Job Discussion Forums

[Ballsrud]

Greetings,

I have been looking through the boards for a week or two now looking at the advice given to different people, but I wanted some more specific advice. I am a graduate of the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management with a BSB in MIS(Management Information Systems) and Marketing. I first heard about teaching English abroad from a college roommate who had an uncle that had been teaching in China for many years. I would then research teaching overseas every once and a while over the years and I have recently decided that it something I want to do before it's too late. The clincher for me was that I was probably going to be buying a home this Fall and getting a mortgage.

During my latest research I came across the JET program's site and I decided that the program seemed the most ideal for what I want. I know that I still have five or six months before the initial application items are due and I was just curious about what I should do before hand to make myself look better. Would it be in my best interest to do a TESOL program?

I'm also concerned about the long application process for JET. If I were to not get in my first year then would it be better to go through a company, even if I prefer JET?

I would greatly appreciate any advice.

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

Getting into JET is really a crapshoot. You will be competing for a very limited set of places against people with a wide variety of degrees, including things like double majors in Japanese and (in your case) American History/Literature before having done an MA in TESOL. Every year people who have teaching experience and degrees in it get turned down. Every year people who seem to have absolutely none of the things they are looking for get in (I knew one guy who arrived unable to correctly identify the capital city of his own country- he had very blond hair, very blue eyes and very large muscles, though).

They are looking for people who have experience teaching ESL/EFL, but definately people who have traveled a bit. The application comes out in September. There are spaces on it for interests related to Japan (martial arts counts, so does things like tea ceremony, taiko, a bunch of toehr Japanese stuff). They want people who have taught kids before.

They also want people who speak Japanese. Most JETs are in rural placements, isolated away from other English native speakers teaching English with Japanese people who may not be able to have a conversation in English.

The interview is usually a panel of three people- a former JET, a university professor in education ot linguistics fields and a Japanese person from the consolate/embassy or just the neighbourhood. It's possible (in fact very likely) that none of these people will have any experience in human resources and may ask illegal questions (I was asked several). It's also possible that the former JET left after only one year (meaning that between one month and four months after the school year actually began, they'd already decided that they'd had enough).

In order to get to the interview, you need to have an application that looks impressive to them. If you concentrate on what you want, then you will virtually guarantee that you won't get in. You need to concentrate your Statement on what they will get from hiring you. This means talking about the types of things that they ask for in the paper application (cultural interests with Japan and your own country and experience in teaching your own to people etc).

If you apply and don't get into JET, but you do get to the Alternate list, then if you do anything to better your application or just do better in the interview, then you will likely get in the second time. Occasionally, people will apply three times- first round denial, second, alternate never upgraded, third alternate upgraded or short listed immediately. That's a ridiculous amount of time to spend applying for a job that has a limited length of time- it goes to five years now instead of three, though.

The mantra of the JET program is ESID (every situation is different). Every person is different. Every interviewer is different. Etc.

[Dipso]

The first time I applied to JET I had no teaching experience and had travelled little - I didn't even get an interview. I applied again a few years later, by which time I had acquired a Celta certificate, done some teaching and spent time in Japan. On the second occasion I was accepted.

I would agree that getting on to the JET Programme can be rather hit and miss, however.

[Mothy]

I'm leaving for Japan next month with JET. I would agree that it is essentially luck as to whether you get in or not, and I think it also depends on what consulate you apply through. But for me what I had as a connection to Japan when I applied were: I had one year of college level Japanese, TESOL certification, volunteer work with Japanese and other international students, two visits to Japan- each of about a month in length, a couple of Japan related classes in my BA course work (Political Science and History), and a Japanese wife. The problem is, some of these "qualifications" will work for me and some work against me and it is hard to say which. The wife seemed to work more against me, since I was told by someone who works for the JET program through my local consulate that I should downplay that and make it clear that she is not the reason I want to go to Japan, and my most difficult questions during the interview had to do with her. Also, because I had some Japanese they tried to talk to me in Japanese in my interview, but because my level is so low I mostly just made a fool of myself.
I don't know if this information is helpful but I thought you might like to know one example. But it really varies so much. I think it certainly wouldn't hurt to get the TESOL certification though. It was a nice learning experience for me getting mine, and would have been helpful whether I was accepted to JET or not.

[Glenski]

You really don't have all that much time to add to your qualifications, but here are a few suggestions.

