As a conversation teacher, you will teach students from preschool age to adults, most of whom are children. We use a structured curriculum, allowing teachers to focus on building positive relationships with students and creating fun and engaging lessons.

Classes include private, semi-private, and group lessons. Group classes typically consist of 3–10 students, and most lessons last between 30 and 60 minutes. Full-time teachers teach approximately 20–25 hours per week.

Some classes are held at nearby off-site locations, so teachers are required to drive a company vehicle. Most locations are within a 10–20 minute drive of the school.

Teachers also participate in seasonal events, meetings, training sessions, and occasional school activities throughout the year.

Working Environment

Our students are enthusiastic, respectful, and highly motivated to learn English. Teaching at Active English School offers the opportunity to build long-term relationships with students while becoming part of a friendly local community.

Teachers receive scheduled holidays during the Spring, Golden Week, Summer, and Winter vacation periods. Occasionally, teachers may be asked to attend meetings, training sessions, or special events on weekends or during holiday periods.

As a small, family-owned school, we value long-term relationships. Teachers have the opportunity to get to know their students well and watch them grow over many years.

What We Offer

・Full-time position

・Five-day work week with two consecutive days off

・Paid vacation

・Visa sponsorship for qualified applicants

・Initial training and ongoing support

・Friendly, family-owned working environment

・Ready-to-use teaching materials and lesson plans

Required Qualifications

・Native English speaker

・Bachelor’s degree

・Valid driver’s license and International Driving Permit (IDP)

・Positive, reliable, and flexible

・Enjoy working with students of all ages, especially children

Preferred Qualifications

・TESL / TEFL / CELTA certificate (or equivalent)

・Previous ESL / EFL teaching experience

How to apply

Please email the following documents to us.

・Completed Application Form (DOCX).

・Cover letter

・Resume / CV

・Recent photograph

・Copy of your university degree or graduation certificate

E-mail: activeenglishschool@gmail.com

Application Form

Download the Application Form (DOCX).

If the file does not display correctly on your device, you may instead copy and answer the questionnaire below. The information requested is exactly the same.

Active English School – Employment Application Form

A. PERSONAL INFORMATION
First Name / Given Names:
Last Name / Family Name:
Date of Birth (DD/MM/YYYY):
Nationality / Citizenship:
Current Country, City:
Marital Status: Single / Married
Email Address:
Mobile Phone:
(Note: Nationality, date of birth, and marital status are required strictly for Japanese visa sponsorship and immigration purposes.)  

B. EDUCATION
Name of University / College:
Degree Earned: Bachelor’s / Master’s / Doctorate / Other (Details:        )
Major / Field of Study:
Graduation Date (MM/YYYY):
Official University Transcript: Available / Not Available  

C. QUALIFICATIONS & TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Teaching Qualifications: TEFL / TESL / TESOL / CELTA / None / Other (Details:        )
Total Teaching Experience (Years):
Age Groups Taught: Preschool / Elementary / Junior High / High School / University / Adults
Teaching Experience in Japan: Yes (Details:        ) / No  

D. LANGUAGES
Language and Level (0: None, 1: Beginner, 2: Intermediate, 3: Advanced, 4: Native)
English:
Japanese:
Other Language (Details:        ):  

E. OTHER QUESTIONS
Do you have a valid passport? Yes (Expiration date:        ) / No
Do you have a valid driver’s license? Yes / No
Do you have an International Driving Permit (IDP)? Yes / No (If no, willing to obtain? Yes / No)
Do you plan to relocate to Japan by yourself? Yes / No (Details:        )
Have you ever lived abroad? Yes (Details:        ) / No
When are you available to begin working in Japan?
Is there anything else you would like us to know?
Do you have any questions for us?
How did you hear about us? Dave’s ESL Café / Our Website / Social Media / Friend / Referral / Other (Details:        )

Adjusting to Life in Japan

Our management team will assist new teachers as they settle into life in Shiojiri. We provide support with practical tasks such as registering at city hall, opening a bank account, and completing other essential procedures after arrival.

