Luna International only hires professional, qualified, and experienced teachers of English as a foreign language.

Luna International’s teachers also have that little something extra to offer. Luna International does not insist on any one particular way to teach – apart from very well. We trust our teachers to bring their own unique skills into play when they are planning lessons – lessons that are fun & fulfilling. Teachers direct learning in a low-key but professional manner; regular meetings with Jim ensure that the overall direction of the learning is progressing suitably. Feedback from parents/students is quickly relayed to the teachers sensitively.

Luna International wants to see its teachers continue to grow & develop professionally. They are expected to show a willingness to try out new ideas without abandoning tried & tested ones, an appetite for further learning on the job, and to take on responsibility for various aspects of the school’s day to day activities as they grow in experience. Luna International tries hard to make the work experience rewarding, because only happy & self-motivated teachers can truly make our students’ classes thoroughly good fun.

We expect our teachers to be sensitive to our students’ needs and be able to teach in a second language without recourse to ‘cheating’ (using Japanese). Luna International’s staff are encouraged to learn Japanese while they work here; they are not, however, expected to use Japanese in the classroom (in fact, discouraged). We firmly believe a good teacher should be ‘tuned into’ to their learners no matter what their L1.

Teachers are hired for a contract period of one year; we ask our students to understand the transient nature of the English language teaching profession; few teachers are wiling to remain in one location/job for more than a year. Whilst this is regrettable, we can’t make them stay if they want to move on! Instead, we ask that you encompass this ongoing change, as we do, as it brings to the school fresh ideas & personalities and helps us continue to be dynamic.

We do of course offer a variety of incentives for contract renewal.

Interested in joining Luna’s staff? Apply here
NB. terms & conditions of employment will only be sent to short-listed applicants.

Alexandra Gordon

Alex taught English to adults & teens at Manchester Adult Education Service from September 2004 – June 2006, teaching multi-lingual classes from beginner to advanced levels. Alex designed courses, produced schemes of work with suitable tests, and developed resources. Tutored one-to-one with dyslexic students. She also co-ordinated school trips etc.

Alex has been a Capoeira Teacher & Performer, (Brazilian martial art) since 2001, and has performed in the UK.

Alex has used her proficiency in several languages (Portuguese, Italian, French & Spanish) as a volunteer in the UK to help disadvantaged groups, and ahas also been involved with the following charities as a professional fundraiser -Shelter, Oxfam, NSPCC, Cancer Research, Green Peace and Amnesty International.

Alex graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with a BA Hons Philosophy in 2003. Alex also received her Cambridge CELTA from International House, London in 2003. Alex gained a Postgraduate Certificate in Dyslexia, Diagnosis & Support in 2005 from Manchester Adult Education Service, and was a Teaching Assessor for Trinity Cert TESOL Teaching Practice at the same institution in 2006.

Alex says:

“Teaching is not just a career for me, but something I am truly passionate about. All my work experience and leisure pursuits to date have contributed in giving me the invaluable skill of communicating confidently and sensitively with varying cultural backgrounds and ages. Capoeira, my hobby, is much more than just a sport, as it involves culture, community, history and music. I find it easy to integrate with people, being a positive and sociable person. I am confident that I approach new situations and challenges with determination and the will to succeed.”

Michelle

Hi, my name is Michelle, I am 28years old and I teach part-time for Luna.

I have been teaching in Matsumoto since 2005 really enjoy it. Before moving to Japan, I was a Chartered Librarian running three libraries in Peterborough, England. I did a lot of work with children and their reading, as well as working in the very busy central library answering enquiries and preparing reports for national schemes. I took my CELTA training course in May 2005, in Cambridge and then came out to Japan as my fiancé (now husband) was transferred to Matsumoto for work.

I am crazy about Snoopy and have over the years collected a huge amount of toys and paraphernalia. Before I moved to Japan, I had 200 cuddlies, now I have more like 250 -300!!! I also enjoy making greeting cards, sewing and swimming. Last winter, I went skiing most weekends with friends and my husband. I’m slowly getting better at it!

We have visited many cities in Japan and have a long list of other places we would like to see whilst we are here. We are enjoying living with such a different culture and have had a few interesting experiences with the local food; some good, some bad! Sometimes it is safer for us not to know what we are eating!

Japan’s summers are too hot and winters are too cold but the spring and autumn are just right. Everyone is really nice and helpful and the language is not that hard as it may seem…... honest!

Dan

I've been here in Japan for almost two years now. Luna is a huge change from the last school I taught at, ILI in Budapest, Hungary. That was my first international teaching
post where I benefitted from Andrew Wright's storytelling genius and classroom expertise. It was a small, family run business. I think teaching across such a wide age range keeps my classroom week interesting, one of the reasons I enjoy teaching at Luna, where my current age range is 3 - 53. At ILI I taught students from Sony, Avon, Catapillar and Procter & Gamble. Budapest is a beautiful city I'd recommend to all my students if they are ever in Europe.

I studied Graphic Design at BA level at University, and then Media Arts (specialising in Video) at MA level at Manchester Metropolitan
University. For a few years I worked for Design companies in London but then decided it was time to see other parts of the world. Teaching has enabled me to do that, but I think my creative background helped me to explore different ways of communicating with people - something I try to bring into the classroom. I'm interested in exploring the role of video and other communication media in the classroom.

Life is good in Matsumoto. I love the amazing richness of culture
here in Japan, the drums, the festivals, playing with fire, island
life... it's all good.