Questions to pass the time while we wait.

[ChunKieBallz]

1. My schedule is 8:30 to 4:15. Though I rarely leave until 6pm either hanging out in the classrooms or the clubs after school at my Senior High & Jr. Highs or working in the staffroom getting my work done. No biggie though, my school is awesome that I don't mind having fun with my students all the time. I handle 1st years and 3rd years at my Senior high school in 3 days, with 1st years once every 2 weeks. At my base school, that's averaging 11-12 classes in 3 days. At my other 2 Jr. High schools which I visit once a week, I have 4 classes both school. That's my regular schedule at about 20 classes a week. Thankfully, I don't plan much at my Jr. Highs, but I'm responsible for the material for all my Sr. High 3rd year classes including marking + making tests.

2. Most people gave interview tips already, and besides, interviewers are all different. But again, be professional, enthusiastic, and show that you are willing to learn to work with the Japanese people the Japanese way and adapt to it.

3. Yes, but I am Chinese so everyone thinks I am a Japanese to begin with. Not bad as it gets me into the local scene alot easier. I can understand and communicate properly at work with my JLPT N2, but I totally fail at the social chit chat scene and fail at reading the subtle message at times when I just don't have the culture built in me. I've already have my local izakaya and made quite quite a big circle of local Japanese friends through volunteer events, but bah, I'm having trouble breaking that barrier from a friend to a good friend.

4. I think the JET Programme for me wasn't really about the job, but more about having a chance to live in a foreign country by myself and learn how to adjust and adapt to a new lifestyle, and understanding the Japanese workplace. Though I do love to work with young people, so win-win.

5. What to do? Haven't exactly decided yet, but I will get some work experience back home, move back to Asia, get into a Japanese company, hopefully the auto industry, and see where to go next.

[darlo]

- What is a typical schedule for an ALT?

I have 13 schools (3 junior high and 10 elementary) so every day and every week is very different. The earliest I've started was 7:50 (not my favourite day as it involved me leaving the house at 6:30), and my latest finish is 5pm. I teach between 0 and 6 classes a day, I'd say my average being 5 a day. I normally don't get to hang with students during lunch times as that's the time I spend travelling between schools.

- What are some tips you have for the JET interview?

Just what everyone else has said. Punctual & Presentable.

- Can you speak Japanese?

I studied Japanese at University but still need to actively study. Many people will tell you that being located in the countryside is a fast ticket to language acquisition, but for me that's simply not the case .

- What do you plan to do after JET?

Nothing certain yet, still have time to think about it. I've been keeping a list of possible companies I might like to work for (both within Japan and back in the UK), but would I be content with returning to a factory job? ... you know what, maybe.

Can I ask you a question? Does JET cover any of your travel expenses? I was thinking that if you have to travel regularly to 13 different schools, that would rack up a pretty big bill in bus/train fares. I've noticed in my research of JET alternatives that some companies reimburse all work-related travel expenses.

My fuel for travelling to schools is reimbursed by my Board of Education. I believe this is an 'Each Situation is Different' kind of thing though, as my BOE insist that I drive to all of my schools. I know there are people out there whose BOEs will only let them drive to certain schools, or even not allow them to drive to any schools. In my case though, as I travel between two schools each day, and owing to the distance and lack of public transport between them, a car is a necessity here.

[randomguy]

3. Yes, but I am Chinese so everyone thinks I am a Japanese to begin with. Not bad as it gets me into the local scene alot easier. I can understand and communicate properly at work with my JLPT N2, but I totally fail at the social chit chat scene and fail at reading the subtle message at times when I just don't have the culture built in me. I've already have my local izakaya and made quite quite a big circle of local Japanese friends through volunteer events, but bah, I'm having trouble breaking that barrier from a friend to a good friend.

Oh, don't worry, it's a skill anyone can learn over time. Sometimes I err on being overly-cautious about subtle messages myself, actually.

The fact that you're doing volunteer work is pretty awesome. While I did a little, I couldn't do as much as I wanted when I was in Japan because of my limited language abilities, but now that I've built my skills up more, I'll be sure to do more if I get the chance to go again! Out of curiosity, what kind of events have you done?

[Gizmotech]

- What is a typical schedule for an ALT?

