“Reverse JET”<\/strong> program.<\/p>\nThe program selected 96 Japanese teachers of English to spend 6 months in the U.S. studying ESL teaching methodology–in English–at 6 different universities across the U.S.: \u00a0Rutgers University (NJ), University of Delaware, University of Michigan, University of Texas, University of Iowa, UC Irvine and UC Davis. \u00a0The teachers are in turn supposed to bring back their learning and share it with their respective school systems as part of an effort to improve English ability of Japanese students.<\/p>\n
The Reverse JETs attending on Saturday came up from Rutgers and the University of Delaware. \u00a0It was a terrific opportunity to get to know them and learn more about the program. \u00a0Following a brief intro by all of the returning JETs, the Reverse JETs were asked to do the same. \u00a0And as they said their names and prefectures, there was an almost instant connection as JET alums from various prefectures cheered when the Reverse JETs called out their own home prefecture.<\/p>\n
It was also apparent that these were top rate teachers–the really genki<\/em>, creative and engaged teachers you remember from your JET days. \u00a0(We all were fortunate to have had at least one of these if not more.) \u00a0This was made rather apparent when the Delaware contingency decided to forego the traditional introduction style and instead go with a teaching game they had all learned in class the day before. \u00a0(See video below.)<\/p>\n