Alternatives to JET

[Lichtgestalt]

Hi everyone,

I remember there used to be a forum for alternatives to JET, but somehow I can't find it so I'll just post in here. I'm not an English native speaker and I don't hold a passport of one of an English speaking country either, so JET is basically not an option for me. However, I'd still like to teach in Japan and since I studied both English and French (I'm a German native speaker), I thought it would be best to try schools that teach several languages in order to improve my chances because English-only schools would probably prefer a native English speaker no matter how qualified I am as a teacher (I'm qualified as a secondary school teacher for English, French and philosophy in Germany).

The problem is that when it comes to schools that teach several languages in Japan I basically only know Berlitz and I also heard that some NOVA branches teach French and German. So I wanted to ask you if you maybe know other schools that teach several languages in Japan and hire from overseas. It would be good if the whole recruitment process was in English because my Japanese isn't good enough to do more than just everyday conversations and basic reading. Well, maybe someone can help me nevertheless. Thanks very much in advance for your answers.

[Gekishinken]

I remember seeing that AEON had someone from Bulgaria teaching at one of their schools, but they literally JUST finished interviews in the UK (the only European country they interview in).

[AVN]

viewtopic.php?f=26&t=4816&hilit=alternatives+to+JET

[RoBot]

Hi everyone,

I remember there used to be a forum for alternatives to JET, but somehow I can't find it so I'll just post in here. I'm not an English native speaker and I don't hold a passport of one of an English speaking country either, so JET is basically not an option for me. However, I'd still like to teach in Japan and since I studied both English and French (I'm a German native speaker), I thought it would be best to try schools that teach several languages in order to improve my chances because English-only schools would probably prefer a native English speaker no matter how qualified I am as a teacher (I'm qualified as a secondary school teacher for English, French and philosophy in Germany).

The problem is that when it comes to schools that teach several languages in Japan I basically only know Berlitz and I also heard that some NOVA branches teach French and German. So I wanted to ask you if you maybe know other schools that teach several languages in Japan and hire from overseas. It would be good if the whole recruitment process was in English because my Japanese isn't good enough to do more than just everyday conversations and basic reading. Well, maybe someone can help me nevertheless. Thanks very much in advance for your answers.

Why wouldn't you be able to apply for JET? I could be completely wrong here but I don't think that you have to be a native english speaker to apply- as long as you are a citizen of one of the participating countries. Are you from Germany? Or any of these countries: http://www.jetprogramme.org/e/aspiring/countries.html

From your post you look more than qualified to me?

[mobiuschic42]

According to this JET Programme page http://www.jetprogramme.org/e/introduct ... stics.html there are currently 15 Germans in JET. However, all but one are CIRs. Do you speak Japanese?

[Lichtgestalt]

Thanks for all the answers so far. It's true that there are some CIR positions for German JET participants. I'd love to do that, but my Japanese just isn't good enough and I don't have enough time to improve it considerably. When it comes to German ALTs, there is only one position available and even if I was the best German applicant (which I highly doubt), it might still not work because according to the Japanese embassy in Berlin, there is a chance that this single position may not even be available anymore due to financial reasons. They also told me that the person currently working in this position may also choose to stay another year (that is, if the position is not cut...). So in the end, I chose not to apply for the ALT position.

That's why I'm now looking for schools that teach several languages and not just English. Even though I studied English and spent some time in California (sometimes English native speakers even think I'm American...makes me happy whenever it happens ), my English is obviously not perfect and most schools would always prefer a native speaker. Most of them already indicate on their web sites that English teachers have to carry a passport from an English speaking country. So even though the demand for German teachers may not be high, I thought it would be best to try to get a position as a German teacher in a school which teaches a variety of languages and could then also use me as an English or French teacher.

However, as I said before, of all the big companies I think only Berlitz and some NOVA branches teach languages other than English. That's basically also what I could find out from the link posted above. So now I'm wondering if there are maybe any other companies that weren't mentioned so far or if someone can maybe even mention small schools without many different branches that could use a German/English/French teacher.

[Gekishinken]

You DON'T want to work for Nova. Just read their wikipedia page and you will quickly see why.

[RoBot]

However, as I said before, of all the big companies I think only Berlitz and some NOVA branches teach languages other than English. That's basically also what I could find out from the link posted above. So now I'm wondering if there are maybe any other companies that weren't mentioned so far or if someone can maybe even mention small schools without many different branches that could use a German/English/French teacher.

