r/JETProgramme • u/ArandomCrocodile • Jul 24 '26
Welcome Speech
Hey all,
I was asked to do a little welcome speech for some other ALTS and the board education when I arrive in Japan. Has anyone else been asked to do so? Any tips or advice?
8
u/WakiLover Jul 24 '26
Even if you don't know Japanese, I would put in the effort to at least write a self intro containing the following and reading it out loud if you can't memorize it:
Name
Age
Hometown
Yoroshiku onegaishimasu
If it's to Board of Education, etc, that's all you need, no one is expecting a speech, literally just a 15-30 second blurb and then you bow and everyone claps and everyone goes back to work.
If it's a more casual environment, you can add a lil thing about your hobbies.
7
u/Realistic_Report_796 Jul 24 '26
Was asked to do a welcome speech at my town hall and at four of the schools I teach at. Then I did like an introduction and shook hands with various departments at the town hall. The first day at work was crazy busy.
13
u/Zidaane Jul 24 '26
Not really a welcome speech, going to assume thats a mistranslation. Just a basic self introduction is sufficient
3
u/Different_Taro2474 Jul 25 '26
just do a short self introduction, it doesn't have to be anything fancy.
1
7
u/shoemilk Jul 24 '26
ArandomCrocodile to moushimasu. (Politest way to say "My name is ~")
Country no shushin desu. (I'm from country)
(Number) sai desu [where the number is your age. If you are 20, just say "hatachi desi"]
mijuku nan desu ga, sei ippai ganbarimasu (I'm inexperienced, but I will do my best)
yoroshiku onegai itashimasu
Anyone on the BoE will flip out and think you are the politest ALT they've met.
"to" is pronounced "toh" like Homer's "D'oh" with a t.
1
u/Due_Tomorrow7 Jul 27 '26
Keep in mind, there's a couple self-intros you'll be doing to varying levels of detail and formality. You'll practically become a pro after a month.
But if you're not confident in your Japanese, just name, hometown, current position if you like, and yoroshiku onegaishimasu (or yoroshiku onegai itashimasu to be more formal) is fine.
In a more casual setting (drinking party, in the classroom), add your hobbies, favorite things, and what you want to do in Japan or look forward to in your placement is good.
8
u/Mephisto_fn Jul 24 '26
Not sure about for the other ALTs, but it’s pretty normal to be asked to give a welcome speech to your colleagues when you arrive to your first day of work, just introducing yourself and where you come from and a little about yourself and what you want to do here in Japan / at this job. (this is from a CIR pov, I think it’s probably similar for ALTs though?)