Brief Outline / Students&Classes / Job Opening
Brief Outline
Alpha English Academy is a small private English School established in 1982 by the owner Fumio Funaki and located on the east coast of Hokkaido island in Japan. For twenty-eight years we have operated as an independent school with no affiliation to the larger English school chains. We currently have about 70 students, both adults and children. The majority of the students come to Alpha once a week to learn conversational English. We provide both private and group lessons and use only English in the classroom. There are plenty of materials and resources for the teachers' use. Alpha English Academy is not your typical school. Unlike other schools in Japan which are located in concrete and formica office buildings, Alpha is situated in a somewhat chalet-style structure. The atmosphere is warm and makes learning more enjoyable for both the students and teachers.
Address : 22-20 Shinei-cho Kushiro City, Hokkaido, Japan 085-0032
TEL : 0154-22-2428 FAX : 0154-64-6181
Website : http://www.alpha-english-ac.com
E-mail : aeaowner@mac.com
Google Map will show you where Alpha is located.
Students&Classes
We offer a variety of classes geared towards the specific needs of our students. Class sizes vary as well, however a maximum of 8 students per class is maintained. Small classes ensure the progress and satisfaction of both the students and teachers. We offer group lessons, semi-private and private lessons. Class levels vary from beginner, intermediate, upper intermediate to advanced. In addition, we have recently developed a very young learners program. The age of our students ranges from three to seventy. Approximately half are children/teenagers and half are adults. Although the majority of our classes are held in our school, Alpha also teaches outside classes.
Job Opening
Alpha English Academy is looking for one hard working teacher or a couple who has the experience of teaching English as an ALT at Japanese elementary and junior high schools.
Now we are accepting applications for April 1 or May,1, 2010.
Please contact Fumio Funaki for more details by email.
Alpha English Academy is now seeking for one energetic and outgoing English teacher. The position will begin April 1, 2010 or May 1, 2010. Applicants must hold a University degree, and preferably have a TOEFL/TOESL certificate. Holding a valid Japanese working visa and experience in teaching English in Japanese public schools (Elementary and JHS) would be an advantage. We are particularly interested in a teacher who is flexible, physically fit, willing to work overtime, good with children and as well as someone who is experienced at teaching English as a second language.
The position will be expected to work as an AET (Assistant English Teacher) at public primary schools in Kushiro City and at Alpha English Academy as an ESL.
This post will be especially attractive to a young person who wants to relocate to a smaller city in Hokkaido. Alpha will provide you with free Japanese lessons if you are interested in learning Japanese.
You will have a chance to meet and make friends with lots of school children, as well as friendly and interesting teachers. Also Kushiro is a good place for someone who loves nature, outdoor activities, winter sports and taking photographs.
The salary is 230,000 yen a month for 40 hours a week with two days off a week. Actual maximum teaching hours a week are up to 25 hours. Overtime will be paid 1,500 yen per teaching hour. Fully-furnished apartments are provided and are only a five minute walk from the school (the rent is 25,000 yen a month.) The teacher's yearly vacations are: all national holidays, one week during summer and one week for winter. All holidays are paid. Kushiro City is located in Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan, so someone who is used to living in cooler climates would be preferable. Please send the following by e-mail if you are qualified. The successful candidates will be contacted.
Please visit Alpha’s website and go to the page titled Jordi Rossell 2007 to find more about the position. ( http://www.alpha-english-ac.com/cn13/jordi2007.html )
1. A resume that minimally includes: date of birth, education, and work experience.
2. Two recent photos (one full size and one close-up head shot/JPEG)
3. A cover letter.
4. A letter stating why you want to come to Hokkaido and teach English to school children at elementary schools in Japan.
5. A copy of your valid visa, passport, driver's license and diploma.
6. More than two references from reliable sources.
(When emailing your application, please send it in either text or word format files only.)
Address : 22-20 Shinei-cho Kushiro City, Hokkaido, Japan 085-0032
TEL : 0154-22-2428 FAX : 0154-64-6181
Website : http://www.alpha-english-ac.com
E-mail : aeaowner@mac.com
Hello! My name is Matt and I am a native english teacher from America worker here at the Alpha English Academy. I am 27 years old, married and have a love for the outdoors and traveling. I arrived in Kushiro on January 1, 2007.
Working at Alpha English Academy has been a pleasure for me. It has a relaxed and professional atmosphere where I am given a high level of responsibility and independence. It is my responsibility to plan all my lessons. I use the various resources here at the school, the internet and Mr. Funaki himself. Mr. Funaki is very helpful and always has time to point me in the right direction if I am unsure of how to proceed with a class. He is a friendly, patient and helpful boss.
My days begin at 1:00 in the afternoon. At this time I do not have classes immediately and I use my first few hours at work to prepare my lessons for the day. I also make sure things are in a neat and orderly fashion around the school. I turn on my computer and the photocopy machine, make sure the garbage cans are not overflowing, turn on some music and tidy-up as much as possible. My days have always finished by 9:00 p.m., and often, depending on the schedule, earlier.
As I said, working here I have a lot of independence and things are quite relaxed. During the middle of my shift, assuming I have a break between classes (which I always do) I often walk to one of the nearby stores to buy some lunch. The school has a microwave, toaster oven and a stove so sometimes we will enjoy one of Mr. Funaki's excellent home cooked meals. Other times I will walk or ride my bike home (a six minute walk and only a two minute bike ride!) and enjoy a delicious meal prepared by my wife. If I am really lucky, I will come to my desk after a lesson and find a plate of food left by Mr. Funaki's wife. This is always a nice treat.
If you are looking for a friendly, professional and family atmosphere at work, this is the place for you. If you are looking for a wide range of students, from a two year old boy to a 72 year old woman, you will find it here. Having a love for the outdoors is also a plus if you come to Kushiro. There are endless mountains, places to go camping and summer festivals to enjoy. I will always remember my time working at Alpha English Academy with a smile. Check out "My life in Kushiro by Matt 2007" in this website for more details of my life here.
A note about the culture
I've seen it hundreds of times. Foreigners come to Japan and then it's "Man! This isn't what I expected or was told Japan was like." Believe me, there is an adjustment period to get through. I'm not saying you'll like everything you see after that, either. But I think if you remain calm, stay positive and think it through, you'll be able to "do" Japan without too much trouble. The fact is the culture, the style of thinking about life and the language is quite removed from the rest of the world. It's a combination of many things (all of them not easy to explain) throughout the ages that has made Japan what it is. Like any country, Japan has it's good points and it has some hang-ups. Though the hang-ups tend to be a little different from what you're used to, take the gentle approach and enjoy Japan for what it is. It's my hope that you'll have an enriched growing experience while staying and working at Alpha English Academy in Kushiro of Hokkaido,Japan.
Sincerely
Fumio Funaki
