The JET Program: Teaching English in Japan

I'll be taking a break in my narrative this week to talk about an important bit of information for recent college graduates interested in traveling to Japan and working there as an English teacher. My first thoughts when I got back home after spending nearly a year in Japan were immediately of ways that I could get back. I enjoyed my first experience so much and met so many incredible people that I could not imagine a future where I didn't get to visit such a great country ever again. One of the first methods I am planning on pursuing is rather common and that is to return to the country to teach English in Japanese public schools.

One of the more well-known programs which facilitates such opportunities is the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program, better known as JET. The JET program seeks to foster better international relations with Japan through foreign language and culture education and establishing relationships between Japanese youths and foreign teachers in the same generation. People who are interested may apply to be either Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) or Coordinators for International Relations (CIRs). Most people are more familiar with the ALT aspect of JET, that is, the actual classroom teaching part of the program.

My goal is to become an ALT. I had several opportunities to work with Japanese students in a volunteer capacity, most often participating as part of
English lessons as a way for students to get a practical application of their language skills. These students ranged in age from preschoolers to second year high school students.

I thoroughly enjoyed the times getting to work with the kids, although I admit at times it was like pulling teeth getting them to speak English with me. They were delighted when I displayed my minimal skills in Japanese as a way to break the ice, but I can't say the same for our English conversations. As I would learn throughout my numerous experiences with Japanese students, they are very self-conscious of their English capabilities. On the occasions I was able to get them to talk, I found many of them were significantly better at English than I was at Japanese, but still felt too embarrassed to highlight their skills.

As an ALT, one is assigned to a local school district and will work under language consultants or Japanese teachers charged with foreign language instruction. Contracts vary between two and three years and teachers can be moved around to several different cities as need dictates. Duties for ALTs include assisting foreign language classes at the junior and high school level and foreign language activities at the elementary school level. Additionally, ALTs assist in preparing teaching materials for foreign language classes and may even assist in training foreign language teachers. ALTs also have a variety of duties related to extracurricular activities, including assisting in club activities, foreign language speech contests and participation in international exchange activities.

Japan has a fairly high demand for English-speaking educators, however this demand does not require these educators to have teaching degrees. Indeed, I had the opportunity to meet many JETs while in Japan and I don't recall one who was a teacher by trade, so it's a great opportunity for anyone with an interest in the country. The JET program is a great way to gain a greater understanding of Japanese culture as well as strengthen international relations with Japan. Applications for the 2015 JET program are set to be released soon can be found at their website, here.