Teacher of Mandarin Chinese (with Japanese for KS3) - August 2025 start

Reports to: Director of Languages (Subject Leader of Japanese)

Responsibilities: Teaching Mandarin Chinese to secondary school students (Y10-Y13) and delivering Japanese as a language acquisition subject (Y7-Y9). In addition, carrying out the role of tutor plus delivering sessions within the BST Explore and extracurricular programmes.

The Languages Department

The Languages Department consists of eleven teachers and includes Spanish, French and Japanese. The KS3 curriculum is internally constructed and prepares students for KS4 and KS5 study where we currently offer Edexcel IGCSE French and Spanish and GCSE Japanese at KS4 and AQA A Level French and Spanish and Edexcel A Level Japanese at KS5.

However, in 2025 BST will begin the transition to IBDP for Years 12 and 13. Results in external examinations are highly impressive across KS4 and 5 in terms of attainment and progress. Students in recent years have gone on to study language-related courses at a range of top universities in the UK, Japan and many other countries.

The role would suit an enthusiastic teacher or current subject leader with a passion for Mandarin Chinese who can help us grow our Chinese language provision, and who cares about the holistic development of the students. We are looking for someone who understands the use of effective research-informed pedagogical strategies, has extensive subject knowledge to facilitate challenge for all students and experience with teaching mixed ability classes. The ideal candidate would also be able to offer Japanese as a language acquisition course for KS3 students.

We are looking for a motivated candidate to develop and resource the curriculum for Mandarin Chinese (ab initio) and Mandarin Chinese IGCSE. This role will start in Term 3 so we are ready to deliver these programmes from the start of the new school year in August 2025.

Key Areas of Responsibility

Outstanding Leadership

• To work with the Director of Languages to provide a clear vision and strategy for the delivery of Mandarin Chinese throughout the School
• To lead and develop the teaching and learning of Mandarin Chinese to ensure excellent opportunities and outcomes for all students.
• To determine, organise and implement a diverse, flexible, challenging and differentiated curriculum and to ensure an effective assessment framework is implemented.
• Use relevant data to monitor progress, set targets for all students in the department.
• Monitor individual student achievement and respond accordingly.
• To ensure student leadership opportunities are prevalent throughout the department
• To keep up to date with general and department based pedagogical approaches to teaching and learning, actively implementing them where appropriate including the delivery of CPD to those within and outside of the department.
• To provide regular progress updates to the Director of Languages to ensure they are fully aware of all successes, issues and concerns in the subject area.

Exceptional Teaching and Learning

• Be an exemplary teacher and lead by example, clearly demonstrating effective planning, teaching organisation, and demanding high standards of attainment and behaviour in all lessons.
• Use evidence-informed strategies to plan and deliver lessons that promote progress and challenge for all students.
• Guide students to reflect on the progress they have made and their emerging needs.
• Give students regular feedback, both orally and through accurate marking, and encourage students to respond to the feedback.
• Have a secure knowledge of the relevant subject(s) and curriculum areas, foster and maintain students’ interest in the subject, and address misunderstandings.
• Have high expectations of behaviour, and establish a framework for adhering to the schools code of conduct.
• Contribute to the relevant sections of the school’s evaluation and improvement documentation.
• Attend and participate in regular meetings.
• Take responsibility for improving teaching through appropriate professional development, responding to advice and feedback from colleagues.

Other roles

• Run, or assist in running, extra-curricular and service activities.
• Deliver assigned Wednesday afternoon BST Explore sessions, Duke of Edinburgh or Life Skills.
• Complete duties around the school in accordance with the weekly Duty Rota.
• Attend, and take an active part in, residential curriculum trips as part of the BST Outdoors programme.
• Lead a tutor group as part of our pastoral system.
• Make a positive contribution to the wider life and ethos of the school.
• Communicate effectively with parents with regard to students’ achievements and well-being.
• Treat students with dignity, building relationships rooted in mutual respect.
• Have regard for the need to safeguard students’ well-being, in accordance with the schools provision.
• Other reasonable requests made by the Head of the Secondary School and Senior Leadership Team.

How to Apply

Please see the full job description, and apply via our website directly via the following link: Teacher of Mandarin Chinese and Japanese 

Closing date for applications: November 4th 2024

The British School in Tokyo welcomes applications from suitably skilled applicants from all backgrounds.

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check or International Child Protection Check, and provision of satisfactory background checks for at least the past 5 years.

Further information about the school is available on the School’s website www.bst.ac.jp