Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme 2020, Japan (Fully Funded)

The Government of Japan is calling for applications from young South Africans who would like to spend at least one year in Japan as Assistant Language Instructors (ALTs) under a highly successful international exchange programme for university graduates.

The Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme seeks to enhance internationalisation in Japan by promoting mutual understanding between the people of Japan and those of other nations. The Programme aims to enhance foreign language education and promote international exchange at the local level through the fostering of ties between Japanese youth and foreign youth alike.

The objectives of the Programme are being achieved by offering JET Programme participants (hereinafter, participants) the opportunity to serve in local authorities as well as public and private elementary, junior high and senior high schools in Japan.

The Programme is implemented by local authorities and other organisations (hereinafter, contracting organisations) of Japan in cooperation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations (hereinafter, CLAIR).

The JET Programme started in 1987 with cooperation from governments of participating countries. In 2019, there were 5,761 participants on the Programme from 57 countries.

As the Programme has achieved an excellent reputation over the last 33 years, it is of great importance that this reputation be maintained. Participants are invited to Japan as representatives of their countries. As such, they are expected to be responsible in all their activities, especially those concerning the promotion of mutual understanding between nations. It is therefore desirable that participants be adaptable, mentally and physically capable of performing the job duties and have a deep interest in Japan.

Generally, participants are appointed by a contracting organisation for a one-year period. The cost of transportation from the participant’s origin to Japan, as well as remuneration, will be funded by the tax payers of Japan via the contracting organisation where the participant is appointed. Because participants serve as civil servants of their contracting organisations, they are required to uphold behaviour befitting civil servants.

Withdrawal from the Programme after receipt of placement or early termination of appointment should be avoided as it causes many problems for contracting organisations, in addition to severely impacting the administration of the Programme itself.

Duties

Participants who are mainly assigned to local boards of education or elementary, junior high or senior high schools are to carry out their duties as ALTs under the guidance of language teachers’ consultants or Japanese teachers of the foreign language as specified by the supervisor and/or principal of the board of education and/or school. The following is a general outline of duties, though they may vary from one contracting organisation to another.
Assistance in foreign language classes, etc. taught in junior and senior high schools
Assistance in foreign language activities, etc. in elementary schools
Assistance in preparation of materials for teaching a foreign language
Assistance in language training of teachers of a foreign language, etc
Assistance in extracurricular activities and club activities
Provision of information on language and other related subjects for people such as teachers’ consultants and foreign language teachers (e.g. word usage, pronunciation, etc.)
Assistance in foreign language speech contests
Engagement in local international exchange activities
Other duties as specified by the contracting organisation

Benefit:

The cost of transportation from the participant’s origin to Japan, as well as remuneration, will be funded by the tax payers of Japan via the contracting organisation where the participant is appointed.

Requirement:

Open to young South Africans who would like to spend at least one year in Japan as Assistant Language Instructors (ALTs);
Applicants for the ALT position must hold a Bachelor’s degree or higher, or obtain such qualifications by the designated arrival date (applicants for the ALT position may alternatively hold a certification of completion of a 3 year course to teach at primary/elementary or secondary schools or obtain such qualification(s) by the designated arrival date);
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;

How to Apply:
Read the application guidelines and application form instructions before you start your application.

Applicants are required to courier (with a tracking number) or hand deliver their application form and other documents to: