Job Discussion Forums

peder · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 45

Hello,
I graduated with a B.A. in English, I have a CELTA pass B and am currently working at a language school in eastern europe. My contract is over in August and I am going back to the states for a while and I am now starting to cotemplate my next move. I have recently been looking into the JET program. I have a few questions.
How hard is it to get accepted?
When does the program hire individuals for the next academic year?
And finally, any tips that could increase my chances of being accepted?
Thanks in advance,
Peder

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

Your first question is very subjective. JET hires 6000 people every year, but about half of them are rehired from the previous one. Thousands of people apply, and the requirements for the individual JET recruiter may vary from strict to "Hey, we like the way this candiate looks!"

Applications come out toward the end of the year, and deadline for filing them is December. If you pass this stage, you get an interview in February. Pass that, and you are notified in April or May. (You may also be told that you are on the backup list at that time, not the A list.) People get shipped en masse in late July to early August.

Plenty of tips, also subjective. Read these.
www.umich.edu/~sswd/Bobby/services/international_center/117b.html
http://www.jet-program.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=Sections&file=index&req=viewarticle&artid=1
http://www.karatethejapaneseway.com/articles_on_japan/jet_interview.html
http://www.kansaiconnect.com/altonline/interview.html　
http://www.aaronackerson.com/archives/000013.html
Aaron Ackerson�s JET Program Interview Blog

http://www.cheno.com/job/career/interview.html
Several official and unofficial stories about the JET interview.

http://www.chicago.us.emb-japan.go.jp/jic/jetfaq.html
Japan Information Center; Consulate General of Japan at Chicago

happyhiker · Joined: 22 May 2005 Posts: 7 Location: vancouver

I'm thinking about applying for the JET program next time the applications come out. Thanks for the great links, I looked through a lot of them and it was really helpful.

oxfordstu · Joined: 28 Aug 2004 Posts: 89 Location: Changchun, China

I applied to the JET program a few years back. I was interviewed in February, and was placed on the alternate list, which is pretty much the worst place you can be, because they don't tell you how high up on the list you are. I was actually really surprised that I was never accepted. I have a B.A. in English, and a teaching credential, and a few years of teaching experience. This may have worked against me in the end. Maybe they're looking for fresh individuals without any experience, I don't know. I've also heard that it really depends on where you interview, and with whom you interview with. But it's still a big mystery to me.

If you get in though, it's great. I've hardly heard any complaints from JET teachers. Well, aside from the fact that some of them were really bored at times, but that's it. Good luck.

JimDunlop2 · Joined: 31 Jan 2003 Posts: 2286 Location: Japan

oxfordstu · Joined: 28 Aug 2004 Posts: 89 Location: Changchun, China

Now that I think back, the panel asked me how I would feel about not being in charge of the classroom. That's another thing - the questions in the interview are entirely random. I remember waiting for my interview, and people would come out and sometimes tell us what they asked. One guy came out and said they asked him what his views were on the death penalty. Another guy was asked about religion. Totally inappropriate questions in any other type of situation.

PAULH · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan

Celeste · Posted: Wed Jun 29, 2005 10:40 pm Post subject:

And yet... my city is not hiring any more JET ALTs because they want people who are already trained EFL teachers. When I had my JET interview, the interviewers were concerned about my training and experience. They asked me how I would feel if I was used as a human tape recorder. THey were worried that I wouldn't feel fulfilled as an ALT. Fast forward- 3 years later I am leaving the JET programme. I have spent the last 3 years working for an education centre designing curriculum for teacher training sessions, designing curriculum for elementary schools and participating in research groups for English education. I am exhausted and am looking forward to getting back to a straight teaching job. JET loves to say that every situation is different, but on the ground, it seems like the cities want more and more from the JET programme.

dtomchek · Joined: 07 Jun 2004 Posts: 135

Hello:
Actually, I am really surprised by the "real teacher" thing. I have a teaching credential from the states, a Masters in Education, and I was accepted to the JET program. That being said, after 2 years here, I wonder about some of the people who got in...leaving in 2 weeks for a job back home but good luck next year...

van-island · Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2005 10:39 am Post subject:

Because the needs of the JET Program(me) vary, there are usually quite a range of "teachers" to be found. One JET friend of mine works for a high level high school in Kobe, has a TEFL certificate and a lot of experience from back in Canada. Another friend has no experience or certificate whatsoever, and works for an agricultural high school in the middle of nowhere, and teaches maybe 8 classes a week. JET hires all types because they need all types, so I wouldn't get too hung up on qualifications, and instead concentrate on playing up the "internationalization" aspect of things. Tell them you've worked all around the world and hope to share your experiences with the students. Yes, one of the goals of JET is to teach English, but another rather major goal is to get country bumpkin inaka Japanese kids to realize that there is a whole huge world out there, a fact quickly forgotten out here. Play up to the interviewers that you're the one that can teach them about that world, and I would say you'd be in for sure. Good luck!