HYOGO-KEN--Kobe University of Commerce announces an opening for a full-time gaikokujin kyoshi beginning April 1, 1999 to teach a variety of English language classes, including content-based seminars.

QUALIFICATIONS: MA in TESOL or related field, four years of university teaching experience (preferably in Japan), and a professional commitment to language education.

DUTIES: Teach an average of six 90-minute classes per week; attend departmental meetings; and assist in other matters.

SALARY AND BENEFITS: Variable, depending on age and qualifications; university health and retirement plan; travel and research allowance; and partial rebursement of moving. One-year contract, renewable by mutual agreement.

APPLICATION MATERIALS: Resume (in English) with photo attached and indicating whether positions are for full-time or part-time, with beginning and ending dates by month and year; copies of five academic publications, plus 200-word summaries of three of the publications; a one-page description of one lesson you that you thought went well. Send all application materials by post.

DEADLINE: November 10, 1998.

CONTACT: Professor Toru Imazawa, General Education Department, Kobe University of Commerce, 8-2-1 Gakkuen Nishimachi, Nishi-ku, Kobe 651-2197. Inquiries: Brian Bresnihan, same address

(Courtesy JALT's The Language Teacher Job Information Center, November 1998, pg 73)

Comment: Incomprehensible is the need for self-disclosure of beginning and ending dates--are employees supposed to decide their own term limitations? Moreover, for the degree of qualification and commitment they expect in this position--which would be demanding even for a regular Japanese-national full-time, tenured, post--a mere one-year contract (the same as any ole part-time position in Japan) is an affront.

And to make "a professional commitment to language education" part of the job qualifications? It would be nice if there was a demonstrated professional commitment on the part of the employer to the permanent job security of its full-time educators. That cannot be achieved through contracts.