JET interview questions and answers

The following post is my JET interview questions and answers.  I'm pretty sure I covered them all, but I might have forgotten one or two.  Don't let the seamless writing fool you.  I definitely stuttered and stumbled here and there, but I had been practicing answers to possible questions (you can find them online) out loud for a month.  So here are my questions and answers... hope you find them helpful, or... something...


Q:  Why JET and why Japan?
A:  I've always been fascinated by Japanese culture since I was in grade school.  I've always found the differences in our cultures to be very interesting.  I also have a strong desire to experience life outside of our borders and Japan was naturally the first place I hoped to do this.  After doing a lot of research about ways to go live and teach in Japan, I decided to apply for JET because I felt it was a strong program that provided a lot of support for its participants.  Also, it seems like ex-JETs have a lot of good things to say about the program and their experience in Japan because of the program.


Q:  You specified a particular region, why did you choose that area?
A: (okay, i didn't really choose a specific city or anything... but they were referring to my first choice, which was basically the sea of japan side of the island... like i said, i didn't go specific)  I chose that area because the woman who wrote my letter of recommendation and my Japanese teacher said that it was an incredibly beautiful part of the island and they enjoyed their experience there.  Of course I would be happy to be placed anywhere, though.


Q: That place is more cut off from bigger cities like Tokyo.  How would you feel about living in a remote area or small town?
A:  I would be okay with that, I think I would prefer it, actually.  I want to be able to experience the culture and insert myself into the community as much as I can.  I feel like I'd be better able to do this in a smaller town than in a big city where I might be tempted to seek out more familiar things.


Q: You're a professional and it seems that you're used to planning your own activities and carrying them out.  But how would you feel if the lead teacher just wanted to use you as a human tape recorder and asked you to read vocabulary lists then stand in the back of the class?
A:  Of course I would hope that he or she would take advantage of my knowledge and skills, and I might even suggest trying new activities.  But it's also very important to me that I have a good working relationship with all of my lead teachers.  So if a teacher only wanted me to read lists, then I would go and be the best list reader I could be.


Q:  The Japanese society is much more male dominated.  How would you feel if you were asked to serve tea to the men, or if you were out drinking with your co-workers and the males get a little more rowdy and started touching your hair or something like that?
A:  (I skipped the serving tea part of the question on accident)  Well, American men can get rowdy too! (haha) Honestly, I would try to laugh it off or say something like, "Oh!  I'm sorry I got in your space, let me give you some room."  Or if it was really uncomfortable, I would excuse myself for a few minutes and go to the restroom until I feel like I calmed down and could return.


Q:  You've never lived out of the country before, what do you think will be the hardest thing for you?
A:  Well, being away from my family will be tough. I'm used to having my support system nearby or being able to call my mom whenever I feel like.  I won't be able to do that in Japan.  But if I feel myself becoming upset about it, I know that I can take time to do the things that bring me joy.  I enjoy journaling.  I would try to find more community activities to become involved in, things like that.


Q:  How would you explain an American holiday, let's say, Valentine's Day.
A:  Doing a craft would be a fun way to do it.  (I started gesturing at this point and talking about the vocabulary "heart" "stickers" "love" "cupid" etc. I also mentioned that I could talk about how boys give girls chocolate in America, versus the other way around in Japan).


Q;  What is an American ideal you would like to share with your students?
A:  I hope that I could give them a sense of wanting to explore more than what's around you.  I would hope that by sharing my experience and culture with them, they might want to learn more about the world outside of their borders just as I desire to learn more about the world outside of mine.  I hope that I could show them that differences between people can become ways to connect to others as well.


Q:  If you could present one great American, who would you talk about and why?
A:  (Okay, I prepared for George Washington... but ELIVS popped into my head!  lol... so I went with my favorite president FDR... i know right?!)  FDR because he created a lot of great government programs and helped our country get out of the Great Depression.  He was a great leader that inspired a lot of people.


Q:  He's also responsible for declaring war on Japan.  How would you respond if you were asked about the American atomic attacks on Japan?
A: (thank goodness I prepared!)  I would say that it's an incredibly unfortunate event that occurred between our two countries.  And I feel it's horrible that so many civilians died and suffered for so many years because of those attacks.  But in times of war, leaders make decisions based on what they feel is best for their country and best for the protection of their citizens.  During that time, my leaders felt that was a necessary step to protect our country.


At this point in time, the interviewer from Japan asked me a couple of questions in Japanese.  I only understood one, (what is your name?) and was able to answer in Japanese.  I also realized at this point I needed to listen to more native Japanese speakers b/c I couldn't understand a damn word he said b/c I wasn't used to hearing a native accent.


Q:  Do you have any questions for us?
A:  How with JET ALTS be affected by the new rule stating that all 5th and 6th graders are required to take English?
     Why does JET place ALTS in the middle of the academic school year and how does it change the established classroom dynamic?  (i didn't get to ask this one btw, i was too nervous and forgot... but it's a good one)