New: JETAA Education Professionals Group on LinkedIn
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Update 10/15/10: It turns out a JETAA Education Professionals group had already been created by JET alum Joshua Flannery (who also serves as Secretary for JETAA Western Japan). Despite some minor initial confusion, this is a really good thing since he’s been doing a great job with an existing group and now we’ll have even more people.
I’ve just set up a “JET Alum Education Professionals Group“ on LinkedIn.
Here’s the updated link to join: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?mostPopular=&gid=2973279
The goal is to bring together as many JET alum teachers plus education policy/government/academic folks as possible, as well as any JET alums who are interested in getting into the field or just have an interest in the topic period.
A bigger purpose is that it would be nice if JETAA can start being a source of good ideas for improving the JET Programme. JET alum teachers and other education professionals are a good resource for helping to make that happen. And the first step is figuring out who is out there (since there are no official lists or databases of JET alumni and what they’re doing now).
Of course, another purpose of the group is networking and also a way for established JET alumni to help those getting started or figuring out their path.
So don’t be shy. Step right up and start getting to know your fellow JET alum education professionals around the world.
Note: “I” = Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, 1992-94)
A Daily Yomiuri article (“Japan Teachers May Get English Training in U.S.“) reports that as part of an effort to reform the current English education structure in Japan, Japan and the U.S. are considering “a program that would send young Japanese teachers of English to the United States to improve their English ability.”
Here’s the link to the full article: http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T101010001858.htm
The idea appears to still in be in the concept stage, and it is unclear whether exposing JTE’s to U.S. education will inherently assist in their ability to deliver English to the Japanese classroom. Also unclear is what form this “training” will take.
The project seems to allow for the inference that the JET Programme will be scaled back and perhaps retooled, with a possibility of outright elimination.
With the possibility of Japanese Teacher of English being brought into local American communities, it would be interesting to contemplate a supporting role for JETAA and JET alums generally to assist recruited teachers.
AJET Survey: Do you have suggestions for the JET Programme?
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This year’s JET Programme Survey of current JETs is more important than ever as the JET Programme and JET Alumni Association have been subject to increased political scrutiny despite the benefits that JETs continue to provide to Japan, both during their service as well as in the years after. If you’re a current JET, please take a moment to provide responses. You are in an excellent position to help improve the JET Programme, and the more we can help the better for everyone.
Here’s the post about the survey from the AJET website:
Do you have an opinion about JET Programme orientations, technology use in your workplace or how integrated you are into your workplace? If so, please take the National AJET surveys about these issues.
Since the JET Programme is over 4,000 members strong, National AJET surveys the concerns and comments of JET Programme participants twice a year and then presents the results to CLAIR and the ministries so that your voice is heard.
You can find the the surveys here:
JET Programme Orientations
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JETorientationsTechnology in the Workplace
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/AJETtech2010Workplace Integration Survey
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/integration2010
These surveys are vital to the longevity and improvement of the JET Programme.
Asahi newspaper column offers perspective on the value of JET Programme to Japan
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The following is a synopsis/loose translation of Bill Breer’s recent op-ed piece about the importance of the JET Programme to Japan which appeared in the My Viewpoint column of the Asahi newspaper from October 1, 2010. Breer is the former Japan Chair at the Center for Strategic & International Studies.
I thought it was worth sharing with the JET alum community as it provides some rather helpful perspective on the value to Japan of the JET Programme and the JET Alumni Association.
Bill Breer, Japan Chair at the Center for Strategic & International Studies
In this world of ongoing globalization, the JET Program is a daring, unique effort to open up the world to students in Japan. It is the Japanese government’s most successful program, and no other country has been able to create a citizens’ exchange initiative like it.
The many young people who have participated in the Program from the world’s leading English-speaking countries have come to like Japan, have learned the language, come to know the people and culture, and have gone on to become the “Third Wave” of Japanese scholarship.
The “First Wave” developed from the mid-19th century as art collectors worked with Japanese artists and merchants to build the great collections at the Boston Museum of Art, the Freer Galleries in Washington, DC, and others, entrancing Americans with Japan’s beauty and culture and producing the first research on Japan.
The “Second Wave” came out of the tragedy of the Second World War, as the US government trained thousands of soldiers in Japanese language for the war effort. These people came home with a deep interest in Japan and created the base of scholarship into Japan’s history, culture, economics and politics at the great universities. These men include Edwin Reischauer at Harvard, James Morley, Donald Keene, Edward Seidensticker and Herbert Passin at Columbia, and John Hall at Yale.
