About Kids Duo International

Kids Duo International is a state-of-the-art bilingual kindergarten with a fully-tailored curriculum of English, Japanese, and Physical Education. Each day our instructors strive to provide the highest level of educational programs in order to prepare our students for years of schooling in Japan’s challenging educational system.

Kids Duo International teachers are actively encouraged to grow and expand on the foundations of our curriculum to create truly unique and personalized lessons; allowing ample creative freedom to inject passion and enthusiasm into your class. No one day is the same at KDI, and you can expect to cover a broad variety of English subjects such as Reading & Writing, Math, Phonics, Songs & Chants, Arts & Crafts, Show & Tell, just to name a few. By giving our students such a wide variety of programs, we are actively engaging them and enabling them to learn through different mediums.

Life at Kids Duo International

Native teachers are an essential part of our kindergarten. Not only do they conduct all English classes, they also assist Japanese teachers throughout the day. They do so by helping control the students during Japanese classes, joining in and participating during gym class or guiding students how to play musical instruments during music class. Together, teachers ensure a high level of education and make sure our students excel in all areas.

Kids Duo International students are children ages 2-6, and each teacher is assigned to a particular class for the duration of the whole school year. Each school has an additional native teacher, whose main responsibility is to assist with the Learning Stations program and substitute for teachers who are absent.

Each established Kids Duo International school has over 10 native teachers and over 30 teachers in total, which means you are never alone. Native teachers form strong bonds not only with other foreigners, but also bilingual teachers or even Japanese teachers who do not speak any English. Brushing up on one’s Japanese skills, enjoying Tokyo night life, hiking, and playing Futsal or basketball are just some of the activities Kids Duo International teachers enjoy doing as a group.

We would like our instructors to see themselves as the representatives of their respective countries and act accordingly in a fun and professional manner at all times. An instructor's perspective..."Working for Kids Duo International is about making a difference in a child's life and achieving your full potential as a constructive and creative instructor."

Training and Support

Our goal is to take enthusiastic, energetic and creative people and shape them into Great Teachers. All instructors must complete at least a month of OJT training at Kids Duo International before the start of the school year. The training includes OJT in all four age levels and lecture-based training. Throughout the year instructors receive support from trainers and a community of Kids Duo International teachers. Each month, teachers of classes in the same age group have a meeting, which allows instructors to bounce ideas off of each other and seek, or provide, advice on various topics.

Teaching Kids

We believe that students learn the most when they feel that their teacher truly cares for them. Each day, Kids Duo International instructors help shape the lives of their young pupils and motivate them to be the best that they can. Part of YSG's Corporate Philosophy is “to find a jewel within every child and provide full support to make that jewel shine.” Our job at Kids Duo International is to harvest those jewels and make sure that each student is challenged appropriately to ensure their bright future.

Working Conditions

Salary Base salary starts at ¥250,000~270,000 depending on experience.
Bonus The instructor will be paid a renewal bonus of ¥100,000 upon completion of one-year contract
and contract renewal.
Contract Minimum one-year contract which can be renewed based on job performance.
Work Hours

Regular working hours fall within the hours of 9:00-20:30, 5 days a week (generally Monday through Friday.)
Instructors generally work 5-day weeks. Typical shifts include 9:30-18:30, 10:00-19:00, 11:00-20:00, etc.
Events
 Instructors are required to participate in all school events. Events are likely to be scheduled on a Saturday, Sunday or National Holidays include, but are not limited to: Summer Festival, Sports Day, Music Festival.
In addition to school events, instructors might need to work at company events.
Contract Minimum one-year contract which can be renewed based on job performance.

Benefits

Working Visa Visa sponsorship available (Applicants must meet Immigration requirements and must have at least a two-year Associate’s Degree or higher, preferably a university degree)
Training Initial training and a month of on-job-training in the classroom is given to all new instructors prior to the start of the academic year.
Transportation
Reimbursement		 All work-related commuting costs are covered.
Career
Advancement

Opportunities for promotion.
Holidays
and Leave		 Instructors receive ten paid vacation days a year after having worked six months. Instructors also have national holidays off.
Transportation
Reimbursement		 All work-related commuting costs are covered.

School Locations

Kids Duo International currently has schools in the Greater Tokyo area and in Osaka, with plans to open schools close to major centers all over Japan. 

