JET Program on the Chopping Block (thank Buddha!!)

[Taro Toporific]

:banana: :bounce: :banana: :bounce: :banana:

JET ROI: JET Program on the Chopping Block
jetwit.com - by James Gannon - July 3, 2010 (http://jetwit.com/wordpress/2010/07/03/jet-roi-jet-program-on-the-chopping-block-by-james-gannon/)
...in May 2010, the JET Program and CLAIR came up for review, and during the course of an hourlong hearing, the 11-member panel criticized the JET scheme, ruling unanimously that a comprehensive examination should be undertaken to see if it should be pared back or eliminated altogether.When the jigyo shiwake panels were launched in November 2009, the intent was to weed out bloated spending ....more... (http://jetwit.com/wordpress/2010/07/03/jet-roi-jet-program-on-the-chopping-block-by-james-gannon/)

[canman]

Taro,I wouldn't count the JET program dead yet. It seems to have a lot of friends in high places that will vouch for its usefulness. What I find interesting is that the only group advocating the continuation of the Jet Program are either former, or current JETs. There doesn't seem to be a groundswell of teachers or parents or students clamoring to keep this system. I for one would like to see it gone, as I think there must be a better way to teach students. I know many good ideas have been presented here before, like sending native English teachers abroad to hone their skills. Or utilizing the native English teachers that live in the community.

[Mike Oxlong]

Here's a wacky thought...

Make the program one that only accepts and places professional teachers. Those who majored in and graduated with education degrees. Then, those who are accepted go to some facility (one for US/Canada, one for the UK, one for Australia/NZ) in their own country to undergo several months of training in Japanese language, Japanese ed aims, and team-teaching. Schools in Japan wanting one of these sorts would have to send one of their English teachers to some sort of twin facility in Japan over the summer vacation to also be trained in team-teaching, Western ed aims, and English communication.

[AssKissinger]

I think it would be sad if JET dies. A lot of people have had amazing experiences because of this program.

[Yokohammer]

Here's a wacky thought...

Make the program one that only accepts and places professional teachers. Those who majored in and graduated with education degrees. Then, those who are accepted go to some facility (one for US/Canada, one for the UK, one for Australia/NZ) in their own country to undergo several months of training in Japanese language, Japanese ed aims, and team-teaching. Schools in Japan wanting one of these sorts would have to send one of their English teachers to some sort of twin facility in Japan over the summer vacation to also be trained in team-teaching, Western ed aims, and English communication.
No no ... that makes too much sense. :shake:
Besides, there's an opening there for filthy foreign ideas to infiltrate and corrupt the local system.

[Taro Toporific]

Here's a wacky thought...
Make the program one that only accepts and places professional teachers. Those who majored in and graduated with education degrees....

Oh nooooooo! Imagine the Japanese engRish teachers having to compete on level ground.

[Yokohammer]

Imagine the Japanese engRish teachers having to compete on level ground.
No shit. And it'd be pretty hard for a Japanese engrish teacher to tell an M.Ed to shut the fuck up and do as they're told.

[Screwed-down Hairdo]

Sorry, I have to agree with this one.
JET is an enormous waste of money that produces benefits that are dubious at best.
Have the JET programs produced one Enrgish speaker of any worth over 20-odd years? I severely doubt it.
Stop funding the idea of English-speaking yobbos Japan experience, I say.

[Ganma]

Having professional teachers come would never work. I knew some professional teachers who did exactly that but gave up and left quick smart. Reasons: lack of responsiveness of students , the 'I can't speak English' mentality; and a complete lack of control or freedom over what they were able to do in the classroom. Japan only wants talking textbooks so let them have their talking textbooks.
The JET primarily exists these days to give inaka schools the opportunity for 'cultural exchange' and has long disappeared from suburban areas like Tokyo. That in itself is not a bad thing. But if there is no longer the money for it then so be it...

[GomiGirl]

Professional teachers wouldn't come as they wouldn't put up with the poor salary options. Offering peanuts is fine for the kids who are Native Engrish speakers with a pulse on a gap year adventure, but it is not an interesting prospect for real teachers. They would go straight to International schools.

[AssKissinger]

Professional teachers wouldn't come as they wouldn't put up with the poor salary options. Offering peanuts is fine for the kids who are Native Engrish speakers with a pulse on a gap year adventure, but it is not an interesting prospect for real teachers. They would go straight to International schools.

JET pays better than most new teachers make in America. Do you mean if they did away with JET and tried to get professional teachers just off the market?

[Christoff]

JET pays better than most new teachers make in America. Do you mean if they did away with JET and tried to get professional teachers just off the market?

