Job Discussion Forums

[Cubic09]

Hi Everyone

This is my first post to this forum, and I must say that I'm impressed with how comprehensive it is.

I have read through a lot of the previous posts - the search function doesn't seem to work altogether well, so apologies if what I'm asking is old news.

So...

Situation

I'm 28 years old, have a double degree in Arts and Law from a New Zealand university; and intend doing a full TESOL course later this year. I have no teaching experience, but intend volunteering to teach ESOL for about 6 months prior to arriving in Japan in August 2010 (assuming I'm successful).

I intend applying to the JET programme when applications open next month.

A couple of questions...

(1) For those who have lived and worked in Japan, which areas did you find the most enjoyable? Personally, I prefer warmer weather and would prefer to live in a town that in an outright rural area.

(2) Is accommodation paid for by JET? If not, how much will it cost me per month, and is it advisable to organise it yourself or leave it to the 'contracting organisation'?

(3) What about key money...how much is this typically?

(4) How much money will I need for my first month's living expenses? I'm thinking about 100,000 Yen, will this be enough?

(5) Is it possible to save money as an ALT and, if so, how much? I would prefer to eat out as much as I can (rather than be cooped up cooking in a small kitchen). Is this feasible?

(6) Are there any alternatives to JET that operate on a similar system (that is, normal working hours?) The likes of AEON don't appeal as it seems classes are from 1 until 9pm.

(7) Are you responsible for lesson plans? How did everyone find collaborating with your Japanese counterpart?

( Is there any sort of career progression within JET, or teaching ESOL itself? I'm thinking of teaching in the Middle East after JET, if only to be able to save money to buy a house in New Zealand's over-hyped property market

(9) What are these ALT dispatch agencies?

THANKS HEAPS FOR ANSWERING THESE QUESTIONS!! I know this is a 'Japan' post, but if any of you have questions about New Zealand don't hesitate to ask (assuming that's allowed).

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

You should google the JET programme. Most of the answers to your questions about JET are in the official information. What it boils down to is Every Situation Is Different (ESID). That's the mantra of the JET program. For now don't worry about that stuff, applications aren't even out yet, you wouldn't be leaving for about 11 months. For your other questions, google them, too. Responses found in this board often appear on google searches.

Next- your thread title is about the "JET Scheme" and starts with a poll about eikaiwa versus public schools. JET is only for public schools, so it's a 'little' out of place. There is also a lot more to education in Japan than eikaiwa and public schools.

'Full TESOL course' needs to be defined. For many people that means an MTESOL, or a MA TESOL, or an M.Ed TESOL. What do YOU mean? If you plan to work in the Middle East, it had better mean a masters level course, because you'll probably need it. But then, unless you were doing it by distance, then you wouldn't be going on JET next year, you'd have to wait a year (and to do a master's you would probably need two years of experience teaching ESOL as a prerequisite).

You shouldn't have a problem with 100,000Y to do you for a month, unless for some reason you need to pay key-money (and you probably won't have to pay key-money on JET).

[Cubic09]

I guess I'm starting my research early, as I'm exploring a few other options apart from JET.

I'm also looking at EPIK, though all the information I find on them seems to be profoundly negative. I keep an open mind.

You're right about the poll - I put it up to lure people in; it seems to have failed!

As for the TESOL programme, the one I'm most interested in is a Graduate Certificate in TESOL from Victoria University: http://www.victoria.ac.nz/lals/degrees/cert-tesol.aspx

I'm most interested in this one as it's eligible for student loans, whereas the other programmes (like the Trinity certification) are not.

Further, JET does not require TESOL experience - though it would undoubtedly help of course.

Thanks for your answers!!

[Glenski]

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

It looks like a good program. See if you can use it to get transfer credit in their MA in TESOL or Applied Linguistics. I know that universities in Australia do that (you do a post-grad cert for four units, then you just need to do four units and you get the Masters, this particular example comes from Deakin University), and as a New Zealander, you qualify for Commonwealth supported country rates (the same as those from Australia, I think). I have no idea if you would be eligible for student loans in New Zealand doing something like that though. You may not get the same amount in transfer credit if you went to the schools that have that system with a post-grad cert from a different school, though.

If you *can* do something like that, then that would be great- you could get a single term postgrad certificate, then while on JET (if you got in) could finish the masters. You could easily do two units a term while in JET and so finish it in a single year (though I don't know if they would make you wait a year or two on JET to get experience before starting).

Getting into JET is highly competitive. TESOL, experience with things Japanese (including language) experience with culture of your own country etc are all asked on the application form. Many people have verifiable things (university courses etc) to put in every single slot.

JET is a temp job. It maxes out at five years. Progression... not really. You are an ALT for five years, during which you gain seniority just by knowing what's what and being able to help people. There is a prefectural advisor position (usually done by CIRs because it often involves calling up local BoEs if there is a problem between the BoE and the ALT that isn't getting resolved. BoEs hate it when that happens because basically if the prefectural advisor can't get it fixed, but understands that it is a problem then they will get the prefectural BoE to give the local one a call- which ALWAYS results in the problem getting fixed, and if it's reached that stage then it means that it is getting fixed in the way that the ALT wanted. There are some prefectural advisors who are ALTs, though) that used to be only for fourth and fifth year JETs when JET maxed out at three years. There used to be an elementary school ALT position for fourth and fifth years when JET maxed out at five years, as well, but now they're making some people arrive as elementary ALTs.

[Apsara]

[Cubic09]

Yanks always do things differently! It had never occurred to me that 'scheme' was a dirty word (and I know plenty).

GambateBingBangBOOM, the MA thing is a fine idea. I would be able to credit the programme I intend doing, but for one issue - money!

I'm also new to the TESOL field, so am uncertain if it's a place I want to settle in. I figure a semester-long course and some voluntary ESOL teaching will give me a fair idea.

And yeah, I'm sure that Japanese people don't eat out all the time! I'd like to eat out more than usual; hopefully by finding some reasonably-priced noodle houses or somesuch

[Cool Teacher]

[monkeyhero]

[Glenski]

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

[G Cthulhu]

[Apsara]

[GambateBingBangBOOM]

[Cubic09]

Glenski should note that I have amended my previous reference to "JET Scheme" to "JET Programme".

Sheesh, if I cause offence in English easy enough, how the hang will I get on in Japan? Just gotta hope that the Japanese have a wicked sense of humour!!