jimmyp comments

Posted in: Is the JET Program really necessary for Japan? See in context

I'm a first year JET teaching in 5 schools, and I understand the programme is seen as expensive. I didn't come to Japan based on the salary, there are far more lucrative post graduate positions available in the world.

Could it be done for less money, probably. Would you get the same calibre of applicants? I don't know, but if people are on the programme just for the salary, then they are surely not the sort of educators anyone, globally, is looking for. Are JETs from around the World the same, no, but everyone has been selected for a skill set they can offer Japan. Is this always utilised, I think not, but that falls on both parties, I think. Do I work far in excess of my contract? Sure, but doesn't everyone I Japan? I choose to do this though.

For me, communication and community interaction are the most important parts of my role.

I teach at Elementary Schools and Adult Classes, at Junior High School I assist Japanese Teachers of English. I am lucky, my teachers are good teachers of English, but in my opinion, we are still within a system where Junior High students are taught to pass an exam, rather than to 'learn' English.

Often I think JET's are under-used, we have diverse skills sets, but all to a high level, which could be better utilised. But we are here to encourage communication.

I was told recently, by a Japanese Teacher of English, that the most important thing a JET can do in Junior High School is communicate effectively in English with the class teacher about a wide range of topics. When the students see this, they realise effective communication is really possible, when the students can understand some of the conversation the potential desire to learn increases exponentially....

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