Jan 5

2009 JET Programme Essay Contest

Contest, JETAA Chapters Comments Off on 2009 JET Programme Essay Contest

In case you haven’t recently checked the CLAIR website, here is the official announcement about the 17th Annual JET Programme Essay Competition.  This year’s submissions are due by Friday, March 13, 2009.  This annual contest is open to both current and former JETs.

Shannon Rochelle Quinn
JETAA USA Country Rep 2006-2009


Prizes (tentative, based on last year)

    Japanese Language Division

Grand Jury Prize \ 100,000 (1 entry)
Prize for Excellence \ 50,000 (1 entry)
Honourary Mention \ 10,000 (3 entries)

    Foreign Language Division

Grand Jury Prize \ 100,000 (1 entry)
Prize for Excellence \ 50,000 (1 entry)
Honourary Mention \ 10,000 (3 entries)

(Click “Read More” for details)

The 17th Annual JET Programme Essay Competition

    • -To gain a deeper and more thorough understanding of the impact of the JET Programme. -To investigate ways in which the JET Programme can be improved. -To inspire current and former JET Programme participants to further the development of international exchange and foreign language education.

    • 1. Purpose

    2. Entry Requirements

-Entrants must be present or past JET Programme participants.

      • -Submissions by post: entries must be postmarked Friday, March 13th, 2009 or earlier. (Posted essays must be sent with a floppy disk or CD containing a text file copy of the submission.) -Submissions by email: entries must be in the jet-essay inbox by 6:00pm, Friday, March 13st, 2009. NOTE: The application form must be submitted along with essay submissions. →Download the Essay Competition Application Form here.

    • 3. Submission Deadline

Please mail your entry to:
CLAIR (JET Programme Management Department)
Attn: Essay Competition
Sogo Hanzomon Building 6F
Kojimachi 1-7, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 102-0083 JAPAN
Or e-mail your entry with the application form to:
jet-essay@clair. or.jp
(send both files as attachments – i.e. not in the body of the e-mail)

    4. Divisions-Japanese language division (essays written in Japanese) -Foreign language division (essays written in a language other than Japanese)

※Essays written in a language other than Japanese or English must have a translation in either Japanese or English attached in order to be considered.

    5. Theme

Entrants are free to write about whatever topic they wish and to select their own essay title, however essay topics should be closely linked to the purpose of the JET Programme Essay Competition, as outlined above. Essays in previous years have focused on topics such as grassroots internationalisatio n at the local level, foreign language education, international exchange through sports, and the JET Programme experience and life after JET (for former JET Programme participants) .

    • 1. Relevance

    • 6. Essay Evaluation

Is the essay relevant to the JET Programme? (Entries which do not have an obvious relation to the JET Programme will be awarded zero points in this category)

    • 2. Creativity

Are the ideas expressed in the essay original and well thought out?

    • 3. Expression

Are the arguments presented in a clear and logical manner (quality and economy of expression) that grabs the reader’s attention?

    • 4. Overall Impression

    • -Is the essay easy for those not involved in the JET Programme to understand? -Does the essay use concrete examples or personal experiences to express its arguments?

Is the essay thought-provoking and does it leave a lasting impression on the reader?   7. Judging Method
Judging will occur in two rounds. The first round of judging will take place within the JET Programme Management Department at CLAIR. The second round of judging will be done by a panel comprised of individuals who work outside of the JET Programme.   8. Essay Format

    • -Japanese language division: 1,000-3,000 characters -Foreign language division: 1,500-3,000 words in English or other language

    • Word/Character Limit:

※All essays should be written on either A4 sized paper or 8.5″ x 11.75″ sized paper.
※All submissions must be typed and double-spaced.
※Entries that are over or under the word/character limit will be disqualified.

      • -Entries should include a bibliography, references and footnotes (or endnotes) if the work of others is cited. -Entries must be original material not submitted to any other publication or organisation. -Entrants are allowed only one submission. -All submissions become the property of CLAIR and will not be returned.-All entries must have “The 17th Annual JET Programme Essay Competition Application Form” filled out and attached to their entry.

    • Other Important Information:

9. Prizes (tentative, based on last year)

    Japanese Language Division

Grand Jury Prize \ 100,000 (1 entry)
Prize for Excellence \ 50,000 (1 entry)
Honourary Mention \ 10,000 (3 entries)

    Foreign Language Division

Grand Jury Prize \ 100,000 (1 entry)
Prize for Excellence \ 50,000 (1 entry)
Honourary Mention \ 10,000 (3 entries)

※Please note that the Essay Competition Committee reserves the right to not award all the above prizes should there be no outstanding essays.
※Entrants who reside outside of Japan and receive a prize will receive the equivalent amount, as listed above, in foreign currency.   10. Announcement of the Prize-Winning Essays
Winners will be announced in the August 2009 edition of “CLAIR NEWS”, the “2009 JET JOURNAL”, the 2009 edition of “JET STREAMS”, and on the JET Programme homepage.
Prize-winning essays will also be published in the “2009 JET JOURNAL”, the “Jichitai Kokusaika Forum (JET no hiroba)” and on the JET Programme homepage.


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