A critical analysis of the Jet Program

Galloway, N. (2009) A critical analysis of the Jet Program. Journal of Kanda University of International Studies, 21, pp. 169-207.

Abstract

Many people have remarked upon the benefits of having native English speaking teachers (NESTs) in a country such as Japan, and the Japan Teaching and Exchange Programme (JET) has been continually praised. This study presents a preliminary investigation into the impact of these native Assistant Language Teachers (ALT), and examines student and Japanese Teachers’ attitudes towards them in detail. Questionnaires were used in Japanese Senior High Schools throughout Gunma Prefecture, and results reveal positive attitudes towards English and the ALTs, that ALTs have increased students’ exposure to English and cultural knowledge and reveals a number of benefits to be had from Team Teaching.(TT) However, the main conclusion to be drawn is that, while ALTs are promoting cultural knowledge, there is a possibility that they are, in fact, strengthening stereotypes as opposed to reducing them and, due to the pre-occupation with America, there is a possibility that the JET Programme will fail to promote ‘mass internationalisation’ as much as ‘mass Americanisation’.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Galloway, Dr Nicola
• Authors: Galloway, N.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Education
• Journal Name: Journal of Kanda University of International Studies
• Publisher: Kanda University of International Studies
• ISSN: 0917-5989