If we are speaking about New York State, it is utterly untrue. most JET teachers get between 250,000 and 300,000 a month, that is about 3k us. note the DoE teacher pay chart: http://jd2718.wordpress.com/the-new-uft-contract/new-uft-nyc-doe-teacher-pay-scale-salary-charts/

[wuchan]

Even tho I hate to admit it, ending the JET program would make engrish education in public schools even worse than it is now. Yes the schools COULD hire real qualified teachers but the local boards of education have shown that they don't want to hire FG teachers. That leaves the ALT companies to fill the spots and we have all seen how well that works. Salary compared to home country is another issue. In the US many, if not most, public school teachers are union (real union not j-union) and earn around $40k with healthcare included. In my state they average $56.5k and get pension. Ms. Wu's cousin just took a part time job teaching high school and he barely breaks 100k円 a month working 25 hours a week without any benefits.

[Christoff]

100k a month is ass, you cant even live off of that in hokaido

[bolt_krank]

I think the JET program provides good opportunities for a lot of people. Whethere it is that useful or not.... probably not that much; I don't really know - haven't had any direct involvement so it wouldn't really be my place to comment.

But it does seem from what I've seen as a good international relations vehicle.

I think it's promoted the country better than "Yokoso Japan" or whatever it's called these days.

[dimwit]

I'm not entirely opposed to JET as a few of the teachers who do stick around turn out to be quite competent. I might even hesitantly say that some of the best teachers know started out as JETs before graduating to private schools. So I think it does serve the purpose of being a training ground for those who want to make it so. In Ehime, we have a mixture of JETs and privately contracted ALTs and it is a battle as to which is worse. ALTs often go awol leaving high schools high and dry where as the JETs are largely jids on extended holidays.

[Samurai_Jerk]

If we are speaking about New York State, it is utterly untrue. most JET teachers get between 250,000 and 300,000 a month, that is about 3k us. note the DoE teacher pay chart: http://jd2718.wordpress.com/the-new-uft-contract/new-uft-nyc-doe-teacher-pay-scale-salary-charts/

JET teachers get 300K a month tax free plus a lot of them get housing subsidies. If you factor that in it's like making 45 or 50K. Probably about average for a teacher in the US but better than someone fresh out of college would make teaching.

[AssKissinger]

http://teacherportal.com/teacher-salaries-by-state

[Christoff]

JET teachers get 300K a month tax free plus a lot of them get housing subsidies. If you factor that in it's like making 45 or 50K. Probably about average for a teacher in the US but better than someone fresh out of college would make teaching.

lets not forget is you are a us citizen you are still liable for 100% of your us tax obligation making you way poorer

[Iraira]

lets not forget is you are a us citizen you are still liable for 100% of your us tax obligation making you way poorer

That's only for the portion of your income over $91,400 (as of 2009). 2555-EZ, baby!

[Samurai_Jerk]

That's only for the portion of your income over $91,400 (as of 2009). 2555-EZ, baby!

Thank you. Christoff needs to check his sources.

And it's not even as simple as paying tax on anything over $91,400. It depends on a lot of things including the tax burden in the country you live in.

[Ｎａｋａｎｏ]

I think it would be sad if JET dies. A lot of people have had amazing experiences because of this program.

That's the problem though.

JET is a big expensive vacation for the people that are on JET. They don't really do anything and get "shown" Japan on the government yen. Have you ever seen a JET come off the program and experience "real" Japan? It is about one of the funniest/ depressing things you could possibly see.

My view of JET is they bring in foreign people so they can show off Japan and babysit them. Yes, it is a total waste of time and money.

[Samurai_Jerk]

Have you ever seen a JET come off the program and experience "real" Japan? It is about one of the funniest/ depressing things you could possibly see.

I don't even know WTF you mean.

[wuchan]

That's the problem though.

JET is a big expensive vacation for the people that are on JET. They don't really do anything and get "shown" Japan on the government yen. Have you ever seen a JET come off the program and experience "real" Japan? It is about one of the funniest/ depressing things you could possibly see.

My view of JET is they bring in foreign people so they can show off Japan and babysit them. Yes, it is a total waste of time and money.


The two canuck JETs that liked to hang near my station and hit on chicks in blue and white uniforms seemed to understand how the "real" japan works.

