File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
Has anyone here any experience with the JET programme? It basically enables you to teach your native language in Japan for 1-5 years.

I'm seriously considering this. I'm a teacher to be for English and French from Germany and when I'll be graduating in two or three years, I'll have teaching experience in Germany, France and the US. I also got basic knowledge in Japanese, that is Level 4 of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, possibly Level 3 until I'm actually graduating.

I heard that a lot of US citizens choose to teach English in Japan and I'd be glad to hear from some of you guys about your teaching experience in Japan. Would you say that a resume with some teaching references is useful when it comes to the application or doesn't it matter anyway?
>> Anonymous
I almost applied 2 years ago, but my parents told me not to. Still living at home, still curious about JET...
>> Anonymous
>>46522
I will be doing this whence I graduate. But I will not be a ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) which is what you are when you "teach" in Japan with the program. I'm going to do the HARDCORE one where I translate and interpret for the county ^_^
>> Anonymous
>>46532
>>whence
You should not be teaching English
>>^_^
Do not go to Japan
>> Anonymous
I'm applying after I graduate college since I want to be a teacher or translator/interpreter with Japanese and English. I'll probably apply for ALT instead of CIR, though, to get some teaching experience as well as speaking. Does anyone know of a similar programme that exists with China? I'm dual-majoring in Japanese and Mandarin Chinese and would love to go to China as well.
>> Anonymous
>>46522
it probably doesn't matter or it hurts. if you have that level of experience you're probably better off getting a private gig in japan.
>> Anonymous
>>46522
Levels 3 and 4 of the jlpt are worthless.
>> Anonymous
>>46522
I've been accepted to JET and will be leaving for Japan this Saturday. I've also lived in Japan for a year when I studied abroad. Over all, it seems like a great, cushy, government sponsored program.

Teaching experience can't hurt. Any specific questions?
>> Anonymous
>>46597
not the OP

any idea how competitive the app process is?
I'm thinking of doing it after I graduate and i want to know if i should get off my ass and go join clubs/be a volunteerfag
>> Anonymous
Britfag ESL teacher and trainee State Primary teacher checking in here.

I've looked at, and been tempted by, ESL organisations in Japan before. I'm considering going with one for a while when I've finished my NQT year. How is JET any different? I hear people, especially Americans, talk about it all the time, but I've never really researched it.
>> Anonymous
>>46607
It's actually pretty competitive. I think traditionally about 1/4 of those that applied accepted but with in increasing weeaboo levels I believe it was around 1/8 this year. So yes, join the Japanese club, volunteer for some ESL tutoring at your uni (as a bonus, bang the foreign girls), travel to Japan or at least somewhere abroad if you can. Make sure your interest in Japan comes off as normal cultural stuff (green tea/history/onsens lol) and just generally really take care with the application. If you do all that, I'd say you have a really good shot.
>> Anonymous
>>46615
JET isn't a business but rather a gov sponsored program where you teach in a regular Japanese public school. The pay and benefits are a good deal better than English Language Schools. Of course, JET is a lot more competitive and it's more likely you'll be placed somewhere rural than with a language school.
>> Anonymous
do you need to know japanese before going?

Some would be good but nowhere does it say it is nessisary.
>> Anonymous
If I graduated from college over a year ago, do I still have a chance of getting in?
>> Anonymous
>>46642
No Japanese necessary. Of course, it helps your chances if you can show that you're interested in Japanese culture and language.

Also leaving this Saturday with JET...
>> Anonymous
>>46653
Yes, they don't want oldfags but if you're under 30 you'll be fine.
>> Anonymous
What was that one program where the teachers were forever trapped in Japan because most of the money you made went to rent for the company dormitories you had to live in?
>> Anonymous
http://www.gaijinsmash.net/

personal account. don't email him. Enjoy kancho.
>> Anonymous
>>46607
Depends on your home region. Places like Chicago are very competitive, whereas a sparsely popuated area, like Alaska, won't be very competitive at all.
>> Anonymous
JET is the biggest program, but you're almost always guaranteed to be put in some inaka somewhere. There are a lot of other programs that will get you put in Chiba or Saitama at the very least.
>> Anonymous
OP here. Can't you choose the region you want to stay in? I went to the JET homepage or something and I saw a map with different regions in Japan that you could choose from. Of course there's probably no guarantee, but at least there's a slight chance of getting a region you like. But then again, I'll be teaching in France in about two months and I got fucked pretty bad when I expected to go the region I actually chose.
>> Anonymous
>>46619

Guy you responded to here. That sounds pretty sweet for me, especially since I actively WANT a rural placement. (Gifu, Kyushu or Hokkaido would be preferable.)

I'm considering doing some work for the British Council abroad, because they seem to be interested in people with a PGCE/CELTA combo, which I'll have. But it's nice to know JET is there.
>> Anonymous
>>46673
No, JET is not a company but a government program and you are given your own apartment which is either free or subsidized. Also you're paid ~$36,000 a year tax free making it more like $45,000 if it wasn't tax free.
>> Anonymous
>>46696
With JET it's pretty hard to be placed somewhere around Tokyo but with a little thought in your placements you should be able to get somewhere within 30mins by train (i.e. a suburb) of Osaka or Kyoto.
>> Anonymous
>>46701
Are you the Anon who was assigned to Lorraine ? pas de bol mec.
>> Anonymous
With JET, quite a few of the placements are rural, but you can be placed in a decent-sized city, especially if you request a less popular one.

