Poll of the Day > Hey, Jeff Sensei?

(+) Yeah! (+)

What qualifications/certifications do you need to do what you're doing with your job? Wondering how hard it would be to be able to do the same.

@Sarcasthma
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You need a Bachelor's (doesn't matter in what) and English fluency.

http://jetprogramme.org/en/eligibility/

Knowing some Japanese can be helpful, but it's not required.
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is the bachelor's degree just there as evidence that you can learn something?
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Sarcasthma posted...

You need a Bachelor's (doesn't matter in what) and English fluency.

http://jetprogramme.org/en/eligibility/

Knowing some Japanese can be helpful, but it's not required.

Damn, was expecting it, but still a bummer.
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HellHole_ posted...

is the bachelor's degree just there as evidence that you can learn something?

Yes
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dragon504 posted...

Sarcasthma posted...

You need a Bachelor's (doesn't matter in what) and English fluency.

http://jetprogramme.org/en/eligibility/

Knowing some Japanese can be helpful, but it's not required.

Damn, was expecting it, but still a bummer.

That's only JET, though. There may be other ALT programs that don't require a Bachelor's.
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How do you like your job anyway? Seems like it could be fun, if you're not getting discriminated against often.
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Sarcasthma posted...

That's only JET, though. There may be other ALT programs that don't require a Bachelor's.

It's a visa requirement. Your only real options are starting a business or getting a green card.
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dragon504 posted...

How do you like your job anyway? Seems like it could be fun, if you're not getting discriminated against often.

It's fun enough, but I really prefer teaching at high schools (I'm currently on an ES/JHS rotation).

I haven't had to deal with too much bullshit here (Shizuoka), fortunately.
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Sarcasthma posted...

dragon504 posted...

How do you like your job anyway? Seems like it could be fun, if you're not getting discriminated against often.

It's fun enough, but I really prefer teaching at high schools (I'm currently on an ES/JHS rotation).

I haven't had to deal with too much bullshit here (Shizuoka), fortunately.

Ah, that's good. Had any favorite students, or students that were friendlier than the norm with you? I don't mean in any inappropriate way, just in the "Gee, that Jeff sensei sure is a neato guy" kinda way. You mentioned liking teaching the high schoolers better, so I'm guessing you've had at least a few positive experiences there.

On an unhappy note, what's the worst you've been discriminated against whilst over in japan land?
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Yeah, I've had quite a few great students while I taught at the high school level. I was lucky enough to get the same school for five years, so I got to teach some students during their entire time in high school.

Worst I've probably had to deal with here is some yelling from those ultra-nationalists that occasionally parade around in the larger cities.
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How often do you get roped into drinking with co workers? Seems to be a common theme in anime.
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Sarcasthma posted...

not required

You make it sound like it's easy for someone to get a teaching job in Japan. Wait...

Be interested in Japan, and be willing to deepen their knowledge and appreciation of Japan after their arrival; make effort to study or continue studying the Japanese language prior to and after arriving in Japan

Never mind. >_>
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dragon504 posted...

How often do you get roped into drinking with co workers? Seems to be a common theme in anime.

That doesn't happen too often (especially since many of my coworkers are around twice my age). I usually only go out drinking with them during/after the banquets at the beginning and end of each trimester.

EclairReturns posted...

Be interested in Japan, and be willing to deepen their knowledge and appreciation of Japan after their arrival; make effort to study or continue studying the Japanese language prior to and after arriving in Japan

Actually, that part isn't a requirement (except during certain years when they try to bring in a large number of ALTs with Japanese proficiency). I've known plenty of JETs here who don't speak any Japanese.
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Sarcasthma posted...

That doesn't happen too often (especially since many of my coworkers are around twice my age). I usually only go out drinking with them during/after the banquets at the beginning and end of each trimester.

Seems to be much more of a thing for the normal salaryman, than others. Was just wondering if it's extent reached out further.

Do you ever have fun with being non native? Like pretending you only speak English, to see reactions, or anything along those lines?
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Yeah, I'm really glad I'm not a salaryman. Some of the teachers here might as well be with all of the shit they have to put up with, though.

Yep, I usually pretend for a while that I don't speak any Japanese whenever I visit a new school. Some of the reactions I get from students when I finally do speak Japanese are priceless.
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Sarcasthma posted...

Yeah, I'm really glad I'm not a salaryman. Some of the teachers here might as well be with all of the shit they have to put up with, though.

Yep, I usually pretend for a while that I don't speak any Japanese whenever I visit a new school. Some of the reactions I get from students when I finally do speak Japanese are priceless.

Haha, sounds fun, also thanks for answering my random questions.
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No problem!
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