- 15 Mar 2003
- 1,147
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I'll admit it, I currently work for the JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Program. Please note how I refuse to spell 'program' with the extra 'me.' I figured that since I am stuck here at the office with nothing to do, I would post some of my experiences and invite others to do the same. So, without further ado -
Day in the Life of a Rural JET
A School Day
8:00AM - Walk to school. Support regular staff's decree that all children will be happy and bright by making them say "good morning" and mean it.
8:15AM - Pretend to understand morning staff meeting. Nod and look concerned when need be. Be sure to throw in some frowns too.
8:20AM - Ask JTE (Japanese Teacher of English) what the heck we will be presenting first period. Spend remaining 15 minutes getting "ready (a.k.a. pirating lessons from previous year)"
8:35AM - First period - Shake that money maker (your mad English Skil'z)
9:25AM~12:20PM - Do something, anything, until lunch. Need not be work related as long as no one notices. Since it is all in English no one will call you on it. Moonlight as JREF staff.
12:20PM~12:50PM - Pretend to enjoy lunch, avoid jako at all costs.
12:50PM~1:15PM - Hide so as to avoid cleaning "duties." Not that they will ever ask you to help even though for the first week you feel bad about slacking off and ask more than 10 times to help...
1:25PM - Fifth period - Execute lesson plan produced through MEXT guidlines for "team teaching" five minutes before class.
2:15PM ~ 4:00PM - Do something, anything, until it is time to go home. Make sure JREF is still working.
An Office Day
8:00AM - Drive to local Board of Education (BOE)
8:30AM - Understand the morning meeting perfectly since there is nothing to discuss. Ever.
8:32AM - Do something, anything, until coffe break. Moonlight again as JREF staff and develop on-line pool abilities.
10:00AM - Drink coffee. You will get used to how it tastes like a** in a few weeks.
10:03AM~12:00PM - Do something, anything, until lunch. Seek revenge for 9:23AM loss at online pool.
12:00PM - Pretend to enjoy lunch. No students in canteen at noon, throw out jako.
12:20PM - Return to BOE.
12:21PM - Do something, anything until coffee break. This time, online snooker.
3:00PM - Drink coffee, ignore a** taste.
3:03PM~4:00PM - Do something, anything, until it is time to go home. Delete a random post or two on JREF, just to keep everyone on their toes
This is only the humorous retelling of the experiences of one JET and does not reflect on the entire program (again spelled without 'me') nor necessarily the actual reality of said JETs daily life
Day in the Life of a Rural JET
A School Day
8:00AM - Walk to school. Support regular staff's decree that all children will be happy and bright by making them say "good morning" and mean it.
8:15AM - Pretend to understand morning staff meeting. Nod and look concerned when need be. Be sure to throw in some frowns too.
8:20AM - Ask JTE (Japanese Teacher of English) what the heck we will be presenting first period. Spend remaining 15 minutes getting "ready (a.k.a. pirating lessons from previous year)"
8:35AM - First period - Shake that money maker (your mad English Skil'z)
9:25AM~12:20PM - Do something, anything, until lunch. Need not be work related as long as no one notices. Since it is all in English no one will call you on it. Moonlight as JREF staff.
12:20PM~12:50PM - Pretend to enjoy lunch, avoid jako at all costs.
12:50PM~1:15PM - Hide so as to avoid cleaning "duties." Not that they will ever ask you to help even though for the first week you feel bad about slacking off and ask more than 10 times to help...
1:25PM - Fifth period - Execute lesson plan produced through MEXT guidlines for "team teaching" five minutes before class.
2:15PM ~ 4:00PM - Do something, anything, until it is time to go home. Make sure JREF is still working.
An Office Day
8:00AM - Drive to local Board of Education (BOE)
8:30AM - Understand the morning meeting perfectly since there is nothing to discuss. Ever.
8:32AM - Do something, anything, until coffe break. Moonlight again as JREF staff and develop on-line pool abilities.
10:00AM - Drink coffee. You will get used to how it tastes like a** in a few weeks.
10:03AM~12:00PM - Do something, anything, until lunch. Seek revenge for 9:23AM loss at online pool.
12:00PM - Pretend to enjoy lunch. No students in canteen at noon, throw out jako.
12:20PM - Return to BOE.
12:21PM - Do something, anything until coffee break. This time, online snooker.
3:00PM - Drink coffee, ignore a** taste.
3:03PM~4:00PM - Do something, anything, until it is time to go home. Delete a random post or two on JREF, just to keep everyone on their toes
Summary
Total hours ie "on the job" - 40 hours / week
Total Hours Teaching English ie "your real job" - 12 hours per / week max , 4 hours / week minimum.
Total Take-Home Pay after taxes = 263,280 yen / month
Hourly wage "on the job" = 1,645.5 yen / hour
"your real job" = 5,485 ~ 16,455 yen / hour
Japanese Taxpayer subsidy to JREF in terms of performing feats of amazing staff powers while on the clock
approx 3,000 ~ 6,000 yen / day.
This is only the humorous retelling of the experiences of one JET and does not reflect on the entire program (again spelled without 'me') nor necessarily the actual reality of said JETs daily life