[Taro Toporific]

JET is an enormous waste of money ...Stop funding the idea of English-speaking yobbos Japan experience..
Does Japan still need 23-yr-old exchange program?
By TOMOKO A. HOSAKA (AP) –
TOKYO--- (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jtPPLc7V3CCJ5ofjL0ekvyVbWx_QD9H8HLD80)Every year for the past two decades, legions of young Americans have descended upon Japan to teach English. This government-sponsored charm offensive was launched to counter anti-Japan sentiment in the United States and has since grown into one of the country's most successful displays of soft power.
But faced with stagnant growth and a massive public debt, lawmakers are aggressively looking for ways to rein in spending. One of their targets is the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program, or JET.
... (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jtPPLc7V3CCJ5ofjL0ekvyVbWx_QD9H8HLD80)The organization that oversees JET, the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations, has drawn the ire of lawmakers as a destination where senior bureaucrats retire to plush jobs. The practice, known as "amakudari," or "descent from heaven," is viewed as a source of corruption and waste.
Motoyuki Odachi, head of a budget review panel that examined JET, said taxpayers are getting ripped off.
"There's a problem with the organization itself," said Odachi, an upper house member from central Japan. "This program has continued in order to maintain 'amakudari.'"
... (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jtPPLc7V3CCJ5ofjL0ekvyVbWx_QD9H8HLD80)Odachi expects his panel's recommendations will be adopted as formal policy later this year.
"Whether that means zero (money) or half, we don't know yet," he said. "But our opinion has been issued, so (JET) will probably shrink.":banana:
...more... (http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jtPPLc7V3CCJ5ofjL0ekvyVbWx_QD9H8HLD80)

[Taro Toporific]

Don't blame JET for Japan's poor English
Sept. 7, 2010| The Japan Times Online (http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20100907ad.html)
....a debate is raging over whether JET should be left as is, cut or abolished entirely.
Essentially, the two main camps argue: a) keep JET, because it gives outback schools more contact with "foreign culture" (moreover, it gives Japan a means of projecting "soft power" abroad); versus b) cut or abolish JET ― it's wasteful, bringing over generally untrained and sometimes unprofessional kids, and offers no measurable benefit (see Japan's bottom-feeding TOEFL test scores in Asia).
The debate, however, needs to consider: 1) JET's misconstrued mandate, and 2) Japan's psychotic -- yes, psychotic -- system of language teaching...more... (http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20100907ad.html)

[Samurai_Jerk]

Using average TEOFL scores as a measure of Japan's Engrish ability as compare to other Asian nations isn't fair. In Japan a junior high kid can get mom and dad to plunk down the $100 (or whatever it costs these days) to let them take the test just for the hell of it. In a lot of other countries in Asia only the richest kids who probably have top-notch private school educations can afford it. Plus, the list includes countries like India, the Philipines, and Singapore.

[yarichin01]

I was a JET in Iwate 7-8 years ago and now have returned to Japan with the old lady and took a dispatch job (yes I know, I know). The Debito article pretty much hits the nail on the head as to the situation but not the solutution.
The thing that can't be defended is paying untrained, recent college grads 1万円 a month more than Japanese of the same skill level while simultaneously coddling them. It just not worth it. One of my Japanese colleagues 2 years out of college makes 21万 a month with two yearly bonuses.I believe this type of situation creates a environment where it becomes pretty easy to blame the JET or ALT for, well, anything.
JETS are not responsible for Japans failure to create a nation of bilinguals but that was never the responsibility of ALTs to begin with. The thing is nobody seemed to bother to tell the Japanese Teachers of English this.
The whole system needs to be changed. Essentially the solution is to bring in competent licensed teachers and have the role of ALT/ JTE reversed. But alas this will never happen because that would mean admitting a foreigner is more competent than a Japanese at something other than crime.

[American Oyaji]

Don't blame JET for Japan's poor English
Sept. 7, 2010| The Japan Times Online (http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20100907ad.html)
....a debate is raging over whether JET should be left as is, cut or abolished entirely.
Essentially, the two main camps argue: a) keep JET, because it gives outback schools more contact with "foreign culture" (moreover, it gives Japan a means of projecting "soft power" abroad); versus b) cut or abolish JET ― it's wasteful, bringing over generally untrained and sometimes unprofessional kids, and offers no measurable benefit (see Japan's bottom-feeding TOEFL test scores in Asia).
The debate, however, needs to consider: 1) JET's misconstrued mandate, and 2) Japan's psychotic -- yes, psychotic -- system of language teaching...more... (http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20100907ad.html)


Surprised they accepted Debito for that.

[Christoff]

good to see Debito is still anger fueled

[TennoChinko]

good to see Debito is still anger fueled

Yes. He still has "daddy issues".

