JET Programme

The Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (or Program) (JET) is a Japanese government initiative that brings university graduates (mostly native speakers of English) to Japan as Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) and Sports Education Advisors (SEAs) in Japanese Elementary, Junior High and Senior High schools, or as Coordinators for International Relations (CIRs) in local governments and boards of education. JET Programme participants are collectively called JETs.

Participants come from a total of about 40 countries. In 2005, roughly 6,000 people a year were employed on the programme, making it the world's largest exchange teaching programme. Of that number, about half are from the United States, with Britain, Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand making up most of the remainder. In principle, participants must be under 40 years of age when hired. About 90% of the participants on the programme are ALTs, and the remaining 10% are divided between CIRs and SEAs. The number of alumni totals around 40,000 from 40 countries.

Further reading

• David L. McConnell ''Importing Diversity: Inside Japan's JET Program"
• Nicholas Klar "My Mother is a Tractor: A Life in Rural Japan"

External links

Official websites

• JET Programme official website
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs JET webpage
• Association for Japan Exchange and Teaching (AJET) - a support and social network for JET Programme participants
• JET Alumni Association (JETAA)- Allows past, present and future JET Programme participants to stay/get in touch and acquire useful info
• The Unofficial Guide to the JET-Programme A useful JET Programme information site.

JET forums

• Official JET Forum - the best stop for new and current JET's - strictly moderated.
• Big Daikon the biggest internet discussion forum for current and former JETs alike
• I Think I'm Lost! - an internet discussion forum for new and current JETs

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