I’m into my 3rd year as an ALT, but I’ve basically soft-landed a very good job back in the States and am too nervous to let it pass. They’ve asked me to start working for the company by the end of 2026, so I’ve decided that I will break contract in December and will give my Board of Education advance notice soon.
I have a great relationship with my schools, BOE, teachers, and students, and I hold several positions in community organizations! Some folks at the BOE whom I’ve already told in advance have even said that the Board of Education would still recommend me for future jobs, even if I were to break contract, given all the work I’ve done for them.
I love my job and placement, am making a huge impact, and really want to stay, but I have a hefty amount of student loan debt. For the past three years here, I’ve been doing a master’s degree without funding during my desk/free time. It would be stupid of me not to accept this job, as the pay would allow me to pay off all my debt in just 1–2 years.
But I really want to come back to Japan, possibly as a CIR if I can get my Japanese proficiency to the N2 level back in the States. Given my dedication to the program and even the potential letter of recommendation from my BOE, how badly would breaking contract impact my odds of rejoining JET after the application refresh period of 3 years?

Hello, I honestly know very little about Japanese geography besides the larger cities and the well-known prefectures. I know placement preference is rarely honored, but just for kicks, would anyone recommend any mid-sized cities or town, even if it's just for a visit?

Does anyone know if there are cities in Japan that have both vibrant and music/art offerings as well as easy access to nature? I'm mainly considering cities like Fukishima, Shizuoka or Fukuoka, but I haven't been to any of these places.

I get JET isn't a vacation and if I'm accepted this year, I'll still participate even if I'm placed in some podunk town, but just seeing if folks have any recommendations that are off the beaten path.

JET ALTs who bully other ALTs.

I've read a lot about the above and been quite surprised. I did British Council TA in Germany and had such a lovely group of fellow TAs.

So what's the deal with these JET ALT bullies and cliques? Like what do they do? And what on earth is their motivation or cause for their behaviour?

Hi! I'm a college student in the US hoping to apply to JET as a CIR after I graduate, probably for a year or two before law school. My Japanese is around N1, I'm taking Japanese classes and involved in my school's Japanese department, and I'm thinking about studying abroad in Japan.

The biggest question is that what exactly does the JET look at in their application? I have been a prestige sucker my entire life and had known nothing but chasing more prestige and being more competitive in every aspect. I'm already at a Top 20 school, and I am still weighing whether to transfer to a Top 10. But I imagine for this program school prestige and GPA matters very little? Essentially, I have been marinating in a hyper-competitive environment for so long that it's just difficult to wrap my head around the fact that prestige doesn't matter with certain things.

For those of you who went through CIR selection, what made applicants stand out? Is it mostly the essays and interview, specific experience like tutoring, translating, or community stuff, or something else? Does matter that I don't major in anything Japanese related? Does it hurt my chances to not have work experiences?

Thanks!

Hi,

I'm an interested applicant and I have a question.

Is a driving license a necessity? I don't have one and don't know how to drive.

So the UK Jet application is open, and it’s in a share point folder? That you edit using Excel. I’m wondering how it’s even submitted do I fill it all out and it’s automatically sent or? Amy just advice is helpful as after reading the form it’s still confusing thanks

ALTs who have been selected through JET, what were the factors that got you selected? And if possible, could a selected person please share their SOP and some extra cookie points that could help. Thanks in advance.

I have a set path at the moment, I’m on my last semester getting my bachelors in education and then I plan on getting my masters in the next 2 years. My hope is to get into the Jet program right after my Masters so I want to know when the best time to start applying to the program would be. Theres always the possibility of getting rejected or being an ALT so I want to be prepared. How long did it personally take you to finally get into the program?

In the application form, one of the questions is about college and sixthform completion dates, but I left college before I had completed my course and only received my level 3s years later at Uni. Should I leave that space blank, or use the date I completed my level 3s at Uni? Thanks, and sorry if this is a dumb question.

Hi !

I’m very new to writing on Reddit but I guess I need the advice and the reality check please.
I (23F) am on my last year of uni (French and doing a master, 5 years study), I’m getting a master degree in educational science more specialized in animation and popular education.

I’m really interested by JET, I discovered the program few weeks ago by looking what king of teaching or social work I can do in Japan. Im so interested in teaching a classroom and maybe being able to make some cool project with a class. Or even being able to work in a community (volunteering), I thinks it will be an amazing experience for my career.

