Teaching Jobs Abroad and the Jet Program
The lure to teaching in Japan is deep. Many jump on jets hoping for a simpler life or a spiritual experience of some kind.some, having heard tall tales of big money buy their tickets. Still some have a flat-out fascination with Japan that they can’t explain. And lastly, there are many who want to perfect their Japanese speaking skills and so see doing a “stint” in the land of the rising sun as the high-road to achieving this.
A Competitive Road to Teaching in Japan
First off, the JET Program is the most sought after route into ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) programs for teaching ESL in Japan so it’s the toughest to get into. JETs are assistant language teacher to Japanese teachers who are saddled with the task of teaching mostly English to junior high school students.
Benefits , Salary And More
As far as teaching jobs overseas goes, this Program pays a little better than your average language school. Your monthly salary is 300,000 yen on a one-year contract. Annual salaries are 3,600,000 yen if you don’t pay Japanese tax. If you do, your yearly salary will be 3,760,000.)
Expect to get national holidays off (there are 10 to 12 of them) plus another 12 personal days.
The local government or BOE that hires becomes the teacher’s boss, so there are differences between benefits etc. that JET participants get. Health insurance is not paid by the Jet Program so you have to cough up 40,000 yen per month about $332 U.S. You don’t have a choice on this, they mandatorily take it from your salary.
JET experiences range from “wonderful” to “horrible”
JET experiences are all different. Many new to the teaching scene in Japan regard the JET Program as the “holy grail” of jobs. And while the JET Program does pay better, (50,000 yen per month on average), than the big 4 (Geos, Berlitz, Aeon, ECC), JET isn’t without their problems too. some get ultra-cush jobs with nice apartments while others claim they don’t have heat in their shack of an apartment. The JET official line regarding the massive swings in living and working conditions is “each situation is different.” It’s the mantra of this organization.
Program Locations and Waiting
Participants are stationed throughout Japan’s 47 prefectures. Like most large chain schools, you can’t choose where you will work, so it’s hard to say where any teacher might wind-up. Being stationed in a very rural location is a very real possibility - This should be kept in mind. Final hiring is done in June and applications are taken in November in the prior year. With the JET Program, competition for positions is fierce and waiting for acceptance is often cited as the hardest part.
Which Route Into Japan is “The Best”
All in all, the JET Program is seen as being one of the more cushy jobs regarding salaries and apartment subsidies.Teacher employment services are yet another way of making money in Japan.
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