Z
ZombieFred
Unconfirmed Member
They even prefer it.
You have a degree? You're qualified. Though having a CELTA/TESOL never hurt anyone.
I am college qualified UK skill based diploma level not a degree.
They even prefer it.
You have a degree? You're qualified. Though having a CELTA/TESOL never hurt anyone.
While I didn't do JET or any other ALT type work here in Japan, my friend did for several years and in some schools she was REQUIRED not to speak Japanese at all, even to staff (despite the fact she is fluent). This just made her feel even more aligned and ignored, but that seems to be the case mostly when you work for an agency - if you are a normal JET then you are stationed at a school so hopefully they feel like you are at least partly 'one of them'. I definitely wouldn't ever want to do the sort of thing where you get sent to various schools and are treated as just another foreigner-for-hire.
While I didn't do JET or any other ALT type work here in Japan, my friend did for several years and in some schools she was REQUIRED not to speak Japanese at all, even to staff (despite the fact she is fluent). This just made her feel even more aligned and ignored, but that seems to be the case mostly when you work for an agency - if you are a normal JET then you are stationed at a school so hopefully they feel like you are at least partly 'one of them'. I definitely wouldn't ever want to do the sort of thing where you get sent to various schools and are treated as just another foreigner-for-hire.
I sent my JET application today. Time to play that delightful waiting game. I'm just happy the stressful part of getting everything in on time is over.
Fuuuuu
still gotta statement of purpose and notarise everything while juggling all my final assessments... good thing I'm nearly done with everything, but that's just it, I'm only nearly done with everything...
I spent an hour and a half worrying about having everything in order and making sure everything was bloody perfect. Such a pain!!!!!
And you should have started this months ago!!! Tharja would have disappointed.
I wanna do this thing in China...in maybe like five years.
I'd definitely like the opportunity to speak the language (I'm fluent-ish) but there's plenty of ways to do that over there in my experience - and Chinese are at least a tad friendlier and more welcoming to foreigners than Japanese, from what I gather.
Yeah the majority in Japan are friendly enough. I'm greeted with a smile in all my local shops, I've joined two local musics groups etc. In Japan you're very unlikely to meet someone who has never had contact with foreigners, and the horror stories I've heard from friends in China are far worse than those here (one girl had someone cut a lock of her hair when travelling on the bus, another had some perve chase her down the street to get a photo of her boobs).
If you want to jam, look on craigslist. I've seen both locals and fellow foreigners looking for bandmates.How did you get involved with these local music groups? Please elaborate. I want to find people to jam with in Tokyo.
If you want to jam, look on craigslist. I've seen both locals and fellow foreigners looking for bandmates.
I'm more interested in traditional Japanese stuff so I joined a taiko drumming club and also a koto club. I have played a couple performances of each at local festivals. You can see my first, very nervous performance of the Totoro theme tune and a couple other Ghibli songs on youtube if you're interested... And yes I am the only male, foreign and under 30 y/o member of the group but I get treated like an idol
Thank you I tried it for a few months back in the UK but without a real teacher so I was starting from scratch, basically, and it took me 6 months before I could perform (and I still suck and make tons of mistakes, haha). My teacher just lent me a full size (6 foot) one to practice on though so that's awesome. And I definitely recommend taiko too because it's a fun workout if nothing else and most towns will have at least one group because they are always needed for festivals.That's awesome! Could you play at all before, or did you learn everything (about koto playing) from this circle?
Thank you I tried it for a few months back in the UK but without a real teacher so I was starting from scratch, basically, and it took me 6 months before I could perform (and I still suck and make tons of mistakes, haha). My teacher just lent me a full size (6 foot) one to practice on though so that's awesome. And I definitely recommend taiko too because it's a fun workout if nothing else and most towns will have at least one group because they are always needed for festivals.
Sanshin! Okinawan music is best music.I had a sanshin back home, before I came to Japan, so I may pick that back up... or shamisen... Hmmm... choices.
