Job Discussion Forums

[chinchon]

Hello there. I've been looking through the archives of relevant threads and there isn't much that is up to date in relation to this question.

I am applying for the Kurashiki BoE NET program:

http://www.city.kurashiki.okayama.jp/dd.aspx?menuid=9584

However, after reading a number of negative reports about the program and its organisers I have a few reservations. My main concern is regarding the teaching responsibility. I have trained as an elementary school teacher and have a teaching license from the UK with just over a year of classroom experience here. I'm not sure I'd fancy spending a year or two being a teaching assistant, even thought the money is better than it would be were I to teach solo in an eikaiwa.

I did 3 years on JET and feel that I should be looking forward rather than repeating something I've done already.

Can anyone tell me what the current situation is like with this program? What is the teaching set-up? Are there any people who are currently on the program?

Thanks

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[move]

Hi, most of that negative stuff is from a few years ago. The guy who was in charge of the program is long gone. Honestly, I would have to say it is a great program. There are teachers who only teach at chu, and there are teachers who only teach shou, and many teachers who teach both chu and shou. If you have experience teaching elementary school, I think they would try to place you in mostly shougakkos. Some of the chugakkos are pretty rough in Kurashiki, but that's not a problem in shougakko. For the interview, you will have to interview on 2 consecutive weekends. Just something to keep in mind if you have to pay for the shinkansen. I don't know what you mean by "the teaching set-up" if you post up more specific questions, I can try to answer em.

[chinchon]

Thanks for that, Move. What I meant by the teaching 'set-up' was how much involvement do the NETs have?

I'm aware that there was a policy change to no solo-teaching a few years ago, but I was wondering about the general relationship between JTEs and NETs? Do they share the responsibility of teaching and learning along 50/50 lines, or does the NET take on more of a support role?

I'm hoping that the no solo-teaching policy means there just has to be a JTE in the room present during the lesson. This scenario would be great.

I'm sure it differs from school to school, but if you could give me a general idea of a typical scenario that would be great.

Do you work on this program? I got the impression that things have changed for the better now, and that the employee retention rate has increased. What's the best and worst thing about the job?

Thanks.

[move]

As JETs say, every situation is different. The JTE (Japanese Teacher of English) and I take a 50/50 role of speaking in the classroom, monitoring students' work, etc. For me, I try to have a meeting with the teachers the week prior to teaching any lesson. However, most of them are really busy, and don't really have that many ideas for creative/fun lessons, so I usually create most of it myself. I like to prep, however. My friend has a JTE who will pretty much create the lesson plan, and maybe he creates and activity or two. (Which is really how it is supposed to be, officially).

With shogakko, you might visit a school only once a week or once every two weeks, so the teachers there can help prep materials. I'm sure you realize the pain that it is to prepare stuff for elementary school lessons. Design, copy, cut, laminate, etc. Many schools already have most of the shogakko teaching materials ready to go however. There is also a lot of shogakko material accessible via the city's website which is ready to go.

I feel fortunate enough to be at a great school, with not so many big discipline problems. Worst part? Being hamstrung by all the grammar the students must learn, and how English is taught in this country. Best part? Feeling like you are actually part of the faculty, my working conditions, good coworkers and students.

[kellysensei]

Do you really have to have lived in Japan for six months to be eligible? I lived in Kurashiki for 2.5 years and would love to go back with my husband. He has been to Japan four times but has never lived there...

[chinchon]

I don't know about that requirement, but I know that you have to be in Japan to interview. I sent my application about a week ago and hope to hear something from them after the 1st of Dec.

Did you apply?

[kellysensei]

No, not at this time. It'll probably be 3-5 years before we can go anywhere. I just like keeping up-to-date with possible opportunities for the future.

[Weezer]

A friend of mine worked there a few years ago and ended up quiting after a few months. The English coordinator was his problem. The schools etec. were all okay as well as the pay, but for some reason the BOE and his boss made it unlivable.