(HONOLULU – Oct. 19, 2009) Representatives from the Consulate-General of Japan in Honolulu will introduce the 2010-2011 Japanese Exchange and Teaching (JET) program to the Hawai‘i Pacific University community. The HPU JET briefing will be held from 9-10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21 in the President’s Conference Room located on the second floor of the Fort Street Mall building at 1166 Fort Street Mall.

U.S. citizens who will have a bachelor’s degree by May 2010 are invited to learn about English teaching opportunities in Japan through the JET program. Applicants must be less than 40-years-old as of April 1, 2010; not have lived in Japan for three or more years in the past eight years; not have been a former JET participant in the last 10 years; have excellent English skills, both spoken and written; and have a genuine interest in Japan. Japanese language ability is not required, and the program is open to students and alumni in all academic majors.

Approximately 40 JET teachers are selected from Hawai‘i annually and several dozen HPU graduates have received JET assignments over the years.

Positions available through JET include assistant English language teachers (ALT) and English teachers in the Japan public school system from August 2010 to July 2011. Positions are renewable.

Alumni of the JET program will be available to answer questions and a PowerPoint presentation and video interviews of JET participants will be shown. JET representatives will provide those interested in applying with information and guidelines about completing the application form and submitting required documents.

JET participants receive an annual salary of approximately $40,000, round-trip airfare, health insurance, paid vacations and other benefits. Applications are due by November 29. Applicants who meet initial eligibility requirements are then invited to an interview in Honolulu in February 2010. The final selection of JET recipients will be announced in April 2010.