Aspiring UK JETs 2012 Application For 2013-2014 Programme

[Chez1986]

Heys everyone thought I would attempt to immediatley start a new thread well hopefully its new otherwise this will probably get deleted... so what is eveyone going to do differently this time round? Or if it's your first time applying what do you plan to do/have done prior to the application opening date?

I personally am going to work really hard to pass my driving test, I've been learning a few years now ooops and I have a TEFL course booked I'm also going to apply for a work visa and go and teach for a few months in Japan, somewhere anywhere .

[Appollo]

It was my first time applying this year, it was an ordeal, but at least I know what expect next time. :3

The first thing I'm going to do is update my Personal Statement, there's so much stuff that I want to change now lol. Also I'd like to do some volunteer work, either teaching or working, and round up some good potential referees on the way. :3

I need to pass my driving test too. X3

[SakiQuinn]

Been lurking for a while, figured I should finally register when I saw this thread!

It will be my first time applying this year, though not for lack of wanting to. I'd say I know what to expect but I know that's far from true! Just starting to get things ready now and shall be hoping for the best. Seems all we can do really .
I have a little classroom assistant experience under my belt, but I'm hoping to gain some more this year and hopefully do a TEFL over the summer. Just hoping that I have the time to be as prepared as I can be, since my job has unsocial working hours at times (start early, finish late, irregular days off). Thinking about doing some volunteer work abroad over the summer too if I can afford it.

Good luck everyone! Just think, this time next year we'll all be in this thread talking about how awesome our interviews went *thinking positively*.

[penelopeface]

Shall we start with 2012- 2013 first? I'm going to try and pass the JLPT N2 this July. I'm fluent in Japanese so grammar and listening shouldn't be at all difficult, but my kanji and certain vocabulary are pretty rusty. I'm also going to do some volunteer work. I'll apply for CIR position next year since I think my life experiences are more relevant for that position. Good luck you guys for this year. Spring and summer are ususally busy months for people I think so time should pass quickly enough.

[Chez1986]

The 2011 application was my first time applying too, it was definatley an experience and I won't lie I was completley deflated in getting that thin piece of rejection paper but there's no point dwelling on it I have a life afterall and my health the postman became my best friend lol Next time I won't get so emotionally involved and they will definatley interview me at least on the next one as I will make it so

WOW penelopeface I really admire that you are so fluent the CIR position looks amazing too, but sadley am not yet that fluent - I only have two years of learning the Japanese Language under my belt and we barley touched the Kanji, which is why I marked myself as introductory with an enthusiastic plus line saying I learn new words everyday I am so investing in Kanji flashcards this year I have high expectations to learn the basic ones at least

ooo yes I can see my mistake of the years I will alter it to 2012 sorry people

Yes I reckon the key lies within the lines of voluntary work I plan do do as much as possible to improve my outlook and stamina on paper.

its onwards and upwards from here folks, its good ol character building all the way and beyond

[nil180]

I'll be applying for the first time this year! I have considered doing it in previous years, but there was always something that seemed to get in the way. So this year I am determined to make it through and apply!

I teach art and do freelance graphic design. I went to university in wales and graduated several years ago. I've always wanted to go and teach in Japan, and this summer will be my 4th trip to the country! I'll be in Aomori and Tokyo for the first two weeks of August if anyone wanted to come hang out

I'm doing as much volunteer work with young people in my area as I possibly can, and looking to take my JLPT 2 (by this I mean the second test XD N4) if I can find the time to fit it in. (Working a 6 day week in a really rural area makes it hard to commute to where I need to take classes). I did look into taking a TEFL course, but to gain one with classroom hours I would need to travel to Cardiff which is a 2 hour train ride for me. I've already put the ball rolling though with some after school clubs with my school kids, and then some cultural days with other local groups. I'll be off back to my university next Thursday to speak to my ancient lecturer about the possibility of a reference when the time comes.

Nice to meet everyone

[Chez1986]

Welome everyone to this thread, it's nice to meet you all back . Sounds like you guys are well on your way to having better/ brilliant applications already I too am already re-reading through my previous application and can see loads of things that I could improve on like the fact that I never submitted the two pieces of paper stating my marks on passing Japanese Break Through Languages level 1 and 2 from my local university (shame there wasn't enough takers to have a third year), not been the one where I achieved my degree lol Doh! as they say. Its really worth recomending to start gathering everything up now, planning rough drafts then hopefully come the next application process it will just be a case of fine tuning and no rushing .

If any of you guys are from the North West reigon, there is a Japanese Society of which I am a member called the Japanese North West Society and they arrange conversational evenings and Japanese related events throughout Manchester and Liverpool in Japanese Resturants and things you don't have to be an official member to come along anyone interested in Japan and the language will be warmley welcomed also not related to the society but I'm going anyway to Bridgewater Hall in Manchester as it is having a tea ceromony demonstration around the 24th of Feb shoud be interesting

With anyluck we should be all able to keep each other going untill october

Now if only I could master this corner reverse sigh....

[qwerky]

Oh my God, I need to live closer to Manchester.... that tea ceremony sounds AMAZING!!!

[Chez1986]

Okay I've changed the thread title kinda long I know, but hopefully there will be no confusion that it is for the application process this year to apply for the programme next year

Ahhh tell me about it I Iive 40mins via the train from Manchester its self but if I incorporate my trip into a full day its not so bad.

I am doing a weekend TEFL course in Leeds also a train ride from where I live lol my town dosn't seem to have much in the way of Japanese Culture (apart from the University) or teaching courses, so unfortunatley for me travel has become essential to access these type of things. I'm also thinking of doing the advanced one after if my wage allows.


ooo If I get to Japan the same time this summer I will def message, when I suggest anything to my family or friends about Japan or Japanese Culture they roll their eyes and say "oh she's on one about Japan again" and I am usually left talking to myself lol although they always make an acception for my birthday we all went to the Little Tokyo Resturant located in Leeds again! it was lovley

[Appollo]

Hey guys, do you think it's too early for me to start getting my references ready for this year's app? Am I just being impatient. lol

[Teishou]

Uh. Yeah. You have like...8 months. If you don't forget that you asked them, they'll most certainly forget you did.

[merkypie]

Start harassing them around May/June/July so that when its September, you can be like, " Hey I asked you to write me a reference and you said yes back in May/June/July ". They have no way to back out if they promised. But not now. It's only February. Start doing other things like volunteering or something.

[Appollo]

Yeah I guess it would be silly to get them to write references so early, if they did there could also be things I do later in the year that they wouldn't be able to mention. It seems obvious to me now, sometimes I need a different perspective to consider such things. lol

Thanks for the advice. :3

[Chez1986]

Heys

Well I don't think it would hurt in maybe mentioning your wanting to apply to the JET programme to your potential referees, they may have some suggestions for ways to improve your impending application as previously mentioned it is still very early but I would recomend discusssing your prospects. I told my university tutor about wanting to apply before I started my dissertaion last year and he kept asking me how things were progressing. Ive since told him I didnt get an interview this time, and he said not to worry he'll be my referee again this time and suggested I help out in the language department with students wanting to improve their English language skills. Which am now doing

ESID I suppose

WE WILL GET INTERVIEWS NEXT TIME.....

:D

[Chez1986]

Heys for those of you wanting to do a TEFL course there is an offer on atm till the 29th of feb that you can buy a course and take a friend for half price its the UK TEFL website or just type UK Tefle into google - thats how Ive booked mine xxxx