Now, the JET Program, begun in 1987, has given birth to a new generation. These people have an entirely different perspective on Japan and the Japanese people. Many of them have a fondness for Japan and are instrumental in conveying that to people in their home countries. Furthermore, many have gone on to become educators conducting further research on Japan, and this piques their students’ interest in JET. Over 20 ex-JETs work at the US Embassy in Tokyo, and many more work in business in New York, London, and other major cities. They are all passionate “Japanese ambassadors”, conveying the message that Japan is an outstanding country with a rich history and culture.
America has the Fulbright Program and England the Rhodes Scholarships, but Japan should be proud of its JET Program as the most successful example of a government youth exchange program. JET is the advance guard of Japan’s “internationalization”, whose participants have changed the Japanese people’s perceptions of “gaijin” and then gone home to become lifelong friends of Japan.
Japan could still use “friends” like these, couldn’t it?
Here is the original column:
Rajio Taiso Project – JETAA Portland
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A little while back we posted about JETAA Portland’s effort to get every JETAA chapter to make a Rajio Taiso video in their city or town. Well, JETAA Portland has started things off with the first video.
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Inspired? For more information, or to submit your a video for your chapter, you can contact JETAA Portland’s webmaster Bob Schnyder at webmaster@jetaaportland.com or go to: http://www.jetaaportland.com/community-events/rajio-taiso-portland-japanese-gardens/
JET ROI: JET alum creates “Smile Kids Japan” program for JETs to volunteer at orphanages in Japan
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Check out this article from The Japan Times on Fukui JET alum Mike Maher-King who started Smile Kids Japan (www.smilekidsjapan.org), a web-based network that enables JETs to volunteer at orphanages around Japan. The idea came from Mike’s own experience volunteering at an orphanage in his area, which he then expanded to bring other JET alums to the orphanage as well.
Here’s the URL for the article: http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20100925a1.html
(Also of note, the article is by a JET alum journalist, Jody Godoy.)
Examples like this do a wonderful job of demonstrating the Return on Investment that Japan continues to reap from the JET Programme and its alumni. If you have other examples to share, please email them to jetwit@jetwit.com and we’ll post them for the JET alum community and others to read about.
JET Alum Author Profile: Malena Watrous
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Malena Watrous (Ishikawa-ken, 1998-2000), author of the novel "If You Follow Me"
Freelance writer, essayist and blogger Liz Sheffield (Hokkaio-ken, Sapporo-shi, 1993-95) recently came across an article in Writer’s Digest about Malena Watrous, the author of If You Follow Me. The book’s description and the author’s biography made Liz think there was a JET connection. Indeed there was — here are Liz’s thoughts about the novel and her conversation with the author:
Malena Watrous (Ishikawa-ken, 1998-2000) joined the ranks JET alum authors with the recent release of her debut novel, If You Follow Me, published by Harper Collins in March 2010.
Although Watrous admits she didn’t want her novel to become a “Japan weirdest hits” type of book, she does an exceptional job of capturing details and drawing upon common expatriate experiences in Japan. Part of the joy in reading If You Follow Me was having a trip down memory lane. For example: ever receive a handwritten note from your Japanese supervisor admonishing something you did? Check. What about the nasal voice booming over the portable PA system each night as an old man tries to sell his jagaimo? Check. One too many kanpais at the bonnenkai? Check.
Along with these key details, Watrous also weaves together a story that is unique and which is about much more than a gaijin living in Japan. If You Follow Me is the tale of Marina, a young American who moves to Japan with her girlfriend in order to teach English and escape the painful reality of her father’s recent suicide. The cast of characters in the town of Shika includes a quirky co-teacher of English who sings a mean Elvis on karaoke, a silent neighbor boy who is just breaking out of hibernation and the British expat who is attempting to become the next great foreign talent after his stint teaching English in Shika. As is true for many who live abroad, Marina is changed by her experience in ways she never could have anticipated.
“I’d say that the experience made me have a deeper understanding of what it feels like to be different,” Watrous says of the impact the JET Program had on her own life. “It gave me a lasting sense of the value of creating relationships between people of different ages and backgrounds, and made me less afraid of ‘strangers’ of different kinds. It also gave me a greater sense of possibility.”
She notes that she witnessed similar realizations in her students as a result of her presence in their classroom.
“I loved seeing my students become less afraid of the big bad foreigner, which actually happened so quickly and naturally, especially with the elementary school kids, who were just magic to me. I loved those first grade boys with their fuzzy heads, who talked to me like I was another one of them.”
It’s no surprise that the book has received awards and recognition in the United States as well as generous support in Japan. Watrous’ heartfelt and often humorous novel allows readers from any country to experience a journey of sadness and grief that leads to an eventual greater sense of possibility.
So, what can readers expect next from this talented author?
