We came to Japan in the summer of 1998, just after graduating from Calvin College and getting married. But before graduation and marriage we had known what was coming. We had applied already 8 months ago to the JET Programme and had been accepted finally at the beginning of April. As we came to Japan on the JET Programme the coming was easy. The Programme pays for the participants flight to Japan. Also the transition to arriving was made easier by a three day orientation in Tokyo, a five day homestay, and finally a four day orientation with other JET participants from the same prefecture.

We arrived at the end of July. As Japanese schools take a 6 week vacation between first and second terms (the school year starts in April) we had a few weeks to cool our heels in the teacher's before teaching. But this time let us get to know the teachers we would be teaching with. On the JET Programme most participants work in Japanese public schools. The pedagogical adaption that allows foreigners who don't speak a word of Japanese to teach in Japanse schools is called team teaching. In this system the foreign participant and the Japanese English teacher go to class together and are to act as a team while teaching. This is easier said than done and often the effectiveness depends on the personality of the teachers and the willingness to work together as a team. But the benefits can be that as a two some real, meaningful communication can be modelled.

Some times people email us and ask us for advice about how to go about teaching English in Japan. If possible the JET Programme is maybe the best way to go. Downsides of the Programme could be that it is a little institutional, and bureucratic. But if you can get past that and realize that you are an individual in an individual situation you can make the most of any situation. For more info on the Programme click here. In order to appy you need to adhere to a strict timeline. The application is due at the start of November, the interview is in Febuary and you are informed or your acceptance in April. You can apply from any embassy in Canada, the US, or other English speaking countries. Also from 2001 you can apply in Tokyo if you are living in Japan.

If you can't, or don't want to, apply for JET there are other options. In Japan there are a lot of companies that run English language conversation schools. Many Japanese are interested in increasing there ability in English and quite a large industry has been built as a result. There are various schools with various repuations for employment. Here are a few of the options.

Geos - A conversation school rated rather well by employees

ECC - One of the better large English conversation schools

Nova - One of the worst schools to teach at in Japan.

Aeon -

Also there are a lot of private high schools and universities that hire foreigners on an individual basis. The best place to see what is available are to check out the job listings on Ohaiyo sensei.

Coming to Japan is great experience. No matter how you come you can have a good experience. The people are friendly and generous, the culture is steeped in history, and the country itself has many beautiful places.