26.4083, Jobs: English; Applied Linguistics; Language Acquisition; Text/Corpus Linguistics: Head of Curriculum, OKpanda

Wed Sep 16 14:17:43 UTC 2015

LINGUIST List: Vol-26-4083. Wed Sep 16 2015. ISSN: 1069 - 4875.

Subject: 26.4083, Jobs: English; Applied Linguistics; Language Acquisition; Text/Corpus Linguistics: Head of Curriculum, OKpanda

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Date: Wed, 16 Sep 2015 10:17:37
From: Adam Gries [adam at okpanda.com]
Subject: English; Applied Linguistics; Language Acquisition; Text/Corpus Linguistics: Head of Curriculum, OKpanda, New York, USA

University or Organization: OKpanda 
Job Location: New York, USA 
Web Address: http://okpanda.com/
Job Title: Head of Curriculum
Job Rank: Head of Curriculum; Other

Specialty Areas: Applied Linguistics; Language Acquisition; Text/Corpus Linguistics 

Required Language(s): English (eng)

Description:

What We Do

OKpanda is a venture funded (Eric Schmidt’s Innovation Endeavors, 500 Startups, Mitch Kapor etc.) live English learning platform intended to replace brick and mortar schools. The platform live video/voice lessons, instant messaging, and digital curricula and activities.

We target the $35 billion English learning space, 90% of whose revenues still go to brick and mortar language schools. Our focus is Japan, a huge market ($6B) with horrible learning outcomes.

In December 2013 we released our first product on Japan’s Apple App Store. Since then we have reached 1 million users, been featured as Apple App of the Year 2014 and achieved the #1 position in the education category for long periods.

By offering unique personalized learning paths through live-video classes and cutting edge digital curricula we maintain learner motivation while delivering an awesome learning experience. We are executing fast and looking for amazing people to join us.

The Role

You will lead the definition of our curriculum, teaching, content and digital tools, collaborating with top technical, product and design resources. Additionally you will have a budget to build out a team to achieve our objectives.

Pedagogy

- Articulate and marshal content development resources with allocated funds to deliver teaching outcomes
- Develop the guidelines for writing, editing, and QAing great content for our services
- Develop a framework for tagging English language learning content, online and in mobile applications
- Work with our Academic Advisor and thought leader, Prof. Karen Price (Boston University)

Digital Content Development

- Hire content production staff
- Brainstorm content ideas
- Use and help define our content management systems

General

- Participate in customer development and market research (including time on the ground in target markets such as Japan)
- Provide product input at all levels wherein pedagogy and language content are involved
- Collaborate with the Heads of Product, Design and Engineering
- Keep project documentation and training materials up-to-date

The Qualifications You Bring

- Experience conceptualizing and developing digital content for online/mobile learning modalities
- 1+ years ESL/EFL materials writing and editing experience
- 1+ year(s) EFL teaching experience. Having taught in Japan and/or other East Asian countries is a plus but not required.
- 1+ year(s) CMS experience, i.e. content entry, editing, data management
- Strong command of English grammar and usage, CERF
- Strong applied linguistics experience and a firm academic foundation
- Project management experience is a plus
- Bonus: East Asian language skills

While Working at OKpanda You Will

- Report directly to the CEO and work with brilliant, international, friendly people.
- Work full time at our Manhattan office conveniently located 2 blocks from Penn Station.
- Spend at least 1 month of the year working in Tokyo, all expenses paid, with the team.
- Enjoy competitive compensation, free healthy food at the office, health insurance, free gym membership and a great equity package.
- Be constantly challenged both operationally and intellectually. We are pushing the envelope on how learning happens and want you to have a seat at the table.
- Do something meaningful: For our students we offer a cheaper, more effective way to master a life changing skill and build new friendships. For our teachers, who are largely stay at home moms from all over the world, we offer lucrative employment with real impact.

Application Deadline: 16-Nov-2015 (Open until filled)

Email Address for Applications: adam at okpanda.com 
Web Address for Applications: https://jobs.lever.co/okpanda/8b5e1576-d811-439f-8974-c10cb78424b6 
Contact Information:
	CEO Adam Gries 
	Email: adam at okpanda.com 

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