ALT Jobs In Japan: The Pros And Cons Of Dispatch Companies

A dispatch company hires teachers and sends them to various locations (schools) to teach. 

Dispatch companies are contracted with the Board of Education (BOE). In Japanese, they are known as hakengaisha. Teachers for dispatch companies are referred to as haken workers. 

A dispatch company is simultaneously contracted to its dispatch workers and the BOE, resulting in a dual-contract relationship: the haken system. 

Dispatch companies usually place Assisted Language Teachers (ALTs) in public schools. Working hours, curricula and the overall ALT role will be the same as if you were hired directly by the school, i.e., a direct-hire teacher. Sometimes, but not very often, you may be dispatched to private institutions such as eikaiwas in a non-ALT role. 

The major differences between a dispatch-hire and direct-hire role relate to your contract, salary, earning potential, and job stability.

Let’s go through some of these differences and what this means for you as an English teacher. 

Dispatch companies versus direct-hire:

• Dispatch companies are private companies and send ALTs to schools in their network. Direct hires are employed by a school or Board of Education (BOE).
• With a dispatch company, you sign a contract with the company. With a direct-hire, you sign directly with the school. 
• Dispatch companies handle your visa, find you accommodation and pay your salary.  
• In the interview, dispatch companies focus more on basic qualifications, enthusiasm, availability and willingness to relocate. Direct-hires face a competitive interview process, often including assessments with the BOE having the final say. 
• Dispatch companies are known to offer lower salaries than if you were employed by the school or the Department of Education. They essentially act as a middleman and take a commission.
• Dispatch companies generally offer limited benefits. Direct-hires enjoy more benefits, like a flight allowance and social insurance. 
• Dispatch companies prioritise contracts over teaching quality.  Teachers have less freedom to focus on better teaching or interesting lessons as the focus is on maintaining contracts with schools. 

Japanese labour law differentiates between regular and irregular workers. 

Dispatched ALTs are seen as irregular, meaning they’re not permanent or long-term employees. They’re paid differently from regular employees who have more job stability and legal protections.

Local BOEs can place ALTs in public schools, but many prefer using dispatch companies to simplify the process. Using dispatch companies reduces admin work for the BOE. It is easier to hire and fire without worrying about strict labour laws that don’t cover dispatched workers. If a teacher breaks their contract and leaves the school, it becomes a problem for the dispatch company to replace the teacher. 

 Dispatch companies are businesses that follow strict rules. Their main goal is to keep clients happy. Clients have a huge say in who gets the job. Teachers report back to schools for daily tasks such as lesson planning and teaching. 

Instead of reporting to a principal or head teacher, teachers report to an employee at the dispatch company. This person may be someone in the Human Resources department or a manager.

 Dispatched ALTs are generally limited to two types of fixed-term contracts:

•  Fixed-term contracts with the 3-Year Rule

A dispatch worker can’t stay with the same company for more than three years unless they’re hired directly or switch to a permanent contract.

• Fixed-term contract with the 5-Year Rule

A worker can ask for a permanent contract after five years on a fixed-term contract.

[Non-fixed term contracts are uncommon. They don’t state end dates, so the rules mentioned above don’t apply.]

These rules create instability. Teachers can find themselves scrambling for a job every few years, which is problematic for serious teachers looking to make Japan their long-term home.

Laws governing dispatch workers have come under scrutiny recently. Hopefully, this means improvements are on the cards for dispatch workers.

Now let’s see how working in a public school through a dispatch company compares to working in an eikaiwa.  

 Work environment: Dispatch companies place teachers in public schools with regular hours. Dispatched ALTs typically have a regular weekday teaching schedule (8am – 4pm) with minimal, if any, weekend work. The usual work week is Monday to Friday. 

Eikaiwas are private schools with irregular hours. Eikaiwa teachers may handle sales and customer interactions on top of their teaching duties. Eikaiwa teachers work in blocks at different times of the day, e.g. 9am – 12pm and 4pm – 10pm . This can change from week to week. Eikaiwas often run from Tuesday to Sunday, so you may be required to teach on a weekend day, with days off during the week (which may not be consecutive).

Job description: ALTs are, first and foremost, English teachers. Direct-hires need to satisfy the school staff and the BOE. Dispatch companies may penalise teachers for complaints from school staff.

Eikaiwas are run as businesses. Besides teaching, teachers are expected to upsell classes, books and materials to the students or their parents. Customer satisfaction is of the utmost importance. Poor performance or negative customer feedback can result in penalties, fines and suspension.

 Types of students: ALTs typically work with school-going children in the six-to eighteen-year age range. Eikaiwas have students ranging from housewives to working professionals to school children, and even babies!  

Class size: ALTs can expect class sizes of around 40 kids. Eikaiwas offer one-on-one sessions or classes for up to 15 students.

