What is AJET?
AJET stands for The Association for Japan Exchange and Teaching. It is an independent, self-supporting volunteer organization that promotes and supports exchange and teaching in Japan in cooperation with the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme. The primary purpose of AJET is to facilitate a successful working relationship between JET Programme sponsors and participants. It promotes peer support and fellowship, sponsors special projects, assists in the organization of conferences, produces publications, and carries on other activities which further this purpose.
The AJET National Council works to enhance the lives of JET Programme participants. They also represent the views and concerns of JETs to CLAIR and the government ministries that manage the JET Programme. AJET is a great way for JETs to participate in an organized group that actively finds opportunities to make the most of our lives here in Japan. From those who are familiar with Japan, to those who are experiencing their first taste of this country, we welcome all JETs, as well as other foreigners and Japanese citizens to participate.
AJET stands for The Association for Japan Exchange and Teaching. It is an independent, self-supporting volunteer organization that promotes and supports exchange and teaching in Japan in cooperation with the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme. The primary purpose of AJET is to facilitate a successful working relationship between JET Programme sponsors and participants. It promotes peer support and fellowship, sponsors special projects, assists in the organization of conferences, produces publications, and carries on other activities which further this purpose.
The AJET National Council works to enhance the lives of JET Programme participants. They also represent the views and concerns of JETs to CLAIR and the government ministries that manage the JET Programme. AJET is a great way for JETs to participate in an organized group that actively finds opportunities to make the most of our lives here in Japan. From those who are familiar with Japan, to those who are experiencing their first taste of this country, we welcome all JETs, as well as other foreigners and Japanese citizens to participate.
AJET Blocks
All JETs are represented through Blocks, groups of prefectures that together elect one Block Representative to the AJET National Council. Here in Shiga, we are part of Block 6 alongside Kyoto and Hyogo prefectures.
Stay on the look out for a variety of fun Block 6 events!
Although local groups run under the umbrella of National AJET, Although local groups run under the umbrella of National AJET they also operate on an autonomous level, providing events and information relevant to smaller audiences of JETs and other local members. Therefore, although Shiga AJET and other prefectural chapters are somewhat independent, together they form a broad support network that works to improve the lives of JETs all over Japan.
All JETs are represented through Blocks, groups of prefectures that together elect one Block Representative to the AJET National Council. Here in Shiga, we are part of Block 6 alongside Kyoto and Hyogo prefectures.
Stay on the look out for a variety of fun Block 6 events!
Although local groups run under the umbrella of National AJET, Although local groups run under the umbrella of National AJET they also operate on an autonomous level, providing events and information relevant to smaller audiences of JETs and other local members. Therefore, although Shiga AJET and other prefectural chapters are somewhat independent, together they form a broad support network that works to improve the lives of JETs all over Japan.
How did AJET start?
The history of AJET is closely linked to the history of the JET Programme. In the late 1970′s, the Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture (Monbusho) set up the Monbusho English Fellows Program and the British English Teachers Scheme to improve foreign language education in Japan. Each of these two programs had groups made up on volunteer participants.
In August 1987, when the MEF and BETS programs joined to form the JET Programme, the two volunteer groups also joined to form AJET, and the organisation quickly grew in size and influence. With the purpose of “providing support and assisting CLAIR and the Ministry of Education in responding effectively to a variety of Programme-related problems”, AJET managed in its first year to persuade 80% of JET Programme Participants to pay to join the organisation.
By 1988, CLAIR and the government had decided to co-operate with AJET, and introduced the CLAIR-AJET Evaluation Meetings (now called Opinion Exchange). AJET also began to play an active part in the organization of national and local level conferences. At the Tokyo Orientations, AJET organised workshops covering topics not included on the CLAIR and Monbusho curriculum, and an AJET representative was invited to speak at the Opening Ceremonies.
In recent years, AJET has grown as a support group. AJET began to offer National AJET subscription fees free of charge, so that more JETs can be represented at the national level, and changes can more effectively be enacted. AJET is once again in flux following changes from CLAIR in 2013, which included deferment of AJET participation in national JET conferences and relegation of the biannual CLAIR-AJET exchanges to an as-needed basis. Yet, AJET is a dynamic and constantly evolving organisation which adapts to the climate of the Programme, and AJET looks forward to creating new ways to build community and serve as a resource for JETs, while continuing its work with CLAIR and the ministries.
The history of AJET is closely linked to the history of the JET Programme. In the late 1970′s, the Ministry of Education, Science, and Culture (Monbusho) set up the Monbusho English Fellows Program and the British English Teachers Scheme to improve foreign language education in Japan. Each of these two programs had groups made up on volunteer participants.
In August 1987, when the MEF and BETS programs joined to form the JET Programme, the two volunteer groups also joined to form AJET, and the organisation quickly grew in size and influence. With the purpose of “providing support and assisting CLAIR and the Ministry of Education in responding effectively to a variety of Programme-related problems”, AJET managed in its first year to persuade 80% of JET Programme Participants to pay to join the organisation.
By 1988, CLAIR and the government had decided to co-operate with AJET, and introduced the CLAIR-AJET Evaluation Meetings (now called Opinion Exchange). AJET also began to play an active part in the organization of national and local level conferences. At the Tokyo Orientations, AJET organised workshops covering topics not included on the CLAIR and Monbusho curriculum, and an AJET representative was invited to speak at the Opening Ceremonies.
In recent years, AJET has grown as a support group. AJET began to offer National AJET subscription fees free of charge, so that more JETs can be represented at the national level, and changes can more effectively be enacted. AJET is once again in flux following changes from CLAIR in 2013, which included deferment of AJET participation in national JET conferences and relegation of the biannual CLAIR-AJET exchanges to an as-needed basis. Yet, AJET is a dynamic and constantly evolving organisation which adapts to the climate of the Programme, and AJET looks forward to creating new ways to build community and serve as a resource for JETs, while continuing its work with CLAIR and the ministries.
Getting Involved
There are many different ways to get involved either locally or at the national level. The timeline for National AJET are as follows. Generally, the applications will open sometime mid-February and close mid-March. Elections open soon after and close end of March. Election results are then published a few days after. The turnover takes place April through May and the new term begins in June.
For Shiga AJET we have our general information meeting sometime early/mid-May. The positions and roles are explained and participants will take the information and if they are interested in joining they can notify the current chair. Turnover will take place in June and the first event that the new team usually is in charge of is the farewell BBQ that takes place sometime in early July.
There are many different ways to get involved either locally or at the national level. The timeline for National AJET are as follows. Generally, the applications will open sometime mid-February and close mid-March. Elections open soon after and close end of March. Election results are then published a few days after. The turnover takes place April through May and the new term begins in June.
For Shiga AJET we have our general information meeting sometime early/mid-May. The positions and roles are explained and participants will take the information and if they are interested in joining they can notify the current chair. Turnover will take place in June and the first event that the new team usually is in charge of is the farewell BBQ that takes place sometime in early July.
Membership and Discounts
AJET membership is just ¥2000 per year. You can pay the membership fee to any AJET representative at any time (including today!)
Your membership fees allow us to continue to hold awesome events! It helps us to book venues, provide food at events, update equipment and much more! Members receive discounts for selected events throughout the year including, but not limited to…
AJET membership is just ¥2000 per year. You can pay the membership fee to any AJET representative at any time (including today!)
Your membership fees allow us to continue to hold awesome events! It helps us to book venues, provide food at events, update equipment and much more! Members receive discounts for selected events throughout the year including, but not limited to…