Before teaching independently, teachers also participate in an orientation period to become familiar with the school, teaching systems, and daily routines.

Our support continues long after you’ve settled in. Throughout your time at ACTIVE, our management team and fellow teachers are always available to answer questions and help you adjust to living and working in Japan.

Nagano Prefecture

Nagano Prefecture is located in the heart of Japan and is famous for its beautiful mountains, clean air, and four distinct seasons.

Summer offers warm days and cool evenings, making it one of Japan’s most comfortable regions. Autumn brings vibrant colors to the mountains, while winter is perfect for skiing and snowboarding. In spring, cherry blossoms and fresh greenery transform the landscape.

Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy hiking, cycling, camping, skiing, and countless opportunities to explore nature throughout the year.

Shiojiri City

Shiojiri is a safe, friendly city that offers a relaxed lifestyle surrounded by the Japanese Alps. It combines the peace of rural Japan with the convenience of modern amenities.

Matsumoto, Nagano’s second-largest city, is only about 20 minutes away by train, providing easy access to additional shopping, restaurants, entertainment, and healthcare.

Within the city, you’ll find supermarkets, cafés, restaurants, fitness facilities, public transportation, and everything needed for everyday life.

Shiojiri is also well known for its vineyards, wineries, orchards, and beautiful mountain scenery. Fresh local produce—including apples and grapes—is available throughout the year.

Although Shiojiri offers a peaceful lifestyle, Tokyo, Nagoya, and other major cities are within easy reach by train, making weekend travel both simple and convenient.

Work at AES

What size is the school?

AES is a privately owned English school that has served the Shiojiri community for over 30 years. We offer English education to students of all ages in a friendly, community-focused environment.

How many students attend your school?

There are about 120 students at AES. Our student population consists of approximately: preschool 15%, elementary school 60%, junior high school 15%, and high school students and adults 10%.

How many students are usually in each class?

Most group classes have 3 to 8 students, although some classes may have up to 10 students. We also offer private and semi-private (2 students) classes.

What are the working hours?

Standard working hours are from 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Some classes are held in the morning, so the afternoon schedule is shortened on those days. There is a 30-minute meal break on weekdays. Saturday work hours are from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM (including a one-hour break).

How much teaching time will I have each day?

Full-time teachers typically have about five hours of teaching time per day, although the number and length of lessons vary depending on the schedule.

What teaching resources does the school have?

Teachers are provided with a structured curriculum, textbooks, flashcards, games, digital resources, and lesson materials. For some adult students who prefer conversation-based lessons, teachers may prepare supplementary materials such as news articles or discussion topics.

How many teachers work at the school?

There are three full-time and a few part-time native English-speaking teachers, as well as one Japanese grammar teacher at AES.

When are the holidays?

Staff members have Saturdays and Sundays off, or Sundays and Mondays off if assigned to a Saturday shift. In addition to regular weekends, staff receive over 20 scheduled holiday days each year. Occasionally, a staff member may be required to work on a Saturday or Sunday for special weekend events. Because we are a small school, vacation requests outside the scheduled school holidays are limited. Staff are asked to plan personal travel during the designated holiday periods whenever possible.

What is the dress code?

Staff are expected to dress professionally in business casual attire. Neatly groomed beards are permitted. Visible tattoos must be completely covered while working throughout the year. Damaged clothing, excessively casual attire, and clothing with offensive designs or messages are not permitted. Clean, professional footwear is also expected.

Do I need to speak Japanese?

No. Japanese is not required for teaching or daily work. Most communication within the school is conducted in English. However, learning some basic Japanese will make everyday life in Japan much easier and is highly recommended.

Will I receive training before teaching?

Yes. All new teachers receive initial training before teaching independently. You will receive one-on-one guidance from experienced teachers and learn our curriculum and teaching methods. Depending on the schedule, you may also have opportunities to observe experienced teachers' lessons and watch recorded lessons. Ongoing support is provided until you feel confident teaching on your own.

How long is the employment contract?

