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Questions About Our school and Tsukuba
Founded in 1976
Helena Study Tours
Where is Tsukuba?
What is Tsukuba like?
What is there to see and do in the Tsukuba area?
What is provided by Helena?
How much are living expenses?

Basic Training and Work Schedule

Personal Items
What clothes should I bring to Japan?
What kind of personal items should I bring that I can't find in Japan?
What important documents should I bring?
How do I obtain a working visa and how long does it take?

Are you interested in teaching English in Japan?
Are you enthusiastic and energetic? Do you love teaching as well as getting to know new people? Would you like to have a chance to learn about the culture and customs of the Japanese by living and working in this country? If your answer is YES, and you are a native speaker of English with a university degree, read the information below and apply for a job at our school! Helena English school hires foreign teachers on a yearly basis.

　Our school was founded in 1976. It is well established and one of the oldest in the area with a friendly atmosphere.
The school year in Japan starts in April. The best time to e-mail or fax your application to us would be in November or before Christmas. We may also have some part-time openings available in the middle of the school year.
We are looking forward to your e-mail !! Send us your resume and a one-page essay explaining why you would like to teach English in Japan and what your strenghths as an English teacher would be.
Please fax or e-mail your essay and resume. Please include your family name in the file name if you send it as an attachment. E-mail:

Location

Tsukuba City/Tsuchiura City, Ibaraki-ken
Address:
Helena English School
8-5 Higashi-Arai, Tsukuba-shi
Ibaraki-ken, 305-0033 Japan
Contact:
Mr. Yutaka Matsumoto
Tel. 029-855-1250 Fax.029-855-1251

Questions About Our school and Tsukuba - Tsuchiura Area

Helena English School

Helena English School was founded in 1976 and we now have schools in and around Tsukuba - Tsuchiura area. We are highly regarded in the community and our school has deep roots in Tsukuba Science City as well as in the Southern area of Ibaraki Prefecture. Helena has consistently contributed to the region's modernization under the principle: "Developing internationally-minded people for the new global age through English education."
Our Children's Division offers classes for kindergarteners, elementary school students and junior high school students. Our program has been developed with the special needs of Japanese learners of English in mind. We emphasize oral communication skills but through learning phonics our young students will also excel in other areas like reading and writing. Our unique system of native English speakers and Japanese English teachers working together brings out the best in our students. Helena Adult Division offers classes for high school students and adults. These classes are divided into eight levels depending on the ability of students. We also have classes for people with special interests like TOEIC, TOEFL classes, several levels of Eiken (Japanese test of English Proficiency) classes and so on.
Helena English School's company classes are designed to meet the special needs of each client company and institute and we take pride in delivering efficient lessons that meet the highest expectations of our clients.
Local boards of education also rely on our help when hiring Assistant English Teachers.
Helena Kikokushijo (Returnee) Classes are the oldest in the area. These classes offer children who have lived abroad a chance to brush up their English skills when they return to Japan. At the moment, We have ten different levels of returnee classes.

Helena Study Tours

We have organized study tours for our younger students every summer since the second year of founding our school. We used to take students to Hawaii for ten years. Our students stayed at Hawaii Preparatory Academy, a lovely school on the island of Hawaii. Then we changed the destination to Australia where our students have a chance to see what school life is like in Queensland, Australia. Grace Lutheran Primary School, Grace Lutheran College and the community have welcomed our students very warmly every year and many strong friendships have been developed with the students of Grace.

Where is Tsukuba located?

Tsukuba is in Ibaraki prefecture, and it is about 1 hour northeast of Tokyo. Transportation to and from Tokyo is available by bus or train. TX(Tsukuba Express) line between Tsukuba and Tokyo will be ready in August, 2005. Buses to and from Tokyo to Tsukuba Center are also very popular.
Tsukuba City Official Web site in English

What is Tsukuba like?

Tsukuba is a mid-sized city with about150.000 residents. It is the research capital of Japan containing many laboratories and science research facilities. Also, there is Tsukuba University, which along with the many scientific research institutes, has attracted many foreigners to live here. Tsukuba has very wide roads compared to most Japanese ones, and at first, seems very much like a typical North American city.

What is there to see and do in the Tsukuba area?