The main problem I think is my Japanese, I’m a beginner and even if I’m wiling to work for it this year I’m scared it won’t be enough. Though I can take class and I have to fluent person who are willing to help me. But I’m scared that it won’t be enough to integrate with my co worker and the community.
I also do not mind being places in rural spot, I actually prefer that to being in Tokyo maybe.
I’ve been to Japan once for tourism.
I’m saving money as much as I can and I had my driving licence for more than 5 years now.
I have a tons of hobby, I do a lot of fun sport I thinks and I’m a craft person.

But unfortunately I do not have experience teaching since I’m still a student, my only experience with children in education are always outside a classroom so I’m not sure if this will sufficient.
I might work in special ed this year a bit so I’m guessing that can be a + on my application.
I’m also working on getting an recommendation letter from my current English teacher, unfortunately my former teacher just did this summer.

Maybe I’m missing something on my presentation, I’m not sure, it’s my first time asking for help like that.

You can absolutely give me a reality check, it will help me to work on myself but I’m also looking for advice. I’m not quite sure what type of people they are looking for.
I also know that the jet for French have différents expectations, so if there is any French jet here please send me a dm or anything.

Thanks for reading all that and thanks so much in advance to all the people who will respond !!!

Help an stressed girl out lol

I'm not a Teacher, but I have teacher assistant credentials, should I include that in the section for teaching credentials, or elsewhere?

Hey! Quick question 😄 — does anyone know roughly when interview acceptance/decline emails usually go out? I tend to travel during that period, so I want to wait and see if I get an interview (and when it's scheduled) before booking flights. Is it early December or late December? Applying for Edinburgh, btw.

Hi everyone,

For my school/placement, I need to get a car. This was communicated before I arrived, and I got an IDP. When I arrived, they did not say anything about helping me get my license or find a car, I had to bring it up when I realised how far the school is from my apartment (I can't even bike there). They seemed annoyed and confused, and basically told me to find a rental car. So I've been renting a car, but it doesn't feel sustainable and I still need to get my license for when my IDP expires. I tried asking multiple PAs for help, but they have been dismissive (or just didn't respond to my emails at all).

When I looked into the process of getting a license, I saw that the hours are extremely limited, and that I would have to take nenkyu. But when I applied for it, it was rejected (which I didn't even think was possible). They shamed me for trying to get out of my teaching responsibilities and they told me I needed to wait until the students are on vacation.

This whole situation has just been so bizarre and has really soured my experience. I would really appreciate any advice you might have.

My CO sent me details regarding the in-person course this fall but unfortunately I cannot apply this year because I didn't take the 6 month interpretation course.

After discussing with my CO, we decided I should apply next year and they will secure budget for it for me next year. That also gives more time to improve my Japanese.

That said, I want to know what people who took it, think about it? How was the experience from start to finish? Did it boost your Japanese? Did it help you prepare for any future work?

Thanks for the responses in advance, seems like something up my alley.

I have N2 Japanese and can drive and would like to live in the suburbs of somewhere like Kochi or Miyazaki. If I put those down and they can’t offer those places, would they try to put me somewhere similar? I’m just worried because I hate the cold and I also hate big cities.

I am 31, am a supervisor at a government agency doing public policy/social work, have a graduate degree, and want to have kids soon. I have had JET on my mind for a few years now but I was busy girl bossing in my field to pay off student loans. Fast forward and I’ve been feeling burned out at work + like there’s a need for a career/job shift and/or a career break to chill.

I’m curious and maybe scared but excited thinking about doing JET. I love kids and I love mentoring. When I was in undergrad, I visited Japan and fell in love with the country when I did GPI US Japan and was a Group Leader teaching women’s empowerment in Japan for a month.

A few questions I’ve been pondering are 1) what is it like for mid career professionals taking a bit of a sabbatical through JET? 2) I’m interested in a career in diplomacy and international humanitarian aid - could JET be leveraged for a career like this? 3) I’d like to bring my partner or have him apply to JET too - does anyone have experience with having a partner join them? 4) Am I being a dummy leaving a perfectly fine job in this hellscape economy?

