ABOUT THE NEW SCHOOL MADURAI
The New School Madurai is a Waldorf-inspired learning community rooted in the belief that education must nourish the whole child — body, mind, and spirit. We sit in the heart of Tamil Nadu, a region with a rich cultural and linguistic heritage. Our primary school follows the ICSE curriculum, delivered through a pedagogical lens that values imagination, rhythm, beauty, and deep human connection. Every subject at our school — including language — is taught as a living, meaningful experience, not merely an academic exercise.
For us, Tamil is not simply a subject. It is the root from which our children grow.
POSITION OVERVIEW
We are looking for a Tamil Language Teacher who brings both scholarly grounding and genuine love for the language. This person will teach Tamil as a first or second language across pre-primary and primary classes, meeting the requirements of the ICSE board while bringing the warmth, creativity, and rhythm of a Waldorf-inspired approach to every lesson.
This is a role for a teacher who understands that language is not just grammar and vocabulary — it is story, song, image, and identity. You will be teaching children who are at the most formative stage of their relationship with Tamil, and your teaching will shape how they carry the language for the rest of their lives.
POSITION DETAILS
Position Title
Tamil Language Teacher – Pre-Primary & Primary
Classes
Pre-Primary and Primary (ICSE)
Reporting To
Primary Coordinator / Principal
Location
Madurai, Tamil Nadu
Employment Type
Full-time, Permanent
Working Hours
As per school timetable (Monday to Friday; alternate Saturdays)
Email to Apply
[email protected]
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
TEACHING & CURRICULUM
● Plan and deliver Tamil language lessons across pre-primary and primary classes in alignment with the ICSE curriculum framework
● Teach reading, writing, grammar, comprehension, and oral expression in an age-appropriate, engaging manner
● Bring Waldorf-inspired elements into Tamil instruction — oral storytelling, poetry, folk songs, seasonal rhythms, and imaginative language activities — especially in the early primary years
● Develop and adapt lesson plans that honour both ICSE board requirements and the school's holistic pedagogical values
● Integrate Tamil literature, folklore, poetry, and living cultural traditions into classroom learning
● Design assessments that are meaningful and child-centred, alongside required ICSE evaluations
● Maintain accurate student records — attendance, progress notes, and assessment documentation
STUDENT SUPPORT & RELATIONSHIPS
● Build warm, trusting relationships with students that support their confidence and love for the language
● Identify students who may need additional support in language learning and communicate proactively with the class teacher and Special Education team
● Differentiate instruction to meet the diverse learning needs within the classroom
● Encourage children to see Tamil as a language of beauty and pride — not merely an exam subject
COMMUNITY & COLLABORATION
● Participate actively in school festivals, cultural events, and community gatherings — particularly those that celebrate Tamil heritage
● Collaborate with class teachers, the primary coordinator, and specialist teachers in integrated planning
● Communicate regularly with parents about their child's progress in Tamil, including written reports each term
● Contribute to the school's language environment — classroom displays, library, poetry corners, and cultural celebrations
● Participate in staff meetings, professional development sessions, and school events as required
QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
Essential
● Bachelor's degree in any discipline; a degree in Tamil Literature or Language is an advantage but not a requirement
● B.Ed. or equivalent teacher training qualification; Tamil as a teaching subject is preferred but not mandatory for candidates with demonstrated language proficiency
● Deep proficiency in written and spoken Tamil — classical and modern — is essential, regardless of academic background
● Minimum 2 years of experience teaching Tamil in a primary school setting
● Familiarity with the ICSE Tamil curriculum or willingness to learn it quickly
● Ability to communicate in English for staff meetings, report writing, and parent communication
● Genuine warmth, patience, and joy in working with young children
Desirable
● Knowledge of Tamil literature, folk traditions, and classical arts
● Experience in a progressive, Waldorf, Montessori, or alternative school environment
● Ability to teach Tamil songs, rhymes, or performance poetry
● Familiarity with storytelling as a pedagogical tool
● Interest in or exposure to child development frameworks that go beyond rote learning
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We are not looking for someone who simply delivers lessons and marks papers. We are looking for a teacher who:
● Loves Tamil — its sounds, its stories, its heritage — and brings that love into the classroom
● Believes that every child can develop a genuine relationship with their mother tongue or second language
● Is creative and imaginative in their teaching — willing to use song, story, drama, and art as pathways into language
● Is patient and attentive with children who find language learning difficult
● Sees themselves as part of a school community, not just a subject specialist
● Is reflective about their practice and open to ongoing learning and growth
● Holds Tamil culture with pride and transmits that pride gently to their students
WHAT WE OFFER
● A deeply purposeful role in a school that treats language as the soul of education
● A warm, collaborative staff community with genuine mutual respect
● Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience
● Opportunities for professional development, including exposure to Waldorf language pedagogy
● A school rhythm that includes regular breaks and a sustainable pace of work
● The privilege of teaching in Madurai — a city where Tamil lives and breathes in every street
HOW TO APPLY
Please send your resume and a cover letter (in Tamil or English) telling us what Tamil means to you and how you bring it alive in the classroom. Send to:
[email protected]
Subject line: Application – Tamil Teacher – Pre-Primary & Primary
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a conversation and a short demonstration lesson. We welcome applications from experienced and early-career teachers alike, provided they bring genuine passion for Tamil language and children's learning.
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
