Job Overview

Employer Type Direct Hire
Industry Education / Teaching
Salary ¥250,000 - ¥250,000 / Month (per month)
English Level Native level
Japanese Level Not necessary
Restricted to Domestic Applicants? Overseas applicants welcome
Visa Sponsorship Yes

Job Requirements

-Flexible start date: Between November 2026 and January 2027, depending on visa processing and your availability.
‐Bachelor's degree (preferably in Education or Communications)
‐Native English speaker
‐ESL teaching experience required. We are looking for a teacher who enjoys teaching students of all ages and English proficiency levels.
‐Available to work 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday
‐A valid driver's license is preferred, but not required.

Job Description

Full-Time ESL Teacher – Shizuoka, Japan
About OEK

Oshaberi Eikaiwa Kyoshitsu (OEK) is a small, independent English conversation school that has been serving the local community since 1987. With a team of five dedicated staff members, we pride ourselves on providing high-quality English education in a warm, welcoming, and supportive environment.

Located in Shimizu Ward, Shizuoka City, our school is surrounded by beautiful beaches, rivers, mountains, and nature while still offering convenient access to larger cities.

We teach students of all ages, from parent-and-toddler classes to advanced adult learners. Most classes have a maximum of six students and are carefully grouped by age and ability. In addition to our regular classes, we teach private lessons, kindergarten classes, and occasional community classes. Each teacher is responsible for a variety of classes throughout the school year.

Our goal is simple: to inspire students to enjoy learning English and to give them the confidence to continue communicating in English throughout their lives.

Our Teaching Philosophy

At OEK, relationships come first.

Rather than expecting every student to learn in the same way, we recognise each student's individual abilities, personality, interests, and goals. We believe that students learn best when they feel comfortable, supported, and genuinely enjoy coming to class.

Our children's program follows an established curriculum while giving teachers the flexibility to bring creativity and energy into their lessons. Alongside speaking and listening skills, we also teach phonics, sight words, reading, and writing using a wide range of teaching resources.

Adult classes are tailored to the needs of each group. Some students study seriously for work or travel, while others simply enjoy the social aspect of learning English. Our teachers encourage natural communication and student interaction rather than teacher-centred lessons.

We hold weekly staff meetings where we share ideas, develop teaching techniques, and continually improve our lessons together.

Our School Environment

Our two classrooms are located in traditional Japanese houses just a short walk apart. Lessons are taught at low tables on the floor, allowing children plenty of space to move, play, and learn naturally.

Because our teaching style involves regularly sitting on and standing up from the floor, applicants should be physically comfortable doing so. Unfortunately, this position may not be suitable for someone with ongoing knee or back problems.

As a small school, everyone contributes to keeping our workplace clean, organised, and welcoming.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who genuinely enjoys teaching and wants to become part of our school community.

The ideal teacher is:

Passionate about helping students learn
Creative and proactive in lesson planning
Open to learning new teaching techniques
A supportive and positive team member
Flexible and willing to teach a variety of ages and levels

We believe great teachers never stop learning, and we value people who are excited to continue growing professionally while sharing their own ideas and strengths with our team.

Job Summary

Flexible start date: Between November 2026 and January 2027, depending on visa processing and your availability
40-hour work week (Tuesday to Saturday)
Maximum of 25 teaching hours per week
A mixture of morning and afternoon shifts
12-month renewable contract
Annual salary review

Requirements

Bachelor's degree (preferably in Education or Communications)
Native English speaker
ESL teaching experience preferred
Comfortable teaching students of all ages and proficiency levels
Available to work Monday through Friday
A valid driver's licence is a plus, but not required

Benefits

Six weeks of paid vacation each year
- Three weeks in August
- Two weeks over the New Year holidays
- One week during Golden Week in May
Furnished apartment available (approximately ¥50,000 per month plus utilities)
Apartment located close to the school, with minimal commuting time
Ongoing teacher support and professional development
Friendly, collaborative working environment
Opportunity to live and work in beautiful Shizuoka, Japan

Why Join OEK?

We're a small school where teachers know their students, support one another, and genuinely enjoy coming to work.

We value kindness, creativity, teamwork, laughter, and continuous growth. If you're looking for more than just another ESL job—and want to become part of a caring school community—we'd love to hear from you.

For more photos and information about OEK, please visit our instagram:
oshaberieikaiwakyositsu