Dr. Herbert Sanders Aldwinckle
http://www.fuckedgaijin.com/forums/images/vbimghost/21494c86c1fabf233.jpghttp://www.fuckedgaijin.com/forums/images/vbimghost/21494c86c1fab2717.jpg


http://www.cals.cornell.edu/cals/plpath/directory/geneva.cfm?netId=hsa1


Growing up on a farm in the English countryside gave me an enduring appreciation of the plants in and outside farmers' fields. After studies at Cambridge and London Universities, which included botany and plant pathology, I did postdoctoral research in California. I came to Cornell as an assistant professor of plant pathology in 1970. Since then my work has focused on the apple tree, its origins and its diseases. I have also tried to pass on some of my enthusiasm to as many students as I can. I have been particularly interested in improving the apple tree`s ability to stand up for itself against the assaults of myriad diseases, with doing harm to the rest of our wonderful environment. This has led me into close association with apple breeders, with whom I have helped develop varieties with better resistance to diseases. It also led me to explore for wild apples in Central Asia, where we know now the domestic apple originated. As a result we have assembled an excellent collection of apples from the wild, which will be a valuable source of genes to use in future. In recent years we have explored the use of biotechnology to strengthen apple varieties. This promises to be of great value as we gain a much better understanding of the genes in apple trees and how they work, through genomics studies. We have also tried to gain a better understanding of the diseases, so that we can counter them with improved methods. We have paid particular attention to the devastating fire blight disease, which was first found in New York and continues to be the most feared disease of apple trees here and elsewhere.

According to his estranged son, Professor Aldwinckle is supposed to an alcoholic bully and tyrant. Dr. Evil. Funny thing is that the rest of debito's former family seem to disagree. His former wife and both of his daughters have seen fit to side with old Herb and Bernadine.

http://www.debito.org/homecoming2007.html

[IparryU]

Yes. He still has "daddy issues".

Dr. Herbert Sanders Aldwinckle
http://www.fuckedgaijin.com/forums/images/vbimghost/21494c86c1fabf233.jpghttp://www.fuckedgaijin.com/forums/images/vbimghost/21494c86c1fab2717.jpg


http://www.cals.cornell.edu/cals/plpath/directory/geneva.cfm?netId=hsa1




According to his estranged son, Professor Aldwinckle is supposed to an alcoholic bully and tyrant. Dr. Evil. Funny thing is that the rest of debito's former family seem to disagree. His former wife and both of his daughters have seen fit to side with old Herb and Bernadine.

http://www.debito.org/homecoming2007.html

It is common knowledge to take "Debito"'s words with a handfull of salt. Honestly not surprised to see him revolting against his family like he does Japan. More like a hobby to him... gets him hard or sumptin.

Hope the best for his kids though, having a dad like him dont help that much.

[BigInJapan]

Yes. He still has "daddy issues".
http://www.debito.org/homecoming2007.html
DEBITO does have some useful information on his site about gaijin rights etc. (although someone should tell him about Web 2.0), but most of the content is just ramblings about personal injustices, and other stuff of no consequence to anyone other than himself, an autobiography per se.

I could only read a paragraph or two from the above link. Way TMI.
I can't really see how anybody could benefit from his "facing my demons" diatribe. And posting scans of personal documents on the web. WTF? His ex-wife must really be glad to be rid of him.

[American Oyaji]

Some people rage against everything. That's all they have.

It's possible for someone to have so much angst built up, they can't let it go.
When complaining about the injustices of the world helps, but they have such a personality that they enjoy talking about the angst, that person is a walking vicious cycle of hate that destroys all relationships around them.

[wuchan]

DEBITO does have some useful information on his site about gaijin rights etc. (although someone should tell him about Web 2.0), but most of the content is just ramblings about personal injustices, and other stuff of no consequence to anyone other than himself, an autobiography per se.

I could only read a paragraph or two from the above link. Way TMI.
I can't really see how anybody could benefit from his "facing my demons" diatribe. And posting scans of personal documents on the web. WTF? His ex-wife must really be glad to be rid of him.
Debido.org does, technically, fall into the realm of web 2.0. It is a blog with active comment ability. The problem is that Davie has to approve all comments and he censors the ones that do not support his ideas or can not be defeated easily.

[BigInJapan]

Excerpts from a variety of recent responses to the Japan Times about the JET program: (article here (http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20101012hs.html))

"The JET program is flawed, burdened by too many chefs for its soup. the ALT program is an unmitigated disaster, an industry created for the purpose of avoiding dealing with workers, and avoiding as much responsibility concerning them as possible."

"Arudou claims that all the "exchange" in Japan Exchange and Teaching means to the officials in charge of the program and the native teachers with whom the JET participants work is "seat youths next to each other and watch them stare." This is nothing but cynicism."

"I can assure you that most of the AETs in my area at the time were here to make money, party and get something from Japan. Teaching or giving anything in return was secondary."

