Tips for incoming JETs/English Teachers

I think this guy likes to hear his own voice.
Could be done in 2 mins.

We appreciate the enunciation, but it sounds like someone’s been teaching English too long.

I did the JET Prog 1999-2000 as a CIR. I had too many complaints about the whole thing to mention here, but to summarize:
1. Intense boredom. My office had no idea of what they wanted me to do. I arrived to an empty desk almost everyday. I spent the whole year surfing the internet when I wasn’t desperately searching for any volunteer activities to keep me sane.

1a: It will take you less than a day to complete a task that will take your Japanese colleagues a few weeks. take your time. Nobody like to work here. Your requests for others to complete their part of the project will be ignored.

2. I saw my first job in Japan as the culmination of twelve years of Japanese language tuition at various public & private institutions. How stupid was I to think I had something worthwhile to contribute. My linguistic skills weren’t needed. I taught English, only English, and nothing but English. Other CIRs were given tasks that (sort of) resembled the JET Job Description.

3. This kind of explains why there is absolutely no job training- none! My office assumed my transition into the previous guys shoes would be smooth. It most definitely was not. I had to spend months building-up a support network of contacts, and only then, those who were actually willing to help me. Most of these were outside of work.

4. In spite of filing complaints to JET HQ about all the rudeness, xenophobic &/or racist comments I had to endure from office colleagues on a daily basis, nothing was done. This also includes office bullying/offensive e-mails.

5. Office Politics Japanese Style: every time they mess up (and believe me they will), it is convenient to blame you. It is a face-saving exercise. Blaming Johnny Foreigner for THEIR mistakes is very common so expect to endure public humiliation for every misdemeanor committed by others. Get used to this – its normal!

6. Office resources: Not only my office, but pretty much every office I visited in other cities too had 20 year old equipment. Bring/buy your own – you’re gonna need it!

7. Friends: If you want to make some Japanese friends (and I strongly suggest you do), make friends outside the office. Every neighborhood has small izakayas, karaoke/snack, or small restaurants where people just hang-out. Japanese old people are kinda cool and love to tell you lots of stories etc. And, they will probably be the only ones to help you with accommodation-related problems because you can bet your boss won’t! And you’ll get treated to trips and short breaks to many places with them.