I asked for Kyoto, Sendai, and Sapporo in that order, and they gave me Koriyama (350 000 people). I'm just happy that I actually got a city, and if I had known that Koriyama existed before applying, I might have requested it on my application.

The crappy thing is, you have to accept your position a few months before they tell you where your placement is. So it takes someone who's willing to be flexible.
>> Anonymous
>>46815
You can always just drop out after you get your placement if you really hate it. A bit of a dick move but there are no consequences for it (besides not being able to reapply the following year).
>> Anonymous
So you would say that the chances of getting Tokyo or Kyoto are quite slim? What about Okinawa? It's kinda rural, but I bet many people want to go there.
>> Anonymous
>>47112
I think Okinawa is actually pretty popular. If you want Kyoto, research some town in Shiga prefecture that's ~30mins by train to Kyoto and ask for it. You'll likely get it.
>> Anonymous
I am trusting that this is not OP who thinks he'll get a translating job when he has a JLPT level 4 or 3 knowledge of Japanese, right? Why do so many weeaboos think they're going to get a job in Japan other than the obvious one that has been set aside for 20-something blonde weeaboos?
>> Anonymous
OP again. No, I'm not of these guys. I just wanted to take part in the teaching program, for which you officially don't need to know any Japanese at all. I know that JLPT 3 and 4 won't help anything if you want a translation job, but that's not what I'm up to. I want to teach German and possibly English. In this case, I guess that levels 3 and 4 at least prove that you put some effort in learning the language and that you might be capable of at least coping with basic everyday situations.
>> Anonymous
>>47402
I don't believe JET hires anyone to teach any language besides English. I know that there are a few JETs selected from Germany each year to teach English. I imagine it's very competitive.

Some private schools teach both French and German, with French being a bit more popular. So that's always a possibility.
>> Anonymous
I actually read on some kinda homepage that they're gonna start a program for German.

I mean, I could also teach English and French even though I'm no native speaker of these two languages, but I'm definitely proficient enough to teach it to Japanese folks and I can officially prove it.

By the way, I always thought German was the second most popular foreign language in Japan next to English. Isn't that true anymore?
>> Anonymous
>>47428
tried searching for ????????????but didn't really get relevant results. After English I'm pretty sure it's French then German then either Spanish or Italian. Although Chinese is on the rise and if it hasn't passed Spanish and Italian yet, it soon will.
>> Anonymous
>>46607

It's getting more and more competitive because while there's still loads of people applying, less and less positions are available each year. JET is losing contracts to private ALT dispatch companies because it's more expensive. Also, JETs don't get properly trained, and because they're provided by the government it's almost impossible for schools to get rid of them if they're shit.

JET is paid well though, so go for it if you can.

On the downside, much less holiday than with other ALT companies, and the holiday is often harder to take.
>> Anonymous
>>47769

What are you talking about? ALTs are on fucking CONSTANT vacation as far as I'm concerned.

signed,
disgruntled eikaiwa worker
>> Anonymous
>>47777

I know ALTs get a lot of holiday compared to eikaiwa, but JETs often get less compared to other non-JET ALTs.

For example I am a (non-JET) ALT, and I have about 2 months off this summer, while the JETs have to go and sit in their BoE offices doing nothing.
>> Anonymous
>>46549
2 too, and 1 is questionable. We have a guy in my company who managed to pass JLPT 1 who can barely communicate in the language.
>> Anonymous
>>47440
English > Chinese > Spanish > French = German.
>> Anonymous
>>47788
Vacation time depends entirely on the board of education that employs the JET. Some JETS don't have to go into the office when the kids are on holidays, and some do.

Overall though, I'd say JETs get a pretty sweet deal with pay, perks, and vacation time.
>> Anonymous
>>47799
Chinese is the second most popular foreign language in Japan ? Given how bad they are at pronouncing English i wonder how they perform with a phonetically much more complex language like Mandarin.
Also i never realized Spanish had become more popular than French and German in Japan, is it a recent trend ?
>> Anonymous
http://www.youtube.com/user/tokyocooney

This dude has been in Japan for awhile and has some useful links for weeaboo's like you
>> Anonymous
Now say if I were to request some more distant locale such as in Shikoku or Kyushu, how would that go? I'm only JLPT 4.
>> Anonymous
>>48161
JLPT doesn't really matter for the ALT position. I'm sure it helps as far as showing your interest in Japan, but it's not a deal breaker (unlike in the CIR position). As far as placement goes, there's a table in the back of the General Information Handbook with stats on how many people were placed where. I'm guessing you'll have better chances of being placed where you want if it's kind of obscure and they place a lot of people there...It's what I'm planning on doing anyway.
>> Anonymous
>>48171
Sorry, I meant the program pamphlet.