“I’m working on a novel set at least partly in occupied Japan. I hadn’t thought that I’d write another book in Japan, at least not right away, but a character presented herself to me and I’m having a lot of fun with it. Plus–now I’ve got the perfect excuse to make another research trip.”
Go to Motherlogue to hear more about about Malena’s experience writing If You Follow Me.
A recent column from The Japan Times by Debito Arudou (not a JET or JET alum) that does a nice job of addressing the oft-heard (and rather misleading) charge that JET has not led to improvement in English scores in Japan: http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20100907ad.html
It has a bit of snark and falls into some generalizations, but the underlying point as well as the thoughtful analysis are spot on and greatly appreciated here on JetWit.
JET ROI: Japan Times readers respond to recent article on JET
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From The Japan Times, definitely worth a read:
- “Readers offer their thoughts on jettisoning JET” – http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/fl20100907hs.html
Here are links to related JetWit posts with:
- The original Japan Times article by Eric Johnston: http://jetwit.com/wordpress/2010/07/27/jet-roi-japan-times-article-on-debate-over-jet-program/
- A Japan Times article based on JETAA’s press release following the JETAA USA National Conference in August: http://jetwit.com/wordpress/2010/08/17/jet-roi-japan-times-article-jets-press-to-keep-program-intact/
- Christiana Aretta’s “100 English Dreams”: http://jetwit.com/wordpress/2010/07/31/jet-roi-100-english-dreams-a-jet-project-by-christiana-aretta/
JET ROI: JETAA Rajio Taiso
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JETAA Portland is getting ready to make a video of a group of its members doing NHK Rajio Taiso (radio exercises) in Portland’s Japanese Gardens on September 8. And it’s hoping to inspire other JET Alumni chapters to do the same in front of their respective landmarks. The goal is to aggregate all of the videos into one big video that shows JET alumni doing Rajio Taiso all over the U.S. and, preferably, the world.
While the idea takes a lighthearted approach, it will also help symbolically demonstrate to Japan’s population how JET alumni everywhere are and have been promoting and spreading Japanese culture around the world.
For more information, or to submit your own video, you can contact JETAA Portland’s webmaster Bob Schnyder at webmaster@jetaaportland.com or go to: http://www.jetaaportland.com/community-events/rajio-taiso-portland-japanese-gardens/
And if you have no idea what Rajio Taiso is (or you just need a little dose of natsukashii) here’s a video:
Notable JET alums: Rob Cornilles – U.S. Congressional candidate
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JET alum Rob Cornilles
JET alum Robert Cornilles won the Republican primary for Congress in Oregon’s 1st District and will be running against incumbent Democrat David Wu this November 2010.
Rob is also the founder and CEO of Game Face, a successful sports marketing company with a client list that includes the Chicago Bulls, Miami Dolphins, Boston Celtics, New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers.
For more information about Rob and his campaign, you can visit his website at www.cornillesforcongress.com.
New “JET Alumni Policy & Government Group” on LinkedIn
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A new LinkedIn group called “JET Alumni Policy & Government” has been set up by Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, 1992-94) for JETs and JET alumni who work in any field related to policy or government, aspire to work in related fields or have an interest in the topic.
CLICK HERE to see the group and join.
JET ROI: More extensive Kyodo News article on JETAA USA Conference
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Kyodo News has published a more extensive article on the JETAA USA National Conference (“US JET alums rally to save group’s funding from chopping block”) held in New York City August 12-15. Quotes from JETAA NY President Megan Miller (Hyogo-ken, 2000-02) feature prominently and help make the case for the value of JETAA to Japan while building on existing momentum. Such as:
“We now have a unified goal and position, which enables us to send a strong and consistent message to the Japanese government and to our local communities that JET and JETAA are not only worthwhile but essential to U.S.-Japan relations.”
Here’s the link to the full article in The Mainichi Daily: http://mdn.mainichi.jp/features/news/20100826p2g00m0fe075000c.html
And here’s a scan of the first page of the original Kyodo article which includes a photo of Megan. (The Kyodo version is only available via subscription.)
Click here for more JetWit posts about this topic and related media coverage.
