Shorter term contracts in Japan

[tower]

Hi

My wife and I are looking for a shorter term initial stay in japan to teach english, say 6 months, but big companies (ECC and Nova) have a minimum 12 month contract. I know they are making an investment in you and so would want to keep you as long as possible, but does anyone know any other company to try for 6month contracts at a time?

Cheers in advance.

[gfell]

The obstacle you will find is the visa. In order to get a visa in Japan, the vast majority of schools require you to commit to a minimum 12 months. The alternative is a working holiday visa.

Once you hold your work visa, then it's no problem finding shorter-term work. Most schools will take you on if you already hold a work visa.

If you don't have a visa, then I suggest applying for the less favourable teaching jobs. That is, jobs that are out in the country and where schools are hard to come by teachers.

When I first came to Japan, I got a 12-month work visa for only a 4-month contract. The contract required I teach 3 days a week for a few hours each day after travelling 90 minutes each way. No other teacher wanted this work, so the company had no choice but to offer me the contract. Pay was ok, but nothing to rave on about.

You however really need to be in Japan for any chance of getting such opportunities.