http://www.jetprogramme.org/documents/pubs/2007%20pamphlet_e.pdf
>> Anonymous
To teach my native language? How much do you think I'd earn teaching finnish?
I didn't read the thread, and sage is to avoid bumbing old thread.
P.S. This post has no reason to exist.
>> Anonymous
>>48518
There were a surprisingly high amount of women interested in learning Finnish when I was living in Kyoto, but maybe they just had bad taste in men and wanted my cock. If they did, damn, I missed out on lot of pussy.
>> Anonymous
I'm finally here on JET now. They seem to make quite a big deal of ALTs in my small town. I've met the mayor and been treated extremely well and received plenty of free meals and food stuffs so far. I believe I'm the only Westerner in my small town; it should be a great experience. Luckily, for sanity's sake I'm only 90 minutes (by cheap express train) outside of Osaka.
>> Anonymous
I've been in Toyama for ... well I guess I've just started my fifth year. Living here is good, but I'm getting tired of the job. It's ridiculous and everyone I teach with is a fucking imbecile.
>> Anonymous
Just started as a JET myself and it seems like a great gravy train job but I wouldn't want to do it for more than 3 years. What are you doing on your fifth year? If you like Japan so much, you should really have moved on to a real career a couple of years ago. Luckily I've already got 2kyuu so the transition after a couple years of JET shouldn't be bad.
>> Anonymous
Assistant teacher must be a pretty embarrassing job.
Seriously, teaching english can't be that hard.
>> Anonymous
>>50026
I feel bad for the few 30+ year olds I see. Absolutely nothing embarrassing about making ~$36,000 tax free for a easy/sometimes fun job for a couple years straight out of college.
>> Anonymous
>>50029
Well, it's not the money you earn, but are you really necessary? I mean, what do you do, just sit in a chair in front of the class while the actual teacher does her job?
>> Anonymous
>>50030
Teach listening and speaking because most of the "real" Japanese teachers of English have shit speaking skills and awful accents. Also, simply giving an actual foreigner to talk to motivates some children to care about English, of course many still don't give a fuck. The actual most important thing is internationalization. It sounds fucking cliche but it's true many JETs are placed in suburban or rural areas where they are the only Westerners. Many Japanese have interactions with foreigners that wouldn't otherwise.
>> Anonymous
>>50026
Kind of hard when you DON'T SPEAK JAPANESE
>> Anonymous
I know Japanese fairly well. Would I be better off doing something different?

(Not the OP, just planning on applying after I get my Bachelor's.)
>> Anonymous
>>50018
I don't have business-level Japanese. Can I talk to people, and understand what people say? Yes, i'm far beyond "Survival Japanese". Am I good enough to work in a typical office? No, and corporate culture is bullshit. I want to stay in Japan because I like it here, but I don't want to be a whitey salaryman.
>> the fucking nigger that posts on /k/
DONT DO JET. Overworked and Underpaid in some hovel in a rice paddy.

1 out of 5 people decide they want to live in japan forever, the other 4 never want to go again.
>> Anonymous
>>50180
this depends. underpaid, yes, my position is being paid the same as it was in 1987. GIVE ME A COST OF LIVING RAISE FUCKWADS. overworked? Not in my case, though i know some people are. (shrug) JET's not a standard experience -- there's lots of variables, so no one really has the same experience. It's difficult to make across-the-board generalizations.
>> Anonymous
May I ask the people who are actually doing JET now what kinda diploma or major they have and why they chose to do JET instead of working at home?
>> Anonymous
>>50360
I haven't done it, but I believe the diploma requirements are just a bachelors in anything.

Why do JET instead of staying home? Ask a weaboo.
>> Anonymous
>>50360
you just need a bachelors. doesn't matter in what. I have a history degree. my focus was east asia. (shrug)
>> Anonymous
I wanted to know what you majored in not because I think it's obligatory or whatever, but to see what kinda background you have and what kinda person you are.
>> Anonymous
>>50360
Signing up fairly soon.

Engineering/Business major. Want to go to another country on someone else's dime.
>> Anonymous
>>50360

Japanese/Chinese/Teaching/Business(?) here. I'll be applying for JET in a couple of years, but I have no idea what to do when I'm done.

I'm thinking about moving to Norway, but I don't know if I'd be able to get a job teaching any of the languages I know there...
>> Anonymous
I just found out I have a week of summer leave making 5 weeks total. Sure beats the two weeks most of my friends in the states are getting.
>> JET types Anonymous
Which one of these faggots do you want to be?

The Rebel Without a Clue - This wacky guy has failed to acculturalize in any way, shape, or form. Rather than carve himself out a life in Japan that gives him some pleasure or going home, he spents all of his free time bitching and moaning about everything that is wrong with Japan (which is basically everything in his eyes). And so the only outlet for his pent-up aggression ends up being making wacky spectacles of himself in public, usually drunkenly. This provides him with a nice circle of hangers-on who want to see what his next wacky act will be. Will he throw a bike at a garbage truck? Will he shout something in English at people on the street and then laugh at them because they don't understand? Anything is possible with this guy, 'cause he's so wacky! After he makes an ass of himself, expect him to brag about it to other gaijin on the internet.
>> JET types Anonymous
The "My Japanese Friends" Gaijin:
You know him (or her) because you work with them either in the same office, school, or town, generally tolerable, they usually are out with the group on weekend nights, until one Thursday when the
question so what's on this weekend is asked, to which they quickly and very loudly say so everyone hear's them, "I'd like to hang out with you guys this weekend, but my Japanese friends have invited me to do something Japanesy with them so I'll be with my Japanese friends, so that's what I am doing." this actually translated from the language of smug into English actually means, "hey loosers,I am more in with the local scene than you are and I look forward to not seeing you all weekend, and then on Monday tell you all about the authentic Japanese experience I had that you didn't."

