
- Employment Insurance coverage if your contract runs more than 30 consecutive days
- Workers' Compensation coverage for work-related injuries, fully paid by Westgate
- Placement across Westgate's client university network, with support from application through arrival in Japan
Why this is useful
Westgate has specialized in English education in Japan since 1983 and has decades of experience supporting overseas educators. Unlike ALT positions where teachers often assist another instructor, these programs place you in full control of your own classroom, giving you greater responsibility and more direct teaching experience. The company's structured onboarding, accommodation assistance, visa sponsorship, and long history working with Japanese educational institutions make it an attractive option for qualified teachers who want to build international teaching experience.
Lead Your Own Classroom in Japan
Apply to Westgate's University Program and start your term-length teaching placement in Japan