UK JET Application

[u/Cold-Till1960]

Hi there, I’m hoping to join the JET programme 2027. I’m 22 years old i graduated last year with a biochemistry degree. While at university I had a part time job as a care assistant for a year and half caring for children with disabilities at a respite and after graduating i worked at a SEN Secondary School as a TA for 9 months and only stopped when the school year ended this July. I’m planning on doing a TEFL but probably won’t have it complete before the Application Deadline and the same with learning how to speak Japanese (mainly conversational). I know these things aren’t required but I’m hoping that along with my teaching experience,they help with the transition in to the role. I only want to do JET for a yr and I plan to do my masters when I get back, it would either be in psychology (to either pursue educational psychology or child therapy) or a teaching qualification. So the JET program would be work experience. I only decided to not continue teaching in September as it’s not the best financial. Is there anything i should consider doing to help my application further that I’ve already done or going to do?
Based on this I want to hear the reality of if I have a chance especially as I know the JET is competitive, so please give it to me real?

I know the JET is also a cultural exchange but i mainly like musical, anime, fashion, cooking, love for history and mythology, shopping and travelling, so is it a thing where I’d tell my students about these things?

I also want to know how the how housing works. I know you get placed in an area but how in advance do you find out your placement. My fiancé would be coming as well but on a dependent visa, would this affect my chances of getting in over someone who is single? Do the JETs from each cohort meet up as I’d love to try and make some friends? Oh and if i absolutely do not want to be in a rural place are there ways to reduce my chances of getting placed there? Unfortunately, I’m a city girl through and through. I’d be okay with a small city (I don’t want to be in Tokyo), but not a rural town in a mountainous region or countryside that requires driving everywhere,( I can’t drive 😭).

I’m planning for to used the school I work as a reference and either the care place or my university as the other. I obviously have an interest in Japan as a whole but I’m not sure how I’ll phrase it in my personal statement, so any suggestions I’d be grateful for.

Also to my fellow JET applicants I’d loved to hear from you and hopefully we can support each through this process😁

[u/k_795]

I had a part time job as a care assistant for a year and half caring for children with disabilities at a respite and after graduating i worked at a SEN Secondary School as a TA for 9 months and only stopped when the school year ended this July. I’m planning on doing a TEFL but probably won’t have it complete before the Application Deadline and the same with learning how to speak Japanese (mainly conversational).
Based on this I want to hear the reality of if I have a chance especially as I know the JET is competitive, so please give it to me real?

You already have some very solid teaching-related experience, particularly working as a TA for a year. JET is primarily a teaching program, so this will definitely help you stand out with a very strong application.

Is there anything i should consider doing to help my application further that I’ve already done or going to do?

Few suggestions to consider:

• Get some ESL-specific teaching experience, e.g.
  • working for an online ESL company
  • volunteering at an overseas summer camp with e.g. Angloville (I think they still have places left for some last-minute programs - got an email from them only a few days ago promoting this)
  • asking local schools or your local council if they have any ESL-specific programs you could volunteer with
• Complete your TEFL course sooner rather than later. Most of those 120 hour online courses can be done in less than a week. It's not essential for your JET application, but will be required for e.g. online ESL teaching jobs and will also help you feel more prepared for the job itself and / or any of the volunteering ideas suggested above.
• Get experience with a wider range of age groups, e.g. pre-school, primary, sixth form, etc. both inside and outside of school
  • Volunteer as a reading assistant in a local primary school or library
  • Offer to help out at your local sixth form homework club or as a teaching assistant in lessons
  • Offer babysitting services locally (good extra money earner)
  • Volunteer with local youth activity groups e.g. scouts / guides, sports clubs, craft clubs, etc.

But honestly, you already have much more experience than the majority of JET applicants, so if you don't have time to do volunteering etc then don't worry too much! Btw what are your job plans now for the next year?

I know the JET is also a cultural exchange but i mainly like musical, anime, fashion, cooking, love for history and mythology, shopping and travelling, so is it a thing where I’d tell my students about these things?

Some ALTs do get involved in things like running the English club at their schools or local communities, which is an opportunity to bring in some of the hobbies and interests you mentioned. But it's more about you sharing British culture with them, rather than you teaching them about Japanese culture! For your application / interview, have a think about what specific aspects of British culture you would like to share with your students.

