So,
what is a JET - ALT?
The Japanese hire
English-speaking college graduates to come to Japan and help teach English
to public school students. They call it the Japanese Exchange and Teaching
Program, and my title is Assistant Language Teacher. I don't actually teach
any grammar or spelling though, really only pronunciation, conversation, etc.
There will be a Japanese person in the classroom that is the "real"
teacher, and the ALT just helps.
You don't have to know Japanese to join (although it is a pain in the ass not knowing any), and you don't need a degree in English either. All that is required is a 4-year degree in any subject, since you won't really be teaching "the rules". Surprisingly enough, when I was at my orientation in Tokyo they had a big banquet for all the new ALTs (1,200ish I think) and said there were people from 40 countries there. Pretty neat meeting and hanging out with people from so many places.
By the way, everyone I meet knows where Florida is - think Disney and Miami.
click
the picture to go the JET home page if you want
more information about the programme
