Job Discussion Forums

[fragglerocker]

Hi all,

First of all, I've applied for JET and find out in a couple of weeks whether they're going to offer me a place as an ALT. Back in October/November, when I was applying for JET, I was really keen on moving to Japan and learning Japanese and being there for a couple of years.

However, since then, I've done the CELTA course and I really enjoyed it, and have decided that I want to make teaching English a career instead of just using it as a bumming around the world option (which I've done before). I've been getting some post-qualification experience in the UK but it's really hard to find any permanent work in this without at least a few years experience. I also have a year's teaching experience in a language institute in Paraguay, where I had complete responsibility for my classes and taught all levels, including FCE, CAE and IELTS prep classes. (I also have an M.A and an M.Litt, both in English)

So - what I'd like to ask is - do you think I'd be stepping backwards instead of forwards in my teaching career by doing JET for a year? (this is assuming I get in, which is is no way certain). I still love the idea of going to Japan to live and teach and I know JET would be an awesome programme to go with, but I don't want to be stuck with minimal responsibilities and be used as nothing more than a human tape recorder, when I feel I'm more qualified than that.

Sorry for the slightly rambling post. Any info/advice on this would be much appreciated.

[markle]

A step sideways maybe.
In general it won't be a place to stimulate or challenge you in terms of carreer ESL. But it doesn't mean you won't be able to go outside the scope of your basic job description on your own initiative. It will depend on how much your school wants you to stick to the formula.
I would also look into doing some further study (by distance) with a view of getting the MATESL.

[MrCAPiTUL]

Have you considered gaining Qualified Teacher Status in the UK? To my understanding, there is a demand for English teachers in the UK (teaching formal English), as there is here in the US, as well as teaching ESOL in other European countries.

IF, IF - IF you want to travel the world some more, than I think JET would be a good option. It isn't going to HURT you any. BUT, I don't think it'll help you get QTS if you haven't already done so.

That being said, if you are ready to buckle down and begin a steady professional teaching career, honestly, I'd advise against going the JET route. I'd focus on becoming a Qualified teacher in the UK. Besides, once you do that and get a few years of QTS experience under your belt, you can always teach in Japan at a later point. If I'm not mistaken, you can even teach in the UK as a nonQTS whilst working towards meeting the obligations for QTS, no? I believe many schools will often stipend you to make up for the pay differences, as well, no? That's just my 2 cents. Cheers mate.

[fat_chris]

This is interesting because I have been thinking of the same thing and am in a similar boat.

I have just finished my MA in TESOL from Teachers College of Columbia University here in New York City. I have been a teacher trainer in China, I have taught university students English and German, and I have been an ALT in Austria. I have a myriad of teaching experiences and have decided to make TESOL or Applied Linguistics my career focus as well (would eventually like to enroll in a PhD program).

Nonetheless, I also have applied to JET for an ALT position and feel that my interview in February went very well. I also have been wondering if it is a step backwards. Perhaps. But I do see it as a relaxed year to re-charge my batteries and learn some Japanese language and culture which may be useful in the future: I'm thinking that I could stay in Japan for some time teaching English.

To conclude my two cents here, I think a laid-back year as an ALT is fine for me. I've busted my hump for three years in the NYC as a full time ESL teacher in the public schools and as a graduate student. I think a different experience, regardless of the limited responsibility, will do me good. I need to chill for a year. Ultimately, I think of my initial time in Japan with JET as an opportunity to expose me to new situations and people which maybe, just maybe, will open some doors for me.

See you in Tokyo in July?

fat_c

[Glenski]

Never been on JET, but here's what I've gleaned in the past 9 years.

Some JET ALTs are "human tape recorders". Some have lots of responsibility and control in the class.

Some JET ALTs don't get along with their JTE because he/she doesn't believe that a foreign ALT is good for teaching English. Some have a great time working closely together.

Because you are in the public school system, you have a chance to see how things operate firsthand in Japan. Whether you fall into the do-nothing categories above or the do-something ones, consider that if nothing else. You will see how a different country operates, and you will also have a chance to deal with students who are not immersed in English like they might be if they were studying in your home country.

There's a lot to learn.

I also understand that JET offers various training programs/seminars. Not sure what they are like, but look into them even before you set foot on Japanese soil, and see what they offer. Make the JET experience as worthwhile as possible. The year or 2 you spend here will go by fast.

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

I'm now a 4th year JET and I was an ESL teacher in Canada to adults (I also did language camps for teenagers during the summer).

[dove]

I think YOU have a lot to offer the JET Programme. I think JET should be looking for more experienced teachers to change the image of the whole scheme. I know that the wide-eyed, fresh-faced recent college grad is what appeals to some schools, but without experience, how could they be expected to be anything more than human tape recorders? (I know, I know, even experienced teachers end up as tape recorders; like I said, I think the whole scheme needs an overhaul).

Even if you are used as a human tape recorder in your classes (and it WILL happen), you can still gain useful experience on JET. You might teach adults at the local community center, you might visit kindergartens....that scope of experience can be used to your benefit when applying for jobs back in the States. Also, you can gain language skills. I have noticed that a working knowledge of a second langauge is a requirement for some ESL teaching positions at US community colleges.

You will have a lot of down-time diring the year--English classes with the ALT are often the first to be canceled when the whole school is preparing for the school festival or other events. My advice is to use that time to prepare materials, even though they might never be used. That's what I did when I was on JET in the early '90s, before internet! I think that I gained the respect of my fellow teachers when they saw me doing something related to teaching. Eventually, in my second year, they actually let me teach solo from time to time (Yes, I know, that's illegal). I got flamed when I said this before, but I will say it again: go easy on studying Japanese at your school during working hours. I know it might look like you are making a good impression by studying Japanese, but learning the language is not why you were hired. Most people will call you sensei; try to earn that title, and you will have a rewarding experience on JET.

[fragglerocker]

Thanks for the responses and the useful info.

I think I'll hold out for JET - I know I'd have a great time in Japan and learn a lot, as people have mentioned on here. It's not like I'll suddenly forget everything I learned on my CELTA course, even if I'm not using it much within the Japanese school system.

Well, only another 3 weeks to find out if I've been accepted

[Gordon]

I can't see it being a waste of your time. From second hand accounts, there are few easier jobs out there in the teaching field that pay as well as JET AND you should learn a few things along the way. Any experience is a learning one.

[User N. Ame]

[fat_chris]

[fat_chris]