International Teaching in Japan’s Cultural Capital

Pursue overseas teaching where the weather is optimal in a city rich with culture and history! Launched in 2022, AIC World College of Kyoto Elementary School (AIC WC) is a start-up—and growing—international elementary school located in the core of Kyoto City. AIC World College focuses on transdisciplinary learning through concept-based, inquiry-based, and student-centered approaches, which will foster individuals with the wherewithal to contribute to the international community and global leadership.

Kyoto is considered Japan’s cultural capital and a major tourist destination. The national government’s agency for cultural affairs is headquartered in the city. It is home to numerous Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, palaces, and gardens, some of which have been collectively designated as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Kyoto is also a center of higher learning in the country, and its institutions include Kyoto University, the second oldest university in Japan.

AIC WC’s multi-story building houses an art and craft room, exercise room, multipurpose hall, science laboratory, and music room, in addition to its classrooms.

Working towards National Accreditation with Kyoto and Primary Years Programme (PYP) candidacy with the International Baccalaureate (IB) Organization, AICWC currently enrolls 31 K-8 students following the IB PYP, most of whom are Japanese. Forty-two percent of the teaching staff are from Japan.

Students at AIC WC attend 45-minute classes, after a brief morning activity and homeroom check in. Math and Japanese classes are followed by P.E. and music, before lunch. After lunch, double blocks of time are allotted for inquiry and multi-disciplinary learning, which includes art. A review of the day and clean up time end the school day, after which students are invited to the learning space/library—open until 6 p.m.—where they may interact with children of different ages. AIC World College also plans to open a secondary education school in the area in the near future.

AIC WC hires experienced singles and couples with a non-teaching partner. However, they will consider teaching couples, seasoned candidates without certification, and interns. Teachers need not hold their academic degree in the subject they will be teaching, and there is no age limit to obtain a work visa in Japan.

The overseas teaching benefits package includes allowances for moving, settling in, housing, and annual airfare for overseas teaching employees and their spouses. Tuition is free for the first child and 50% for additional children. Local health insurance, including dental and long-term disability, is covered with the employee paying a percentage. Finally, there are local employment opportunities for non-teaching partners.

To gain access to AIC World College of Kyoto Elementary School’s full profile on the Search Associates database, including a list of any vacancies, candidates can apply for membership by clicking here. Candidates already registered can easily access the school profile directly through their dashboards.

Please note: The information presented about this school was valid on the date published. This information may change, and the most up-to-date information can be found on the school profile.