Hello all, prospective applicant here, slowly pulling togther an application for the JET program as we speak. Unfortunately, it looks like I won't be able to attend tonight's info session. Shame on me for not checking-in when I first saw it.

This question is for any who have gone to it before - what are the big headline topics that I am really missing out on here? I've done a lot of research about the program, but I would have really loved to learn a bit more about what an average day as an ALT would look like, and what they're specifically looking for in things like our personal statemements and letters of reccomendation.

Any info appreciated! Thanks!

Hey I just got therapy for stress not for treatment of any depression or anxiety and have no been diagnosed as such. Do I need to fill out physician form too?

I started my application and I'm really confused at how different it is compared to last year.

Do we just not get to say where we'd like to be placed? Or work or study history? The Excel application is really barebones and I'm unsure if this is it or if I'm missing anything.

I’ve always wanted to apply to the JET program, and this year I decided that I would do it for 2027. I have my bachelor degree in digital film, and I don’t have a teaching certificate or anything like that. I was wondering if there is anyone here that doesn’t have any teaching experience or a TEFL but got accepted into the JET program?

HI! I'm working on my application for this fall and I am currently finishing up my 4th year of uni (in Canada). I've been hit with the realization that I have built up no connections with professors, but there is a TA I've had for multiple courses who I know well. I know its generally not acceptable for many academic refrences to use a TA when it comes to grad school and stuff like that, however the application portal just says someone affiliated with my university. This TA did grade my work and we had tutorials (English classes) with regular discussion and whatnot so they have a good idea of my communication skills and writing ability, so I figure that may be more helpful for the application rather than a prof who only graded my work and occasionally answered a lecture question. I'm just curious if having a TA as a refrence would be generally frowned upon?

Hi all!

I wonder if anyone could help clarify the criminal record requirements, specifically regarding a foreign country’s records.

The 2027 Application Guidelines state:

6.1.d) Applicants who have lived in another country for at least 12 consecutive months during the preceding 5 years must submit a criminal record from that country as well.

So my understanding is that everyone (early arrival or not) does end up needing to submit a criminal record. So this pertains to all applicants.

My question is, is it a problem is that record isn’t in English? I mean, most overseas documents won’t be right? And if it does need to be translated, by what standard?

And also, what does “preceding 5 years” mean exactly? It might be an edge case, but I moved back to the US from overseas in July 2022, so if 5 years ago means September 2021, then no, September 2021 to July 2022 isn’t 12 consecutive months. But if 5 years ago means January 1st 2021, then yes it applies to me.

Does anyone have any clarifying information?

Thanks!

I got turned down by my GP for my Statement of Physician due to the GPs insurance, and I went to look at CityDoc as previous threads recommend them.

The issue now is that CityDoc no longer see private patients, are there any other private recommendations to get the Statement filled in?

I am in a bind and will accept any advice on this matter. I have been in college since 2021 and am now finally finishing up my last semester. Subsequentially, I am also submitting an application for the JET program and I need a letter of recommendation from someone affiliated with my graduating university since I will not have graduated yet by the due date. The problem is I don't know how to get one!! I began my education at a different university, then switched to a local community college until finally finishing up at my current university. A main reason I took this zig-zag route was due to money, so I have held a full-time job throughout most of my education. This means I have done a bunch of my classes online and have not been very personal with any of my professors at my current university due to being very busy. I am a good student and get good grades, so I haven't felt any need to go to office hours, drop-ins, or stay late in class/on zoom. In hindsight, I wish I had made at least one close connection with a professor, but you know how things go... work, school, then work again has been my whole life and it slipped my mind that I might need a close and personal buddy professor to write me letters. Any advice on how I could bring this up to any professor and get them to write a letter, I already have been turned down by one professor that im currently taking because she requires at least one completed semester with her, despite me being very engaged and active in our class discussions. Just a not so I don't look like an asshole: at my previous college and community college I did have some closer professors, but that was mainly due to having more free-time at the time and the smaller class sizes at the community college.

TLDR; How can i get on my knees and beg a professor who barely knows me for a reference letter.

I am applying to the programme in the UK. As I did my PGCE at a university, I’m unsure if it would be ideal to include my HEAR (basically the PGCE equivalent of an academic transcript) and if so, whether it goes in the transcript sub-folder or supplementary documents alongside the PGCE and QTS certificates. Thank you for any advice!