For more information: http://www.nz.emb-japan.go.jp/culture_education/JET.html The JET Programme was established by the Japanese Government in 1987 to promote internationalisation at the local level and New Zealand was one of the four original countries invited to participate. In 2011, the Programme included 4,330 participants from 39 countries, including 206 from New Zealand in locations through
out Japan. Since 1987, over 2,500 New Zealanders have participated on the JET Programme. Most participants are selected as Assistant Language Teachers, mainly at public schools. Others join the JET Programme as Coordinators for International Relations or Sports Exchange Advisors. Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) help the Japanese foreign language teachers in class and assist in preparing teaching materials and class activities. They may assist in English language clubs and other extra-curricular activities. Knowledge of Japanese is not required to be an ALT. Coordinators for International Relations (CIRs) work in local government offices and are involved in international activities which might include editing publications, translation work, advising on the planning and implementation of exchange programmes, and interpreting at international events. A functional knowledge of written and spoken Japanese is needed to be a CIR. Sports Exchange Advisors (SEAs) from New Zealand have assisted only in the coaching of rugby and sailing. This is a comparatively new sector of the JET Programme having been introduced in 1996. Other countries send SEAs on the JET Programme to coach specialist sports, for example table tennis coaching from China, soccer from Brazil, ice hockey from Canada, etc.
