Teaching opportunities in Japan

By Emily Nash, On-Line Forty-Niner

Thursday, October 15, 1998

Some things in life are reserved for the hard working, adventurous, talented few, such as climbing Mount Everest, swimming with dolphins, discovering the missing link or teaching English in Japan.

For people who do not like to visit other countries as a passive tourist, a teaching job in Japan might be the perfect nook.

The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program is looking for college students who will be graduating by June of 1999, to spend a year in Japan teaching English to school children. Candidates do not have to speak Japanese or have a teaching credential.

"This program is open to anyone with a bachelor's degree," said Cecilia Fedora, Cal State Long Beach's study abroad coordinator.

To be eligible, candidates need to be a United States citizen under 35 years of age, have good writing skills, excellent English pronunciation and have an adaptability to living in conditions that might be different from their homes, according to the 1999 JET application material.

"Put on your application situations where you've had to adapt to new living conditions," said Sheri Walker, who is the director of career services at CSULB.

Teachers in the program will be paid roughly $30,000 a year and although airfare will be provided, participants will be expected to pay their own rent, according to the JET application.

JET teachers are expected to sign a one-year contract, which can be renewed two more times if the teacher and his or her employer wish.

However, breaking the contract and going home early may require the JET teacher to reimburse the program for travel expenses, according to the application.

An illness or death in the family is considered a valid reason for breaking the contract. However, there are no set rules of what constitutes a valid reason and each situation is handled on a case-by-case basis, said Joe Sanosa, a former teacher in the program who is now a JET coordinator.

For more information, one may call the Center for International Education at (562) 985-4106.