Professional Development:
Introduction to JET PD
This page will discuss the training or P.D. that:
- You may receive during your contract
PD Provided by the JET Program & Prefectural Board of EducationProvided by The JET Progam:
Upon arrival you will stay in Tokyo for 3 days of orientation. During this time, you are required to attend various workshops organized by ALTs around Japan. The workshop topics are varied and apply to many grade levels. Provided by Your Prefectural Board of Education: I can’t speak for other prefectures, but Mie provides orientation within the first few weeks of working for your contracting organization and a mid-year PD for all ALTs. The first meeting is still orientation and for answering general questions. The mid-year PD usually has some interesting guest speakers and a few workshops. The workshops are presented by ALTs and JTEs, most of whom do not volunteer to do it. Although JTEs are expected to present half of it, it is usually the norm for ALTs to plan and present most of it. Workshop organization is rotated between base schools, so if it’s your school’s turn, then you have no choice but to accept. Some of the workshops are made by reluctant ALTs and some are by enthusiastic ALTs. Many ALTs are new college graduates still trying to understand their jobs mid-year, and are understandably uncomfortable with being assigned to lead a workshop. This is an area where I think the Mie Board of Education really needs to think over-- why would you ask first year ALTs to present a workshop? For ALTs who do not want to plan a PD, another ALT can volunteer to do it for them. If it’s your turn, do not fear-- read my suggestions in Planning a PD Workshop. Learn More:Self-Directed PDPlanning a PD Workshop |