| The
JET Program:
Some
JET web sites: JET
1 | | JET
2 | JET 3 | JET
4 The JET
program is a government sponsored program to place language teachers in Japanese
government schools to team teach alongside a Japanese teacher. Whilst the EPIK
program in Korea and NET program in Hong Kong seem to place importance on age
and experience and hire teachers whose age can be 50+, JET seems to concentrate
on the university graduate and younger aged educator. Currently
there are approximately 6000 plus JETs in Japanese Junior and Senior High schools.
The scheme offers two types of contract, with the majority of applicants being
placed as Assistant Language Teachers, whilst the rest are employed as Coordinators
for International Relations. Basic
contractual details can be read on the JET Program pages. There are many similarities
between the JET and EPIK contract, though salaries are considerably different.
Issues of Pension and Tax refund are clearly dealt with. Note this is only a sample
contract, and contracts may differ from Province to province. Certain
issues relating to accommodation are frequently raised, both to us and various
web sites. The JET site attempts to provide some answers, yet leaves the issue
reasonably vague. Nevertheless, the greater majority of reports and posts, both
to us, and as seen elsewhere, suggest this to be an excellent program. Please
read the correspondence (below) wherein the issue of accommodation is raised by
us and responded to by the JET administration. We
contacted the JET administration in early February 2003 to clarify a few points
re the Program, and received a response very shortly thereafter, thereby further
enhancing the program's professionalism, transparency and integrity.
Future
Development: This
government sponsored program is a vast undertaking. The program services its employees
with numerous helpful websites, discussion boards and a helpful home page. However,
if there are any issues you would like us to address re JET, we welcome your input. (a)
Inside
Japan Jet (b) US
Embassy information
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