Short-term: Japanese Culture and Language Teacher
JAPANESE CULTURE AND LANGUAGE TEACHER SHORT-TERM POSITION
JAPAN PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION
The Culture and Language Teacher is a paid contract position with YFU, and reports directly to the Site Director and indirectly to the Educational Coordinator. Youth For Understanding is committed to providing high school students with comprehensive educational programming, which helps to prepare them for their unique exchange experience. Culture and Language Teachers play a key role in achieving this goal. The quality of orientation teachers’ efforts has a significant and direct impact on the students’ experience. This orientation program is designed to prepare American high school students as they embark on a six-week home stay experience in Japan. Major areas of responsibility include the following:
COMMUNICATION
Work with the Alumni Assistants (teaching assistants) to keep students informed regarding schedules and session locations, and to emphasize the importance of timeliness.
Serve as a liaison between program staff and students by relaying important information regarding policies and procedures and administrative matters. Communicate and share students’ issues with program staff.
Assist in maintaining program integrity by working with students to uphold YFU’s policies and procedures.
STUDENT SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE
Effectively teach YFU curriculum to groups of 10-15 students, and team-teach group sessions of up to 30 students.
Create and maintain a classroom atmosphere that encourages student participation, is well organized and is consistent with the program schedule.
Work to foster cohesion within your group (or Kumi).
Assist students with any difficulties they may encounter, and communicate these issues to Site Directors.
TEAM SUPPORT
Assist with non-classroom responsibilities such as registration, special sessions, and social activities.
Participate actively in all aspects of program implementation.
Collaborate with teaching assistants (YFU alumni) and other teachers to plan and present sessions.
Work to create effective working relationships with all program staff members.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Arrive at training having thoroughly read the lesson plans and student workbook.
Attend and fully participate in all training sessions.
Strive to understand and achieve the established goals and objectives of the orientation program.
Adhere to program policies and to YFU’s policies and procedures.
Be prepared to work in a full-time, total involvement, residential program.
Be thoroughly familiar and comfortable with lesson plan concept, format, and content.
QUALIFICATIONS
Culture and Language Teachers:
must have a teaching background, preferably with high school students;
must have recent living experience in Japan
must have a minimum of a basic level Japanese language proficiency;
must have excellent interpersonal skills and be able to team teach and function with a large and diverse staff;
should possess the following characteristics: patience, sense of humor, understanding, adaptability, enthusiasm, awareness, sensitivity, creativity, responsibility, and commitment.
should be dedicated to creating and maintaining a team atmosphere; and
must have no criminal record. A background check will be conducted on all staff.
2014 PROGRAM DETAILS
Application Deadline: March 31, 2014. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so applicants are strongly
Site: University of California, Berkeley, California
Dates:
On site staff training: June 6-7 and June 12
Student Orientations: June 8-11 and June 13-16
Compensation: $100/day; YFU USA will also cover all transportation, room and board expenses. Exception: Staff are required to cover meals on their day off (lunch June 11 through breakfast June 12).
TO APPLY: Please email your resume, cover letter and a list of three references with phone and e-mail contact information to orientations at yfu dot org