Frequently asked questions

YARUKI Switch Career is a recruitment and dispatch agency that hires for a variety of roles. 

We hire native English-speaking teachers and Japanese-speaking/bilingual staff for many of YARUKI Switch Group’s brands, including its English schools – i Kids Star, Kids Duo, Kids Duo International, and WinBe.

We also recruit for clients in industries such as tourism, hospitality, translation, and customer service.

Generally speaking:

・Initial application
・Video screening (depending on role)
・First interview (video call)
・Second interview (video call or in person)
・Official job offer
・Total expected hiring time: two weeks to a month

After you submit your online application, it will go through our screening process. Typically, we will contact successful candidates via email within five to 10 working days. While we sincerely appreciate all applications, only those candidates selected for interview will be contacted.

Yes, we require a minimum of a two-year associate degree if your visa status is one of the following:

・No Visa
・Tourist
・Instructor Visa
・Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services
・Working Holiday Visa

・Dependent Visa

No, if your visa status is one of the following:

・Japanese National
・Spouse or Child of a Japanese National
・Permanent Resident
・Long-Term Resident

We can begin the screening and interview process before your graduation. However, as the immigration office in Japan requires a copy of your degree for the visa application, we recommend that you apply no sooner than a month or two before your graduation date. Applying any sooner will not necessarily expedite the process.

For Native English Teacher positions, you must be a native-level speaker of English to apply. YARUKI Switch Group curriculums emphasize pronunciation and phonics practice. While we of course welcome English speakers from a variety of countries with varying dialects and accents, we ask that you can effectively teach and express these concepts in a phonetically natural English environment. Only applicants who can meet the highest standards of fluency will be considered.

If you are not a native English speaker, but have at least an N2-level proficiency in Japanese, you may be interested in Japanese-speaking/bilingual positions. Check out the Japanese version of our website to learn more.

For jobs in other industries, different roles may have different requirements for English and Japanese abilities. Please see individual job postings to learn more.   

Yes, we do!

As a note for Kids Duo International and i Kids Star: Due to the academic school year in Japan starting in April, most new teachers are hired between December and March, enabling them to complete training before the commencement of the school year.

Yes, there is mandatory training that typically occurs in the Kanto or Aichi regions. This includes lecture-based training as well as on-the-job training (OJT). All training is fully paid and accommodations are provided (if needed). As a note, there can be slight differences in training for teachers who will work in franchise locations.

We offer sponsorship to successful candidates who meet the requirements of the Japanese Immigration Department. Please note there are important considerations for candidates who are looking to hold a company-sponsored visa.

While Japanese language skills are an asset, they are not required for teaching roles.

Teaching experience or experience working with children (e.g., through coaching, child care, or organizing activities) will strengthen your application, but it is not required.

YARUKI Switch Group has approximately 2,400 schools all across Japan! Check out our jobs page to learn which schools are currently hiring.

Yes, we welcome applications from candidates who are currently in Japan as well as overseas.

Occasionally we may have part-time roles, but the vast majority of our positions are full-time.

We do our best to match candidates with their preferred locations. Because we have schools across the country, we can often accommodate location preferences. However, placement depends on several factors, such as current school openings and the types of schools you’re interested in. While we aim to place you where you want to work, we can’t guarantee specific locations.

If you are residing overseas, the visa process can take approximately two or three months. Applying three or four months in advance of your planned employment start date is recommended.

We offer one-year renewable contracts. There is no limit to the number of times a contract can be renewed. Because YARUKI Switch Group offers opportunities for raises and promotions, many teachers do achieve permanent positions.

・Kids Duo: Nine hours (which includes one-hour break). Shifts generally occur between 9:00 to 20:00 from Monday to Friday. A typical shift is from 11:00 to 20:00.

・WinBe: Eight hours (which includes 45-minute break). Shifts are usually 12:00 to 20:00 Tuesday through Friday and 10:00 to 18:00 on Saturday.

・Kids Duo International & i Kids Star: Nine hours (which includes one-hour break), typically Monday through Friday. Regular working hours are 8:30 to 17:30.

*On occasion, teachers need to work on school or company events that fall on a Saturday, Sunday, or national holiday. Depending on the school shift, teachers might be asked to work overtime in the mornings or evenings.

・Kids Duo: Three to 12 years old.

・WinBe: Three to 14 years old.

・Kids Duo International & i Kids Star: Two to six years old.

This depends on the brand:

・Kids Duo: the number of students will differ based on the number of students at the school and the school’s schedule. An average school has approximately 30 to 40 elementary students per day.

・WinBe: Classes range from one to six students.

・Kids Duo International & i Kids Star: Up to 30 students as that is the maximum classroom capacity.

Yes, depending on the brand, teachers typically wear a branded polo shirt or dress in business attire (suit with a jacket). Check out our job requirements page for more considerations. 

The foundation of every Kids Duo International or i Kids Star class is our strong curriculum. It is based on the American Common Core Standards and the English Early Years Foundation Stage Standards to ensure that students work on achieving appropriate goals.