The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme is administered through the collaboration of Japan’s local government authorities, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), and the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (CLAIR).

Aiming primarily to promote grassroots internationalisation at the local level, the JET Programme invites young college graduates from around the world to participate in internationalisation initiatives and be involved in foreign language education at Japan’s local government offices, Boards of Education, elementary schools, junior high schools, and senior high schools. The JET Programme has gained high acclaim both domestically and overseas for being one of the world’s largest international exchange programmes. We hope that all people involved in the JET Programme, both the participants and the local people with whom they live and work, will build an international network and become successful in today’s global society.

The JET Programme has grown significantly since its start in 1987, with the number of participating countries in the JET Programme growing from four to 57, and the number of participants from 848 to 5,761. And more than 70,000 people from 75 countries have participated in the JET Programme through its years.

Currently, approximately 1,000 local public organisations (contracting organisations), including 45 prefectures and 18 designated cities employ JET Programme participants. The specific work activities of JET Programme participants are independently decided by each prefectural governor or city/town mayor. Although the organisations involved in the JET Programme are primarily local government authorities, JET Programme participants may also be placed in private schools when there is a request. Through the international exchange activities of its participants, the JET Programme strives to make a continued contribution to the revitalisation of local communities throughout Japan.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) will work in private or public schools, or local boards of education in the prefecture or municipality they will be assigned to. ALTs’ primary task is to assist in classes led by Japanese Teachers of English in the following manners:
  • Assisting in the preparation of teaching materials;
  • Planning and supervising extracurricular activities for students, such as English club or sport activities;
  • Organizing cultural or international exchange programs.

Salary

JET Programme participants receive approximately 3.36 million yen (approximately Php1.6 million) in their first year of appointment, approximately 3.6 million yen (approximately Php1.7 million) in their second year of appointment, approximately 3.9 million yen (approximately Php1.8 million) for their third appointment, and for those appointed for a fourth and fifth year, approximately 3.96 million yen (approximately Php1.81 million) for each year. Please note that JET Programme participants still have to pay Japanese income and resident taxes from this remuneration.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:
  • be interested in Japan and be willing to deepen their knowledge and appreciation of Japan after their arrival; be motivated to participate in and initiate international exchange activities in the local community; make effort to study or continue studying the Japanese language prior to and after arriving in Japan.
  • be both mentally and physically healthy.
  • be willing and able to adapt to living and working in Japan, and be determined to responsibly complete their period of participation.
  • hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher, or obtain such qualifications by the designated arrival date.
  • be a Filipino citizen.
  • be adept in contemporary standard pronunciation, rhythm and intonation in English and possess excellent language ability that can be applied accurately and appropriately; have the ability to form sentences in a comprehensive and logical manner. (See Note 1)
  • not have participated on the Programme since the 2020 JET Programme year or have participated on the Programme for more than 6 years in total.not have declined a position on the Programme after receiving notification of assignment in the previous JET Programme year (excluding cases where it is accepted that the Participant had a valid, inevitable reason for withdrawing).
  • not have lived in Japan for 6 or more years in total since 2013.
  • have a desire to proactively maintain relations with Japan, even after completion of the Programme.
  • concerning entry into Japan for participation on the Programme, agree to reside in Japan under the status of residence stipulated in Article 2-2 of the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act.
  • be willing to obey all Japanese laws.
  • Applicants with a suspended jail term must have finished their period of probation by the time they submit their application form.
  • be interested in the Japanese education system, particularly foreign language education in Japan.
  • be interested in working with children.be qualified as a language teacher or be strongly motivated to take part in the teaching of foreign languages.
Additional evaluation points will be given to applicants who:
  • Have a bachelor’s degree or higher in English or Education.
  • Have a professional language teaching license and/or experience (especially in classroom setting).
  • Have a general teaching experience or qualifications. (See Note 2)
  • Have a Japanese language background (JLPT passer) and/or Japan study background. (See Note 2)
  • Have experience traveling/living in foreign countries.

