TOA Application Information
*The information below is for TOA applications for the summer (July/August) Tokyo Orientations only. Information about applying to be a TOA for April Orientation was sent to contracting organisations recently. Please consult your supervisor for more infomation if you are interested in being a TOA for April.
Preparations have begun for the 2012-2013 JET Programme Tokyo Orientation. CLAIR is looking for roughly 130 JET participants who will be reappointed for the 2012-2013 year to volunteer as Tokyo Orientation Assistants (TOAs).
TOA responsibilities include:
- Presenting CLAIR/MEXT workshops and being part of panel discussions (selected TOAs only)
- Presenting AJET workshops (selected TOAs only)
- Guiding new JET participants through Narita Airport or the Orientation venue, assisting with luggage, answering questions, etc.
- Staffing the 24-hour Hospitality Centre and Information Desk during Orientation
- Attending Embassy Welcome Events (selected TOAs only)
- Accompanying new JET participants to their host prefectures/designated cities as requested by individual prefectures/designated cities
- Assisting with any other duties deemed necessary by CLAIR
Tentative Schedule
Tokyo Orientation is separated into Orientations A, B, and C. TOA duties will be conducted on the following dates:
CLAIR/MEXT Presenters' Meeting for Orientations A/B/C: Monday, 18 June - Tuesday, 19 June
Tokyo Orientation A: Saturday, 28 July 2012 - Wednesday, 1 August 2012
Tokyo Orientation B: Saturday, 4 August 2012 - Wednesday, 8 August 2012
Tokyo Orientation C: Tuesday, 21 August 2012 - Friday, 24 August 2012
- TOAs who are selected to present a CLAIR/MEXT workshop must attend the CLAIR/MEXT Presenters' Meeting held in Tokyo on 18-19 June. TOAs presenting workshops will be selected by CLAIR based on the quality of the outline provided with their application form.
- TOAs who are not presenting CLAIR/MEXT workshops will attend the Tokyo Orientation for which they are selected and will assist with various tasks as requested by CLAIR. They will not participate in the CLAIR/MEXT Presenters' Meeting.
- TOAs not asked to present CLAIR/MEXT workshops may be asked by AJET to present an AJET workshop.
- All TOAs must be available for the entire duration of the Orientation for which they are selected.
Workshops
Selected TOAs will present workshops about life and work in Japan to new arrivals. Workshops will fall into three categories:
- CLAIR workshops (ALT or CIR, conducted in English and Japanese respectively)
- AJET workshops (conducted in English)
- The MEXT workshop titled Effective Use of the Team Teaching Handbook will utilise the Handbook for Team-Teaching, Revised Edition published by MEXT.
- The MEXT workshop titled Instruction of Senior High School Presentations will focus on effective ALT instruction of senior high school presentations, including debate, discussion, and speech contests.
Those selected to present a workshop will be provided with more detailed information about presentation topics, etc. at a later date.
Application Process/Other Details
- If you wish to apply for a TOA position, please discuss it with the JET Programme supervisor(s) of your contracting organisation and have him/her approve your completed application form with his/her personal seal (hanko). The TOA Application Form and workshop outlines should be handed in to your supervisor by Wednesday, 7 March 2012 or the date set by your contracting organisation.
- CLAIR will select applicants based on the quality of applications received and on staffing needs. Several applicants will also be selected as Alternate TOAs. Alternate TOAs will not be required to attend the CLAIR/MEXT Presenters' Meeting or Tokyo Orientation unless notified by CLAIR
- All applicants will receive notification in mid-May as to whether or not they have been chosen as a TOA.
- The status of leave granted for TOA duties is at the discretion of each contracting organisation.
- CLAIR/MEXT will bear the transportation and accomodation fees for the CLAIR/MEXT Presenters' Meeting and Tokyo Orientation for TOAs.
- The 2012 TOA Application Packet can be downloaded below. All applicants must complete and submit the 2012 TOA Application Form and two workshop outlines: one for a CLAIR/MEXT workshop (ALT or CIR), and one for an AJET workshop. Please note that handwritten outlines will not be accepted.
Questions
If you feel you can make a positive contribution to Tokyo Orientation and would like to join us in welcoming new JET participants, we encourage you to apply for a TOA position. The duties of a TOA can be long and tiring, but are both rewarding and enjoyable. If you have any questions please contact Programme Coordinators Patricia Ikeda and Scott Borba at CLAIR (TEL: 03-5213-1729; E-mail: jettoa[at]gmail.com).
