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Teach English in Japan – JET Program Application Extensive Guide 2019

JET Application Guidelines

Let’s begin with the Application Guidelines. In this section I will summarise important parts from some of the sections of the guidelines. These guidelines are part of the application you download from the JET website. I will not display the guidelines in full, but merely enough to get you started with the application. So put down your Japanese crossword puzzle and let's get to work.

If you have already read through the guidelines, feel free to skip ahead to the next chapter: Filling Out the Application.

The guidelines are quite long and in small font so I’ll give some of the nuggets from each section. Although I recommend you read it all for yourself, this will certainly help you get started.

Opening Paragraphs

So the nugget of gold from this section is the part that says that the JET Programme ‘seeks to enhance internationalisation in Japan’ by promoting a mutual understand between other nations and the people of Japan. This is the most important piece of information to keep in mind throughout your whole application.

The JET programme isn’t just looking for teachers, they are looking for a potential ambassador of international relations. This should be used as a focal point for your entire application.

Types of Positions and Duties

1) Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) –

This is the role we are focusing on in this guide. The ALT essentially operates as an assistant to the teacher. You won’t be running the class by yourself, however there may be times where you take the class for an activity.

2) Coordinators for International Relations (CIR) –

I won’t be writing the duties for this role as this is a guide to be an ALT.

Terms and Conditions

1) Length of Appointment

This states that your stint as an ALT will be one year starting from your arrival date. Arrival date is July/August.

Normal Japanese working hours for school and general office are 8.30am to 5.15pm; Monday-Friday. JET participants are expected to be at work as an ALT thirty-five hours a week, excluding lunch breaks.

2) Remuneration

Show me the money!

The per annum remuneration (or salary) is approximately 3,360,000 yen in the first year, 3,600,000 Yen in the second year, 3,900,000 yen in the third year, and if you get appointed for a fourth and fifth year, it’s 3,960,000 yen.

Estimated Conversion to British Pounds

  • First Year: 3,360,000 yen = £22,309
  • Second Year: 3,600,000 yen = £23,901
  • Third Year: 3,900,000 yen = £25,893
  • Fourth/Fifth Year: 3,960,000 yen = £26,292

This is a sufficient amount of pay to cover average living expenses in Japan.

Taxes, health insurance, pension fund and employment insurance are mandatory and will be deducted from the monthly pay.

3) Side-Job Prohibition

You won’t be able to take a side-job whilst working for the JET Programme.

4) Driving

If you have a driving license, you may be required to drive to your school placements.

Eligibility Criteria

Let’s see if you meet all of these – applicants must:

  1. Be interested in Japan and be looked to deepen their interest in Japan
  2. Be both physically and mentally healthy.
  3. Be able to adapt to living in Japan.
  4. You must have a Bachelor’s degree.
  5. Be a national of the country where the recruitment and selection procedures take place.
  6. Have a great grasp of and skill using the English language, e.g. pronunciation, rhythm and intonation etc.
  7. Not have participated on the Programme since the 2014-2015 JET Programme year, or have already participated in the programme for more than five years in total.
  8. Not have declined a position on the Programme in the last JET Programme year (unless you had a valid reason).
  9. Not have lived in Japan for six or more years in total since 2007.
  10. 10) Have a desire to maintain relations with Japan, even after completion of the Programme.

(11) Agree to live in Japan under the status of residence stipulated in Article 2-2 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act.

(12) Obey Japanese laws.

(13) If you have suspended jail term you must have finished your period of probation by the time you submit your application form.

(14)  If you are from a non-English speaking country, you must have a functional command of the English or Japanese language.

(15)  Have an interest in the Japanese education system.

(16)  Have an interest in working with children.

(17)  Be qualified as a language teacher or have a strong motivation to teach foreign languages.

  • The following are not crucial, but are a bonus:

1) Have experience or qualifications in language teaching.

2) Have general teaching qualifications or experience.

3) Be equipped with a high level Japanese language ability.

JET Application Procedures

I have not included the full Application Guidelines here as it is available within your application pack.

For the full up-to-date list, please see the Application Guidelines which can be downloaded from the JET website.

If you would like to gain some experience as an educator, you can try out the teach from home jobs below:

Or read more about side hustles from home to do whilst you wait on your JET application:

Now once you have read through the Application Guidelines, we can begin to tackle actually filling out the application. The sooner you start, the better!

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