Japanese Teaching Assistant

Amherst has taken a leadership role among highly selective liberal arts colleges and universities in successfully diversifying the racial socioeconomic and geographic profile of its student body. The College is similarly committed to enriching its educational experience and its culture through the diversity of its faculty administration and staff.

Job Description:

Amherst College invites applications for the Japanese Teaching Assistant position. The Japanese Teaching Assistant is 35 hours per week for the academic year 15 hours per week for 10 weeks over the summer fulltime $20.56 $30.00/hour commensurate with experience. Given Amhersts distinction as one of the most diverse liberal arts colleges in the country the successful candidate will demonstrate the ways in which they bring value to and will work towards supporting a broadly diverse community.

Summary of Duties and Responsibilities

The Japanese Teaching Assistant will support faculty members in the delivery of undergraduate courses by assisting with instruction grading student engagement and administrative tasks.

Students who take Japanese courses meet for more than regular class hours per week because it takes longer for them to learn Japanese compared to European languages. Each Japanese language instructor teaches three courses per semester so they need assistance for their courses especially for speaking. We offer multiple levels of Japanese language courses and the assistant helps with courses of all levels.

The Japanese language program is involved with many Japanrelated events per year. Because of the historical relation between Amherst and Doshisha University we often have visitors from Doshisha and other parts of Japan. The assistant is occasionally asked to help with these events as well. The department also manages the Japanese garden (Blevel of Webster); we hire one or two students to regularly clean the garden. The assistant is occasionally asked to supervise these students. The department also manages the oncampus apartment for the Doshisha faculty. The assistant may be asked to help with visitors from Doshisha especially when they do not speak English.

Instructional Support:

• Assist the lead instructor with classroom activities including facilitating discussions leading study groups or hosting review sessions.
• Provide additional support to students who need help understanding course material.

Student Engagement:

• Hold regular office hours to provide additional support and guidance to students outside of scheduled class time.
• Facilitate communication between the students and the lead instructor. Course Administration:
• Manage courserelated materials on learning management systems by uploading class materials and assignments
• Help organize and maintain student records and attendance logs.
• Assist with the preparation and distribution of course materials and resources.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelors Degree in relevant field (linguistics Japanese)
• 13 year of experience
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to explain complex concepts clearly and effectively.
• Excellent organizational and timemanagement abilities.
• Proficiency in using learning management systems (LMS) and other educational technologies.
• Ability to work with diverse groups of students and adjust teaching methods to accommodate various learning styles
• Successful completion of required reference and background checks.

Preferred:

• Previous experience in teaching tutoring or mentoring. Native or nearnative Japanese language proficiency.

Amherst College offers many opportunities for professional growth and development continued learning and career advancement.

Amherst College is pleased to provide a comprehensive highly competitive benefits package that meets the needs of staff and faculty and their families. Benefits are an important part of our overall compensation so it is critical that you review all of the options to ensure it meets your total compensation requirements. Click here for Benefits Information.

Interested candidates are asked to submit a resume and cover letter online at Please be sure to upload all requested documents prior to clicking Submit. Applications cannot be revised once submitted. (Current employees and students should apply by clicking on the Jobs Hub icon from their Workday home screen) Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.