At AtoZ, we are striving to make Nagano prefecture the most globalized place in all of Japan. To excel in our ever globalizing world, children now require leadership and communication abilities that transcend cultural differences. We understand that English education goals at the public school level may differ from school to school but our aim is to always support individual needs and hopes, for the future of our children, and for the future of Japan.

At AtoZ we aspire to immerse as many people as possible in different languages and cultures. There are several ways we hope to do this:

-Dispatch ALTs: Our ALT/ELTs make a real difference in the classroom, whether that is kindergarten, elementary school or even senior high school. ALTs bring purpose to studying English by bringing different perspectives into the classroom as well as opening the doorway to different cultures.

-English instructors in our language school: Our English instructors teach students of all ages. In small groups and at social events you will have a really great chance to get to know your students. English instructors teach using the PLS system.

-Corporate teachers: We work with some of the biggest corporations in Nagano, where we hold seminars and our teachers also send our teachers to help companies find a way in this ever changing and challenging global society.

-Nagajob, through Nagajob, we help teachers, ALT/ELTs and our English instructors find jobs in different fields. Many of our teachers come in with varied backgrounds and it is our challenge to find suitable positions for them in Nagano!

Company overview

Support (connections)

We know that living in Japan doesn’t stop once your contract hours are over, which is why we have Area-Coordinators ready to help you with requests you may have (be it about school life or life outside of school). Need to set up a bank account? We encourage our ALTs to give it a try themselves first, nothing like getting used to a different culture than diving in head first! However, we know it isn’t always easy and sometimes you need a helping hand; this is where our Area-Coordinators come in.

Also, our Trainer Team will be abe able to assist you with any questions you may have related your school(s) or boards of education, making sure that you can focus on what is really important: your students, your classes and your private life.

Training

When joining AtoZ, new ALTs will be asked to join a paid intense training course spanning several days.During this training course a great many topics are discussed, such as general teaching, preparing for your first classes and lesson planning.
Other topics include finding out about the curriculum, what kind of activities you can use, as well as many other topics. However, we don’t stop there, at AtoZ we feel it’s extremely important to have a good relationship with the teachers you’ll be teaching with and being able to work well with the JTEs or homeroom teachers will make your lessons truly come alive (plus it also helps increase your chances of getting your own ideas and activities in the lesson plans). We also focus on life in Japan, as for many it will be their first experience living in this beautiful country, and well… it comes with a couple of rules!

Fear not, for those that have been living and working in Japan for some time, we love to hear about your experiences during these trainings, chances are you can add really valuable information!
Our training does not stop there.

Once you start teaching, our trainer team will regularly visit your classes and give you feedback where necessary. This is also a great time to ask your trainer any questions you may have about your new life with AtoZ. They are always happy to help or send your enquiries to the person that can handle your request.

During the year you will be able to meet other ALTs in your area by joining the Area Workshops. During this time, you can discuss things going on in your school, discuss activities that you are planning and who knows, our trainer team may have some great activities planned to help you better your classes!

Meeting ALTs in your area is great, but what about meeting all ALTs working with the company? We do that too! Once or twice a year we meet with all ALTs during a seminar, where we will hold discussions, group sessions and workshops. We usually also have a guest speaker introducing something new; how do you teach English to kids with dyslexia, how do you implement design thinking into your classes, etc.

Career opportunities

You get to challenge yourself everyday, working with different groups of students. However, some of our teachers want to take a next new step or a step in a different direction.
Many teachers that join us have varied backgrounds, whether they come from an IT background or an artistic background, we believe that all our teachers have something special to add to our team.

We try to give all of our employees access to a Career Path. There are many opportunities in the company to advance yourself such as, but not limited to, becoming a Teacher Trainer. We also try to help our teachers when they are ready to move on to other careers by providing them with a Job Matching service.

What is an AtoZ ALT?

An ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) is an assistant to the language teacher in the public school system. Some ALTs are asked to take lead roles in the class. Others assist through the use of effective communicative activities geared to using the language by giving it a purpose and adding context.

Of course, an “AtoZ ALT” fulfills all these roles, however, it’s also something more.

At AtoZ we believe in the potential of our teachers, each having their own unique cultural background, to bring something extra to the classroom/school. AtoZ focuses on teaching at a high level of English, however, we also focus on bringing culture and cultural differences to the classroom. We encourage our teachers to build meaningful relationships with their students and teachers and, in a safe environment, open the proverbial door to a different cultures.

Being a part of AtoZ means being part of a multicultural/multiethnic team, experiencing cultural differences yourself and using that experience to educate your students so they themselves can take their first steps towards joining a globalized world.

Life in Nagano

Nagano lies in the heart of Japan. It’s a beautiful prefecture surrounded by mountains. You’ll find the larger cities spread out in one of the many valleys, as well quaint little villages at the foot of the mountains or tucked away in the bends of one of the prefecture’s many rivers.

Nagano offers a lot; for those that enjoy the outdoors there are hiking trails, campsites, winter sport resorts and many other amazing things to do.
For people that enjoy culinary adventures; there are many amazing restaurants to be found. Soba from Nagano, for example, is famous and be sure to also try some of the locally crafted beers and sake.

