Teaching at K&F English Academy

What is K&F?

The Basics

  • Founded in 1992

    Started by Kevin and Fumi Mushinsky in Takehara, K&F quickly expanded to a second school in Mihara.

  • Native Teachers

    We try to hire only native teachers in order to give our students an opportunity to learn both language and culture.

  • No Gimmicks

    Our students don’t sign contracts. They keep studying at K&F because they are getting what they are paying for rather than because they are ‘locked in’.

  • High Expectations

    Our teachers have a high bar. We expect our teachers to work hard and to care about what they are doing.

The Environment

  • Small Class Sizes

    Our class sizes are limited to 9 students, and many classes are intentionally kept to 4-5 students.

  • Training

    Employee manuals, Japanese language training, training days and regular meetings with management.

  • Parent Connection

    We encourage strong connection with the parents. They watch the class live on TVs outside the room, and receive an explanation from the teacher on what was taught that day.

  • Not a number

    At K&F, you’re not a number, but a valued employee and teacher. All managers are also teachers and understand what it’s like to be in the classroom.

A Typical Teaching Day

While each day is certainly different, we’ve tried to put together an idea of what a typical teaching day might look like. A teaching day will always have some amount of time for lesson planning, but some days may have much more time than others. As teachers get used to the ebb and flow, they usually find that certain days work nicely for planning several days worth of lessons.

  • 10:00 - A bit of extra time at the start of your contract

    For your first month or two, as you’re getting used to the environment, you’ll want to come in early!

  • 12:45 - The start of the day

    This is the normal time that we expect our teachers to arrive.

  • 12:45 - 1:00 - School cleaning

    All the staff work together to get the school ready for the day.

  • 1:00 - 1:10 - 10 Minute Meeting for the Day

    Quick staff meeting to remind what things are going on today.

  • 1:10 - 2:00 - Lesson Planning

    Look through the teaching manuals, write out your lesson plan and get advice from managers and other teachers.

  • 2:00 - 2:50 - An afternoon adult class

    Generally, retired adults can come at this time.

  • 3:00 - 3:40 - Fun with kindergarteners

    After the youngins get finished with their school day, they can head over to K&F for a fun lesson.

  • 3:40 - 4:40 - Break time

    Grab some lunch, a coffee, your tablet or a book. Go for a walk, or hang out in the staff break room. Our teachers have a built in hour for break time. Recharge for the day or get a breath of fresh air!

  • 4:50 - 5:40 - Younger elementary students

    Elementary school is out! Your elementary classes might start around this time.

  • 5:40 - 6:30 - Lesson Planning

    Extra times between classes can be used to plan lessons for the next day, or later in the week.

  • 6:30 - 7:20 - Older elementary students

    Older elementary school students might have a class around this time.

  • 8:30 - 9:30 - High School or Adult students

    Your final class of the day might have some high school, college or adults.

  • 9:45 - Clean up and head home!

    As your day winds down, help close down the school and clean up.

The Location

Takehara City

Takehara grew due to the manufacture of salt between the 17th and 20th centuries. It is a coastal town situated in beautiful mountains.

Takehara, also known as “Little Kyoto” is the site of the ancient manor containing Kyoto Shimogamo Shrine, a piece of the Heian period from the late 8th to late 12 century.Takehara Official Guidebook

One of the main draws to Takehara is its famous historic district. Tourists come from all over Japan to visit. Recently featured in the NHK drama “Massan,” Takehara has continued to grow in popularity.

Okunoshima (aka Rabbit Island)

Even with campsites, walking trails and places of historical interest, let’s be honest. People come because of the rabbits. In recent years, Okunoshima has become popular due to the internet. If you decide to go, be prepared for a line to buy tickets if you’re visiting on a weekend or national holiday!

This is a great place to bring family and friends that come to visit you.

Teaching at K&F

K&F is seeking a special individual to join our teaching staff: an individual who is not only a friendly and effective English instructor, but is also interesting and a talented individual who now wants to offer an energetic contribution to a dynamic western owned organization.

