The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program(JET), is a multi-national government-sponsored placement scheme that seeks to enhance the country’s English language education system through bilateral exchanges between 70 English-speaking participating countries from around the world.
Those who participate in the program find placement either as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) in any one of Japan’s 47 prefectures, as a Coordinator of International Relations(CIR), or as a Sports Exchange Advisor(SEA) in the public school system.
Here they work together with a Japanese Teacher of English(JTE) to teach English lessons to students in middle school, high school, and elementary schools.
This is an amazing teaching and exchange program, especially for those who wish to live and teach in Japan and love mentoring or teaching children. So let’s take a closer look at JET to help you decide if living and teaching in the” Land of the Rising Sun” makes sense for you.
Key Responsibilities for an ALT Teacher
The primary task of an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) is to work in tandem in a class led by a JTE in any of the following ways:
- Offer help in the preparation of teaching materials
- Organizing cultural and international exchange programs
- Planning for extracurricular activities for the students such as sports or an English Club and supervising the same
Eligibility Requirements
The applicant must be willing to deepen their knowledge and appreciation of Japan after they arrive in the country.
They must be motivated to promote as well as participate in international exchange activities within the local community and also strive to study the Japanese language, both before and after coming to the country.
The applicant should also be physically and mentally healthy and be willing to adapt to the living and working conditions in Japan and hold the responsibility to complete their period of participation.
The applicant should be qualified as a language teacher with a Bachelor’s degree or higher in English or Education and be strongly motivated to take part in the teaching of foreign languages.
Following the Dress Code
ALT teachers are expected to wear formal business attire while in the classroom.
This could be a suit for men and a skirt or pantsuit for women. Visible tattoos need to be covered and the hair should be neat clean and free from dye
Housing
Housing is not an automatic inclusion in the benefits of a JET program, so carry several thousand dollars of your savings as you will be responsible for paying rent and utilities as a start-up cost before you receive your first salary check. However, your school will arrange suitable accommodation for you.
Benefits of the JET Program
If housing is not included, many wonder about the other benefits they will receive from the JET program while working as an ALT. Here are some of them:
- Competitive salary with a guaranteed increase every year and stable daytime working hours
- Two-way flight reimbursement from Japan
- Insurance cover for health, pension, accident and employment
- Free online Japanese lessons from the beginning to the advanced stage
- Ongoing training throughout the program
- Post-JET workshops and conferences to support future career prospects
Final Thoughts
Whether the JET program is worth it depends entirely on your expectations and goals in life. If teaching kids excites you and living in a different culture than your own is of interest, then the JET program can be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you and something well worth the effort.
If you step into the experience with a positive attitude you will always be able to punch above your weight and find something you like even when the odds are stacked against you.