 Work-life balance:  ALTs have the standard school holidays. They might be required to spend a day or two of their holiday at the school, doing admin work and lesson preparation. Direct-hires get paid leave and sick days, while dispatched ALTs may or may not, depending on the dispatch company. Direct-hires have more responsibilities than dispatch ALTs. 

Eikaiwas schedule time off for teachers before or after official school holidays to provide lessons for students during their school holidays. These holidays are usually paid leave, but sick days probably won’t be.

 Job security: Dispatch companies depend on client feedback, i.e. from the school. Any damage to their reputation can put your job on the line.  Similarly, eikaiwas depend on student ratings. Teachers may face penalties for poor performance or missed classes. 

 Pay: Dispatch companies and eikaiwas pay similarly. Eikaiwa teachers are usually salaried, meaning they are paid a set amount each month. 

Working for a dispatch company has its perks, but it’s not without challenges.

 Let’s look at the benefits and challenges of working for a dispatch company as an English teacher in Japan. 

The benefits of dispatch companies

•  It’s easier to land an ALT role through a dispatch company due to less stringent requirements.  You don’t need teaching experience. In fact, you don’t even need to be a native English speaker! 
• They’ll assist you with sorting out your visa and accommodation. A dispatch company should provide ongoing support and training, and even cover local commuting costs. 
• Dispatch companies are more flexible with starting dates. That’s handy if you have a last-minute event to attend or want to fit in travels before you start working. 
• You can choose your teaching location, whether it’s a school with good working hours or a city with a laid-back vibe like Nagasaki or Fukuoka. 
• Transferring between locations is easier as a dispatched ALT than a direct-hire placement. This flexibility is desirable if you find yourself clashing with a school.
• You’ll have fewer responsibilities than a direct-hire who is expected to design lesson plans, lead lessons, and participate in extracurricular activities. 
• You’ll teach at different locations over several months. This adds diversity to your resume. It could also help you discover your teaching niche. 

 Overall, the main benefit is flexibility over several areas of your life in Japan. 

The challenges of dispatch companies

• One of the biggest issues ALTs have with dispatch companies is the low salary.

 A 2023 survey conducted by MEXT (Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology) revealed that dispatched ALTs earned around ¥2.47 million annually while JET teachers made ¥3.75 million. That’s a significant pay gap!

• Unpaid holidays are something you’d have to budget for in advance.
• Sometimes, dispatch companies don’t pay on time, sometimes even a month late.
• There is no paid sick leave.
• Working conditions are inconsistent.
• There is a general lack of contractual benefits. That means limited-to-no social insurance, no housing provided and no flight allowance. Nada! 

Whether or not you choose to work for a dispatch company is entirely up to you and your needs.

Major dispatch companies include Interac, Altia Central, Heart Corporation, Borderlink and OWLS. 

JET is a well-known government placement program for ALTs in Japan. It is not a dispatch company.

JET has a long-standing reputation for placing ALTs in Japan, but recently, dispatch companies have become more popular. In fact, in 2023, 34% of ALTs in Japan were placed by dispatch companies, in comparison to 28% with the JET program and 20% hired directly by schools.

The application process differs between companies, depending on whether you’re applying from outside or within Japan. However, here are some basic guidelines:

 Research is key to finding the right dispatch company. With so many options, it’s important to compare the nitty-gritty like contracts, pay, benefits, location and company expectations. Reading online reviews is always a good idea, but personal experiences vary drastically. Take your time and be thorough. It’s a big decision!

 Note: Some dispatch companies hire throughout the year, while others have specific intake periods. 

1. Complete a registration form on the dispatch company website. This is where you complete your personal information and upload your CV or resume, and cover letter.
2.  Wait for a recruiter to make contact. Once they do, it’s time to move on to the next step: document submission.
3.  Collect all required documents. If you’re applying to several dispatch companies, note their specific document requirements as these can vary. This process can take time, so it’s best to start early. 

 Documents you may need include:

• A recent photo
• Bachelor’s degree certificate
• Academic transcripts
• Teaching certification(s)
• Criminal background check
• Medical examination certificate
• Passport
• Proof of English proficiency
• Driving permit

      4. Submit your documents. 

      5. Prepare for your interview. Prepare a suitable space and check that all devices are working properly. Keep your resume handy. Note that interviews may take place before or after you’ve collected and submitted your documents.

Common interview questions will likely focus on your motivation for wanting to become an ALT, your understanding of Japanese culture, classroom ideas and how you’ll cope with culture shock and homesickness.

Read more: TEFL Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

     6. Accept the job offer. Make sure you read through the contract carefully.

     7. Apply for the relevant visa and move on to onboarding and training, if applicable.

Choosing a dispatch company is a personal decision, and it can be an exciting opportunity. The low barriers to entry mean it could be your golden ticket into Japan.

 Do your research, find the right fit, and make the most of your experience.