What They’re Looking for at The JET Program
If you want to teach with Jet, you need a university degree, or be qualified to teach at primary/elementary schools in the S.A or get these qualifications by July 1st (through the completion of at least a 3-year education/teacher training program for elementary, middle, or high schools in the S.A)
Teaching certification or teaching experience isn’t required to apply for the JET Program. (Junior college or associate degrees won’t cut it without meeting the experience qualification.)
Recent university graduates are also heavily favored in the hiring process, so if you’re not a recent grad, there are greener pastures elsewhere. It is noteworthy however that the JET age limit for hiring does go until 40 years of age.
Just like most teaching jobs overseas run by the major chain schools, youth, energy and a desire to experience Japan, heavily outweigh teaching or educational credentials. The whole thing about JET is the program being a youth to youth cultural and language exchange.
Program Locations
Participants are stationed throughout Japan’s 47 prefectures. Like most large chain schools, you can’t choose where you will work, so it’s hard to say where you could wind up. Being stationed in a very rural location is a very real possibility - keep this in mind. Click here for a list of participating countries, how many make the cut, application interview do's and don'ts and a whole lot more!
Salary and Benefits
As far as teaching jobs overseas goes, this Program pays a little better than your average language school. Your monthly salary is 300,000 yen on a one-year contract. Annually 3,600,000 –if you don’t pay Japanese tax. If you do, then your annual salary will be 3,760,000 (You can however re-contract for 4 additional times for a maximum of 5 years (if your employer wishes to keep you on that long) but no more than that.)
Expect to get national holidays off (there are 10 to 12 of them) plus another 12 personal days. Keep in mind that the local government that hires you is your boss so there are differences between benefits etc. that JET participants receive.
Health insurance is not paid by the JET Program so you have to cough up 40,000 yen per month about $332 U.S. By the way, this is mandatory and is deducted from your pay automatically.
Your flight into Narita and back home will be paid by the JET Program for successfully completing your contract. However if you break your contract, it’s possible they’ll bill you the cost of your flight over so keep this in mind.
Accommodations
JET will find and arrange your housing but won’t necessarily pay your key money. Each prefecture or contracting organization is different. Key money could be up to 6 months rent, so make sure you find out about this. If they won't pay your key money, look some place else as this can amount to thousands of dollars.
Working Conditions and Training
JET is in line with many teaching jobs overseas. Expect to work 35 total hours a week with Saturday and Sunday off. Typically you’ll be expected to work along with the Japanese school staff from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Again all working conditions vary to some degree depending on the contracting organization that hires you.
JET Program participants receive training at your local consulate before departure – they’ll send you a free Japanese language text and tapes to get you started on Japanese. What a deal! They also have mid-year training seminars in certain prefectures as part of their ongoing training efforts.
Positions Available There are 3 positions available through JET.You can apply for either Coordinator for International Relations (CIR) or Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) The Sports Exchange Adviser or (SEA)cannot be applied for as it is a scouted position. It's noteworthy that there are a total of 10 positions nation wide. Lastly, you can’t apply for more than position.
Duties for CIR's and ALT's are similar in that they both require teaching. But, the ALT position has a heavier focus on teaching and curriculum than the CIR position.
CIR’s will have more involvement in assisting with planning, designing and implementing international exchange programs; assisting with official guests from abroad and interpreting at events for overseas visitors etc. Again, duties vary for each contracting organization.
SEA’s as you might have guesses are sports related. Currently there are only 10 positions available. The eligibility requirements are also tough. Sports Exchange Adviser (SEAs) promote international exchange through assistance in sports training and the planning of sports related projects.
The Advantage of doing the Jet programme
The Jet programme allows you the opportunity to teach english abroad without the hastle of our current schooling context, you are paid a salary you can use, enjoy and save. The kids are very friendly and love to learn, because they want to learn english and be able to connect globally. As a Jet you would be able to visit many neighbouring countries and also learn about individuals from all other countries in Japan sharing cultures and knowledge. You only need a 4 year bachelors degree and a passion to teach! So I will be posting in this section of my blog the steps and stages of getting in and maintaining a wonderful experience in the Jet programme.