Said individual usally not aware invititations to hang out with Japanese friends usually occur 2 to 3 weeks before the TOEIC,usually headed out to some starbucks or faux english pub to enhance their Japanese friends Status and will soon come back to gaijinland soon after test or Japanese Freind trip to gaikoku takes place.
>> JET types Anonymous
The My Japanese Girlfriend Gaijin:
Once again you work with them, usually you arrived with them in country at the same time too. After a weekend when they went MIA, they show up at the next social night out with Tomomi welded to his side. Immediately lets everyone know that this is Tomomi his Japanese Girlfriend, she smiles and gives the 100 yard stare because alas she speaks no English, but did a homestay in Mooseballs Canada for a month, and sometimes goes to eikawa at the school run by that creepy 50 year old who's been in Japan too long. The two are unseperable as this is his first girlfriend, and make their relationship official by wearing yukatas at the summer festival. Any time at work when Japanese news is discussed he starts his sentence by saying "well my Japanese girlfriend says..." to get some cred. What he doesn't know however is that Tomomi dated his predecessor and predecessors predecessor. Is most likely to go to Disney Sea with her on a romantic getaway from the inaka.
>> JET types Anonymous
The Know It All: Has a degree in Japanese/ Japanese Studies. Without even setting foot in country automatically knew everything about the way life is in Japan,upon arrival not afraid to let this be known as you generally get his culture lectures without asking. Also prone to correct your Japanese in public without being asked and will even offer tips on bowing properly and the like. Forsaking thier mother tongue this individual always speaks the orthodox version of Japanese they learned at some state University where they were an officer of the campus anime club, easily upset if asked to speak english. If in a situation that requires Japanese they will always raise thier voice anytime another foriegner walks in the rooms to establish teritory and language mastery. When describing weekend plans it usually involves "hanging out with some Japanese friends" as to put thier self-believed cultural assimilation in your face, reminding you that they unlike you are a part of Japan. Has read every translated version of Murakami and other modern authors so they can profess an superior cultural knowlege at the drop of a yen or the first moment when some newbie asks "what authors do you recomend?" Would wear thier JLPT score on a T-Shirt if allowed, instead works it into a conversation i.e. "Thier's a job I saw advertised in Gajinzine, it asks for a 3 level speaker but since I have a 2 I should be alright." Has the same girlfriend for entire time in Japan, doesn't know she dated his predecessor.
>> JET types Anonymous
Green Tea and Onsens:
Is the cultural version of the know it all, practices an obscure artform like blindfolded daikon arrangement that requires a formal 25 layer kimono to be worn while doing it. Did not come to Japan to hang out with other foriegners so when you see this individual it will be most likely at a cultural showcase event where they take more pride in pointing out that they are the only foriegner doing this rare art form then the piece they are presenting. If they have to attend an event with other gaijin they will scoff at thier fellow forigeners who aren't experiencing the real Japan, and say very little to them except to talk about life as a traditional Japanese artisan. While you may cringe at an all tatami room house with no insulation and squat toiliet, this is rustically authentic to them.
>> JET types Anonymous
The 20 year veteran (obnoxious) Has been in your town/prefecture forever and is usually invited to speak at welcome ceremonies for gaijin newbies where they start thier speech by saying something in the local ben, for 5 seconds they seem cool but then the reality that the individual is one of lifes big losers dawns on you. Normally found in prefectual capitals they originally came to teach eikawa, met a student, got married, got her pregnant (not in that order 98% of the time) and stuck around as they knew they could get no job back home and needed money now. With the boom opened own eikawa "let's english" and setteled into life. Constantly finds ways to reaffirm themself as town/prefectual gaijin, often forces way onto local radio and TV programs especially when it comes to a spot showcasing an "international couple" like a clown shucks and jives they do the same for the cameras talking about how things are done in thier native country without having lived thier for 18+ years, always praying that they can be the next david spector. decked out in the latest LL Sized fashions from Daiei, they are ready to dissaude any temporary gaijin from settling down in thier neck of the woods as "things aren't the way they used to be". Can often be found in the town Gaijin bar especially after the welcome ceremony speech trying to be cool and playing up the "i'm a local" factor, bragging about thier permanent residency while hitting on every girl present.
>> JET types Anonymous
20 year veteran (quiet guy) Came to teach eikawa, took University job and just stuck around, got married and had kids. Stopped speaking english at home about 8 years ago, his own kids don't even speak english. Grudgingly gives a hi I'm a foriegner who lives here too speech at the prefectural welcome ceremony every once in a few years, most fall asleep 1 minute into it. Pressured into wearing bright yellow windbreaker and acting as a translator at the town festival to show how international the town is. He's the "gaijin" locals talk about when they mention the guy who's been here forever to passing Gaijin. Will never return to mother country due to total assimilation in Japan.
>> JET types Anonymous
Travelling Book Writer:
Sample passage; I was walking through the hinterlands of the inland sea region where no foriegner really goes, starving after the 5 in the morning start from the quaint ryokan where the owners told me I was the first foriegner to stay there and took a picture with me to display for future guests to see, when I saw a traditional shokudo or eatery in the distance. I made my way there, opened the door and called out a greeting in the local language, the master turned around and was shocked to see a blond haired blue eyed gaijin speaking his local dialect. He then proceeded to cook me a traditional local dish of noodles in a soy based broth with sliced pieces of roast pork placed on top along with onions and a piece of seaweed. He proceeded to ask me about life in my native country which I answered him in my flawless Japanese, he continued filling my bowl with noodles, trying to continue the conversation.......

from Newsboy Mocks Japan, Oxford Press 2006
>> Anonymous
>>50975
Fuck, I know one of those.
>> Anonymous
>>47799
Hey, I know spanish AND english. I'd do well in that program.