NOTE
  • An applicant’s ability to use the English language accurately and appropriately will be assessed based on the information he or she will provide in the application documents, as well as the results of an in-house English exam.
  • The screening process also involves a teaching demonstration in English and a Nihongo conversation test.
Application Tips and Reminders
  • Keys to a successful JET application:
    • READ and FOLLOW the guidelines and instructions carefully/diligently. Your ability to understand and follow the guidelines and instructions is the first step of the screening process.
    • FILL OUT the forms;
    • WRITE YOUR STATEMENT OF PURPOSE. Describe your motivation and qualifications for participating on the JET Program;
    • COLLECT AND COMPLETE YOUR DOCUMENTS. Any document that is not a required or supplemental document listed in the guidelines should not be included. This includes but is not limited to resumes, photos/headshots, extra letters of recommendation, certificate of attendance/appreciation/recognition, etc. Moreover, applications with incomplete requirement at the time of the deadline will not be considered. It is important to provide all necessary documents.
    • PREPARE A TEACHING PLAN FOR THE TEACHING DEMONSTRATION; PREPARE FOR THE WRITTEN EXAM AND INTERVIEW if you are selected as one of the short-list applicants.
  • PLEASE COMPILE YOUR APPLICATION DOCUMENTS INTO THREE (3) COMPLETE, SEPARATE SETS (Original and 2 sets of photocopies) placed inside a brown or transparent plastic envelope. Please do not use clearbooks.
  • Do not staple the forms and other documents.
  • Do not send any requirements separately; we will not accept additional/follow up items once you have submitted your application.

Application Guidelines and Required Documents

  • Application Guidelines (PDF) – Please read through the guidelines thoroughly before starting your application. Do NOT submit this document.
  • Application Form (PDF) – This must be typewritten (except for the signature) and printed in A4 or letter-sized paper. We recommend using a Web browser such as Microsoft Edge or Chrome to accomplish the form. As this is an editable PDF form, please use your mouse and click on the form fields to type out your answers or tick the checkboxes. Please do not change the font size for your answers.
  • Attachment Chart Sheet of Application (PDF) – This is a supplement to the application form. Do NOT submit this document.
  • Self- Report of Medical Condition(s) (PDF) – All applicants are required to submit this form with their application. This must be typewritten (except for the signature) and printed in A4 or letter-sized paper. We recommend using a Web browser such as Microsoft Edge or Chrome to accomplish the form. As this is an editable form, please use your mouse and click on the form fields to type out your answers or tick the checkboxes. Please do not change the font size for your answers.
  • Statement of Purpose (2-pages, double-spaced essay). Describe your motivation, purpose, and qualifications for participating on the JET Program. This should be typewritten on A4-sized paper, with 10.5 Arial font and 1-inch margin on each side. Do not print on both sides of the paper.
  • Two (2) Letters of Recommendation. References should be academic or professional (from a professor, advisor or supervisor). If you are submitting a recommendation letter written in Japanese, you must attach an appropriate/approximate English translation with it.
  • College/University Transcripts. From ALL colleges and universities attended, including study abroad institutions. Transcripts must be official; unofficial transcripts and/or student portal screenshots will not be accepted. Certified true copies can be submitted in lieu of originals.
  • Proof of Graduation (Diploma, Certificate of Graduation). Showing the conferral of a bachelor’s degree or graduate studies degree (if applicable). Certified true copies can be submitted in lieu of originals.
  • Proof of Philippine Citizenship. Such as a passport, birth certificate, etc

Supplemental Documents

  • Statement of Physician (PDF) – If the applicant lists medical history in the Self-Report of Medical Conditions form that requires a clearance to participate from a physician or medical specialist.
  • Teaching Certification – If the applicant has a PRC certification to teach (grade level, subject, substitute, etc.)
  • TESL/TEFL Certification – If the applicant has completed a certificate in English as a Second/Foreign Language.
  • Japanese Language Certification – If the applicant has passed any level of the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT)
  • Criminal History Background Check (NBI Clearance) – If the applicant lists any relevant history in the application

How and when to Submit the Documents

Kindly attach this slip on top of the original copy of the application form. Only one (1) copy of the slip is required.

All application materials required for this program are due on November 22, 2022 (Tuesday) and must be submitted via post or courier (LBC, Grab Express, Lalamove, etc) or personally hand-delivered to:

The JET Programme
Japan Information and Culture Center
Embassy of Japan in the Philippines
2627 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City 1300

(For same-day courier services and personally hand-delivered documents: kindly proceed to the back entrance of the Embassy of Japan – Lancaster St. cor FB Harrison St.)

Source: JET Programme
For more details about the JET Programme, please visit http://jetprogramme.org/en/.



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