Job Discussion Forums

[sashajade]

I am inquiring about the JET Programme. Although I can't apply for this year, I was considering applying next year. I just turned 40 one week ago. One of the restrictions is "to be under 40, in principle". Do they ever accept people that are just barely 40? Is it worth applying or don't bother?

[Samurai]

Hi...Just to put your mind at rest. The age limit is not set in stone and as long as you can show at the interview your desire to take part in the JET Program then your age will not be a barrier. When I applied to JET I was 35 and the age limit then was set at 35. I phoned them to ask about the age limit and I was told more or less what I have said to you. I was 35 and 6 months when I flew off to Japan on the JET Program...and I can tell you there were people older than me at the reception party! Go ahead and apply...

[ripslyme]

Also back when the age limit was 35, there was a JET in my prefecture who was in her upper-40s. Just show them that you're young at heart and you should be ok.

[G Cthulhu]

[sashajade]

Thanks for all your responses. I figured this was the case, but wanted to hear from those with experience.

[englishtutor1378]

Go for it! I hear from many the JET program is still one of the best out there. You get real ALT experience, normal working hours and sometimes paid-for-rent depending of course where you live. Also, if you are Canadian you get tax exemptions.

After working for private companies here in Japan I'm ready to make the switch but too bad I will have to leave Tokyo, maybe. I think all they really want is a fun person to be around and hell of a personality. Go For iT!

[G Cthulhu]

[AndyinNZ]

Hi
I'm 44 and was told not to bother applying for JET. When the age limit was 35 they were flexible and took people "a few" years over 35. But when they changed the age limit to 40 they became stricter.

This is what I was told by the person at the Japanese Embassy in Wellington, NZ who organises all the JET applications from New Zealand. I suggest you try and get in touch with your "local" Embassy, whoever organises the scheme, and ask them.

Andy

[Lyrajean]

I would follow most peoples' advice and check with your local embassy about the age restriction before you bother applying as the application is long and takes up a good deal of time.

As a 30+ year old JET I think I can confirm what G Cthulhu said about increasing numbers of us older folks participating. I met several 30 somethings at orientation last year and several people with bonafide teaching creds (not just a BA in some random subject) Including one married teacher with kids (her spouse is Japanese -so she may be something of a special case).

The Japanese like this for all the reasons he stated earlier (although many of the older JETs I met did not participate intending to stay more than one year, seems like they are using this as a break from a life or career path back home).

There are 2 things to think about before coming assuming you still qualify:

1. Do you establish social networks easily on your own? The JETS around you (assuming there are any) will be busy doing the things young 20 somethings like to do. And your Japanese colleagues of the same age are overworked, married and busy with kids of their own. I highly recommend learning some Japanese before you come to make this easier!

2. Can you deal with being an 'assistant' teacher? If you have teaching creds or have been in a position or responsibility over others you might find your self in a position of working for/with people younger than you asking you to do things that you know are stupid. How do you deal with that? Ultimately you are the bottom of the totem pole. Its their country, their schools, and they are the boss.

And even if you can deal how do you handle the people around you who aren't? I have a few years on my supervisor which flies in the face of the age=seniority system here. Sometimes when she gets that bee stuck in her bonnet it has more to do with her feeling inadequate, or envious of my age and graduate school education.

All and all the JET program is pretty cool... I hope you can apply.

[natsume]

I can echo some of lyrajeans points, regarding asking yourself some questions about how you might deal socially over here, both at work and with other JETs.

I am 39, and 7 months into what will probably be a three year JET stint. I think I have been very lucky with my placement, but that is by no means a guarantee. I have a very comfortable work environment, with my fellow teachers, generally most of the non-English teaching staff, and the admin at my large high school, and I think this is in part due to my age. In fact, some of my coworkers have expressed this to me, as they had become accustumed to very young ALTs with no "real" work experience, and a corresponding lack of a certain professional attitude. My supervisors are all older than I am, so no problem there, and the teachers I work with that are younger than I am seem happy to work collaboratively, and I don't sense any negativity or weirdness from them. I was feeling underutilized to some extent, but I have slowly been given/have taken more responsibility, and expect to be much more incorporated into my school this coming school year. The friendships I have made so far are with coworkers who are close to my age. No surprise there. I like most of the kids I work with, and love about 20% of them, and I feel that they appreciate me. So, the working life of a JET ALT can be good, but it is a role of the dice as far as placement goes.

That said, my relations with other ALTs in my ken have not developed, and this is all about the age difference. Nothing negative, I have been to a few parties, and took a great trip to Sapporo with the ken ALTs, and I did and do enjoy hanging out with some of them. But I wouldn't be spending time with a lot of people in their mid-twenties back in the states, and I am not here. I am just in a different place in life. This is all pretty acceptable to me, as I have not had a huge social network outside of my closest friends for many years now, kind of by design.

Food for thought. I, for one, am having a great time, in part, because of my relative "maturity". Good luck!

[fat_chris]

I'm basically going to parrot what lyrajean and natsume have written.

I am yet another "unusual" JET participant in that I am in my mid-30s and have 2 MAs and more than 10 years of TESOL experience in four different countries.

I really have little to do with the other JETs in my prefecture. I knew that that was going to be the case even before I arrived. As natsume wrote, I don't have much to do with twentysomethings in the States, so why should that change here?

The funny thing is, I look much younger than I really am and the younger JETs (ten years my junior, that is) continue to invite me out. I politely remain non-commital.

I live in the Japanese inaka (countryside) which can be very isolating. One really has to be active in forging a social life conducive to one's needs. I agree with lyrajean. It's best to learn at least a little bit of Japanese before one arrives.

I am mostly comfortable though with my secluded setting. I guess that comes with the age. Were I in my early or mid 20s, I probably would have a different attitude.

As for having teaching experience and now "only" being an Assistant Language Teacher, that is another aspect that I greatly considered before I came. In fact, for my JET interview, I knew that they were going to question me about this. Sure enough, that was the very first question that they threw my way.

I was very sincere. I told them that I would be very comfortable with assuming an assistant position...and I am. At my school, I think the JTEs are very grateful that they have an ALT who can work well on his own, is very comfortable in the classroom, and can explain grammar ( ). I feel I do well in an assisting role--I feel I know when it is appropriate to suggest something and when to keep quiet.

Also, like natsume, I feel like I have a good placement and I am comfortable at my high school. I will probably be here for three years as well.

So...take these considerations seriously, particularly how you will shape your freetime, and look into the JET Program. It really is an attractive option.

Regards,
fat_chris