SCALE: Professional Scale
CONTRACT: Professional Staff Contract Part-Time FTE 0.6
SUPERVISOR: Middle School Department Chair and Middle School Administrator 
DIVISION: Middle School

JOB SUMMARY  

The Middle School Japanese Teacher designs and facilitates engaging language-learning experiences that develop students’ ability to communicate meaningfully in Japanese while deepening their intercultural understanding. Instruction emphasizes authentic communication, functional language use, and the development of confidence and resilience as language learners.

The teacher collaborates with colleagues to design vertically aligned curriculum grounded in ACTFL standards and the Understanding by Design framework to support students in developing proficiency across listening, speaking, reading, and writing while cultivating curiosity about the Japanese-speaking world.

As a member of the Taipei American School community, the teacher contributes to student-centered learning and well-being that reflect the TAS mission and schoolwide learning outcomes.

REQUIRED EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in Japanese, Japanese language education, or a related field (master’s degree preferred). Non-native Japanese speakers are required to hold a JLPT N2 or N1 certificate (N1 preferred).
• Three or more years of middle school teaching experience
• Demonstrated understanding of second-language acquisition and proficiency-based language instruction
• Experience designing or implementing curriculum aligned with ACTFL standards or similar frameworks
• Fluency in English with strong written and oral communication skills. 

Position-Specific Responsibilities

This job description outlines the general responsibilities of the Middle School Japanese teaching position. This is a new program in our Middle School but leads to our well-established program in the Upper School. Responsibilities may evolve in response to the school’s changing needs. 

• Teaches three sections of Middle School level one Japanese to children in grades six, seven, and eight.
• Meets regularly with team and department members to develop, write, update, deliver, and evaluate curriculum.
• Attends department and divisional meetings.
• Collaborates with US Japanese teachers on curriculum alignment.
• Participates in twice-weekly conversations with the counselors and colleagues to discuss student well-being and learning needs.
• Attends the annual Middle School Camp (four days and three nights) as part of the student life program.
• Chaperone and/or support an after-school activity or club.

Professional Dispositions 

Contributes to the development of a community of critical and creative thinkers, collaborative communicators, self-directed learners, well-balanced individuals, and globally minded contributors by modeling the behaviors and mindsets reflected in the TAS Schoolwide Learning Outcomes. 

Critical and Creative Thinker: Reflects on practice, analyzes evidence of learning, and explores new ideas to continuously improve instruction and learning.

Collaborative Communicator: Collaborates with colleagues, students, and families to support shared goals and strengthen our community.

Self-Directed Learner: Seeks feedback and engages in professional learning to improve practice.

Well-Balanced Individual: Maintains a positive professional presence, demonstrates flexibility, and creates a sense of belonging for self and others.

Globally Minded Contributor: Demonstrates respect for the diverse cultures and customs present in our community and advocates for inclusive practices that support belonging.

Professional Responsibilities 

Professional Knowledge

• Demonstrates strong knowledge of Japanese language, culture, and second-language acquisition, including proficiency-oriented instruction aligned with ACTFL standards. 

Instructional Planning

• Designs units and learning experiences aligned with ACTFL standards and the Understanding by Design framework that prioritize authentic communication and meaningful language use.
• Selects authentic cultural texts, resources, and experiences that support students in exploring the perspectives and practices of the Japanese-speaking world. 

Instructional Delivery

• Facilitates engaging language-learning experiences that promote inquiry, collaboration, and student agency.
• Supports students in developing communication skills across interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational modes. 

Assessment of and for Learning

• Uses a range of formative and summative assessments to monitor progress and support students’ growth toward language proficiency goals. 

Learning Environment

• Cultivates an inclusive classroom environment in which students feel supported in taking risks and developing confidence as language learners. 

Professionalism

• Collaborates with colleagues to design, review, and refine curriculum and assessments that support program coherence and vertical alignment.
• Contributes to the life of the school through divisional collaboration, advisory partnerships, and co-curricular or community programs.

 Safeguarding Commitment

Taipei American School is committed to safeguarding all children. All employees are expected to support this commitment and adhere to school safeguarding policies.

To Apply

Interested applicants should submit a resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references through the online link below. Please note that direct applications via email or other channels will not be considered.

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible, as Taipei American School reserves the right to close the selection process at any time.