FAQs

I applied online recently. When will I receive a response?

After you submit your documents online, your application will go through our screening process. We will contact successful candidates via email within five working days.

Do I need a University degree to be eligible to apply?

Yes, we require a minimum of a 2-year associates degree if your visa status is one of the following:

・No Visa
・Tourist
・Instructor Visa
・Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services
・Working Holiday Visa
・Dependent Visa


No, if your visa status is one of the following:

・Japanese National
・Spouse or Child of a Japanese National
・Permanent Resident
・Long-Term Resident

What level of English do I need?

You must be a native or native-level speakers of English to apply. Our curriculum puts emphasis on pronunciation and phonics practice. While we of course welcome English speakers from a variety of countries with varying dialects and accents, we ask that you are able to effectively teach and express these concepts in a phonetically natural English environment. Only applicants that are able to meet the highest standards of fluency will be considered.

How will the interview be conducted?

Interviews will be conducted via Skype.

I will graduate University next year. When should I apply?

We are able to begin the screening and interview process prior to an applicant's graduation. However, as the Immigration office in Japan requires a copy of your degree when submitting your visa application for processing, we recommend that you apply no sooner than a month or two before your graduation. Applying any sooner will not necessarily expedite the process.

Do you hire part time Native English Teachers?

We only offer full-time positions.

How many students will I be teaching at a time?

As Kids Duo is an after-school care program, the number of students that will differ based on the student number of the school and the schedule. An average school has approx. 40~50 Elementary students per day, and approx. 20 Kindy students.

Does Kids Duo International use a curriculum?

The foundation of any Kids Duo International class is our strong curriculum. It is based on the American Common Core Standards and the English Early Years Foundation Stage Standards to ensure that students work on achieving appropriate goals.

How many students will I be teaching at a time?

Up to 30 students as that is the maximum classroom capacity.

Is the training in Kanto mandatory?

Yes. Initial Training for Kids Duo International generally lasts for at least five weeks. This includes lecture-based training as well as on the job training (OJT) in the classroom. All training is fully paid.

What level of English do I need?

You must be a native or native-level speakers of English to apply. Our curriculum puts emphasis on pronunciation and phonics practice. While we of course welcome English speakers from a variety of countries with varying dialects and accents, we ask that you are able to effectively teach and express these concepts in a phonetically natural English environment. Only applicants that are able to meet the highest standards of fluency will be considered.

Do you offer visa sponsorship?

We do offer sponsorship to successful candidates that meet the requirements of the Japanese Immigration Department.

Do you hire all year round?

Yes, we do. However, due to the academic school year in Japan starting in April, most new teachers are hired between December and March, enabling them to complete all initial and on-job-training prior to the commencement of the school year.

Where are your schools?

We have schools in the Kanto and Kansai areas (Tokyo, Chiba, Kanagawa and Osaka)

Do I get to choose what location I wish to be placed in?

We try to accommodate area preferences. However, this will be dependent on demand for new teachers in the area.

Do you hire from overseas?

Yes, we welcome applications from candidates currently in Japan as well as overseas.

How far in advance of my start date should I apply?

If you are residing overseas the visa process can take approximately two or three months. Applying three or four months in advance of your planned employment start date is recommended.

How long is a contract with Kids Duo International?

Kids Duo International offers one-year renewable contracts. The first-year contract will include a full academic year and the preceding training period. There is no limit to the number of times you can renew your contract.
We require a minimum commitment of one, full academic year and the preceding training period. Experienced and competent KDI teachers can became permanent employees.

What are my working hours?

Regular working hours are from 8:30 to 17:30 with a one-hour break. Even though the regular shift is from Monday to Friday, on occassion, teachers need to work on school or company events that fall on a Saturday, Sunday or National Holiday. Depending on the school shift, teachers might be asked to work overtime in the mornings or evenings.

What age groups will I be teaching?

Kids Duo International caters for four different age groups:
Nursery: 2-3 year olds
Pre-Kindy: 3-4 year olds
Lower-Kindy: 4-5 year olds
Upper-Kindy: 5-6 year olds

Where are your schools?

We have schools in the Kanto and Kansai areas (Tokyo, Chiba, Kanagawa and Osaka)