Maybe later on in life, if it still exists..
>> Anonymous
>>50983
The program will be around for a long time. The number of ALTs placed in junior and senior high schools may continue to slowly shrink but most rural towns won't/can't take in upon themselves to privately recruit and employ ALTs like large cities such as Tokyo and Yokohama can.

Actually, in a couple years a new law comes into effect that mandates more elementary English education which may actually increase the number of JETs. None the less, I predict the program will continue to become harder to get into as the spots stay about constant and interest in Japan continues to rise.
>> Anonymous
just got back from a short student exchange in Osaka and had an incredibly amazing time. Right now I'm trying to figure out the best way to get back to Japan to have another non-touristy experience. Would JET be good for this?
The only problem is I figure the JET experience would be nothing like my homestay experience and would just give me the opportunity to live in Japan for awhile. No more wonderful host family and no cute female host student :( . Maybe I should just wait until college and try to get on a study abroad program for my nostalgia fix?
>> Anonymous
>>51035
You're not doing JET or any other job in Japan (legally) until you have at least a bachelors degree.

As someone who studied aboard in Japan and is now a JET, I would say that study aboard if you have the chance. JET is great but study aboard where you're with a host family, at a Japanese university, and with the chance to hang out with Japanese and foreign friends everyday is a once is a lifetime opportunity you won't be having you graduate.

That said, JET does have much more of a study aboard feel than an eikaiwa I would think. Many people are placed in semi rural areas where they are one of few foreigners and thus often given free food, invited to dinner at Japanese family's homes, etc. (Luckily many of these rural places are actually within an hour of a major city like Osaka as well if you want to escape.)
>> Anonymous
>>51112
Yea, I meant to add in that I was considering JET after college.

I pretty much figured a study abroad would be more entertaining then having a job there lol. I don't necessarily want to live there for an extended period of time, so I'll see how I feel after college.
Hijacking for a second here, did you stay with a host family or in dorms? I know that some programs do either one. I can imagine that staying in a dorm/apartment might be better for social/nightlife if I don't want to be a bother to the family.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
>> Anonymous
>>51121
I stayed in a regular apartment. Japanese universities mostly don't have dorms as students just stay in regular (small) apartments. I choose do so because I already had a short host family experience and I wanted total freedom in my social life. It was great, I went out drinking 3, 4 nights a week and got with plenty a j-girl until I (and I totally didn't plan on this) settled down with a j-girl I'm now engaged to and living with on JET.
>> Anonymous
>>51136
why the fuck are you even on 4chan?
>> Anonymous
>>51157
thanks for the advice anon. Your situation seems remarkably similar to mine (alrdy did my short homestay, and then hopefully I'll do an abroad or JET or both). I think I'm gonna shoot for the study abroad for now in college and see where I am after that for JET. Grats on the marriage :).

Just curious, what's your speaking proficiency?
>> Anonymous
2kyuu and my finacee's English is comparable to my Japanese. Although we speak mostly in Japanese.
>> Anonymous
Here's a question: how does a year away at JET look on a resume, assuming you're not going into teaching?
>> Anonymous
>>51189
Shit, I'd assume, as far as "work experience" goes. Possibly brownie points for "working in stressful situation", "coping with new situations" character bonuses though.
>> Anonymous
>>51189
For a non teaching job it's all about how you sell it and how good you are at selling it. It should be noted that as far as grad school etc academics actually look pretty highly upon JET.
>> Anonymous
>>46530
lol nigger
>> Anonymous
>>51189
If you want to stay in Japan or work for a Japanese company back home, it's quite good. In Japan there is a job fair specifically for finishing JETs with companies like Sony, Square Enix, Mitsubishi etc. Back in the US, and I assume other countries, Japanese job placement agencies like Persona recruit former JETs. Basically, rather than any real hard skills these companies just want some native English speakers with good Japanese ability that have some experience working in a Japanese office environment (which a Board of Education/public school is).

They don't really give a fuck you've taught English but rather that you've been in an environment where the norm is showing up 10 minutes early and leaving a bit late. Saying Ohayo gozaimasu 20 times in the morning and osaki ni shitsureishimasu 20 times when you leave, etc.
>> Anonymous
/jp/
>> Anonymous
>>51727
this is a thread about working in japan. people in /jp/ don't leave mom's basement.
>> Anonymous
>>47788
Yes, but non-JET ALTs don't get paid for their 2 months off in summer.
>> Anonymous
bump so /trv/ doesn't have to reiterate this buttload of information later.
>> Anonymous
>>46522
Do you need a doploma?
>> Anonymous
Four year bachelor's degree, yes.

Also, you need to speak English. Something which you, evidently, do not.
>> Anonymous
>>52862
Just go to collage
>> Anonymous
Hmm interesting and useful thread. I live in England will be starting the last year of my Bsc Computing degree in September and I am seriously considering applying for the JET programme at the end of next year.
>> Anonymous
Fairly helpful thread. It seems that it is all about attitude. Those with shitty attitudes have shitty experiences, and those with positive attitudes have better ones. Unless you really get fucked bad. Which I feel you can probably make the best of the situation.

My main concern is...What kind of factors make your stay not enjoyable? If I am going to be there for awhile, I am confident that I would make the best of it and have a good time. But some people seem so negative. So I wonder...what makes or breaks the deal? What screws you over so bad that you cannot have a good time even if you tried.

