Project Based Hourly-Paid Teacher of English

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Job Overview 

The British Council Tokyo Teaching Centre is seeking qualified and experienced teachers to join our offsite teaching team from April 2026. Successful candidates will teach at Japanese universities, high schools, and junior high schools. Depending on your experience and availability, you may be assigned to one or more offsite projects for the academic year. As part of your supporting statement, please indicate the levels and age groups you are most interested in teaching.

Teaching schedules will involve between 12 and 18 hours per week, Monday to Friday, during semester time only. Hours will vary depending on assignment and will be confirmed during the onboarding stage. These roles are open only to applicants who already have permission to live and work in Japan. Applicants must hold at least a certificate-level qualification, preferably a diploma-level qualification such as CELTA or DELTA or equivalent, and have a minimum of two years’ teaching experience with relevant levels and age groups. In addition to teaching, post holders will be responsible for assessment and record keeping.

Teachers will be paid by the teaching hour during semester time and will also be eligible for a project-completion bonus. The British Council values diversity and is committed to promoting equality of opportunity, inclusion, and human rights by following both the letter and spirit of equality legislation. All staff are expected to ensure their behaviour aligns with these principles.

The British Council is a full member of Keeping Children Safe (KCS) and has achieved level 1 child safe certification. We believe that every child has the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, as set out in Article 19 of the UNCRC (1989), and that every child matters everywhere in the world. In line with our safeguarding policy, any appointment is contingent on thorough checks in accordance with legal requirements.

Role Purpose 

The British Council is seeking dedicated professionals to join our teaching team. The role focuses on promoting and ensuring the highest standards of English language teaching while fostering effective learning experiences for students. In addition to classroom responsibilities, post holders will contribute to the wider aims of the British Council and its cultural relations mission, helping to build connections, understanding, and trust between people in the UK and worldwide.

This position offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact through education while supporting the British Council’s commitment to cultural exchange and international collaboration.

Role Accountabilities: 

The British Council is seeking committed and experienced teachers to deliver high-quality English language lessons at Japanese universities and junior high schools. Successful candidates will work closely with a team of British Council teachers to plan lessons and develop engaging materials, while also managing assessment-related tasks and maintaining accurate records.

Post holders are expected to ensure that their behaviour is consistent with British Council policies and that safeguarding guidelines are applied and upheld at all times. This includes strict adherence to standards in child protection, equal opportunity and diversity, and health and safety.

Internal applicants only - When submitting your application, please include your most recent end-of-year record and copy both your line manager and centre manager.

Qualifications & Experience  

Essentials

• Undergraduate/University degree.
• Certificate in Cambridge Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (CELTA); or Trinity Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) certification. 
• A minimum of 2 years post-certificate i.e. CELTA/Trinity cert TESOL experience gained from teaching a variety of age groups and levels from young learners through to adults.
• Proficiency in English equivalent to a Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) C2 level.

Desirables 

• Recognised diploma in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) i.e. Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (DELTA).
• Experience teaching Japanese learners.

Important Information:

• Location: Tokyo. Teachers will teach at Japanese universities, High Schools and / or Junior High Schools. Depending on your experience and availability you may be assigned to one or more offsite projects for the academic year. Candidates should please state which levels / ages they are interested in teaching as part of their supporting statement.  
• Salary: 
  • 4,484 yen/hour for teachers with a CELTA or equivalent .
  • 4,993 yen/hour for teachers with a DELTA or equivalent.
  • Payment for preparation for lessons and marking is included in the hourly teaching rate and will not be paid separately. 
  • In addition, at the end of the project you will receive a project-completion bonus equivalent to JPY 700 per actual hour taught, provided all outlined standards are met.   
• Contracted hours per week: between 12 and 18 hours. 
• Working Hours: Monday to Friday during semester time. Hourly-Paid teachers are required to prioritise British Council work at the times agreed. 
• Local restriction on employment: These roles are only open to applicants who currently have permission to live and work in Japan. If your current working visa is under the ‘Other’ category (e.g. professor, Instructor, Artist) you will need to apply for permission to work under the category (Engineer / Specialist in humanities / International services). 
• Medical insurance: Depending on number of working hours, teachers are registered for National Health Insurance in line with statutory requirements 
• Contract type: 1 year Fixed-Term contract renewable.  
• Start date: April 2026.
• Income tax and national insurance: 
  • Your salary is a gross salary and is subject to local taxes and statutory deductions. The British Council will make deductions from your salary at source in respect of tax and other sums due where appropriate.
  • If the laws and regulations of Japan require you to account directly for any tax or other sums that are due in respect of your salary, it is your responsibility to properly account for such tax and other sums to the appropriate authorities.  The British Council will make no additional payments to you in respect of any liability for tax or other sums that you may have.
  • Any liability you may have for tax or other sums due in other jurisdictions will be your responsibility, save as set out in this contract.  No additional payment will be made to you by the British Council in respect of such liabilities.
  • Possible Changes to Your Duties:You may be assigned to different duties designated by the British Council to meet operational demands.
  • Possible Changes to Your Place of Work: You may be transferred to a different workplace designated by the British Council to meet operational demands.
  • Renewal contract: In deciding whether or not to agree to renew your employment, the British Council will take into account following factors:
    • (a) your workload at the time of the end of the employment term; 
    • (b) your job performance and work attitude;
    • (c) your ability and competence;
    • (d) business conditions of the British Council;
    • (e) progress of your work;
    • (f) your level of constructive cooperation/teamwork with both your colleagues and your line manager; and
    • (g) any other factors that the British Council may reasonably consider relevant to the decision to renew or not.
  • The Maximum Number of Renewals: There is no limit on the number of renewals.

Closing date  – Friday 12th December 2025.