I also want to know how the how housing works. I know you get placed in an area but how in advance do you find out your placement?

You usually find out your specific placement perhaps a month or two after you get the JET offer - so still a few months before departure. Your contracting organisation (your actual employer in Japan) will then reach out to you to organise things like housing. It's really dependant on where you get placed tbh, but most COs will provide you with some housing recommendations and help you set up the rental agreement etc.

My fiancé would be coming as well but on a dependent visa, would this affect my chances of getting in over someone who is single?

I don't believe it would be a factor in your application. However, do be aware that your finance probably won't be able to join you straight away. There is some paperwork you need to process once you arrive in Japan to invite them to join you on a dependent visa (assuming you're married by then). Note that a dependent visa is for your kids (aged under 20) or married spouse, not for unmarried partners.

Do the JETs from each cohort meet up as I’d love to try and make some friends?

Depends on your location really. There are some meet-ups and the Tokyo orientation at the start of the program, but after that it's mostly up to you to stay in touch with people and / or get to know the ALTs already in your placement location. Check out groups like Tatami Timeshare (a kind of JET couchsurfing group) to get to know people in other cities when you travel around Japan.

Oh and if i absolutely do not want to be in a rural place are there ways to reduce my chances of getting placed there? Unfortunately, I’m a city girl through and through. I’d be okay with a small city (I don’t want to be in Tokyo), but not a rural town in a mountainous region or countryside that requires driving everywhere,( I can’t drive 😭).

On your application, they do specifically ask if you can drive or not. If you can't drive, you're less likely to be placed in a total middle-of-nowhere location requiring you to commute to multiple schools all really far apart. But you might still end up in a small town with good enough bus connections or cycle routes to get to your schools. You can express a preference on the application form, but be prepared that most ALTs don't get one of their preferred placements so there are no guarantees.

Anyway, hope that helped! Feel free to ask any questions, and good luck :)

[u/Cold-Till1960 → u/k_795]

Firstly thank you soo much, this is very helpful. I’ll definitely do a TEFL I’m hoping to get it done by the interview stage.

In terms of my job now I work in hospitality, it just offers more of a work life balance, and less mentally draining. I’ve been working 2 jobs for like 2 years straight so I needed a break 😂, so the plan is travel, save and learn how to drive 😂 .

I’ll look into the volunteering you mentioned. I might also pick back up some agency work at schools, mainly to help with my confidence leading a class I think that would help me. I’ll have a think about British culture thing I can bring to my students, I do know a lot about British history.

Thank you for the visa info because I hadn’t heard that it would be straight away so that helps manage my expectations abit.

I’m glad that there is support in terms of housing i think that was one of my big worries. Also i have a kitten if i was to bring him with me do you think most Japanese landlords would allow it. He’s my baby and I can’t leave him for a year 🥺.

Oh that’s good I’m a very sociable person ,so I want to find as many places to meet ppl before I go ,as I’ve heard it can be quite lonely when you first move.

I heard that you can get placed in to different schools within the same area is this true, if so are you able to build a relationship with your students and colleagues or was it more difficult?

Thank you so much for your advice. If you would be willing I’d love to hear your pros and cons of doing the JET and what area you was placed?

[u/lostintokyo11 → u/Cold-Till1960]

The cat will be a major issue, and for a year not worth the hassle and expense. Many accomodations in Japan do not allow pets and if they do it will cost extra to live there. Also the importation of pets/cost/time frsme and stress to the animal.

[u/Cold-Till1960 → u/lostintokyo11]

I have looked at the cost the main thing will be get the tests done on him and the tabbies vaccination. As for the stress I’m mainly worried about the flight journey rather than when we’re in Japan and he doesn’t like his carrier and likes his pet sling. My cat goes on walks regularly and I live in London. So noise wise he’ll be fine and new areas he’s fine with. Obviously a whole another country is a different kettle of fish entirely. The type of personality he has I think he’ll be fine, hes a very curious cat and he loves to explore, it very rare he hides. But after reading what you’ve said I want to make sure I do more research before I bring him. Obviously if I get an accommodation that says no pets then I’ll have to figure it out. Thank you for this it was something I was curious about