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xtremdelt8

How much experience did you have before applying?

I have all the requirements, but no real experience. Do I stand a chance? Is the program a bit more accepting of newbies?

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 11:42 pm Post subject:

I was in the 3rd wave of JETs in 1990. I went with a teaching degree...however, it seems that the more irrelevant to teaching your qualifications are the better. You see, JET isn't really a teaching job...it's a "let's bring all of these young grads over to Japan and throw lots of cash at them so that when they're mid-level and upper management in 15 to 20 years, they'll have all of these wonderful memories of Japan when we approach them for business in the future."

Seriously, I was the only one out of the 60 or so brought over that year that had any idea on how to teach...the rest were chemisty majors, accounting majors, business majors...and the like.

And, let me tell ya, when the JTEs who had devoted their lives to teaching saw a little blond something being address as "sensei" as well...well, you could just feel the love in the teacher's room...

NCTBA

ripslyme · Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 481 Location: Japan

I had no real experience to speak of either. I mentioned I had volunteered as a conversation partner at my university's intensive English program and was involved in extracurricular activities, but that was about it. Not one ALT I knew was a trained/certified teacher.

xtremdelt8 · Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2010 12:04 am Post subject:

What was your next step after completing the program? Did you stay in Japan, go home, or pursue teaching elsewhere?

I've already applied to the JET Program (now the long process of waiting begins). But the more research I do, the more I want to get a TEFL certificate and some classroom experience under my belt so that I can have more options of where to work.

pnksweater · Joined: 24 Mar 2005 Posts: 173 Location: Tokyo, Japan

I have a master�s in Education, TESOL cert, and teaching experience back home and in Japan. I am way more qualified than my JET cohorts. I had to really play down my experience in the interview. I did get in, so actually being qualified to teach isn�t a black mark like some people have suggested. But you will find that the vast majority of applicants are completely unqualified to teach. Enthusiasm, flexibility, and an insatiable urge to share your culture seem to be bigger priorities than any teaching background.

Work is drying up in Japan, what with all the major eikaiwa chains imploding, and the stiff competition from a flood of Japan enthusiast all vying for bottom of the barrel dispatch work. You may find that having contacts in country and connections to the few decent-good jobs out there are much more valuable than a piece of paper. The jobs you really want you will probably find through word of mouth. Knowing someone will get your foot in the door much faster than a piece of paper.

That said, learning some basics of lesson planning, classroom control, and the nitty-gritty of teaching grammar will go a long way to making your job easier. As for getting any respect from your Japanese co-workers� meh, not so much. My coworkers still seem to think I�ve got my Japanese mixed up when I mention my teaching experience.

kotoko · Joined: 22 Jun 2010 Posts: 109

I'm a current JET. I had a degree in TESOL when I started. I'd say if you do have any teaching experience (not like "I helped out for a week in a school" but proper ESL experience) then you'll soon become bored and unhappy on JET. We're not here to teach (ESID), so experience matters little.

xtremdelt8 · Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2010 3:02 am Post subject:

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2010 3:41 am Post subject:

ripslyme · Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 481 Location: Japan

rtm · Joined: 13 Apr 2007 Posts: 1003 Location: US

When I went on JET, I had an undergrad degree in Applied Linguistics and 1 semester of teaching experience. Out of my cohort, a few were qualified teachers, but the vast majority were not (and I knew a number of people who were qualified teachers who were not accepted, and some whose spouse, who was not a qualified teacher, was accepted). It seemed then that JET cared more about applicants' ability to be flexible and cope with living in a foreign country than actual teaching experience/knowledge. I went 10 years ago though, so it may different now (as it seems there are now more applicants for fewer positions than before).

kotoko · Joined: 22 Jun 2010 Posts: 109

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2010 2:29 pm Post subject:

BBQchips · Joined: 10 Nov 2010 Posts: 19 Location: Okayama, Japan

G Cthulhu · Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2010 10:28 pm Post subject:

Never Ceased To Be Amazed · Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2010 10:57 pm Post subject:

C'mon. G. I'm well over it. I only wish the program(me) had progressed to a point to where JETs felt like they were actually appreciated in the classroom. It seems like the "human tape recorder" feeling continues to exist. You'll note, I've been back, I've "polled" other "generations" of JETs...hoping...to hear of significant differences. I have not.

I really appreciated the JET experience. I met my wife thru it. I have always hoped that it would mature past the point that the government is talking about curtailing or ending it.

However, it should be called what it is. It is a cultural exchange program(me)...not, in it's core, an educational program(me). It's a "feel good" type of thing.

Jes' like the "educational" programs in the Middle East...if education happens accidentally, then all's the better. But, JET is not set up as a proper educational program(me)!

I respect you and your position within the organization and don't wish to cross swords...but, this is a position that I cannot be moved from. And, it pains me, as I love Japan.

NCTBA