Living and working in japan Advice from a Former JET By Patrick Murphy

About me Have lived in Japan for 7 years Teaching experience in American and Japanese public schools Teaching experience at Japanese English conversation schools 3 years on the JET Program in elementary and junior high schools 3 years of full-time teaching at a Japanese high school Music teaching certification JLPT N1 certification Japanese wife and permanent residency status

Teaching and the JET Program Living and Working in Japan Contents My Background Teaching and the JET Program Living and Working in Japan

1) My Background

How I first came to japan Studied education and music at the University of Arizona Suffered an injury Decided to live abroad Applied to AEON Amity in Japan Lived in Matsue City in Shimane Prefecture Started studying Japanese

How I came on the jet program Started dating an awesome Japanese girl Got married Moved back to the U.S. Taught elementary school music Fought constantly to keep my job Continued to study Japanese, passed JLPT N3 Decided to return to Japan, applied to the JET Program

Lived and worked on Osakikamijima for 3 years how I got my current job Lived and worked on Osakikamijima for 3 years Studied a lot of Japanese, passed JLPT N2 After JET, applied to be a full-time teacher Got hired as a full-time teacher Passed JLPT N1! Woo hoo! Became a homeroom teacher

2) Teaching and the JET Program

“Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach.” Teaching “Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach.”

“Those who can, do. This includes teaching.”

It takes a lot of hard work to be a good teacher About teaching It takes a lot of hard work to be a good teacher There is never only one correct way to teach something ALWAYS be trying to improve your teaching ability!

Punctuality and professionalism Attitude!  Teaching tips Lesson planning Classroom management Organization Punctuality and professionalism Attitude! 

The JET Program and team teaching Communicate often with your supervisor Communicate often and early with your JTEs ESID But ESCABI Every situation can always be improved

JET Program Advantages Good salary Relatively low workload Free time during and after work Unique experience

JET Program DisAdvantages Lack of responsibilities Lack of communication Little to no room for growth Temporary position

ADVICE Know your situation and make the most of it, benefiting yourself and the people around you.

3) Living and Working in Japan

You’re in a different country! Do your best to adapt! Living in Japan You’re in a different country! Do your best to adapt! Learn the culture Learn the language

Know the system and hierarchy Working in Japan Be punctual On time = early Look professional Be a part of the team Know the system and hierarchy

Advice You are here to promote cultural exchange, so it’s ok to find some appropriate middle ground. Just remember that 「出る釘は打たれる」 “The nail which sticks out gets hammered down.”

Let’s summarize!

You can always be a better teacher Summary You can always be a better teacher You can always improve your situation Don’t be afraid to ask for help!

Bonus section!

If you are interested in becoming a full-time teacher… I applied to the Hiroshima BOE for the グローバルに 活躍する人材を対象とした特別選考 position Now I work on the same level as full time Japanese teachers I can work until I retire, getting transferred to a different school once every 5 or 6 years

Freedom in the classroom Closer connection with students and coworkers Advantages Responsibilities Respect Very rewarding Salary plus bonuses Freedom in the classroom Closer connection with students and coworkers

Little to no social life Little to no free time Stress DisAdvantages Little to no social life Little to no free time Stress

Overall thoughts I love my job!

Thank you for listening!