Position Overview

Akiya Hayama International School (AHIS) seeks a collaborative and engaging Japanese Language & Culture Teacher to support students across a wide range of linguistic backgrounds — including native speakers, heritage learners, and students learning Japanese as an additional language.
This role ensures that Japanese-speaking students continue to develop strong literacy and academic language skills while participating in an English-medium inquiry program. At the same time, the teacher will help international students build practical communication skills and confidence living and learning in Japan.
At AHIS, Japanese learning supports both academic development and cultural belonging. The goal is not only language proficiency, but meaningful participation in community, culture, and place.
Given AHIS’s nature-rich environment and emphasis on outdoor learning, the teacher should also feel comfortable connecting language learning with nature, seasons, and local experiences.

Key Responsibilities

Japanese Language Instruction

Teach Japanese across multiple proficiency pathways, including:

• Native and heritage Japanese speakers

• Japanese as an Additional Language (JAL) learners

Responsibilities include:

• Developing students’ skills in reading, writing, speaking, and listening appropriate to age and proficiency

• Providing academically rigorous literacy instruction for fluent speakers, including composition, discussion, and critical thinking

• Designing differentiated learning experiences that challenge advanced learners while supporting beginners

• Supporting students in developing confidence as bilingual or multilingual communicators

Communication & Cultural Learning

Support students in developing meaningful connections with Japanese language and culture by:

• Emphasizing functional communication and real-life language use

• Integrating Japanese culture, seasonal traditions, and local experiences into learning

• Connecting language learning to everyday life in Japan

• Supporting international students’ adjustment to daily life and culture

• Fostering pride and confidence in bilingual and multicultural identity

Collaboration

Work closely with colleagues to support student learning across the school.
This includes:

• Collaborating with homeroom and specialist teachers to support bilingual development

• Connecting Japanese learning meaningfully with inquiry units where appropriate

• Contributing to a school culture where both Japanese and international students feel valued and supported

• Participating in collaborative curriculum development as part of a founding teaching team

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Ideal Candidate Profile

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• Experience teaching Japanese literacy (国語) and/or Japanese as a foreign/additional language

• Strong differentiation skills across mixed proficiency levels

• Comfortable adapting Japanese curriculum expectations within an international school context

• Strong English communication skills to collaborate effectively in an English-medium school environment

• Values inquiry-based and discussion-centered learning

• Warm, encouraging, and culturally responsive teaching approach

• Appreciation for nature and interest in incorporating outdoor experiences into learning

• Interested in contributing to curriculum development in a founding school environment

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What Makes This Role Unique at AHIS

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• Opportunity to design both native and additional-language pathways from the school’s founding stage.

• Strong emphasis on bilingual identity and cultural belonging.

• Close connection between language learning, nature, seasons, and place-based education

• Collaborative work with interdisciplinary teaching teams.