Millicent Ngugi, a Kenyan currently working in Japan, has revealed the straightforward process she followed to obtain an Assistant Language Teacher position abroad. Her experience offers a clear guide for Kenyans interested in teaching opportunities in Japan.
Recruitment Process
While residing in Cape Town, Millicent discovered the opportunity through Altia Central, a recruitment agency specializing in placing Assistant Language Teachers in Japan. She applied by emailing her CV directly from South Africa.
The selection involved three interview stages:
- A familiarisation session
- A formal interview
- A basic Japanese conversation test to evaluate language skills
Successful candidates were then asked to submit essential documents including a university degree, a police clearance certificate, and a scanned passport copy.
Visa Application and Costs
After document submission and approval, the agency prepares a Certificate of Eligibility (COE), which serves as a pre-qualification for the work visa. The COE is typically issued within a month and must be presented at the Japanese Embassy in the applicant's home country.
The visa is issued within five days of submitting the COE. Remarkably, the total visa fee is only $30 (approximately KSh 3,800), payable directly to embassy staff when collecting the passport containing the visa. No additional fees are charged during recruitment or application.
Millicent’s detailed account provides a practical roadmap for Kenyan educators aiming to work in Japan, highlighting an accessible and low-cost pathway into the Japanese education sector.
