Does Japan call to you? Have you always wanted to move overseas and start a life in Tokyo or Osaka? Whether you’re moving to immerse yourself in Japan’s unique culture, you want to be closer to family, you’re exploring career options—or for any other reason—living in Japan as an expat is an experience like no other. It comes with plenty of challenges, though, like making a living.
While it’s not hard for foreign nationals to find work in Japan, not everyone wants to clock in at the office or answer to an impatient boss. This leads many down an entrepreneurial path: opening their own business. And, far and away the most popular profession for foreigners seeking gainful self-employment in Japan is teaching English.
English school franchises in Japan have become very popular. Japanese people are eager to learn English, so it’s a great opportunity for English-speakers to meet that demand. Starting an English language school is one of the most common business ventures for foreign nationals living in the country. Instead of going it alone, many entrepreneurs work with a franchise system for the training and support it provides.
Here’s what you need to know about English school franchises, and whether opening a location could be right for you.
Teaching is a popular profession among expats
There’s never been greater demand for English teachers in Japan. There are plenty of students who need teachers, from children in primary school to adults looking to further their careers. English teachers are needed across public education environments, private language schools, universities and more.
Compared to other countries, Japan has more rigorous requirements for expats teaching English in the country, but the rewards are well worth it. While pay varies by setting or environment, starting salaries are incredibly livable. And, you can make an even better living if you’ve got an entrepreneurial spirit and choose to open your very own English language school in Japan!
Teaching English in Japan provides much more than a great living. You can learn a lot about Japanese culture, people and yourself in the process. You also make a meaningful difference in the lives of your students—what could be more rewarding than that?
What is an English school franchise?
English school franchises are growing around the world, not only in Japan. Language instruction is a multibillion-dollar industry, with demand from children and adults alike. While some teachers choose to go it alone and open their own schools—or offer private tutoring—franchising is often a more lucrative option.
Franchisees are able to capitalize on the well-known names of many English language school franchises, immediately establishing trust with their customer base. It’s the best way to get students and clients quickly, so you can start earning revenue the moment you open.
Franchise owners benefit from the franchise system in a variety of ways. When you enter a franchising agreement with a reputable organization, you become part of a network that’s dedicated to growing and prospering together. You’ll be equipped with all the tools and training you need to open a successful school, as well as consistent support to help you stay competitive.
There are English school franchises throughout Japan, from the cities to smaller country towns. When it comes to franchise systems, two organizations stand out among the rest—Smith’s School of English and Modern English.
Get to know these two well-known, reputed English language franchise systems and what makes them unique in terms of opportunities for entrepreneurs:
One of Japan’s leading English school franchise systems, Smith’s School of English has been establishing high-quality English schools throughout Japan since the 1990s. Created with the goal of building a quality of life and wealth for expat English teachers in Japan, Smith’s School of English is the largest English language school owned and operated by foreigners.
The Smith’s system has proven effective for countless discerning entrepreneurs. The organization offers a robust training system both at the home office or on-site at schools to help investors hit the ground running. Training includes practical, hands-on education for both teaching and administrative tasks. Beginners are welcome—you need no prior business, teaching or Japanese language expertise to get started.
The organization also provides consistent support throughout your tenure as a franchise owner. Through constant, extensive and innovative training, Smith’s is dedicated to ensuring their franchisees are successful. It’s a strong franchise system, with franchisees always eager to help each other out, so everyone prospers.
Modern English traces its beginnings to Osaka in 1998, when one teacher advertised his English language teaching services in local magazines. Operating out of his apartment, the Japanese and English-speaking teacher taught locals the ins and outs of the English language. Years later, Modern English has grown into several franchised school locations across Japan. Each location offers on-site and off-site classes, as well as online sessions.
The corporation is committed to providing great value for the money, both for franchisees and for students. Tuition is competitively priced, and student satisfaction is always guaranteed. When you franchise with Modern English, you’re joining a team that truly believes the Japanese people can benefit from speaking English, whether it’s in the office or on the phone with friends.
The Modern English franchise system is well-known for giving teachers plenty of flexibility and independence, all while providing consistent support. Franchisees are encouraged to develop long-lasting relationships with their students. It’s a win for all involved—teachers are better able to meet their students’ unique needs, all while enjoying financial and professional freedom.
Keep in mind that these are just two of the most popular and well-reputed English school franchise organizations in Japan. There are many others that offer a similar level of support and cohesion for expats interested in teaching. However, keep in mind that when franchising, it’s best to work with well-known, proven organizations that have a reputation for ensuring the success of their franchisees. That’s why we focus exclusively on Smith’s School of English and Modern English above.
Building a franchise vs. buying a franchise
There are two paths to becoming an English school franchise owner in Japan: building or buying. Both are viable options for most expats.
Building a franchise from scratch
Building a franchise takes work, but it can lead to a truly rewarding and fulfilling outcome when you operate an in-demand English school in the heart of Japan. Entrepreneurs taking this route will need to do much of the legwork in establishing the school, marketing to prospective students and generally establishing the reputation of the school. It can take several years to get the ball rolling, but once you’re established, you’ll have control over your livelihood in a way that brings about peace of mind.
Buying a franchise for sale
Buying a franchise for sale offers eager entrepreneurs the quickest path to a teaching career. It takes the work out of establishing and growing the school, and allows a teacher to step in and pick up where another teacher leaves off—usually with plenty of demand for English lessons. The drawback to buying a franchise is that because you’re buying an already-established business, it’ll cost you more upfront to take over the franchise. If you have the funds to spend upfront, it’s a great way to jump right in to life as a teacher!