1) Travel. Any Japanese employer will favor people who don't appear to risk culture shock. Since you are unlikely to live in a foreign country from now to the application deadline date, your best bet is to travel a little.

2) Study Japanese. You won't be permitted to use it in the classroom, but you might be able to slip it in now and then. You will probably be better off with some knowledge of it so that you can communicate better with your JTE co-worker(s), even if they know good English. And, certainly, knowing Japanese will be better if you have the option to be placed in a rural area (most of JET locations). Daily living will require some Japanese anyway, and if you appear to be the type who can survive better as a result of your knowledge, you will be favored over someone who doesn't.

3) Tutor. If you can tutor foreigners, all the better. The more experience the better, even if it's not English. Tutor math, chemistry, car mechanics, martial arts, whatever.

4) Study up on Japan itself. Know what you may face as an ALT and as a foreigner living in Japan. Know something about Japan to get through the general knowledge part of the interview.

5) Practice interviewing. Learn what questions are going to be asked for JET. I have posted this many times from several links.

6) Prepare yourself mentally for what you are going to face. That means in the classroom and in a tiny apartment. What is it going to be like as an ALT vs. a solo teacher? What will you be allowed to do (or not)? How will you spend your free time in school? Find out what apartments are like here and try to understand what faces you. Low ceilings, kerosene space heaters (for the entire apartment), short counters, squat toilets (maybe), laundry machines with no warm cycle and perhaps with no spin dry, etc. It'll probably be "back to college" style living with secondhand stuff.

7) Figure out what you're going to do with all of your belongings, even this early. What about medications? Dental work?

Sample Japanese food. Hey, you can cook anything you like, but you will probably face situations where the only choice is to eat Japanese food. Might as well learn what it tastes like now, so you know what to order and not to order.

9) As with any interview anywhere, learn as much as you can about your employer -- be it the JET program, its conception, its current status, and whatever support systems and training they provide, or be it CLAIR or boards of education. Learn about the Japanese education system, too, so you realize where the JTEs and students are coming from in your lessons.

[Ballsrud]

[Glenski]

[Ballsrud]

[fragglerocker]

Hey Ballsrud, thought I'd add in my experiences too. I was accepted for JET in April and leaving for Japan 5 weeks today - very excited! I agree it's a very long-winded application process and you really have to jump through the hoops to get in, but in many cases, it does seem like hit and miss. Some of my friends who had similar qualifications/experiences to mine were rejected rather than given alternate status.

I was slightly worried that my application wouldn't be a strong one, since I had never taught kids before, but I had taught adults. I didn't speak a word of Japanese either. However, I had lived in other countries for a substantial amount of time - Poland, Paraguay and Bolivia, so I think that pulled me back up again. I've also made substantial efforts to learn as much Japanese as possible between April and now, taking lessons and through independent study. During my interview they asked me how quickly I learned some Polish and Spanish when I was living in those countries, and how I coped with the language barriers.

Plus, I have a CELTA teaching certificate, and I got asked me a lot of questions about this in my interview, and about how I would cope in various scenarios. My degree was in English literature and creative writing. I had put down outdoor sports as one of my major interests, and requested a rural placement and I got asked a lot of questions about this in the interview. I've been placed in a rural mountain village in my first choice prefecture (Nagano), so I couldn't be happier.

I think willingness to be flexible, experience living abroad and genuine enthusiasm for learning about Japanese language and culture score more points in the application process than, for example, someone who has a Japanese degree or a Masters in Education but not travelled much.

A few people I know who didn't get accepted with JET are now going with Interac, which is a pretty similar programme and the whole turnaround process is much quicker than JET. They got their interview, were accepted and found out their placement all within five or six weeks, so that could be another option for you.

Best of luck with whatever you decide.

[fat_chris]

Ballsrud,

Just two yen about my experience with the JET ALT application process.

I am a teacher in an elementary public school in New York City. Back in September, 2006, at the onset of my third year as a fourth grade ESL teacher at my school, it became increasingly apparent to me that my current job is not what I really want. Therefore, I began to look for what I really wanted, that is, a return to living and teaching abroad. I checked out the JET program and I began piecing my application together in October and November, put the final touches on it during the long Thanksgiving weekend, and sent it express mail in time for the Friday, December 4, 2006 deadline.

Actually, I followed a lot of Glenski's suggestions in preparation for my initial application and interview and those suggestions worked very well for me (I was accepted and am leaving for Tokyo from New York City on July 28th! Yay!).