Teaching certification or teaching experience isn’t required to apply for the JET Program. (Junior college or associate degrees won’t cut it without meeting the experience qualification.)
Recent university graduates are also heavily favored in the hiring process, so if you’re not a recent grad, there are greener pastures elsewhere. It is noteworthy however that the JET age limit for hiring does go until 40 years of age.
Just like most teaching jobs overseas run by the major chain schools, youth, energy and a desire to experience Japan, heavily outweigh teaching or educational credentials. The whole thing about JET is the program being a youth to youth cultural and language exchange.
Program Locations
Participants are stationed throughout Japan’s 47 prefectures. Like most large chain schools, you can’t choose where you will work, so it’s hard to say where you could wind up. Being stationed in a very rural location is a very real possibility - keep this in mind. Click here for a list of participating countries, how many make the cut, application interview do's and don'ts and a whole lot more!
Salary and Benefits
As far as teaching jobs overseas goes, this Program pays a little better than your average language school. Your monthly salary is 300,000 yen on a one-year contract. Annually 3,600,000 –if you don’t pay Japanese tax. If you do, then your annual salary will be 3,760,000 (You can however re-contract for 4 additional times for a maximum of 5 years (if your employer wishes to keep you on that long) but no more than that.)
Expect to get national holidays off (there are 10 to 12 of them) plus another 12 personal days. Keep in mind that the local government that hires you is your boss so there are differences between benefits etc. that JET participants receive.
Health insurance is not paid by the JET Program so you have to cough up 40,000 yen per month about $332 U.S. By the way, this is mandatory and is deducted from your pay automatically.
Your flight into Narita and back home will be paid by the JET Program for successfully completing your contract. However if you break your contract, it’s possible they’ll bill you the cost of your flight over so keep this in mind.
Accommodations
JET will find and arrange your housing but won’t necessarily pay your key money. Each prefecture or contracting organization is different. Key money could be up to 6 months rent, so make sure you find out about this. If they won't pay your key money, look some place else as this can amount to thousands of dollars.
Working Conditions and Training
JET is in line with many teaching jobs overseas. Expect to work 35 total hours a week with Saturday and Sunday off. Typically you’ll be expected to work along with the Japanese school staff from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Again all working conditions vary to some degree depending on the contracting organization that hires you.
JET Program participants receive training at your local consulate before departure – they’ll send you a free Japanese language text and tapes to get you started on Japanese. What a deal! They also have mid-year training seminars in certain prefectures as part of their ongoing training efforts.
Positions Available There are 3 positions available through JET.You can apply for either Coordinator for International Relations (CIR) or Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) The Sports Exchange Adviser or (SEA)cannot be applied for as it is a scouted position. It's noteworthy that there are a total of 10 positions nation wide. Lastly, you can’t apply for more than position.
Duties for CIR's and ALT's are similar in that they both require teaching. But, the ALT position has a heavier focus on teaching and curriculum than the CIR position.
CIR’s will have more involvement in assisting with planning, designing and implementing international exchange programs; assisting with official guests from abroad and interpreting at events for overseas visitors etc. Again, duties vary for each contracting organization.
SEA’s as you might have guesses are sports related. Currently there are only 10 positions available. The eligibility requirements are also tough. Sports Exchange Adviser (SEAs) promote international exchange through assistance in sports training and the planning of sports related projects.
The Advantage of doing the Jet programme
The Jet programme allows you the opportunity to teach english abroad without the hastle of our current schooling context, you are paid a salary you can use, enjoy and save. The kids are very friendly and love to learn, because they want to learn english and be able to connect globally. As a Jet you would be able to visit many neighbouring countries and also learn about individuals from all other countries in Japan sharing cultures and knowledge. You only need a 4 year bachelors degree and a passion to teach! So I will be posting in this section of my blog the steps and stages of getting in and maintaining a wonderful experience in the Jet programme.