Sanshin! Okinawan music is best music.
Is it too late to fill our an application to JET at this point? Do they only operate on a Fall-Spring schedule, or can I apply in a few months for the spring?
Teaching English in Asia is something I always wanted to do. I studied abroad in China for year and had a wonderful time. If I had a choice, I would return and live in China permanently, but I need to be practical. I don't have much teaching or work experience, and there aren't a whole lot of options for teaching in China other through private tutoring companies which I hear range in quality and reliability. I've heard nothing but good things about JET, so it seems likely my best bet. Can anyone offer suggestions?
Is it too late to fill our an application to JET at this point? Do they only operate on a Fall-Spring schedule, or can I apply in a few months for the spring?
Teaching English in Asia is something I always wanted to do. I studied abroad in China for year and had a wonderful time. If I had a choice, I would return and live in China permanently, but I need to be practical. I don't have much teaching or work experience, and there aren't a whole lot of options for teaching in China other through private tutoring companies which I hear range in quality and reliability. I've heard nothing but good things about JET, so it seems likely my best bet. Can anyone offer suggestions?
Do applications need to sent through snail-mail?The deadline is November 26, which is when the embassy MUST have your application by mail. JET only opens its application process for a month each year (normally in October). You have time to complete the application but you must start on it now and contact two possible people to write a reference letter. The latter is the biggest wall. Everything else can be done within a few days if you are dedicated (and a good writer).
Yep.You are aware JET is for Japan, right? Not China.
Any realistic possibilities for non-"native" speakers?
I'm Dutch, but taught myself English from a very young age. Officially I am not a native speaker, but I would argue that my proficiency should suffice.
Do applications need to sent through snail-mail?
My references are from China, and the easiest thing for them is to send their letters via email.
Alright.Application needs to be submitted online and sent through snail-mail. JET needs some signatures from you and some supplementary forms.
The references will be your trouble spots. You need two confidential letter of recommendations. Your references have to seal the envelope and sign it, so email is impossible.
Any realistic possibilities for non-"native" speakers?
I'm Dutch, but taught myself English from a very young age. Officially I am not a native speaker, but I would argue that my proficiency should suffice.
Application needs to be submitted online and sent through snail-mail. JET needs some signatures from you and some supplementary forms.
The references will be your trouble spots. You need two confidential letter of recommendations. Your references have to seal the envelope and sign it, so email is impossible.
Well that was interesting! Boss tells me to take this morning off to "take photos"...
Ends up I got paid 50$/hour to model 500$ cashmere sweaters for the largest mall in town. WTF??
If your English is fine, I don't see why not. You may need to go with a private company though depending on whether or not your country is participating with JET. Assuming, you want to go to japan that is. Dunno about China or Korea.
Are there only certain times of the year they hire for this? I might do this if my job switch doesn't go through.
Edit: Just saw the dates on the page... Does anyone think it's possible to round everything up for this by the 26th?
Nothing like an application form to help you realise how little you've done in your life
During the international traveling portion, I was so sad the only thing I could write down was my trip to Jamaica...six years ago. :'-(
Tell me about it. I'm glad that I have the option of pursuing a gig with a private company, at least. And I'm doubly glad that I am more interested in Japan than, say, Korea, since it doesn't sound like the fact that I've been a fluent speaker of English for 16 years--and have had all my schooling conducted in English--will mean anything to them if I'm not a "native speaker". (I'm practically more proficient in English than I am in even my own mother tongue, damn it! Academically speaking, at least. I consider it my secondary "first language", if that makes sense...or to be more precise, my second "primary language".)I wish Sweden was one of the participating countries in the JET program. Would interac or Aeon be worth the effort? Would love to hear from someone with experience from it, good and bad. Reading the sites it seems english schooling for 10+ years is needed, though..
My registered post has been received. I want my postcard back
To teach in Korea you pretty much have to be from UK, USA, SA, Australia, Ireland, Canada or NZ.