K&F has two thriving language schools located in picturesque Takehara and Mihara, cities in western Japan, bounded by mountains and the sea. Although the major city attractions (and great historical interest) of Hiroshima are just an hour away, Takehara and Mihara themselves are mid-size cities and so offer all the personal challenges and rewards of an “immersion experience” in traditional Japan. K&F has for the past twenty years maintained two language schools with lively and creative educational programs, teaching small classes for a range of ages (from small children to adults) as well as organizing some occasional extracurricular activities (Halloween & Xmas parties, barbecues, etc.) for schools, companies and community participants.

We are seeking:

  • A full time, down-to-earth English Instructor interested in possible management opportunities in the future.
  • Someone who has at least a BA or higher
  • A mature, independent person with creativity, charisma, enthusiasm and initiative
  • Someone who loves teaching children and adults.
  • A person experienced and passionate about teaching children of all ages and adults
  • Someone emotionally prepared for an immersion-type experience willing to make a firm commitment of at least 18 months

The position begins in August 2017, and the initial appointment is for 18 months. Salary of ￥255,000. In addition, K&F maintains a competitive remuneration package including a furnished apartment at ￥48,000 a month, over one week vacation during Spring and Summer and over two weeks paid vacation during Christmas, visa sponsorship provided, and an western owned and managed school.

We offer:

  • ￥255,000
  • A furnished apartment at (￥48,000 a month)
  • More than 5 weeks of paid vacation per year
  • Visa sponsorship to live in Japan
  • An 18-month contract (to insure a more mature, committed individual)
  • A team-approach to teaching to insure quality English lessons

Apply for this position now!

Job Requirements:

  • Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited university. This is required to receive a Japanese visa.
  • Applicant must be a native speaker of English
  • Applicants must have an adventurous spirit to live in Japan
  • Couples are welcome

Please include with your application:

  • A cover letter with current picture, texting number and Skype name.
  • A resume, including an email and email addresses of 2 professional references
Apply for this position now!

Link above not working? Go ahead and send an email to kevin@kf-ac.com with the required information above in order to apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Life in Japan Questions

How does Insurance work in Japan?
Insurance is provided by the city, and generally costs between 5,000-7,000 yen per month. Insurance in Japan has no co-pay, and the insurance provider covers 70% of the total cost. This makes it a very convenient system for minor illnesses. Older, or Less risk-averse people may want to consider adding an additional level of insurance in order to cover the remaining 30%.
What kind of monthly expenses can I expect?
For taxes, there is an income tax and a citizen tax. The citizen tax is between 7,000 and 14,000 yen and income tax seems to be between 5,000 and 10,000 yen for most teachers. Other expenses include water, gas, power, internet, etc.
Where will I live?
K&F provides each teacher a private, furnished apartment or house to use during their contract. The cost of this apartment is different depending on the location and size. Generally, the cost ranges from 40,000 to 65,000.

Working at K&F Questions

What is included in a "furnished apartment?"
General appliances such as a refrigerator, microwave, rice cooker, stove, as well as various other things. Futons and blankets are also included. The intent of furnishing the apartment is so that the teacher isn’t forced to go out and buy lots of home goods immediately upon arrival.
What are the working hours?
Teachers work 5 days a week. Weekdays begin at 12:45 and end around 9:45, with an hour break in the day. Saturday classes generally begin a bit earlier and end earlier. For a more detailed explanation, please look at the “Typical Day” section above.
How does the salary work?
Teachers are paid by automatic transfer into their personal bank account at the end of each working month. This pay is for work completed during that month, rather than for previous ones. This means that teachers will receive a paycheck at the end of their first month, even if only working for a few days. During the first month of pay, the salary is pro-rated based on the days worked.

Vacations after the training period are all fully paid. This includes all 5 weeks of vacation during the year.

What is the contract length?
At K&F, general teaching contracts are for 18 months.