Question 1

Do I need to speak Japanese to be a direct-hire ALT?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the Board of Education, and requirements vary a lot. Some municipalities prefer ALTs with little or no Japanese, so the classroom stays English only. Others ask for conversational ability, sometimes around N3 level. In general, the most useful level is enough Japanese to handle daily life on your own, plus basic conversation skills for everyday school life at work. You do not need to be fluent. Direct-hire roles tend to expect more independence than dispatch positions, so being able to manage daily tasks and simple workplace communication in Japanese is a real asset.

Question 2

What qualifications do I need to become a direct-hire ALT?

Accepted Answer

For most Boards of Education, you need a university or college degree in any subject. The degree qualifies you for the work visa, not the teaching, so the major does not matter. You do not need a Japanese teaching license, an education degree, or fluent Japanese. Most direct-hire Boards prefer applicants with at least some ALT experience rather than first-time applicants, and many favor candidates already living in Japan on a valid visa. For a lot of people, direct-hire is a next step after JET or a dispatch role. Clear, confident English is assumed, and a TEFL or TESOL certificate helps.

Question 3

What is the difference between a direct-hire ALT and a dispatch ALT?

Accepted Answer

The difference is who employs you. In a dispatch job, a private company employs you and places you at schools under a contract with the Board of Education. In a direct-hire job, the Board of Education employs you directly, rather than through a company. In practice, direct-hire roles are public-sector positions, usually posted as a fiscal-year appointed employee (会計年度任用職員). You deal with the Board and your schools directly, and pay and conditions are set by the municipality. Dispatch jobs are easier to find and common for first-time ALTs. Direct-hire jobs are fewer and tend to expect some experience. Neither is simply better. Dispatch can be an easier entry point, while direct-hire means a closer relationship with the employer.

Question 4

How is direct-hire different from the JET Programme?

Accepted Answer

JET is a large, government-run programme. It recruits ALTs mostly from overseas, handles relocation, pays a set salary, and offers strong support, but you do not get to choose where you are placed. Direct-hire is the opposite in spirit. You apply yourself to a specific Board of Education, so you pick where to apply, with no central programme and little relocation help. Boards usually want applicants already in Japan with some ALT experience. That is why many people start on JET, then move to direct-hire later.

Question 5

When do Boards of Education hire ALTs?

Accepted Answer

Most Boards hire on a yearly cycle built around the school year, which starts in April. The main wave of openings runs from autumn into winter, with deadlines often in late autumn or winter and interviews in winter or early spring. Smaller openings can appear at other times, usually when a current ALT leaves partway through the year. Timing varies by municipality. Larger cities tend to follow a set schedule, while smaller towns post when they have a need. Since openings are spread across hundreds of separate Board websites, the easiest way to catch one is to follow the Boards you care about and get an alert when they post.

Question 6

How do I apply to a Board of Education directly?

Accepted Answer

You apply to each Board directly, through its own channels. The usual flow is simple: find the Board's official recruitment posting, prepare your application, and send it in. Applications often ask for a résumé, copies of your degree, and reference letters, and many Boards still accept documents by post rather than online. Some forms are in Japanese, others in English. If you pass the document screening, you are invited to an interview, often part English and part Japanese, and sometimes a short demo lesson. Interviews are usually held in person, so plan for travel if you do not live nearby. A decision usually follows within about a month. ALT Direct points you to the Board and its official posting. The application itself always goes to the Board, through its own channels.

Question 7

Can I apply from outside Japan?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, direct-hire is best suited to people already living in Japan. Some Boards will consider overseas applicants, but many expect you to already hold a valid visa and be in the country. The biggest hurdle is the interview. Most Boards interview in person, at the municipality and at your own expense, and few offer an online option. Visa sponsorship and relocation support are also rare, unlike JET. If you are still abroad, the realistic path is usually to start with JET or a dispatch company, build some experience and a foothold in Japan, then apply directly to the Boards you want.

Question 8

Is ALT Direct free, and how does it work?

Accepted Answer

Yes, ALT Direct is free. It is free for ALTs to use and free for Boards of Education to post, and it never takes a cut or charges a fee. It is not an agency and does not mediate applications. Here is how it works. ALT Direct maps the Boards across Japan that have hired ALTs directly. You browse the map, add the Boards you care about to a watchlist, and get an email when one of them posts an ALT opening. People in the community can also share listings they find. When you are ready to apply, you go straight to the Board through its own channels.