Hi,

I am wondering if it is a myth or not, but I am interested in perhaps finding a working/living situation in Japan where I teach English to the owner of a home in exchange for a roof and maybe a small salary.

Do such things exist? I once heard of a situation much like this, and it worked well supposedly.

I would love to travel and see Japan of course, but also gain some teaching experience in an informal way.

Any thoughts?

I was in Hiroshima for five years and never heard of such an arrangement. The problem is that Japan is very strict about illegal immigration and employment. If you get caught the fines are massive and if you're arrested in the Land of the Rising Sun you can be held for over three weeks before they even let you use the phone. There are tons of legitimate teaching jobs though.

I was offered such an arrangement once, teaching an old lady and her husband English, but I declined it because I practice music and I didnt think things would work out with the noise. Such things exist but dont bank on this situation becoming a reality... Ive never met anyone else who has done it.

I've come across arrangements like that to some degree or other in many countries, but typically, my impression is that you're more likely to find one in a country where locals are less able to pay for formal schooling. Perhaps that's a pretty wide net to cast, but I've met far more people exchanging language lessons for room and board in Latin America, for example, than Japan.

Most of the off-the-books arrangements I've heard of in Japan have had more to do with profitable side-jobs. But such arrangements are always made at your own risk. Considering how many certified English-language teachers there are in Japan - and what a big business it is for the country - I'd imagine they'd be none too pleased to have some foreigner offering lessons on the sly.

Chris

There is a Programme that BUNAC do...but I don't know if that is purely if you're a British Citizen...

I think it's called the JET Programme, Google BUNAC and then you should find it on their website.

There must be a USA equivalent I imagine...??

The kind of situation you are seeking - does exist - but more likely is to be more of a part-time side job. You'll need your regular job to make sure you get your visa and work papers in order and keep yourself legal.

I doubt that the arrangement you propose is possible but TEFL is easy and well enough salaried to allow a reasonable standard of living. My daughter and her boyfriend are there at the moment teaching English in Kyoto/Osaka.

in this program, you live with a family and teach english

http://www.chinet.org/wta/oet.html