Some landmarks include Mt. Tsukuba, the Planetarium (built for Expo '85), the Capio Theater and Nova Hall, which host many international artists and musicians. The library has an English section and has showings, displaying works of famous photographers and local artists. For shopping, one can go to the main department stores by the train station in Tsuchiura, or SEIBU in Tsukuba. There's a community center offering dance classes, and an entertainment center, including a rock-climbing gym. Tsukuba has a walking and hiking club that does weekend and day trips in and out of the area. The nightlife in this area is unlike the one In Tokyo, but there are a few foreigner bars where one can meet a variety of gaikokujin (foreigners) and Japanese. Also, there are many izakayas, Japanese-style bars where one can eat, drink and socialize fairly inexpensively. There are a range of different restaurants in the area, from Thai to Mexican to Italian, so you can have a taste of home, too if you really need it, and of course there are many McDonald's and 7-11's.

What is provided by Helena?

Helena provides an apartment and the rent will range from 50-65,000 yen/month. You will not have to pay key money (which usually is 4-5months' rent in Japan) and a phone line is already set up. The apartment will be in Tsukuba, about a 10-15 minute drive from the main Helena office. Bedding will be bought for you prior to your coming and will be in your apartment. The cost will be deducted from your first pay check. A car will be provided, insurance, gas and maintenance will be taken care of by Helena. Health Insurance cost will be shared, and dental is not covered. You will not be required to work on most National holidays and will have a week off in the beginning of May (Golden Week), one week in the middle of August, and a holiday break at the end of December to the beginning of January.

How much are living expenses?

Everything in Japan is expensive, so at first you will no doubt be thinking in your own country's currency. The salary is pretty good for one person, one can live comfortably and still save. Rent will be about 50,000- 65,000 yen, utilities will be about 4,000 yen (depending on your use of the air conditioner, heater and gas), and the phone bill will really depend on how much you use it to make long-distance calls. Phone service in Japan is not cheap, even local calls cost 10 yen/minute. Going out is expensive, but as anywhere else, it really depends on how much eating out and social drinking you do. For example, it costs about 4-6,000 yen to go to a bar and at most restaurants you can have a full meal for 500 yen to 1,000 yen.

Basic Training and Work Schedule

Before you start teaching, you will have one week of basic training at the end of March.
What is done during this time?
For the first week, you will have an orientation. This will consist of an introduction to the headmaster, the staff members and to the other new foreign teachers. The contract and the office rules will be reviewed and any questions or concerns you have will be answered. Throughout the week, you will be familiarized with the Helena textbooks, games, and methods through model lessons. You will also have driving lessons to get used to driving here.
What is the work schedule like?
Our full time teachers work five days a week. You would work 40 hours per week (about 25 hours of teaching. The rest of the time is for lesson preparation, writing reports etc.)

Personal Items:

What clothes should I bring to Japan?

For clothes, it's difficult not to pack everything you have because the weather is so varied and extreme here. In April, it will still be a bit chilly but warming up, July and August are extremely humid and hot. From September to October, it will be cooling down and November to March are the cold months, with the driest, windiest weather coming to a peak in February. Bring your winter jacket to your shorts. Most Japanese women dress up to work, but you may dress casually or business like. Tank tops and jeans are not allowed. For men, it's basically business suits all year round, in the summer you can wear short-sleeved shirts instead of long-sleeved shirts. At Helena, most men only wear their shirts with ties and suit pants.

What kind of personal items should I bring that I can't find in Japan?

You should bring anything special that you use on a daily basis because you probably won't find it here or it'll cost you much more. For instance, bring vitamins or prescription drugs or any special make-up, contact wash, shampoo or personal hygiene products you think you might miss. Chances are you won't find the same brand here. However, you can find most things that you need here, so just pack the things that might make you feel more comfortable or at home here. Also, bring some good books if you like to read, the selection and the price of English books around here can't compete with home. If you have big feet, you might find it difficult to find large size shoes here!

What important documents should I bring?

Don't forget your international driver's license. You must get it in your own country before coming to Japan. It's best to bring your original license, too. You might want to get a Japanese license if you stay in Japan longer than one year. To apply for that you'll need to show your original driver's license. Bring any important medical information, such as pertaining to allergies, medication or history that might be useful to know if you have any problems here. Also, bring your original diploma and resume. You will need them to renew your visa.

How do I obtain a working visa and how long does it take?

Helena will take care of your application procedure. We will need a signed contract, photographs and your original university diploma when we leave the visa application. A copy of the diploma is not accepted. You will get your original diploma back but the officials require it be shown to them at the time we submit the application. Obtaining a working visa can take up to a few months!

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