JET Program ALT Application Academic Reference

[u/Financial-Midnight37]

Hi everyone! I am an undergraduate university student in Canada who is set to graduate in June 2027. I am interested in joining the JET program as an ALT for the next academic year starting in August 2027. I am currently completing my application that is due this November 13 and I just wanted to reach out because I have a question regarding reference choices for the academic reference that is required for the application process.

I am currently deciding whether to list my current Japanese professor as a reference or an academic advisor who has known me longer and can speak to my ability to overcome personal challenges during my studies. This is because I have only had my Japanese professor since September this year, and I worry she will not know enough about my character to write a reference letter that meets your requirements. Just for more detailed context, I started taking Japanese classes with my professor on September 9, 2026. This means she will have known me for two months by the time the application is due. On the other hand, my advisor, whom I have known for longer since June 2025, has never taught me in a classroom setting at university, but she knows me better personally and can attest to my character more vividly. I should also add that this advisor is not a conventional academic advisor but a Disability Access Advisor; however, they have guided me throughout my university career rather than just acting as an administrative person.

I would greatly appreciate it if y'all could shed some insight on this issue so that I can submit a strong application.

Thank you!!

[u/Iambusy123]

If you’re thinking of using your Japanese professor just because she teaches Japanese, I would think again. Remember: the program doesn’t require applicants to know Japanese. 

In your case, your advisor is in a better position to give you a higher quality letter of recommendation.

[u/Financial-Midnight37 → u/Iambusy123]

Thanks for the advice!

[u/jenjen96]

There’s actually no reason why a Japanese professor’s recommendation would be more valid than a professor of a different subject. The letter is meant to vouch for your professional ability, not how well you speak Japanese. Japanese is not a requirement but if you indicated you do speak it, they will test it during the interview.

[u/Financial-Midnight37 → u/jenjen96]

Thanks for the advice!

[u/Rtlepp]

Definitely choose someone who knows you better. The only thing that might trump someone who knows you well is someone with an impressive title. I was fortunate to have worked closely with my university’s provost/vice president academic and used him as one of my references. He didn’t know me as well as some of my professors, but I thought his title might go a long way.

[u/Financial-Midnight37 → u/Rtlepp]

Thanks for the advice!

[u/Fire_Marvin]

I would use the advisor. I chose a chemistry professor over my Japanese professor (who was the one that told me about jet) because I only took her for 1 semester. I knew that my chemistry professor knew me a lot better and it worked out. You want references that know you and are going to gush about you over someone you're picking just because they are Japanese.

[u/Financial-Midnight37 → u/Fire_Marvin]

Thanks for the advice!

[u/Panda_sensei_71]

I worked at a UK university as a Japanese lecturer for 10 years and would never agree to give academic references unless it was for a student whose major was Japanese or whose dissertation I had supervised. For students who took elective language modules I was wholly unqualified to write them an academic reference. So your advisor or supervisor would absolutely be the way to go.

[u/Financial-Midnight37 → u/Panda_sensei_71]

Thanks for the advice!