Glossary

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Term	Description
Aisatsu 挨拶あいさつ	Aisatsu is deeply valued in Japanese culture. The simple definition is "greetings," but you may encounter aisatsu in many different contexts in school, including but not limited to: Standing at the school gate and saying "ohayou gozaimasu" and "good morning" to staff and students arriving at school. Alternatively, walking around school in between periods or visiting clubs and saying "hi." Announcements given by kouchou-sensei or kyoutou-sensei, or any other staff member, during morning meeting in the staff room. Speeches given during a major ceremony. Saying "osaki ni shitsurei shimasu" or "otsukaresama desu" to fellow teachers at the end of the school day as you all leave for home.
AJET 日本交流・教育協会にほんこうりゅう・きょういくきょうかい	AJET, or The Association for Japan Exchange & Teaching, is an organization that supports and provides resources for JET Programme participants. It serves as a network for JETs to connect, share experiences, and access professional development opportunities. AJET organizes events, offers teaching resources, and represents JET participants' interests, aiming to enhance their experience in Japan.
Akemashite omedetou あけましておめでとう	"Greetings in the New Year" - used when seeing someone for the first time in the new year, literally "congratulations on entering the new year"
ALT 外国語指導助手がいこくごしどうじょしゅ	An Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) is a key participant in the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program, which aims to promote internationalization and enhance foreign language education in Japan. ALTs are typically placed in public elementary, junior high, and high schools across Japan, where they assist Japanese teachers of English (JTEs) in language instruction. Responsibilities Team Teaching: Collaborate with JTEs to plan and conduct English lessons. Cultural Exchange: Share their own culture with students and staff, fostering mutual understanding. Lesson Planning: Prepare engaging and interactive activities to support language learning. Language Support: Assist with pronunciation, conversation practice, and listening exercises. School Events: Participate in and help organize school events, clubs, and extracurricular activities. Qualifications Native or Near-Native English Proficiency: High level of English fluency is required. Bachelor's Degree: A minimum of a bachelor's degree in any field. Interest in Japanese Culture and Language: A genuine interest in learning about and experiencing Japanese culture. Teaching Experience: While not mandatory, previous teaching experience or TEFL/TESOL certification is advantageous. Benefits Cultural Immersion: Opportunity to live and work in Japan, experiencing its culture and lifestyle firsthand. Professional Development: Gain valuable teaching experience and skills. Networking: Build a network with other JET participants and local educators. Salary and Benefits: Competitive salary, health insurance, and support from the local and JET communities. Application Process The application process for becoming an ALT through the JET Program involves several steps: Application Submission: Complete and submit the online application, including required documents. Interview: Successful applicants are invited for an interview, typically conducted in their home country. Placement: After acceptance, participants are placed in schools across Japan based on their preferences and the needs of the program. Role in the JET Program ALTs play a crucial role in the JET Program's mission to enhance English language education and promote international exchange. By bringing their unique perspectives and language skills to Japanese classrooms, ALTs contribute to a more globalized and interconnected world. For more information about the ALT role and the JET Program, visit the official JET Program website.
ALT Advisor ALTアドバイザー	The individual who represents the ALT community as a whole and communicates with the Guidance Division and all ward team leader(s) about various work-related matters.
ALT Leader ALTリーダー	Kobe JET has a ward team system in which ALT(s) are grouped into ward teams based on the location of their base schools. Each team is lead by one ALT, selected through application at the beginning of the new school year. Ward teams are named as follows: Higashinada/Nada Chuo/Hyogo Kita Nagata/Suma Tarumi Nishi Senior High School In addition, there are other types of leaders: ALT Advisor CIR Content Editor Elementary School Advisor Multimedia Advisor Translator Ward Leader Website Administrator Click here for the full list of current leaders.
Announcement お知らせおしらせ	This is an immediately relevant briefing, notice, or report that will be shown at the top of the homepage. Announcements published by: CIR(s) are outlined in red. ALT Leader(s) are outlined in green. To submit an announcement click "Add Announcement" in the side menu, or click here. Announcements that are old and/or are no longer relevant can be found in the archive. Useful information that will be relevant for a longer period of time, without an expected end date, should be published as information content.