I hope aspiring JET Program applicants will find this section to be useful and readers in general will find it informing and perhaps an enjoyable read, perhaps even motivate them to apply for the program.
このページの内容でジェットプログラムがより世間的に知られたらと思います。読者の皆さんにとって「面白い！」と感じさせたら、さらにに良いです。
#jetprogram #jetprogramme #japan #teachenglish
For actual up-to-date information on the JET Program, please check their official website for your region/country with a quick internet search on your preferred search engine. There are plenty of forums, such as Reddit, where people are actively sharing and exchanging the latest information or social networking services such as Facebook where people make groups and pages to connect with each other and share their experiences as well.
ジェットプログラムについて詳しくは検索エンジンでジェットプログラムの公式ホームページを閲覧して下さい。また、正確な最新情報はジェットプログラムの公式ホームページにてご確認下さい正確な最新情報はジェットプログラムの公式ホームページにてご確認下さい。現役の参加者なども積極的に情報を交換しているので、フォーラムやSNSでつなげるは可能だと思います。
簡単にまとめたら、ジェットプログラムは日本政府が後援で英語圏の国から主に20代、30代の大卒以上の方が諸国の日本領事館、大使館を通して、日本に文化交流のために招待するものです。主なプログラムの参加者は日本の中学校や高校にて非常勤講師の形で契約派遣採用みたいな感じで、英語の先生として働きます。
The One Thing That is Guaranteed
Every situation is different (ESID)
JET Program Participants
全ての事情は異なります。
ジェットプログラム参加者たち
DISCLAIMER: Please consult the official JET Program website concerning all the requirements for applicants to qualify in addition to the deadline for applications plus the documents you need to prepare. I am in only sharing my experiences along with thoughts and opinions here.
日本国籍の方はジェットプログラム参加できる者対象外ですが、和訳を入れておきます。
注意:ジェットプログラムの公式ホームページで対象、条件、締め切り、必要の書類などを確認して下さい。この記事はただ記者の経験、意見、考えなどを紹介されているだけです。
The JET (Japan Exchange Teaching) Program accepts applicants that hold at least a bachelor’s degree or those who are expected to graduate with one by the time they’re sent to Japan following the schedule for that year. It is a great way to experience Japan not as a tourist but as a working adult in the community you get placed in, should you be selected as a successful candidate.
ジェットプログラムに参加できる条件は大学を卒業した者(学士号を持つ者)か、その年度に卒業予定の者で日本へ行くまでに学士号を手に入れると定められています。日本を観光客としてではなく、派遣先の地区で日本の社会人として日本生活を体験できる素晴らしい機会だと思います。もし、プログラムに申し込んで合格したらですね。
Things to Know When Applying
申し込む時に知っておくべきこと
ALT No Japanese Required
ALTは日本語能力全く無くても大丈夫です！
The truth is, if you are applying for the English teaching position (assistant language teacher aka ALT), you don’t have to know about or even necessarily like Japan to apply. The purpose of the program in its grassroots nature is to promote more awareness between the country the applicant is from and Japan. However it would help for you to be interested in Japan as the premise of the program is exchange. In short, ZERO knowledge of Japan is OKAY and there’s no requirement for you to the learn the language though it is highly recommended.
実は、英語指導助手(Assistant Language Teacher(ALT))の仕事をしたいなら、 日本語全くできなくても、「日本が好き！」の気持ちが特に無くても応募できます。なぜなら、ジェットプログラムはグラスルーツ(草の根運動)的な交流のために作られたからです。参加者の国と日本との間の交流により両国の良い絆を築いて上げて行くのです。
My thoughts on this is don’t be an imperialist when it comes to language and culture. If you’re going abroad to live and work in Japan or any other country, it reflects poorly on you and your home when you snub the local language and people that are hosting you like you’re some 21st century European colonist/missionary out to educate (exploit) the “savages” ultimately for selfish reasons whilst declaring you and your home country to be superior.
CIR If Your Japanese is Good…
Learn the local language and culture and you will find a lot you didn’t know and hopefully gain a better appreciation of the differences and similarities between your own culture and the host culture.
If you do have a high level of Japanese language proficiency, then you can qualify for the CIR (Coordinator for International Relations) position but do note that openings for the role are very limited in number and the vast majority of JET Program positions are for ALT. CIR duties can include teaching English, from what I heard, but the main duties will be around translation/interpretation and helping to organize international themed events with the local municipality.
As far as I know, you can still apply for CIR as and opt to get hired as an ALT if you get accepted by the program but there are no CIR openings for that year. Additionally it may be possible to change from an ALT to CIR and vise versa, but the former is probably a lot less common than the latter.
Other
There is also the much rarer position of Sports Exchange Adviser (SEA) which is available to basically professional athletes or perhaps trainers. I don’t know anyone personally who has participated in JET Program in this position, so check out the official website or other forums if you’re interested and qualified.
Transfers
For those who apply and do go to Japan, there is also the potential to apply to transfer to a different location if for some recognized reason your placement is not viable for you. It’s not a common, perhaps rare indeed, but it is a possibility if you are applying for the program and weighing the potential for things not turning out well where you get placed.
The JET Program Community
As a government-backed program, JET has an international community of active participants and alumni. These communities exist in various forms but are most connected at the local chapter levels made up of returnees of the program. For Americans this is usually organized by state.
The JET Program community is one bound by shared experiences through the program and not the participants’ country of origin, so people from different countries can also connect as well!
The network is a good resource for staying connected to Japan, and to people who have been to and have an appreciation for Japan. This means that for people who go home, there’s a support group in a sense. Living in Japan or any other foreign country that is different from home for even a year or two can cause reverse culture shock upon return.
One Chance Works 