"I am not a "human tape recorder" and I do not sit back whilst the Japanese teachers do all the work. Every week I prepare bespoke lessons for all the grades of my junior high school, including alternative plans for different classes within the same grade, and I teach the whole 50 minutes of the lesson."

"Although I respect Mr. Arudou for his political activism, I am a bit disappointed he did not mention that the JET program brings over mainly white people from Anglo-Saxon countries."

"I was not a JET teacher, but worked with a private eikaiwa (conversation school) for a year and have struggled since then to articulate the deep and abiding sense of frustration the experience left me with. "

[Bucky]

This story (http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/fl20120228a1.html) sounds like all the more reason to not be a JET.

English teachers on the JET program are often faced with the bittersweet moment when they realize their contract is ending and they will soon be returning to their home country.

However, for one former JET teacher, that moment turned out to be a poisonously sour one as he became embroiled in a conflict with the board of education (BOE) that employed him.

After having worked for two years on the JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) program for the local BOE, the teacher, who asked to remain anonymous for this article, decided it was time to return to his home country after his second contract ended.

While preparations for his departure were moving along smoothly, a contentious issue suddenly arose in what was supposed to be the penultimate official meeting with the BOE.

The supervisor from the BOE first ran through a few rudimentary items with the JETs before he stopped, chuckled to himself, gave everyone a big smile and went on to say that there was "another thing" he had to talk about.

That other thing turned out to be a tax that the teachers apparently had not paid yet, and the BOE was planning to take it all out of their final pay packet.
"We weren't concerned since he was smiling and very casual about it," the teacher said.

When he asked the supervisor what the tax was, he was told in Japanese that it was shiken minzei (residential tax), and that it would set each teacher back more than 円200,000.

As the teacher's entire pay packet was to be about 円270,000, he was stunned that this "tax deduction" would be so costly.

The guy prevailed, but it sounds like it was a major pain in the arse.:wall:

[AssKissinger]

That was a case of someone fucking up. JETS get a big refund on their taxes if they work 3 years but they're supposed to take it out along the way. JET is still a good deal no matter how you slice it. It's the easiest job in the history of easy jobs.

[sublight]

Yes. He still has "daddy issues".

Dr. Herbert Sanders Aldwinckle
http://www.fuckedgaijin.com/forums/images/vbimghost/21494c86c1fabf233.jpghttp://www.fuckedgaijin.com/forums/images/vbimghost/21494c86c1fab2717.jpg


http://www.cals.cornell.edu/cals/plpath/directory/geneva.cfm?netId=hsa1


According to his estranged son, Professor Aldwinckle is supposed to an alcoholic bully and tyrant. Dr. Evil. Funny thing is that the rest of debito's former family seem to disagree. His former wife and both of his daughters have seen fit to side with old Herb and Bernadine.

http://www.debito.org/homecoming2007.html

Isn't that Cigarette Smoking Man from The X-Files?

[Coligny]

http://www.fuckedgaijin.com/forums/images/vbimghost/36344f4f00fb0e85a.jpg

Close... but no cigar... (derp, I made a funnay)
(CSM don't smile...)

[Samurai_Jerk]

That was a case of someone fucking up. JETS get a big refund on their taxes if they work 3 years but they're supposed to take it out along the way. JET is still a good deal no matter how you slice it. It's the easiest job in the history of easy jobs.

When I was on JET we didn't have to pay residence taxes the first two years. We did have to pay the third year but our pay was adjusted up somehow to compensate for that. Has that changed?

EDIT: Now I remember it depended on what country you were from. Since the US and Japan have some kind of tax treaty I didn't have to pay. People from countries that didn't have a tax treaty did have to pay but that was supposed to be taken care of as you mentioned. It sounds like the BOE where he was working fucked up and then tried to make him pay for it.

[dimwit]

This story (http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/fl20120228a1.html) sounds like all the more reason to not be a JET.


The guy prevailed, but it sounds like it was a major pain in the arse.:wall:

Okay, this are a few former JETs here. How do the prefectural boards usually deal with residental tax? I would of thought that it was manditory for them to submit tax documents to the national tax agency, from which residental tax is calulated, and in turn are mailed out to the city resident.

[Doctor Stop]

Okay, this are a few former JETs here. How do the prefectural boards usually deal with residental tax?Everything was done automatically for me and I was never mailed anything tax related.

[Samurai_Jerk]

I finally read the whole article and not just the excerpts that Bucky posted and it looks like everything I said before is still true. I'm glad to see that it wasn't really a JET problem and was just a case of a scumbag employer that happened to be the BOE. The worst part is the supervisor and secretary probably kept their jobs.