Well lets see... Usually they get to work and start twidling their thumbs at any random time between 7-9am. Occasionally while working hard stalking Facebook through sheer boredom (or reading the official forums) they will teach a class or two a day. They may or may not go home at 4ish by using their evolved ninja escape skills to ensure they aren't trapped by their coworkers at the job until 10 at night. (Group suffering is a right in Japan)

(Seriousness: The average is supposed to be 3 teaching hours/day in my prefecture according to the sheet they just filled out. I do not hit this average at all)

- What are some tips you have for the JET interview?

Dress like a street walker. It always impresses and gets the engines going of the random lonely Japanese male interviewer on the panel. If you're a guy, I recommend so many flashy colors that they are blinded to the fact that you're likely a pimply faced weeabo desperate for acceptance.

(Seriousness: One girl at my embassy DID appear looking like a street walker... It was so bad that if I saw her in a club she'd still be overly sluty)

- Can you speak Japanese?

Absolutely! Impress the interviewers by responding to every question in Japanese. Ignore the fact that you're going to teach English and regale them with your ability to go KAWAIII, SUGOIII, and UMAIII! If you're not automatically hired for JET you will have a backup career as a Japanese TV Personality.

- What interests you most about Japan and the JET program?

Well obviously tell them you're looking for a tourist marriage. Everyone knows the only reason the Japanese population is shrinking is the foreigners are coming and taking home their Japanese counterparts. If this doesn't impress them, move onto your obsessive compulsive enjoyment of Naruto, One piece, and Bleach... or heck, blow them away with your knowledge of every Mobile Suit ever used in the various Gundam series (Throw in the macross stuff too for shits and giggles). Last but not least, make sure to mention you have no plans to use any of your money in the country, but that you will be sending it home to where you come from, which of course will help the Japanese economy and make the tax payers feel like they're helping your third world butt.

- What do you plan to do after JET?

Like most Japanese Entertainment Technicians, I will pursue a career in acting, writing, or translating. All of these require the skills I will have gained while in Japan. The ability to pretend like I have a real job, the ability to make stuff up on the fly when the teacher asks a completely random, unprepared, question, and my miming skills and ability to wave my hands around and make goofy faces will help translate with any population on earth.

Cheers!

[ChunKieBallz]

Oh, don't worry, it's a skill anyone can learn over time. Sometimes I err on being overly-cautious about subtle messages myself, actually.

The fact that you're doing volunteer work is pretty awesome. While I did a little, I couldn't do as much as I wanted when I was in Japan because of my limited language abilities, but now that I've built my skills up more, I'll be sure to do more if I get the chance to go again! Out of curiosity, what kind of events have you done?

The volunteer events I usually help out with are like English speaking events or cultural exchange events hosted by the City. Though volunteer in Japan usually comes with a bit of money as a token of appreciation. I've done quite a few cultural exchange events where I represent the JET programme and Canada alike and I've met other foreigners outside of JET from China, Taiwan, Korea, Vietnam, Austria and even Kenya. These people are usually exchange students, CIRs, or expats in Japanese companies and it's quite fun to chat it up.

The other volunteer activities are like fun days with kids to learn about English and foreign culture. I've sat in for speech contests for private school kids who passed Eiken Lvl 2 by Elementary 3rd grade. Another one was playing English games with elementary kids. There was one time where I learned about a competitive game kids play in Madagascar and played with a group of children. Also joined in a community Mochi-smashing with an invite from a fellow JET. My fellow city JETs also help clean up the streets every week with a local organization, and they met quite a few locals that way, even befriended a local celebrity!

Though the next epic one that's coming up in a week is being part of a Terrorist/Emergency drill at the Nagasaki Airport.

[Kaigun]

- What is a typical schedule for an ALT?
4 days of Junior High (8:30am-4pm with an average of 2-3 classes each day) and 1 day of Elementary School (4 classes, but sometimes less)
- What are some tips you have for the JET interview?
Be confident, keep eye contact. Explain how you have interesting hobbies or understand other cultures. I really don't feel like I teach much English compared to how much cultural trivia I share with students and teachers. I feel like you really are more of a cultural ambassador than English teacher.
- Can you speak Japanese?
I can get by. Maybe intermediate
- What interests you most about Japan and the JET program?
I know a little bit about a lot of subjects and random trivia (particularly history, East Asia, Asian politics, military, movies, American music). My background is East Asian studies and I come from a very diverse part of America. My big interest in Japan is buying, collecting, trading and selling Japanese military antiques from WWII. I think the random and obscure facts I know and interests I have is one reason I got the job.
- What do you plan to do after JET?[/quote]
I want to go back home and get into law school.