Hello!
As the title says, I am here to ask for answers regarding the JET PROGRAMME application.
H**ow to have a greater chance of getting accepted?** (*except the obvious ones like writing a great SOP, and following the JET requirements)* \- I have heard and read online that JET’s way of accepting their ALT teachers is sometimes “questionable” because those who got accepted do not have teaching experience prior to JET or are fresh graduates. In contrast, others with years of teaching experience, master’s degree, and JLPT certificate was not accepted.
I believe that no teaching experience does not mean you are not good enough, but commonly, companies accept those who are “more qualified” or those who have plenty of experience.
The point is, **what can I do to have a greater chance of getting accepted?**
I do have two years of teaching experience. I do not know if that is enough or if I need to do something. (I’m from the PH btw)
(I MAY SOUND OFFENSIVE OR STUPID SORRY IN ADVANCE, BUT I GENUINELY WANT ANSWERS)
7 comments
Filipino recruiting SOP is a completely different game from the five eyes nations. All of the Filipino ALTs I know had an education background.
One thing that’s universal is that you need to be able to show you have the necessary resilience and adaptability to actually live in Japan without going mad and abandoning ship after 3 months
Long story short, no one knows except for the people who review the applications and make the decisions. A lot of what we know is conjecture.
Longer answer:
The people JET takes are a huge mixed bag. Some are fresh university graduates, others have been out of school for years (occasionally decades). Some have education backgrounds, others don’t. Some people have good Japanese ability, others have none.
What JET seems to want are people who are A) interested in cultural exchange, B) are fairly normal, well-adjusted people who can hold a basic conversation and C) are adaptable and resilient enough to move to wherever in Japan and complete their contracts (rather than breaking contract part way). How you choose to show those qualities in your application is up to you.
> I have heard and read online that JET’s way of accepting their ALT teachers is sometimes “questionable” because those who got accepted do not have teaching experience prior to JET or are fresh graduates. In contrast, others with years of teaching experience, master’s degree, and JLPT certificate was not accepted.
There’s a very simple reason for this, JETs purpose isn’t hiring full time teachers. You are an Assistant Language Teacher, emphasis on Assistant. The role you will serve in the school(s) can vary greatly and having a teaching degree may do very little for you as a result.
JET is looking for people who:
– Have a genuine interest in Japan and learning about Japanese culture
– Are personable and friendly
– Seem likely to be able to adapt to living/working in Japan in a variety of possible environments
– Are unlikely to cause trouble
– Can speak English at a high level
– Can and are willing to serve as an assistant teacher
If you are some hot shot new grad with an education degree who thinks they can come in and revolutionize how English is taught in Japan you are not someone they want. Why? Because you’re here for 1-5 years and the kids already have a regular English teacher. If you try to come bulldoze in with your “groundbreaking” educational ideas you’ll be more trouble than you are worth. You won’t be happy because the teachers won’t (and can’t) let you take over and change everything. They won’t be happy because you are helping them in the way they need.
That’s not to say you can’t be creative and won’t have a chance to offer ideas, you probably will. But it will be in a way that helps the teacher primarily, and you’ll need to adapt more to their needs and your schools needs.
Be adaptable. Be friendly. Those are the biggest traits they are looking for.
Oh and be realistic. Japan is not some anime/manga fantasy land. You’ll be working a real job living a mostly normal day to day life. You’ll have chances to explore your hobbies and interests in Japan of course, but it’ll be a lot more Nichijou and a lot less Naruto as an experience.
Literally the only “secret” way to get accepted more easily is if your city has a Japanese sister city and that city specifically wants JETs from their sister city or cities.
I used to teach Japanese as a volunteer back in my home country. Many of my students applied for the programme eventually. Yes, teaching experience and Japanese ability is important but social skills are equally just as important.
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In my experience, sometimes someone can have all the skills on paper but when put on front of the interviewers they crack under the pressure and come off as too nervous and too timid.
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Especially for the ALT role, I think most interviewers are looking for genki people who can entertain a bunch of kids rather than an experienced educator. After all, the JTE is the professional teacher and the ALT is the assistant (although it doesn`t really work that way in reality)
Do not overlook the exchange aspect of JET. They want people who are easy to get along with and are well spoken and confident. Someone who is willing to be a part of their community, and can back that up by showing they are apart of their community back home. So things like volunteering or being part of a team or community organizer are all things that would improve your chances of getting accepted.