I find it hard to believe that the above situation is likely. But maybe some of you know more than I do. I have been to Japan twice and have had amazing times there. I cannot see being miserable, or unhappy. Not with an outgoing attitude at least.

Id like to hear more from those who are currently there, or have returned. Whats your take on it all?
>> Anonymous
Is it possible to apply for JET if you're a Japanese citizen? I have a dual citizenship.
>> Anonymous
>>52958
actually no--I just read in the brochure that if you have dual citizenship you have to renounce your Japanese citizenship before accepting :\. I don't have dual citizenship but it sure doesn't sound worth it to me...
>> Anonymous
>>52961
Shit, I guess I'll just get a regular job in Japan then. I'll be majoring in international business with a minor in Japanese + a 1 year study abroad in Waseda. You think I have a good chance?

oh, and I'm a Japanese native speaker.
>> Anonymous
>>52962
Do you really want a "regular" job in Japan? Considering your major, you'd end up as a salaryman and work shit hours for meager pay. Being a translator though wouldn't sound to bad since you're bilingual already and you'd be the perfect candidate for that it seems. I'd bet they'd drool over someone who A) Can speak both langauges fluently, B) is an international business major and C) spent a whole year studying at a Japanese university. You're golden.
>> Anonymous
>>52966
>>Considering your major, you'd end up as a salaryman and work shit hours for meager pay.

Wouldn't there some foreign relation sector or something I'd be able to work in with better pay? I mean, I know that salarymen don't usually make a bunch of money but I'd have thought international dealings meant mucho $$$. Maybe I'll work for an American company with a branch in japan instead...
>> Anonymous
>>51755
Last week I got my first check for ~$3,000 and I've only taught around 9 hours of class (actually quite enjoyable) for students that felt like coming in during the Summer. Many new JETs haven't taught at all yet and got their first months salary. Today the BOE, they actually recommend I study Japanese. So, in essence, I was paid ~$150 dollars today to study Japanese, something I wanted to do anyway. What a gravy train.
>> Anonymous
>>52904
I'm a current JET. I believe the average stay for JETs is something like 2.8 years, so obviously most people recontact meaning they probably like their situation.

Maybe one in ten people just gets an awful situation with multiple far away schools, a bad apartment, unfriendly teachers, etc. Not much you can do about it but odds dictate you shouldn't have to worry about it.

In addition to that, a fair amount of placements are pretty rural and in my experience it creats problems for two main groups of people. For some of the frat boy types, not having a local happening bar to go can present a problem. (In all but the worst cases, a decent city will be in reach for weekends but probably not weeknights). The rural locations can also lead to problems for those that don't speak Japanese and make no real effort to learn as they will become quite isolated. Obviously, they can also go the city on weekends and there are local JET meet ups everyone so often but if you're going to be in Japan, and doubly so in the country-side, you should really learn Japanese for sanity's sake.
>> Anonymous
Everything you wanted to know about JET can be read here: http://www.bigdaikon.com/
>> Anonymous
>>52997
Just be aware there is far more trolling than even 4chan. It's not nearly as fun but if you're just looking for info without all the shit, http://www.ithinkimlost.com/ is better.
>> Anonymous
This is slightly off-topic, but I felt the need to share. A few months ago, an old friend-of-a-friend that I don't have any contact with anymore got married to a guy in the military. A few weeks after that, he got stationed in Japan. This would be my dream situation: you'd live in a little America town where everybody speaks english and you don't have to deal with foreign bureaucracy that's after your precious foreigner, but any time you feel like it you can go out and explore Japan. Also, she doesn't have to work because the husband's paying all the bills.

Guess what? She hates it there. A few days ago I found her myspace page, and it's full of whining about how she hates Japan and everything that's not on the base, etc.

I'm so fucking jealous of her.
>> Anonymous
>>53010
1. Kill her
2. Put on a wig
3. Practice impersonations
4. ????
5. Profit
>> Anonymous
>>52967
Do JET for a year for a year or two then move on to a regular office job. They have a specific JET job fair for that and more importantly it will give you a chance to get your Japanese good enough. No matter how hard you study, it takes a year+ living there to get it to the appropriate level.
>> Anonymous
>>51157
That is actually something I wouldn't mind...

Either way, I'm a French Canadian who did most of his studies in French, and I'm going to an english university that specializes in ESL (Has an ESL specific program), and plan to learn Japanese somewhere during that 4 year course (That's counting internship).

What are my chances of being accepted into JET?
>> Anonymous
This may seem a little off-topic, but whatever:

How are chances for IT jobs in Japan for a foreigner? I earned myself a few IT certifications and am planning to do other ones, so I wonder if there are any chances to get into a japanese company with this shit?
>> Anonymous
>>54238
IT is in demand in Japan and foreigners usually don't have a prob if there Japanese is good enough. I know a few former JETs working in IT. You of course need enough Japanese to work well in a Japanese office but not the kind of level you'd need to translate or something. A high score on the 2kyuu should do.
>> Anonymous
>>54217
>What are my chances of being accepted into JET?
0%

Go back to Quebec asswipe, its because of you that all the shit here in Ontario is needlessly bilingual.
>> Anonymous
My sister did the JET teaching for a year on one of the southern islands (for the Surfing). For tax-reasons she didn't come straight back afterwards (i.e. in the UK, you have to stay out of the country for over a year if you don't want to pay the UK taxes), and went down to Australia instead.