Starting your new life in Nagano will be an amazing experience. Whether you live in a bigger city and find that favorite izakaya where you meet other ALTs. Or whether you live in one of the smaller villages and you meet some of the locals and really get to experience what the community around you is like.
There are many opportunities to enrich your experience and we are happy to give you suggestions and help you connect to others in your local area.

Nagano is off the beaten track of many a traveler, so you’ll be sure to get a very authentic experience. Nagano is easily accessible from Tokyo or Nagoya, using a bullet train or an express train.
Of course, Nagano has quite a few rural/mountainous areas, as well as many hot springs in the mountains, etc., and these are far more accessible if you have access to a (lease/rental) car.

If you’re looking for clean air, amazing vistas and great local food, look no further!
And remember; in the end you are the one who chooses what kind of experience you will have.

Recruitment process

We appreciate you taking the time to visit our website and for choosing to apply with us.

Please apply to our positions by using the “apply now” button and filling out the form. When you have finished filling out the form, please feel free to use the link provided at the end to upload cover letters, resumes, references, etc.

When your application is complete, our recruitment team may contact you to schedule a first interview. When this interview is successful you may be invited to participate in an aptitude test.

Our recruitment team will then let you know whether they would like to invite you for a second interview.

Once all interviews are over we need to consider what schools and areas will be a good fit for you. Should we find a good position, we will be sure to contact you to give you further information.

Company overview

Support(connections)

We know that living in Japan doesn’t stop once your contract hours are over, which is why we have an administration office to help you with requests, and also, don’t forget, there is an amazing team of experienced teachers that can help you with a lot of your questions! Need to set up a bank account? We encourage our teachers to give it a try themselves first, nothing like getting used to a different culture than diving in head first! However, we know it isn’t always easy and sometimes you need a helping hand; this is where our office team comes in.

The trainer team is there to help you with your questions about teaching, how to improve your classes, how to create an awesome classroom atmosphere and many more questions you may have.

Every week our English Instructor team meets with the other staff members to discuss new teaching tactics, changes in systems, classroom issues and to socialize and get to know each other a little better.

Training

When joining AtoZ, new teachers will have training sessions with our trainer team. You’ll soon start teaching, during this initial period one of the trainers will join you in your classroom and give you tips and feedback on how to make your classroom a great environment! This is also a great time to ask your trainer any questions you may have about your new life with AtoZ. They are always happy to help or send your enquiries to the person that can handle your request.

During the year there will be regular meetings with your trainer to talk about your classes and how you are doing.

What is an AtoZ English Instructor?

An English Instructor works in an English language school, usually teaching students aged 2 to 70 in their own classroom. Classes are often taught in small groups and sometimes even one on one. Because you teach in such small groups, you’ll have a great opportunity to get to know your students and learn about their personalities and ways to reach them.

At AtoZ we believe in the potential of our teachers, each having their own unique cultural background, to bring something extra to the classroom. AtoZ focuses on teaching a high level of English, however, we also focus on bringing culture and cultural differences to the classroom. We encourage our teachers to build meaningful relationships with their students and, in a safe environment, open the proverbial door to a different culture, albeit your own or a culture you want to introduce your students to.

Being part of AtoZ means being part of a multicultural/multiethnic team, experiencing cultural differences yourself and using that experience to educate your students so they themselves can take the first steps towards joining a globalized world.

Life in Nagano

Nagano lies in the heart of Japan. It’s a beautiful prefecture surrounded by mountains. You’ll find the larger cities spread out in one of the many valleys, as well quaint little villages at the foot of the mountains or tucked away in the bends of one of the prefecture’s many rivers.

Nagano offers a lot; for those that enjoy the outdoors there are hiking trails, campsites, winter sport resorts and many other amazing things to do.
For people that enjoy culinary adventures; there are many amazing restaurants to be found. Soba from Nagano, for example, is famous and be sure to also try some of the locally crafted beers and sake.

Starting your new life in Nagano will be an amazing experience. Whether you live in a bigger city and find that favorite izakaya where you meet other ALTs. Or whether you live in one of the smaller villages and you meet some of the locals and really get to experience what the community around you is like.
There are many opportunities to enrich your experience and we are happy to give you suggestions and help you connect to others in your local area.

Nagano is off the beaten track of many a traveler, so you’ll be sure to get a very authentic experience. Nagano is easily accessible from Tokyo or Nagoya, using a bullet train or an express train.
Of course, Nagano has quite a few rural/mountainous areas, as well as many hot springs in the mountains, etc., and these are far more accessible if you have access to a (lease/rental) car.

If you’re looking for clean air, amazing vistas and great local food, look no further!
And remember; in the end you are the one who chooses what kind of experience you will have.

Recruitment process

We appreciate you taking the time to visit our website and for choosing to apply with us.

Please apply to our positions by using the “apply now” button and filling out the form. When you have finished filling out the form, please feel free to use the link provided at the end to upload cover letters, resumes, references, etc.

When your application is complete, our recruitment team may contact you to schedule a first interview. When this interview is successful you may be invited to participate in an aptitude test.

Our recruitment team will then let you know whether they would like to invite you for a second interview.

Once all interviews are over we need to consider what schools and areas will be a good fit for you. Should we find a good position, we will be sure to contact you to give you further information.

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