Life in Japan with the JET Programme by Susan Miles
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A very wise person once told me, “In order to learn the truth about a country, you need to live there”. I can’t think of a country that this more aptly applies to than Japan. I am currently in the process of learning the various nuisances of this country along with approximately 6,000 other new temporary residents who hail from over 20 different countries. Who are we? We are the latest batch of foreigners to have signed up for the year long experience of trying to “uncover the truth about Japan” via the Japanese Teaching and Exchange (JET) Programme. The JET program was the brainchild of the current Japanese Prime Minister, Junichiro Koizumi and introduced by the Japanese government in 1987. It was felt that there were too few opportunities for Japanese nationals, particularly children, to engage with and learn about other country’s and cultures. To remedy this situation, a program to bring overseas college graduates into Japanese schools to teach English (and other languages), share their own culture and in turn learn more about Japanese culture. The majority of JET participants are employed, like myself as “Assistant Language Teachers”. We are assigned by our local prefecture to various Elementary and Junior High Schools to assist the Japanese teachers in conducting English classes. This “assistance” is many and varied. From running a “greeting game” at the beginning of the class, demonstrating English pronunciation of various words and phrases; conducting conversational exercises with the students or assisting/checking their written work. As an “assistant” I am not solely responsible for a class, but can find myself preparing and then implementing a teaching plan with the help of my Japanese English teachers. Outside of the class I am the official “flag waver” for the English language, coaxing and encouraging the students to practice their spoken English at every opportunity. This could be a passing greeting in the hall, a chat in the playground at recess or a culinary discussion over our noodles during lunchtime. From these encounters I have learnt that Japanese Junior High School Students are no different to their western counterparts in that they love “Harry Potter” and “Star Wars”, want to grow up to be major league baseball players and don’t like pickles on their Big Macs!. In contrast, I am also the resident “Australian and Western culture” expert for my school, discussing with both the teachers and the students various aspects of Australia. From our history, daily work/school life to our favourite leisure activities. As I have traveled quite extensively, I also find myself comparing and contrasting various cultures with Japan for the benefit of both the students and the teachers. The idea that there is diversity and differences between western countries is often a revelation to my pupils and the teachers alike. My school’s social studies teacher now has a firm grasp of the nuisances of Australian politics, its similarities and differences to the American and British democratic processes. I have also enlightened him to the fragile and sports-focused relationship we share with our closest neighbor, New Zealand. I am also the recipient of countless questions and inquiries. As my students range in age from 12-14, I have been stunned by the sophistication of their questions. From my opinion on Iraq, to my forecast for the American economy and my thoughts on the recent meetings between the Japanese and South Korean leaders. Interspersed with these weighty ponderings are also such classics as “Do I like sushi”, “How tall am I” and “What do I like best about Japan”. I have told my students that I will answer any question just as long as they ask it in English. For a few savvy souls, I have had to answer the question every 30 something woman fears “How old are you?”, and the guaranteed blush producer “Do you love Mr Isikawa (Japanese English Teacher). Note, the blush comes from the Japanese English teacher. I was frankly quite thrilled with the question as the student pronounced his “L” spot on! To date, my favourite question for sheer gumption has been “What sort of men do I like”. My vague, non-committal response of “Tall, very tall” was more than satisfactory for the student poising this question, being the tallest male student in the class! I have also been enlightened to nuisances of my culture and language that I was unaware until I became an English teacher. When trying to teach students the art of giving an audible greeting, I discovered that no matter how loud they say “Good morning” the sound is lost when they couple it with a traditional Japanese bow. To replace the bow with a good firm handshake to accompany their now boisterous “Good Morning” is my current challenge. Although I think I have a future ambassador to the US in my class judging by the loud, in my face “Good Afternoon Susan” and wonderfully firm handshake that I was greeted with today. Now I just have to pass on this skill to the teachers! As an ALT I have been called upon to perform a variety of interesting and challenging tasks outside of the classroom. These have included playing judge at the regional speech contest, assessor at the annual interviews for new Japanese English Teachers and presenter/demonstrator of the fine art of “Team Teaching” for a room full of serious Japanese teachers. I was stunned at the speech contest by the sheer courage of the 14 year-old participant who gave an impassioned speech on the highs and lows of his first love. I was forced to stifle a laugh during the teaching interviews when one candidate choose to perform his demonstration class as a hyper-active version of Tony Barber from his “Sale of the Century” days. My proudest moment so far has been my first and only winning point scored during the annual inter-school teachers volleyball tournament. Not since the movie “Top Gun” have I seen so many enthusiastic “high fives” over an aced serve. I know I have a long way to go to “learn the truth” about Japan, but in the hands of my Japanese instructors, the students and teachers at my school, I feel I have made a good start.