I think you have no need to get down or be pessimistic about your chances at the moment. The application isn't due until the beginning of December, so you still have 5+ months to prepare. One bit of advice I have is to look at this past year's application to give you a good idea of some of the elements you need for it (transcripts, letters of recommendation). Begin to think of two really good recommenders for you. Stay in touch with them so you can ask them to write you the goods around September or October.

Also check out this past year's application now to examine the essay questions. Do a mental check on your motivations for your interest in the JET program, your skills that you can bring to the JET program, and what you will do with your JET experience afterwards.

I agree with Glenski. Do some tutoring now. Look at volunteer literacy programs in the Greater Minneapolis area and see if they have connections to immigrants who are interested in learning English.

It can be hit and miss. Actually, I didn't think I was going to get in because I am a very atypical JET applicant--I will be 34 next month; I already have two Master's degrees, one in TESOL; and I have taught for many years in many different situations.

But once again, don't sweat it at all. Just focus on YOUR talents and skills and abilities, and as was previously written, focus on what YOU can bring to the Japanese, not on what you want to take. Check out blogs that people have written to prepare for the application and interview process. Here's a decent one that I looked at to get me ready:

http://www.aaronackerson.com/weblog/2004/02/my_jet_program_interview.html

I wish you the best in the application process. Once again, don't sweat it. You're doing the right thing by thinking about it now and getting the ball rolling.

Regards,
fat_c

[kahilm]

I applied to JET this past year but wasn't even granted an interview. I just graduated from my university last month with a (very) liberal arts degree, no real teaching experience (some tutoring), 4 semesters of Japanese including 1-month of study abroad/home stay in a semi-rural town in Shizuoka.

I was pretty bummed out about it at first because I didn't have any solid backup plans. However, within a week of being rejected I sent out applications to some of the big 4 eikaiwas. I'll be heading over to work in Tokyo next month with one of them.

If you really want to get to Japan, make sure to have backup plans. I'll probably apply to JET again for next year since the pay is nice and I'll have some experience "teaching" by then. Anyway, good luck.

[kdynamic]

I think the best things you can do to raise your chances of getting into JET are:

- make sure you fill out the application exactly according to the rules. it will be thrown in the trash if any documents are missing, etc.

- write an SOP focusing on what you can offer JET, not the other way around. Talk about how you love kids and your dedication to multicultural exchange.

This should be enough to get you an interview. Then:

- be extremely outgoing, friendly, smiley, positive, and flexible, while at the same time being professional and mature - and make sure all these traits are well expressed in your interview. SMILE. Talk in a stong, confident voice.

After that, it's up to fate. ALTs seem to span the entire spectrum as far as their experience and backgrounds go.

[Dipso]

I would agree with everything kdynamic posted.

The application form for JET is very detailed and you must complete it exactly as requested. The statement of purpose essay is also essential - the positives of how you can help contribute to local internationalisation while an ALT is a good theme.

When you interview, be prepared to talk about current affairs and so on. The interviewers are looking for people who can think on their feet and explain clearly. If you don't know the answer to a particular factual question, you can say that if a student or JTE asked you that you would check the correct answer and get back to them later. (A common question for British applicants might be something like "How many MPs are there in Parliament?", which you either know or you don't. )

[Mothy]

Ballsrud, definately check out the Aaron Ackerson link that fat_chris gave. I read that before I went and interviewed, and it was very helpful. It should be doubly so for you, since he went through the Chicago consulate, so it should give you an idea what that consulate is looking for.

[Ballsrud]

I'm sorry that I haven't replied to this in a while, but I have been working on a few things related to the advice given within the thread. One of the things that I looked into right away was tutoring ESL learners. I am currently half-way through a volunteer tutor for ESL workshop offered through the Minnesota Literacy Council. There are a few organizations in my area that have need for volunteer ESL tutors. It looks like the students would mostly be Somali or Hmong. Minnesota has the highest Somali population in the United States and the second highest Hmong population.

I have also joined the Japan America Society of Minnesota, but I haven't participated in any of their activities as of yet. They do offer some great resources and have many interesting looking events.

Once again, I do appreciate all of the advice that the posters in this thread have given me.

Oh, I also found out a random bit of information. It seems that through extended family and marriage that I am associated with the Director of Japan House at the University of Illinois. I don't know if that would help me or hurt me if I would be interviewing at the Chicago Embassy. Even if it means nothing, I want to visit there when classes resume in the Fall.