The Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme is an exchange program sponsored by the Japanese government that offers university graduates the opportunity to work as either a Coordinator for International Relations (CIR) in selected local government offices in Japan, or as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) in elementary or secondary schools. For a basic introduction to the JET Programme, click here.
Interested university graduates can apply for this programme, and, if accepted, will be placed somewhere in Japan for paid work. Preferences for placement can be made, though the company finds accommodation for the employee. Transportation to and from Japan is covered, but the accommodation must be paid for by the employee. Orientation sessions are held both prior to and following departure to Japan, and after arriving in Japan, participants are required to participate in mandatory training sessions, and they can enroll in Japanese language courses.
If you have any more questions about JET that not covered here or within JET’s articles on their website, check out their FAQ, or contact them using the information at the bottom of their home page.
Why apply to JET?
Why not apply to JET? If you are interested in Japanese culture, enjoy working with others, thrive for new experiences, and love learning from and teaching others, then JET might be worth looking into. While there may be a fair amount of papers required for application, the process is not overly difficult, it is free to apply and the chance to teach abroad for a year is extremely alluring to many.
Successful applicants are flown to and from Japan free of charge and housing arrangements are taken care of, though the costs for apartments are paid for by the participant. In your first year in the programme, yearly salary is ￥3.36 million (~$42, 000 CAD), and this value increases year after year. Click here for more details on salaries. Aside from the decent salary, there is time for taking holidays and exploring Japan or other nearby countries such as Korea. The combination of travel, play, and work, is a welcome change for many university students and the decent salary allows for some repayment of student loans, or saving for further studies.
Who can apply to JET?
Anyone who is a Canadian citizen and holds a Bachelor’s Degree by the designated departure date (usually around July 29th) can apply to JET. For a full list and explanation of JET’s criteria for eligibility, click here.
Things required for application:
Applying to JET is a two-stage process which involves filling out an online application and submitting other required documents, and going for an interview. The applicants who pass the first application stage are granted an interview which usually takes place in Feburary during Reading Week. These interviews are held at the Japanese consulate offices, so for Albertans, this would be in Calgary.
The application itself requires a written essay about why you’d like to participate and why you should be selected, as well as a few reference letters and some official documentation from your university. These details are, unfortunately, not made available on their website until they open up the online application sometime in October or Novemeber. The deadline for submitting all documents is the end of November, so it’s a very good idea to check the website frequently leading up to the application release date, and to prepare your essay ahead of time. References should be considered well in advance and they should be chosen carefully.
For the timeline regarding the application process, click here.
Planning ahead for application
One of the worst things to experience when applying for such a program is the applications opening late and you having to scramble to gather all the required materials such as transcripts, and reference letters. Such occurrences are not necessarily uncommon, but the stress resulting from such an event can be avoided by careful planning. Keep in mind that midterms in most universities take place around October/November, so staying ahead of the game is even more important in this case.
Aspiring JETs should begin browsing the JET website months before applying. In the best case scenario, this should be done at least a full semester before so that if you have any questions regarding the process or experience, there is plenty of time to ask your teachers, peers, or get in contact with JET coordinators.
At least a rough draft for the required essay should be written during the summer leading up to the application period. This will give you plenty of time to ponder how to make your essay stand out from those of the other applicants, and it will help you realize if there is anything else you could do during the summer to help your application. It may be a good idea to volunteer at a school or daycare over the summer, or to join a university group connected to Japanese exchange students.
Consider learning Japanese. While the JET programme does not require ALTs to be fluent in Japanese, over the years ALTs with some Japanese proficiency have become preferred. If possible, take a course at your university, or, enroll in some off-campus lessons if you can find them. Taking formal courses is not necessary, but they may help if you have no prior Japanese language experience. Immerse yourself in Japanese movies and television shows to help hone your listening skills and your pronunciation. There are many free Japanese learning resources online that can be exploited, so you don’t necessarily have to spend hundreds of dollars on lessons.
If you have some Japanese ability, consider taking the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test). Taking one of these tests is a great way to build your JET application as it shows strong determination in your desire to learn the Japanese language. Even if you only pass the most basic level of the test, it shows a level of dedication that may help put you above other applicants. If you are interested in taking the JLP, not that you must register for these tests months in advance, and only two are held each year. One is in summer, and the other is around December. Plan in advance if you are considering taking the test, as the latest you could take the test in order to use your scores on the JET application would be during the summer. This year, the summer JLPT test falls on July 1st. If you want more information, please visit the JLPT website here, and visit my posts on how to register for the JLPT and how to prepare for it.
Life after JET (career options and extended contracts)
Life after JET is different for everyone but may include staying in Japan having acquired an extended contract from a school, returning home to start a career, or going back to school. On JET’s website, click “After JET Guide” underneath the heading “Former JETs” at the top of the page for a downloadable pdf about the steps involved in returning home, adjusting to reverse culture shock, and tips on finding your path after JET.
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