If You Are Looking to Teach in Japan, Consider the JET Program

For literally thousands for recently graduated* Successful Applicants Receive Notification - May /
students, finding a job abroad is a career goal -June / July
especially for those who have an adventurous heart.* Successful Applicants Receive Placement
Although thee are basically three roads to finding anInformation - July
entry level teaching job in Japan, many opt for the* Pre-Departure Orientation - July / August
JET program over other work - mainly large* Departure on Designated Day - July / August
conversations schools and work as an ALT for someIt's generally more difficult to get a JET position than
very good reasons. In this article we'll look at whyan ALT or eikaiwa position for other reasons as well.
many hold out for JET jobs.For instance stable predictable teaching hours, 8 a.m
The first and probably best known reason reasonto 4 p.m. or so and often subsidized apartments. Not
why the recently graduated choose The JETprogramall JET's enjoy these cushy extras because hiring
which stands for "The Japan Exchange and Teachingbodies or BOE's are all different. So it stands to
Program" is that this program pays more money thanreason that living and working conditions will vary as
both the ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) positionswell. And they do. Many get cushy jobs with big
and mainstream "eikaiwa" or English conversationsapartments while others get none of this. Also like
work. How much you ask? About 50,000 yen perALT and big "eikaiwa" positions you'll have no say in
month.where you will be stationed. Rural assignments are
This is usually enough to persuade most to endurequite frequent.
their application process. Many who've set their sitesThere are three possible positions a JET can get.
on The JET Program have to endure a fairly rigorousThey are ALT, CIR and SEA. ALT stands for
application process which begins in October. Here is aAssistant Language teacher. CIR stands for
blow by blow description of the process:Coordinator for International Relations. SEA stands
Here we go...for Sports Exchange Adviser. SEA positions are very
* Early Applications Accepted - Late Novemberdifficult to get as only 10 positions nation wide are
* Application Deadline* (Varies by Country) Januaryoffered. CIR and ALT positions are far more
* 1st Notice Sent to Applicants - February / Marchnumerous. So most wind up in these positions.
* Interviews at Japanese Embassies / Consulates -Although working conditions vary greatly in the JET
Late March / Aprilprogram, it is still considered overall to be the best
* Interview Results Sent to Tokyo - Aprildeal and so in addition to being most difficult to get
* 2nd Notice Sent to Applicants - Mayinto, it is the most sought after. Which is why most
* Submit Health Check and Reply Forms -recent grads try this program first before applying
May-Augustfor ALT and general conversation jobs.