The School of Japanese Language & Culture.

Teach in Japan
during your sabbatical leave

This programme is very similar to the one we offer to people during their Gap Year, but geared to people with higher educational and professional experience. In both cases, the first step is to complete an application form, after which you will be invited to an interview.With Japanese people, personal contact and polite communication is very important. Fortunately, we have many years experience of organising study tours to Japan for British people and residential study retreats for Japanese people in the UK, so there is already a lot of good will and a fund of knowledge and local experience ready to assist with this programme. However, to ensure that you make the most of Japan and that you are prepared for the experience, there is a short course of instruction in Japanese culture and manners, including a lot of opportunity for questions and answers.

There are now two options to think about. Do you wish to arrange your employment in Japan before you leave the UK (Option A) or do you want to take advantage of our assistance to help you find a job after you arrive in Japan (Option B). It may seem obvious that having confirmed employment before leaving the UK is better than waiting until you are in Japan; however, the second option gives you a much wider choice of activities and allows for face to face interviews with potential employers in Japan. To make the second option more feasible, it comes with home-stay accommodation with a Japanese family for the first two months, so you can use this time to get used to living in a new culture and meet potential employers before you have to start looking after yourself in a separate accommodation. The projected cost for renting an apartment is ¥80,000 - ¥90,000 per month.

If you selct Option A, we aim to match you with your Japanese employer during the period before and during your your preparation workshop. The Japanese side will usually wish to confirm that you are willing and able to work with them for a year, so it may not be suitable for everyone. If you select Option B, we use the same time period to match you with your host family. We wish to do this in sufficient time to allow an exchange of letters and pictures before you leave the UK. We also ensure that your friends and family have your appropriate contact details and information, so that they can easily keep in touch with you. For both options, you will also have the details of our local representative in Japan, who will keep an eye on you during your stay.

Hino Maru

When you are in Japan

On your arrival in Japan, you will be met by our local representratives and taken to your host family or apartment. As mentioned above, you will be surrounded by helpful people during your stay, but we also provide a telephone and e-mail connection with an assigned mentor in the UK, who will keep an additional eye on your progress and be available to give help and advice, as required. For Option B, this will also include help with applying for jobs.

As you would expect, if you are with a host family, your accommodation includes eating breakfast and evening meal with the host family. You will also take an evening bath in the Japanese manner and sleep on a futon. Living with the Japanese family and being an active member of the local community are important aspects of the experience, as well as a unique opportunity. However, even with Option B, after the first two months, you will have the freedom of staying in a self-contained apartment. In that case, you have more responsibility for your own meals and other daily needs, but will be helped as needed.

Depending on your experience and skills, your projected salary may vary, as may responsibilities. For example, you may be asked to lead business English classes or some other specialist instruction. Japan has a tradition of working hard and no allowance is made for foriegn people to take it any easier than their Japanese colleagues. However, it is part of the rich experience of living in Japan and will leave you with time to explore aspects of the traditional and modern culture. You may find it interesting to study the arts and take part in sports or local pastimes, as well as making friends and travelling to interesting places.

Cost

The School of Japanese Language & Culture will arrange this programme for you for the following fee.

  • Option A from £250*
  • Option B from £350
* Please note that the lower cost is due to the absense of host family accommodation. You may also have to pay for the working visa arrangements carried out for you by your eventual employer in Japan, whereas it is covered by the School of Japanese Language and Culture for Option A.
Hino Maru
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Japanese visa matters and other legal issues are vetted and assisted by Hoshimoto Legal Administration Office, Tokyo.

Copyright © Akemi Solloway 2007. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Last updated - 29th November 2007