Japan JET Programme - Japan

The JET Programme is Japan's flagship government exchange scheme, run since 1987 by three national ministries (MOFA, MEXT and MIC) through CLAIR. Most participants work as Assistant Language Teachers, team-teaching English alongside Japanese staff in public elementary, junior-high and high schools, while a smaller number serve as Coordinators for International Relations or Sports Exchange Advisors.

Requirements: a bachelor's degree in any subject by your arrival date, citizenship of a participating country, and a genuine interest in Japan. No TEFL certificate is strictly required for the ALT role, and Japanese ability is needed only for the CIR track.

Salary & benefits: a nationally set salary starting at ¥3,360,000 in year one and rising each year, plus subsidised housing, paid return airfare, health insurance and pension. Contracts run one year, renewable up to five.

Intake: recruitment runs on a fixed annual cycle, typically opening in autumn for the following year's placements. You apply through the Japanese embassy or consulate in your home country, not to individual schools.

Apply directly via the official JET Programme. Give yourself the best start by getting TESOL-qualified with Global English first - a recognised certificate strengthens your application and prepares you for the classroom.