Job Discussion Forums

[Lack]

I haven't applied for ESL jobs yet, but I want to start with the JET program. It seems to have a good reputation from what I've read. And since I have no formal teaching experience (besides student teaching - I do have an education/English degree) and Japan doesn't require the experience, it seems like it would be a good first ESL job to apply for. The application opens up again in September, so I've got time to think about it.

One thing I've been looking for but haven't found is the acceptance rates. Has anyone here done JET and do you know approximately what the acceptance rate is? For those here who have done JET, how was your experience? Would you recommend it to a newbie?

[It's Scary!]

It's a VERY GOOD start. G Cthulhu here on the board can tell you more. I started out as a JET in 1990 and spent 20 years abroad. I don't know about the acceptance rates...but my acceptance gave me a wife and a son. Good Luck!

It's incredible!

[G Cthulhu]

Acceptance rates vary from year to year. It depends on overall numbers, retention rate from year to year, and applicant rates. No way to predict it from year to year. My guess, however, is that with the global situation as it is, interview & acceptance numbers will be down in the coming cycle because more people will be staying in Japan. But that is purely a guess.

The historical rates are available online at the Clair website. Of at least, they used to be. :)

[Glenski]

More information on the poster Lack can be found at this thread on the Newbie forum.
http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=90953

I would agree that JET is probably the best option for newbies anywhere in Japan. Those with any real teaching experience, practicum, or teaching-related degree should temper their enthusiasm with the reality of what JET offers. Here is my perspective.

1. You work in the public school system. Good for learning what that actually offers students in the way of English education.

2. You work as an assistant to a Japanese teacher (JTE). That means you are not the one in charge of the class, but it also means your responsibilities vary considerably. JET's motto is ESID (every situation is different).

3. Your JTE may or may not welcome you with open arms. Most do not have any say in the matter of getting an ALT, I believe, and many do not welcome ALTs at all. Main reason? Most ALTs do not have teaching experience or teaching-related credentials, and JET ALTs do not have the best reputation in the industry for being serious types.

Also, learn how to adapt your non-Japanese ways, cultural thinking, and concepts of teaching to how it is done in Japan.

4. Go to the bigdaikon.com web site to see what JET ALTs have to write about. Nuff said.

5. The salary and benefits for JET ALTs is good, especially considering the ELT business as it is right now.

6. As I understand it, JET ALTs migrate among a handful of schools, so that they may visit several in a month's time. This has the disadvantage of losing coherency/consistency in lessons, not to mention forgetting everyone's names.

7. JET offers support in the way of various conferences and CLAIR itself. You'll have to ask current/former ALTs about the worth of these, but the fact is that other entry level jobs (dispatch ALT or eikaiwa instructor) usually have none of this type of support, and most of them feel quite alone.

8. There is a lot of talk of down time while a JET ALT is at a school. Some are criticized for doing nothing but surf the Internet (there is even a work-around for certain restricted sites posted on bigdaikon.com, I think, just to show what type of surfing is done). JET ALTs would be wise to make use of the valuable quiet moments for their own benefit as well as the reputation they impart to JET and people of the same nationality.

9. The vast majority of schools where JET ALTs get posted are in rural areas. Applicants get some say in requesting where they want to be posted, but ultimately it is JET that decides. That decision may be based on schools themselves requesting certain nationalities or genders, not on what the applicant wants. Even couples have been broken up geographically. Bottom line, do not expect to be placed where you want (IMO) or within a large city. Rural areas have their advantages, though, and many are not that far away from big cities via Japan's excellent rail system.

10. Read the online JET handbook/guidebook even before you apply, but certainly after you are accepted. It is a wealth of information!
http://www.jetprogramme.org/documents/pubs/GIH2011_eng.pdf

[Lack]

Thanks for the info.....I'm really sold on applying for it. As soon as the application for 2012 opens up in September, I'm going to apply for it. I'm also going to work on getting a passport soon, and if JET doesn't work out (although I'm really hoping it does) I'll start looking into other ESL jobs, and maybe getting TESL certification or something else. I think I can deal with the potential problems with the program. They don't sound bad. Nothing I can't deal with. Any job where you work with people and has those kinds of problems, but all my jobs were working with/dealing with people, so I'm used to it.

[highroadtochina]

[yamanote senbei]

Lack, JET is a much better way to start than with one of the crappy ALT dispatch companies. You'll have less of a choice of where you work, but the double or even four times more paid vacation and 1/3 higher salary will more than make up for that. Plus you can relax know that your salary will actually be paid and more than a month earlier than the dispatch ALTs working in the rice paddy on the other side of the mountains will be paid.

[pnksweater]

Maybe a lot has changed since you were last in the program, but the job�s not as sweet as it used to be. Here�s the thing about JET, it�s not your employer. You jump through lots of hoops to get accepted, then your profile is shuffled off to prospective contracting organizations. Ultimately your job is through your contracting organization, and they�re the ones who decide your pay, vacation, and subsidies. CLAIR provides COs with an example of a recommended contract, but there is a fair amount of variety among the various prefectures and boards of educations. You may be given summer and winter vacations off, or, like most of us, you may be required to come in to work during the breaks. You may have subsidized housing, or, like me, pay full deposits and regular market price on your apartment. Your transportation may be reimbursed, or you may get nothing despite a lengthy commute. You may work at one school, or you might work at fourteen. It�s a crap shoot and you won�t know what you�re getting until just prior to departure.

This is not to say it�s not worth it. The pay is higher. You get signed up for health insurance with additional coverage. There are lots of opportunities to get involved in extracurricular activities (both professional and not), and CLAIR provides some educational opportunities as well. It�s a great starting place. Just realize that what one JET gets you may not. Definitely be prepared for anything. If you can make the most of what you�re given, you�ll have a good time on the program.

[Glenski]

[rxk22]

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

[Landon]

[seklarwia]

[Glenski]

[steki47]