The land of the rising sun is a contrast between the old and the new. You have probably heard that said before, but now is the time to come and experience it at one of the many schools and institutions that Aclipse has partnered with in Japan. We are looking for motivated, able, English-speaking instructors for a variety of positions to teach English abroad. Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) positions are available in public junior high schools, elementary schools, and kindergartens for those looking to teach in Japan. Some of our partners require teachers for group and one-on-one adult classes as well as children’s classes. In some cases, you will be able to specialize in one type of class and students, while in others you will get experience with all lessons. When you teach English in Japan, you’ll also learn Japanese and experience the culture, while learning about Japanese businesses. These skills and knowledge will help your progression in the future in whatever path you choose.

Assistant Language Teacher Positions:
September and April start dates as well as a few positions in other months
The Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) position may vary, depending on the school and location. ALTs generally work side-by-side with JTEs (Japanese Teachers of English) in high schools, junior high schools and elementary schools throughout Japan. ALTs act as both a role model for children and as a cultural ambassador for their home country at their local public school. ALTs are responsible for developing teaching materials and activities, in consultation with the homeroom teacher for each class.

Junior High School
The majority of ALTs teach at public junior high schools. These are the seventh to ninth grades of schooling, with students aged between 12 and 15 years. While situations vary from school to school, generally ALTs work alongside a Japanese Teacher of English (JTE) in a team-teaching environment, using one of the nationally approved textbooks.

Elementary School
The Japanese government introduced English language instruction in some elementary schools and plans to introduce it in all elementary schools by 2010.

Aclipse has partnerships with a variety of private companies that place ALTs into the Japanese public school system.

Eikaiwa are privately operated English conversation schools in Japan. The use of English in business, travel, and schooling has created a need to bridge the gap between the skills developed at high school and university and the skills necessary to communicate effectively. You could be teaching English in Japan to children or adults, with some schools having a mixture of both. Students may attend to supplement their school studies, to study a second language, to improve their business skills, as a hobby, to help socialize, or to prepare for travel. Classes may be with business people, university students, housewives, or anyone who wants to study English. Classes are usually small around four or five students and are centered around discussions and practicing the language rather than on strict grammar points or reading and writing. The classes are generally fun for the students as well as the instructor. Aclipse has partnerships with a wide variety of conversation schools.