As a woman, a lot of people were a bit mean (sexism is relatively active there still, with sons being considered more important than their own mothers etc), but as a western women it was toned down.
>> Anonymous
>>54261
WIMENZ ARE FOR TWO THINGS:

1) BREEDAN

2) COOKAN
>> Anonymous
>>54259
>>all the shit here in Ontario
More like all across the federal government.

Adding insult to injury, all the internal federal govt staff e-mail have been rotating French-first Engluish-second for months now.

Also, fuck all you eastern bastards. Go freeze in the dark and stop stealing taxdollar from provinces who actually do work.
>> Anonymous
>>54265
>all the internal federal govt staff e-mail have been rotating French-first English-second for months now.

They do this fucking shit in university too, pisses me the fuck off.

And the worst part is, the opposite isn't true in Quebec, the fuckers have everything in french there and they expect everything else to be french wherever they go in the fucking country. Ill stop complaining when everything is available in english in Quebec, until then the goddamn cunts can fuck off
>> Anonymous
>>54267
Holy shit. I though it was bad in the office, but they pull this shit in schools now?

The funny thing is, Quebec isn't bilingual. It's French or GTFO. Oddly enough, New Brunswick is the only bilingual province in Canada.
>> Anonymous
>>54168
I can't do JET, I'm a Japanese citizen, and I already speak Japanese natively.
>> Anonymous
>>54299
Check out the career fair for Japanese-English bilinguals that is held annually in Boston in November. I have a few friends that got good jobs there.
>> Anonymous
>>54299

small penis
>> Anonymous
>>54305
Thanks, there's one near my area too
>>54309
Why do you care?
>> Anonymous
>>54317
that sounds like a "yes" to me
>> Anonymous
>>54319
Yeah, all Asian have micropenis', the same way all whites are blond with blue eyes.
>> Anonymous
>>54259
Hey fuck you, there are fucking francophones everywhere in damned Canada, they are the biggest linguistic minority.

Fuck, Quebec learns english from the fifth grade up, why doesn't the rest of Canada do the same for French? Don't answer that, it's not the correct thread to do it in.
>> Anonymous
>>54267
Everything IS available in english.

>>54265
We don't, we end up paying TWO fucking income taxes, federal and provincial, and two sales taxes.
>> Anonymous
>>54344
Fuck you Quebec faggots (looked down upon even by the French). Because of french requirements, most people can never get promoted to the executive class in the civil service.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
>>54345
You still say you guys don't steal? YOU DON'T STEAL!?

RAGE
>> Anonymous
>>54344
Because all 23 quebec faggots living outside of quebec should cost the federal government trillions of dollars in redundant costs and useless prok amirite?
>> Anonymous
>>54350
Sir, you are raging at an incredible level right now. Please, please, calm down, breathe in, breathe out, relax, smoke a blunt if you need to.

Now, I know it MAY seem like a waste, but you have to remember a few key facts. You might have this idea that Quebec is a whiny little province, but you've got to understand that it's people were once considered white niggers, discriminated against and shit, until it lead to terrorism and almost leaving the country I love. But, things have changed, times change, peoples change, governments and ideals change.

Now, you might think the francophone community outside of Quebec is tiny, but remind yourself that every province have them, not only Québecois ex patriots, but people who settled there hundreds of years ago when France owned the land. Hell, New Brunswick is a bilingual province, there are french schools everywhere in Canada, Manitoba was completely french until it was forced to change...

>>54347
EVERY fucking government does it. Harper did it, Chrétien did it, Mulroney did it... But, I'd prefer fucking Chrétien to Harper any day anyways.

But, seriously, fuck Martin and Dion, seriously.
>> Anonymous
>>54217
They really look for people that are native English speakers because one of the biggest jobs of JETs is providing an example of correct English pronunciation since most Japanese teachers of English have shit pronunciation. Still, if you're too the point where you have native sounding English, you've got a shot. Also, there some opportunities to teach French in Japan in the private sector.

That's the bottom line. Now, everyone stop fagging up with thread with you're raging agaisnt Quebec.
>> Anonymous
>>54354
Are you shitting me?
You mean that when we give them billions in dollars for fireworks and they shit on our flags and set them on fire is because they've been treated like "white niggers"? Despite the fact that they made the national language quebecois french despite the fact quebec barely speaks it anymore?
Or that their rebellion consisted of bombing Second Cups because it wasn't cup de seconde or some shit?

>>54344
I don't know about you, but since kindergarden in ontario we learned french, and needed at least 2 highschool credits to be french.
>> Anonymous
>>54389
>>54354
>> Anonymous
>>54389
>>54354here.

I'm a native english speaker, as well as a native french speaker, they are both my first language. Mom's french, dad's english.

>>54427
Ugh. Tell me about it. Those fuckers are the kind of people who give Québecois and separatists a bad name. Those are just extreme militants, and don't consist of most of the population, gladly. Like I said, ideals change. Fact is, most people, separatist or not, have grown up and now respect Canada. Separatists want to separate nowadays because they just don't identify with the rest of Canada, and feel it would be best for them.

And, I'm glad to hear that you've been learning french for such a long time, I support the idea of national bilingualism.
>> Anonymous
Can Quebec RAGE tiem be done nao?
>> Tan-Tan !AOyWu5aZOI
>>54581
Yes.
>> Anonymous
Frankly, I support the separatists. I want Quebec OUT OF CANADA and don't ever come back. See how long you can last when you don't have anyone's money to steal from.
>> Tan-Tan !AOyWu5aZOI
>>54589
OH LOL LOL LOL WE STEAL MONEY ALTHOUGH WE HAVE A SHITLOAD OF PROVINCIAL TAXES LOL LOL LOL.

