The Ames International Partner City Association is looking for someone to teach English in Japan.

“In January, we need a woman to replace Pam Dinsmore, who just finished her tour,” Keith Whigham, president of the association, said.

The woman will be an assistant to a professional Japanese English teacher for one year. The contract is renewable based on evaluation and willingness to stay.

To be eligible for the program this year, the person must be a female under 30 years of age, have a four- year degree in any major, have a sound knowledge of English pronunciation and grammar and have a healthy interest in Japanese culture, Whigham said.

The salary is equivalent to about $36,000 per year and the Japanese will pay for the round-trip air fare.

The Partner City Association was started in the early 1990s to form a bond between cities in different countries.

The first partnership agreement was signed in 1993 with Enzan City, Japan, as the first partner city for Ames. Enzan City is about 70 miles west of Tokyo.

Enzan City chose Ames as a partner because some people from there had previously visited Ames and enjoyed the town, Whigham said.

“We were interested in establishing a linkage between Ames and a city in Yaminashi, which is a sister state to Iowa,” Whigham said.

In an effort to continue relations with Enzan City, there will also be a group of volunteers traveling from Ames to Enzan next August, he said.

This trip is funded entirely by the volunteers and they stay in different people’s homes in Japan. Mayor Larry Curtis went with the group in 1993.

The association alternates exchanges of teachers between the United States and Japan.

Whigham said he needs to start interviewing prospective teachers by the beginning of November.

Frank Schabel, an assistant professor at Iowa State whose son, Brad, was involved in the program, said it is a “phenomenal opportunity.”

His son was a tutor in English at the three junior highs in Enzan City. He stayed in Japan from August 1992 until August 1996 because he enjoyed the program so much, Schabel said.

Schabel said approximately 10,000 English speaking Americans are teaching or working at corporations in Japan.

Schabel’s son is now traveling in South America and was unavailable for comment.

Pam Dinsmore, who just returned in August from teaching, said moving overseas was the most challenging thing she ever did, but also the most rewarding.

“I helped with lesson plans, and I also taught some classes. I taught the children about the United States, and specifically Iowa,” Dinsmore said.

Dinsmore said she brought in compact discs for the kids to listen to so they could hear American music.

“It’s a great opportunity to learn about a distinct culture in the world,” Whigham said. “Many of our people develop long-term friendships in Japan.”

Those interested in the program should contact Keith Whigham at 294-1677.