JET Programme
2023/9/8
JET 2025 applications
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 Teachers (ALTs) under a highly successful international exchange programme for university graduates.
PLEASE COURIER (WITH A TRACKING NUMBER) OR HAND DELIVER YOUR COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGE TO:
EMBASSY OF JAPAN
JET PROGRAMME
259 BAINES STREET
GROENKLOOF
PRETORIA
0181
DEADLINE: 4 PM, 18 October 2024 (APPLICATIONS MUST ARRIVE AT THE EMBASSY OF JAPAN BY THIS DATE)
RESULTS: Successful and Unsuccessful Applicants will be contacted by e-mail - Please DO NOT contact the Embassy of Japan to enquire about the outcome of your application.
PLEASE COURIER (WITH A TRACKING NUMBER) OR HAND DELIVER YOUR COMPLETE APPLICATION PACKAGE TO:
EMBASSY OF JAPAN
JET PROGRAMME
259 BAINES STREET
GROENKLOOF
PRETORIA
0181
DEADLINE: 4 PM, 18 October 2024 (APPLICATIONS MUST ARRIVE AT THE EMBASSY OF JAPAN BY THIS DATE)
RESULTS: Successful and Unsuccessful Applicants will be contacted by e-mail - Please DO NOT contact the Embassy of Japan to enquire about the outcome of your application.
General Information
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 university 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 received 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, including 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 51, and the number of participants from 848 to 5,861 in 2024. More than 79,000 people from 80 countries have participated in the JET Programme through its years.
As the Programme has achieved an excellent reputation, it is of great importance that this reputation be maintained. Participants are invited to Japan as honoured 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 prefectures, municipalities, and private schools etc. as a member of staff for a 1-year period of participation on the Programme. 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 and private school staff members of their Contracting Organisations, they are required to observe rules and behave responsibly.
Withdrawal from the Programme after receipt of assignment or early termination of participation should be avoided as it causes numerous problems for Contracting Organisations, in addition to severely impacting the administration of the Programme itself.
Aiming primarily to promote grassroots internationalisation at the local level, the JET Programme invites young university 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 received 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, including 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 51, and the number of participants from 848 to 5,861 in 2024. More than 79,000 people from 80 countries have participated in the JET Programme through its years.
As the Programme has achieved an excellent reputation, it is of great importance that this reputation be maintained. Participants are invited to Japan as honoured 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 prefectures, municipalities, and private schools etc. as a member of staff for a 1-year period of participation on the Programme. 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 and private school staff members of their Contracting Organisations, they are required to observe rules and behave responsibly.
Withdrawal from the Programme after receipt of assignment or early termination of participation should be avoided as it causes numerous problems for Contracting Organisations, in addition to severely impacting the administration of the Programme itself.
Position and duties
Participants engaged in language instruction. ALTs are placed mainly in local boards of education, elementary, junior high, and senior high schools.
Participants 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.
(1) Assistance in foreign language classes, etc. taught in elementary, junior high and senior high schools.
(2) Assistance in foreign language activities, etc. in elementary schools.
(3) Assistance in preparation of materials for teaching a foreign language.
(4) Assistance in language training for teachers of a foreign language, etc.
(5) Cooperation in extracurricular activities and club activities (see Note 1).
(6) 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.).
(7) Cooperation in foreign language speech contests.
(8) Cooperation in local international exchange activities.
(9) Other duties as deemed necessary by the supervisor or the school principal.
Participants 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.
(1) Assistance in foreign language classes, etc. taught in elementary, junior high and senior high schools.
(2) Assistance in foreign language activities, etc. in elementary schools.
(3) Assistance in preparation of materials for teaching a foreign language.
(4) Assistance in language training for teachers of a foreign language, etc.
(5) Cooperation in extracurricular activities and club activities (see Note 1).
(6) 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.).
(7) Cooperation in foreign language speech contests.
(8) Cooperation in local international exchange activities.
(9) Other duties as deemed necessary by the supervisor or the school principal.
Detailed information and Application Form
- Application Guidelines(PDF)
(254KB) - Chart Sheet(PDF)(209KB)
- Application Form Instructions(PDF)(304KB)
- Application Form(PDF)(309KB)
- Self-Report of Medical Condition(PDF)(266KB)
- Statement of Physician(PDF)(171KB)
- Certificate of Health(PDF)(160KB)