Quit your trollin', nigger.
>> Anonymous
>>54238
>>54256
Plenty of IT jobs but understanding foreign languages isn't that important, plus, obviously, all the software is in Japanese so you need to be familiar with them.

Also you'll be working with, of course, Japanese people, who use Japanese tech-lingo so you have to be familiar with that too.

tl;dr Don't work in the Japanese IT industry unless you're Japanese.
>> Anonymous
How easy is it to join the diplomatic service?

They'd ask for experience, right?
>> Anonymous
How's the actual teaching job? I'm sure the experiences vary but how difficult is it to do lesson plans etc. if you don't have much or any teaching experience before doing JET? Do they throw you right the fuck in and expect you to plan a lot of shit? Are ALTs even responsible for lessons plans, creating homework/tests/quizzes?
>> Anonymous
Hah, its not like anyone actually speaks French in Quebec.

Unless you are trying to insult me, a Frenchman, by claiming that the garbage that they pass of as "Quebecois" is actually French and not some bastardized, savage, prison language.

I think Quebec should just stick to fur-trading, it's the only thing they are half decent at.

That and fucking natives.
>> Anonymous
>>54687
I'm not even French or Quebecois and otherwise couldn't give two shits about your stupid language war and even I think you're a faggot that needs to have hot tar funneled up his ass.
>> Anonymous
>>54687
I lol'd. Well played France, well played.
>> Anonymous
>>54737
Well played? That mediocre tirade? Phh, your standards must be very low.
>> Anonymous
We in Alberta make all the fucking money, and you quebec people come and steal it all. I fucking hate eastern canada. All of it. All those stupid islands and Ontario and Quebec. Fuck em. Fuck Stephen Harper too. He's a fucking traitor to the west.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
>>54810

You can read, you must not be from Alberta.
>> Anonymous
>>54686
A little informal teaching experience helps but is not necessary. For (junior) high school the head teacher will usually tell you to make an activity/game that uses certain grammar that takes about 20 minutes or something. For elementary visits you make the full lesson but of course it is something easy like colors. There are a ton of resources out there so as long as you are adaptable. Kids can be shy in class but are pretty outgoing during the rest of the day and will generally treat you like a rockstar.
>> Anonymous
     File :-(, x)
>>55081
A rockstar you say? Aw, man. Suddenly teaching's looking like a positive career prospect.

Y'know, I AM often asked if I'm in a rock band.
>> Investment Banker
how would i go about making friends with my female students?
>> Anonymous
>>55275
you could just save yourself some time and ask to be fired first, because we all understand what you have in mind
>> Anonymous
>>54686

ALT is easy, I have one as a part time job. I show up read a script and get monies. A hard day would be showing up and having to act a scene out with a student or some shit.
>> Anonymous
JET is good, pays better/has better benefits than most jobs gaijin end up with in Japan, including non-JET ALTs (unless you work for the BOE) and eikaiwa. If you can get in to JET, do it. Even if you don't want to stay in Japan or aren't that interested, it's a good way to spend a few years after college and save a bunch of money. I spent all kinds of cash during my first three years in Japan as a JET but managed to save up $10,000. Not a bad amount of money to bring back home to buy a car or get settled into a new apartment. I of course stayed in Japan and blew all of my cash, but I love living here so it's fine with me.
>> Anonymous
>>55530
how's the social life anon? do you mostly hangout with fellow gaijin JETs or have you made a good amount of Japanese friends?
>> Anonymous
>Japan
>07/29/08
>> Anonymous
>>55532

I second this query.
>> Anonymous
If I were to become an English teacher in Japan I'd like to genuinely spread a workable understanding of the English language. I'd be happy to put up extra classes and spend time with students actually trying to give them a real understanding of the language, and not just follow the crappy curriculum.

How likely is it that I'd be able to do this? Would I be permitted? Would anyone actually be interested? etc. etc.
>> Anonymous
Do you even have to teach grammar and stuff like that? What I find curious is the fact that the people at JET don't even care about whether you are an official teacher and know the rules of your own language. I know teaching programs in other countries where the only thing you do is conversation and cultural studies, because as a normal native speaker, you simply don't know shit about the rules of your own language. You just do them right intentionally.
>> Anonymous
Its extreamly competitive and if your a wapaneese just accept you are and look for somthing else because they deff know how to tell wapanesse out for genuine teachers
>> Anonymous
>>55671
The non-Wapanese JET is a myth. The biggest sign that you may be Wapanese is signing up for JET in the first place.
>> Anonymous
>>55690
They actually want people who have an interest in Japan rather then people who just want a job. So yes, obviously if you're JET then you must have a strong interest in Japan. People don't really do JET on a whim, considering how alien Japan is to people from English speaking countries.
>> Anonymous
>>55692
Current jet here. They want people who are interested in japan and come across as social/good with mids. Usually those that say (true or not) they are interested in history, kendo, onsens, etc come across as socialable and those say they are interested in anime, etc come off as socially inept. Not a rule or anything but there's dedinitley a pattern. In reality I'd say many jets have a moderate interest in anime/manga but are also truley interested in other more traditional aspects of Japanese culture and are generally so ially active people.
>> Anonymous
Good with kids. (typing this from a cell phone on the train)