Building vs. buying a franchise generally comes down to effort vs. cost. Are you willing to put in the effort to build your franchise from the ground-up? Or, would you prefer to spend the money to buy a franchise that’s already established? There is no wrong answer: only the one that’s right for you and your financial situation.
It’s also worth mentioning that you can choose to manage a franchise. This is typically an “exit strategy” for many expats. The idea is that you can build or buy a franchise, operate it for a period of years, then turn over the teaching duties to someone else while still owning and managing the operations of the school. This presents an opportunity for semi-passive income, which is a lucrative way to earn without being directly involved as a teacher.
How English school franchises work in Japan
While every franchise model will differ slightly in terms of how it’s structured and run, enterprising franchisees will find themselves with a clear path to teaching once they decide to partner with an organization. From training to materials and even continuing education for teachers themselves, most franchises offer pillars of support for entrepreneurs representing their brand.
Here’s a look at the general process of opening an English school franchise and what you can expect if you choose this route on your path to becoming a teacher in Japan:
First, you’ll need to decide whether you want to build your own franchise or buy one that’s already established. There are pros and cons to both, as mentioned above. Nevertheless, your decision will set you on the course to operating a franchise.
Once you’re approved to start or buy a franchise, you’ll receive training on how to operate and run that franchise in accordance with the model developed by the brand. This includes the teaching methods used, administrative nuances and more. Training ensures every franchise operates within the same contextual framework of proven success.
The franchise organization will also help you set up your school, including securing operating permits from the Japanese government, as well as ensuring all appropriate taxation paperwork is filed. This is invaluable assistance, and will make sure you stay on the right side of the Japanese government!
After training, you’ll gain access to the teaching resources that are approved and used by the organization your franchise represents. This will provide the foundation for your teaching curriculum and make sure you have the foundational resources to begin welcoming students into your classroom.
With everything you need to begin teaching, the franchise brand will also help you market your courses to eager students in Japan. From marketing materials to recommendations for where to find students, the brand will support your franchise as it gets up and running.
After your franchise is up and running, you can expect to turn to the franchise for continuing education in the form of updated training. As the franchise brand evolves, its franchisees need to evolve with it. This means up-to-date training on new materials, standards and practices.
A good franchise will provide the baseline support franchisees need to continuously welcome new students and to produce great results. Moreover, when a franchisee decides they no longer want to teach, a reputable brand will also help them sell their franchise to an eager buyer who can keep it running. For that new owner, the process starts at the beginning, with comprehensive training.
The benefits of opening an English school franchise
If you’re an expat who’s interested in teaching English as a means for making your living in Japan, you’re probably wondering why it’s a better option than simply trying to find a teaching job. Here’s a look at some of the top reasons English-speaking transplants choose to become franchisees:
Business support. As mentioned, franchise organizations make a concerted effort to support their franchisees. Opening a franchise means benefitting from a variety of helpful resources that inevitably save teachers both time and money, including proper training, access to teaching materials, marketing assistance and much more. Becoming a franchisee means getting all the benefits of being an entrepreneur, with the support of a larger organization behind you.
Well-defined model. Franchisees don’t need to reinvent the wheel when it comes to opening an English school in Japan. In fact, all they need to do is closely follow an already proven framework for success! This eliminates many of the headaches that come with trying to build a business—especially as an expat in a new country.
Lucrative opportunities. Teaching English in Japan can be a very lucrative opportunity for expats. Earning potential grows even higher for franchisees who are able to create consistent demand for their lessons. Where an independent teacher might struggle to attract new students consistently, franchises with a good reputation will always have consistent demand. It’s great for both job security and income growth: two things every transplant living in Japan needs to have!
Future benefits. Whether you build or buy an English school franchise in Japan, that franchise has resale value in the future. If the day comes that you no longer want to teach English, you can work with the franchise brand to find a buyer—someone to take over where you’re leaving off. In selling your franchise, you’ll have the opportunity to pay off any remaining franchise fees, recoup your initial investment and come out ahead financially.
In addition to these great benefits, there’s also plenty of flexibility that comes with being a franchisee—not to mention the peace of mind that comes from having the support of a well-established brand behind you. It’s a no-brainer for many expats who have an entrepreneurial spirit, but who also want a little bit of support as they seek to carve out a career in Japan.
Franchising vs. private tutoring
Many would-be English teachers moving to Japan find themselves stuck on the choice between franchising an English school and offering their services as a private tutor. Both are great options for establishing a career; however, tutoring can leave you with a few question marks when it comes to starting out:
Where will you find students and how will you market to them?
What will you need to charge students to make ends meet as a tutor?
How many students will you need to tutor each day/week/month?
Do tutoring services comply with the parameters of your work visa?
How will you showcase your expertise as a freelance English tutor?
Put simply, becoming a tutor means tackling quite a few obstacles that a franchise English school might otherwise eliminate. For instance, a franchise model will help you establish how much to charge students and how many classes you need to teach to get bye each month. After careful consideration, many expats find themselves drawn to franchising as the simpler option to establishing themselves professionally in Japan.
Live and teach in Japan
Want to live as an expat in Japan? If you don’t already have a career lined up—and you’ve got an entrepreneurial spirit—teaching English in Japan is an excellent option for foreign nationals looking to put down roots in the country. There’s something so rewarding about owning and operating a franchise designed to help eager Japanese students learn English.
If English school franchises in Japan sound interesting to you, it’s worth researching your options. Determine whether building or buying a franchise is right for you, and select a franchise organization that has a strong reputation for excellence. Once you get your franchise school up and running, you’ll be able to enjoy professional and financial freedom in Japan!