JET ROI: Japanese media coverage of the JETAA USA National Conference
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Update 8/25/10: Kyodo has put out an English version of the article. Here are links:
- http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20100817a8.html
- http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/us-alumni-call-for-continuation-of-jet-program
Kyodo News Service ran an article in Japanese on the JETAA USA National Conference dated August 16 that was carried by a number of Japanese local newspapers. The article resulted from the JETAA press release issued at the end of the Conference. Below is the list of the papers. Thanks to Noriko Furuhata of the Consulate General of Japan in New York for sharing the information. (BTW, if anyone wants to write up an English summary of the article in the comments section of this post, that would be greatly appreciated.):
- 徳島新聞 Tokushima Shimbun http://www.topics.or.jp/worldNews/worldTopics/2010/08/2010081601000165.html
- 京都新聞 Kyoto Shimbun http://www.kyoto-np.co.jp/politics/article/20100816000030
- 千葉トピ Chiba Nippo http://www.chibanippo.co.jp/news/world/entertaiment_kiji.php?i=nesp1281924322
- 山形新聞 Yamagata Shimbun http://yamagata-np.jp/news_core/index_pr.php?kate=Lifestyle_Human_Interest&no=2010081601000165&keyword=%A5%B8%A5%A7%A5%A4%A5%BD%A5%F3
- 新潟日報 Niigata Nippo https://www.niigata-nippo.co.jp/world/lifestyle/2010081601000165.html
- 大分合同新聞 Oita Godo Shimbun http://www.oita-press.co.jp/worldTopics/2010/08/2010081601000165.html
- 山陽新聞 Sanyo Shimbun http://www.sanyo.oni.co.jp/news_k/news/d/2010081601000165/
- 河北新報 Kahoku Shimpo http://www.kahoku.co.jp/news/2010/08/2010081601000165.htm
- 西日本新聞 Nishi Nippon Shimbun http://www.nishinippon.co.jp/nnp/item/191143
- 山陰中央新報 Sanin Chuo Shinpo http://www.sanin-chuo.co.jp/newspack/modules/news/article.php?storyid=1059682016
- 北國・富山新聞 Hokkoku Toyama Shimbun http://www.hokkoku.co.jp/newspack/09kurasi2010081601000165.html
- 高知新聞 Kochi Shimbun http://203.139.202.230/?&nwSrl=224803&nwVt=npd
- 中日新聞 Chunichi Shimbun http://www.chunichi.co.jp/s/article/2010081601000165.html
- 神戸新聞 Kobe Shimbun http://www.kobe-np.co.jp/knews/0003323442.shtml
- 下野新聞 Shimotsuke Shimbun http://www.shimotsuke.co.jp/news/domestic/life/news/20100816/367829
- 岩手日報 Iwate Nippo http://www.iwate-np.co.jp/newspack/cgi-bin/newspack_s.cgi?s_lifestyle_l+CN2010081601000165_1
- 静岡新聞 Shizuoka Shimbun http://www.shizushin.com/news/culture/topix/2010081601000165
- 大阪日々新聞 Osaka Nichinichi Shimbun https://www.nnn.co.jp/dainichi/knews/100816/20100816024.html
- 中国新聞 Chugoku Shimbun http://www.chugoku-np.co.jp/News/Sp201008160110.html
- 佐賀新聞 Saga Shimbun http://www.saga-s.co.jp/news/global/corenews.0.1706307.article.html
- 熊本日報 Kumamoto Nippo http://kumanichi.com/news/kyodo/life/201008/20100816004.shtml
A few more links to the article that ran in major Japanese publications online:
- http://sankei.jp.msn.com/world/america/100816/amr1008161052004-n1.htm
- http://www.47news.jp/CN/201008/CN2010081601000165.html
- http://www.nikkei.com/news/latest/article/g=96958A9C9381959FE3E4E2E3E38DE3E4
- http://www.kyoto-np.co.jp/country/article/20100816000030
- http://www.nagasaki-np.co.jp/f24/CN20100816/li2010081601000165.shtml
- http://www.chunichi.co.jp/s/article/2010081601000165.html
- http://www.tokyo-np.co.jp/s/article/2010081601000165.html
Also, below is a scan of an article in the Tokyo Shimbun that was written by one of their reporters who actually attended the Conference and has quotes from some of the JETAA chapter representatives with whom he spoke:
WITLife is a periodic series written by professional Writer/Interpreter/Translator Stacy Smith (Kumamoto-ken CIR, 2000-03). She starts her day by watching Fujisankei’s newscast in Japanese, and here she shares some of the interesting tidbits and trends together with her own observations.
As of late there has been much discussion regarding to what extent English should be incorporated into different aspects of Japanese society. A recent post here talked about the possibility of mandating English in Japanese high schools in 2013, and a Wall Street Journal article from earlier this month entitled “English Gets the Last Word in Japan” highlighted Japanese firms that are conducting their internal business in English. This is an interesting phenomenon that is especially timely in light of the possibility of the JET program being cut.
The high school teacher who wrote the former article says, “Although many of our school’s students acquire the reading and writing skills needed to pass university entrance exams, I have failed to teach them the skills necessary for simple conversation. In the future, these elite students from high-ranking universities will Read More
