The JET Program

What is it? The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program, known more widely as the JET Program, aims to promote internationalization at the local level within Japan. Local governments, boards of education and various schools throughout Japan seek to achieve this by inviting overseas graduates to assist in international exchange and foreign language education. The program seeks to foster ties between Japanese citizens and JET participants at a grassroots level. JET Program participants are contracted to local host institutions throughout Japan.
Who runs it? CLAIR (Council of Local Authorities for International Relations) implements the JET Program at the national level in conjunction with three of the Japanese ministries - the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Science and Technology.
What positions are available? Australians can apply for one of two positions: a coordinator for International Relations (CIR) or an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT)

CIR (Coordinator for International Relations)
The duties of CIRs are carried out under the guidance of the division management in local government offices in prefectures, cities, town and villages. Duties may include:

  • assistance with projects related to international activities carried out by local governments including translating, editing and proof-reading pamphlets in a foreign language
  • assisting with planning, designing and implementing international exchange programs
  • assisting with official guests from abroad and interpreting at events for overseas visitors or for local foreign community residents
  • language instruction of local residents

ALT (Assistant Language Teacher)
ALTs are assigned to local boards of education or schools. Duties include:

  • assistance with foreign language education at primary, elementary, junior and senior high schools
  • assistance with the preparation of supplementary teacher materials
  • assistance with the instruction of foreign language clubs
  • assistance with foreign language speech contests

For more information on the JET Program such as eligibility criteria and application procedure,
visit the official JET Program website.

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