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

2. 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

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

4. 1) My Background

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 2) Teaching and the JET Program

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

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

11. 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!

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

13. 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

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

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

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

17. 3) Living and Working in Japan

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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.”

21. Let’s summarize!

22. 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!

23. Bonus section!

24. 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

25. 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

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

27. Overall thoughts
I love my job!

28. Thank you for listening!