Do you have a TEFL qualification? Many TEFL/CELTA courses offer help with job placement. Other than that- those mentioned in the previous thread are the only ones I know of. Sorry I couldn't be any more help! Good luck!

[iyo_alum]

Lichtgestalt, I just want to say that for not being a native English speaker, your written English is impeccable. You are obviously highly qualified; I hope you find an employer smart enough to realize that!

[AVN]

You DON'T want to work for Nova. Just read their wikipedia page and you will quickly see why.

I second this. NeoNova and NeoGEOS are no better than the originals and in some cases worse than the originals.

[bananathursdays]

Thanks for all the answers so far. It's true that there are some CIR positions for German JET participants. I'd love to do that, but my Japanese just isn't good enough and I don't have enough time to improve it considerably. When it comes to German ALTs, there is only one position available and even if I was the best German applicant (which I highly doubt), it might still not work because according to the Japanese embassy in Berlin, there is a chance that this single position may not even be available anymore due to financial reasons. They also told me that the person currently working in this position may also choose to stay another year (that is, if the position is not cut...). So in the end, I chose not to apply for the ALT position.

That's why I'm now looking for schools that teach several languages and not just English. Even though I studied English and spent some time in California (sometimes English native speakers even think I'm American...makes me happy whenever it happens ), my English is obviously not perfect and most schools would always prefer a native speaker. Most of them already indicate on their web sites that English teachers have to carry a passport from an English speaking country. So even though the demand for German teachers may not be high, I thought it would be best to try to get a position as a German teacher in a school which teaches a variety of languages and could then also use me as an English or French teacher.

However, as I said before, of all the big companies I think only Berlitz and some NOVA branches teach languages other than English. That's basically also what I could find out from the link posted above. So now I'm wondering if there are maybe any other companies that weren't mentioned so far or if someone can maybe even mention small schools without many different branches that could use a German/English/French teacher.

I have a friend that worked for Berlitz in Gifu and really enjoyed it! He taught English though, so I don't know for sure about the other languages.

[Lichtgestalt]

Lichtgestalt, I just want to say that for not being a native English speaker, your written English is impeccable. You are obviously highly qualified; I hope you find an employer smart enough to realize that!

Thanks very much.

The problem is that I actually sent my resume and everything to Berlitz a couple of weeks before and they haven't answered so far even though they said they'd answer within two weeks if they were interested. I doubt they'll keep my documents and maybe come back to me later so I guess I'm basically out. Which then again means NOVA seems to be my only chance left. I know they have a bad reputation, but maybe that's because, as someone said earlier, people with bad experiences are just more likely to tell others about it than those with good experiences. I talked to a German working for NOVA some time ago and he said everything was perfectly ok for him. When I was living in Japan for a short internship, I had a roommate who worked for GEOS and also enjoyed it, but as far as I know they're one of the companies that only offer English classes and of course my roommate was an English native speaker.

[AVN]

Lichtgestalt, I just want to say that for not being a native English speaker, your written English is impeccable. You are obviously highly qualified; I hope you find an employer smart enough to realize that!

Thanks very much.

The problem is that I actually sent my resume and everything to Berlitz a couple of weeks before and they haven't answered so far even though they said they'd answer within two weeks if they were interested. I doubt they'll keep my documents and maybe come back to me later so I guess I'm basically out. Which then again means NOVA seems to be my only chance left. I know they have a bad reputation, but maybe that's because, as someone said earlier, people with bad experiences are just more likely to tell others about it than those with good experiences. I talked to a German working for NOVA some time ago and he said everything was perfectly ok for him. When I was living in Japan for a short internship, I had a roommate who worked for GEOS and also enjoyed it, but as far as I know they're one of the companies that only offer English classes and of course my roommate was an English native speaker.

It's not about negative people talking louder... Both Nova and GEOS went bankrupt, because they ran their business badly.

[Spencer]

Oh just remembered there is EPIK.
Its JET for Korea essentially

[Lichtgestalt]

I'd also love to work in Korea with EPIK, but it's the same problem again because they only accept applicants holding passports from English speaking countries.

I know NOVA went bankrupt, but apparently by now they're back and they've been integrated into another company called Jibun Mirai. At least that's what a German guy working for NOVA told me a couple of months ago in a forum. He also sent me a link to the company's site web site, which also has an application form. I don't much about GEOS, but I guess they are all also still around because my internship in Tokyo was just one year ago and my roommate was working for them at the time.