Japanese in the Interview?

[Heather]

I was wondering, if you marked that you know a little Japanese in your application, then are the interviewers likely to "test" that Japanese? I heard that some applicants were asked to do a self-interview or answer simple questions, etc. Does that really happen? Is there anyone who can share their experiences with this? How much Japanese would you be required to know? Does knowing Japanese make a difference?

[Teishou]

I'm kind of scared about this, myself. I stupidly put semi-advanced - I wonder how that will affect my interview, should I get one.

[MHFencer]

Check this out: http://www.jetprogramme.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=10774
From looking through the posts in that forum, it seems that you may be tested on your grip of the Japanese language. I do honestly think that some of the questions will come from what you put on your application and SOP. Not every interview will be the same set of questions. For example, I may get asked on some events in Japanese history, as I took a course over the last 400 years of it.

[Lianwen]

Marked down low level in my Japanese section. I`ve never been comfortable speaking in Japanese, so I didn`t want to be tested on it and have it hurt against me if I seriously froze or flubbed up.

Even though I marked I was a beginner, I had already by then taken 3 years of the language. In my interview, the Japanese professor asked me if I`d be comfortable answering a few questions. I said that would be fine, and she asked me in Japanese what my name was, how old I was, what the weather was like, and if I had any hobbies or interests. I actually responded in English to her Japanese questions and told her that I hoped my JET experience would allow me to gain the confidence to answer in Japanese.

If you truly don`t understand the question, respond in English, `I don`t understand, but I hope to study (or continue to study) Japanese in the future. Could you please tell me about opportunities to study in Japan through the Jet program?`

[totty137]

Current JET here! I had my interview last year, and from what I can tell, the interview will vary from consulate to consulate, but everyone who said they had ability will be asked a few questions. Don't fret, they start small and work their way up (in my situation) and if you don't understand or you begin to struggle they usually feel they have a good judge. Also, this will most likely not affect your chances at all, I know several JETs who came with no Japanese experience at all!

[OdysseyOfNoises]

lol, rather unfortunate username

[Ertai87]

I think I put "semi-advanced" on my application last year (I selected option 3, I believe) and they asked me relatively simple questions, things like "what do you like about Japan" and "where do you want to go in Japan" which I was able to answer pretty easily. Japanese isn't a requisite to participate on the program; they probably just want to know what to tell the BoE in Tokyo with regards to your level.

[merkypie]

I put down Elementary and I was certified with a JLPT N5 comprehension. I didn't want to shoot myself in the foot. If they do ask questions, hopefully it'll be where's the nearest toilet and not, " Name 5 reasons why Aso Taro sucked as PM, in detail. "

[rollins]

When I applied for JET I claimed an average/high average level (I can't remember what it's called exactly now). From my personal experience (which could be very different from yours), in my first interview I didn't get any Japanese questions. However, when I wound up reapplying for JET last year, I was asked first if they could ask me a few questions in Japanese, whereupon the interviewer read from my SOP which mentioned I visited a lot of places in Japan and put them in by name. She then asked me to explain in Japanese why I picked those places to visit. To be honest, after that, we went right back to English, I think I gave a satisfactory enough answer that they wanted to (and did) go over some teaching scenario questions.

I firmly expect that if you do get Japanese questions, it'll to make sure you're not BSing on your application for one thing and also to add to your file that goes to Tokyo to mark if you really do have Japanese ability. There are going to be some placements that want Japanese speakers and your name will get passed to them if you get past the interview stage.

[Jenita]

I think it also depends on where your interview is. The word on the street for the London interviews is that we're given a passage of Japanese and asked to read it aloud. But it differs from consulate to consulate, and especially country to country.

[AVN]

I think it also depends on where your interview is. The word on the street for the London interviews is that we're given a passage of Japanese and asked to read it aloud. But it differs from consulate to consulate, and especially country to country.

Isn't that the CIR interview? I mean because Japanese isn't required for the ALT so it would be unfair to try an make them read something.
I will say though that they asked me to talk about myself in Japanese a little but I claimed to speak Japanese and lived in Japan at the time.

[Tetsamo]

, " Name 5 reasons why Aso Taro sucked as PM, in detail. "

Best LOL of the day, thankyou kind sir.

I suspect the the interviewers are unlikely to be evil in nature, so I would assume that unless you marked yourself "Super advanced God of Japanese language" and you know none, then they are probably just going to test the skill of your everyday useage and not hold it against you.

Remember that it isn't neccesary to speak Japanese to be a successful applicant and trust me, when surrounded by a language, you'll be surprised at how quickly you can start to pick it up.

For those a bit nervous, Sumimasen ('excuse me' and many other uses), arigatou(Thanks), ohaiyo('Morning!') and konnichiwa(Hello) will win you points with the locals no doubt

[krisande]

I got accepted to the program last year, and I had to speak a fair amount in the interview. As someone else said, it seems like they tend to start off very simple and the ramp it up until you basically can't answer anymore, or at least that was the case with me. My understanding is that your Japanese level does not have a large impact on whether or not you get accepted, but it can affect where you get placed, as some BoEs will request people with a certain level of Japanese proficiency or even someone without much ability. So basically, I would say be prepared to answer questions that you think are fair to someone of your ability level.

If I remember right, I was something like semi-advanced or something, and I got asked things like my name, what day it was, why I wanted to be in the JET program, and what Japanese/US current events I'd read recently and what I thought about them. Really stumbled through the last part, as I wasn't expecting to get asked that in Japanese, but it apparently didn't affect me negatively as I still got placed in my first choice for prefecture. But overall, I would say don't worry too much about the Japanese portion of the interview, if you fumble I seriously doubt you're going to get grilled over it.

[Norsehawk]

Even though I have done a bit of Japanese study, I went with the Japanese standard of humbleness and placed 'beginner' on my application. All of the things I have read on Japanese culture state that you should not be 'tooting your own horn' too much. Also, with what I do know, I would be able to function fairly easily in Japan, I still only feel like I have started to scratch the surface of the language and how deep it is. Those who put down advanced on their applications will more than likely be expected to prove it, and there may be a docking of points if your actual language ability is not up to the level that they consider advanced. So, in my humble opinion, better to understate your ability, than overstate it.

That said, I am definitely going to be brushing up on my Pimsleur lessons.

[tracey86]

I think it also depends on where your interview is. The word on the street for the London interviews is that we're given a passage of Japanese and asked to read it aloud. But it differs from consulate to consulate, and especially country to country.

Isn't that the CIR interview? I mean because Japanese isn't required for the ALT so it would be unfair to try an make them read something.
I will say though that they asked me to talk about myself in Japanese a little but I claimed to speak Japanese and lived in Japan at the time.

i got a text to read and that was only for an alt position. this was in 09 though so maybe they won't this year, i haven't heard anyone mention it this time.