Employment contracts are based on our annual school calendar. Each one-year contract begins immediately after one of our scheduled school vacations and ends just before the same vacation the following year. If your contract is renewed, the new contract begins from the start of that vacation period without a break in employment.

Visa

Will you assist me in obtaining a Japanese work visa?

Yes. We will prepare the necessary employment documents and assist you throughout the work visa application process.

What information do I need to provide for the visa application?

• Signed employment contract
• Copy of your passport photo page
• Copy of your university diploma
• Original university transcripts
• Passport-sized color photograph
• Resume (CV)
• Visa application questionnaire

How long does the visa process usually take?

It takes about 4 to 10 weeks. The busiest time of year is between January and March. We recommend using an international courier service such as FedEx to ensure your documents arrive quickly and securely.

Accommodation and Daily Life

What support will I receive after arriving in Japan?

We will help you settle into life in Japan by assisting with airport transportation arrangements, city office registration, opening a bank account, obtaining a mobile phone, setting up utilities, and shopping for daily necessities.

What housing costs should I expect?

We provide a semi-furnished apartment. Upon moving in, you are required to pay a 40,000 JPY deposit and a non-refundable, flat-rate move-out cleaning fee of 33,000 JPY. The 40,000 JPY deposit will be refunded when you move out, provided there is no damage to the apartment. The monthly rent is 51,000 JPY, which includes internet access. Utility fees (gas, water, and electricity) usually range from 15,000 to 20,000 JPY per month, depending on your usage.

Is there information about the typical size and layout of the apartments?

There are two types of apartments. One comes with a large kitchen area and a parking spot. The other is slightly smaller in size but is closer to the train station. Both are located within a 10 to 15-minute walk from Active English School. Unfortunately, apartment requests cannot normally be accommodated.

Can I live in an apartment with my partner?

No. We provide one room for each staff member, and living with a partner or sharing a room with other employees is not allowed. Short-term overnight stays by visiting friends or family are permitted. Please note that we cannot accommodate requests to change apartments.

Why do I need an international driving permit?

Teachers are expected to drive only when traveling to off-site lessons and other school-related activities. School vehicles are not used for commuting or personal travel. Teachers staying for a second contract will normally need to obtain a Japanese driver's license before their international driving permit expires.

Will I be enrolled in Japanese health insurance?

Full-time employees are required to enroll in Japan's National Health Insurance system. You will also be required to enroll in the National Pension system. Depending on your individual circumstances, you may be eligible to apply for a pension payment exemption during your first year. From your second year onward, pension contributions are generally required.

Is the plane ticket included in the salary, or is that out of pocket?

Your plane ticket must be paid at your own expense. Instead of offering airfare, we provide a contract completion bonus. The bonus amount will depend on the contract length and your work performance throughout the duration of the contract.

How do I travel from Narita Airport to Shiojiri?

For new arrivals, we can reserve a direct shared shuttle (Chuo Taxi) from Narita Airport to Active English School. This takes about 5 hours and typically costs around 15,000 to 20,000 JPY, which you will need to pay yourself. For more information, please visit the Chuo Taxi Airport Shuttle website. (https://airport.chuotaxi.co.jp/).
Alternatively, you can take the train. Taking the Narita Express to Shinjuku and transferring to the Limited Express Azusa to Shiojiri takes about 4 hours and typically costs around 10,000 to 12,000 JPY.

What is it like to live in Shiojiri on a day-to-day basis?

Living in Shiojiri is very relaxed and laid back. It is a quiet area, but you will find plenty of amenities nearby. Around your apartment, there are convenience stores, restaurants, karaoke venues, and large DIY stores such as Cainz or Watahan. The nearby city of Matsumoto is about 15–20 minutes away by train. Matsumoto is a historic castle town with larger shopping options, including Aeon Mall and MIDORI. While Matsumoto has a quieter nightlife than larger cities, it offers many excellent izakayas (Japanese pubs), cafés, and bars.

Can I extend my contract after one year?

Yes. Many of our teachers choose to renew their contracts. Contract renewals are based on mutual agreement and satisfactory job performance.