【JET 20th Anniversary Panel Discussion】
>Final Messeges
Matsumoto: As the last stage of our discussion today, I would like to ask each of our panelists to articulate their impressions, recommendations, or expectations specifically in connection with the JET Programme.
Chan: I believe the importance it places on the human element is one of the principal reasons why the JET Programme has been such a huge success. It is precisely this emphasis on human interaction that has made JET so successful as an international undertaking.
Flexibility is another reason. That is, I think the programme has worked well because it is not too rigid in its structure or objectives. For example, it is not going to be terminated next year if the goals set this year are not met. It is understood that this programme will gain more meaning the longer it continues to operate. That is the kind of broad-based mindset on which this programme has thrived.
Next, I think the JET Programme has demonstrated its biggest benefit in the area of peace education. It exemplifies the realisation that people can learn to accept one another and be friends despite their differences. That they can enjoy life together and accept that they will never be exactly like one another. These are some of the lessons that participants learn through this programme, and for that reason, I am strongly hopeful that the programme itself will explicitly embrace Japan's peace-oriented educational ideals as its own principles.
Fujii: I am not sure if the word "employer" applies properly here, but as a representative of the local government, I should note that local governments have the duty of building the frameworks through which young JET participants are recruited and work, and in that connection, it is my impression that ALTs will have more and more opportunities and venues to excel in their role in the years ahead. To put that into proper context, my generation did not have any contact with ALTs, but Japanese in their 30s and younger have had such contact. I've heard the stories about middle-school students who had contact with ALTs and then chose English teaching as a career. From here one out, I believe many more students who have had such contact will indeed become English teachers and demonstrate their ability to apply the perspectives they gained through that contact to the task of refining and improving the ALT-based team teaching approach.
More children will have the opportunity to interact with foreign nationals living in their immediate neighborhood. Because they are so friendly, it's easy for them to speak up when children are around. It may seem strange, but Japanese adults typically do not say things like "Good morning!" to children. Young foreign nationals, though, will readily say "Good morning!" to any child they meet on the street. I think our children can learn a lot from their example, and look forward to that and to working together with more ALTs for years to come.
Greene: Looking back over the 20 years of the JET Programme, I feel it has been an unprecedented, resounding success as a programme for the promotion of international exchange. In fact, it possibly has been the most successful of any program of its kind worldwide. However, I do have one recommendation. ALTs are not professional English instructors. Rather, their key strength is in motivating Japanese students. Although time did not permit much discussion on this topic, I believe they would be highly effective in boosting students' English skills and also show more motivation themselves if, like SEAs, they were allowed to teach classes in English in specific subject areas such as the arts and sciences.
Naoyama: First of all, ALTs face many challenges whether in the classroom to teach English or in their free time. Furthermore, government administrators spend a great deal of time working to help ALTs out with their problems. Apparently there are currently no specific qualifications required for ALT jobs but that is an area that in my view deserves a certain amount of consideration. Although this is a program driven by interpersonal contact and exchange, ALT qualifications are likely to be an issue in the years ahead. That's one point.
Another point is that because this programme does cost quite a bit of money, MIC, MOFA, and MEXT should be reviewing programme benefits and issues. Also, in my view, they have a responsibility to explain programme content to the public.
Another point. School kids already know the ALTs, from a child's perspective. They know Kate Sensei from Britain and John Sensei from Canada, and through Kate and John, they learn things about Britain and Canada as well. In other words, they learn about other countries and cultures through the ALTs. One outcome of that experience is that they do not harbour any ill feelings toward Britain, Canada, Singapore, Australia, or other countries. They gain a deep familiarity -- not an infatuation -- with other countries. When those children grow into adults, they will not have any desire for aggression against these countries.
Should Canada, Australia, Singapore, or Britain experience a major catastrophe or some sort of incident, the children will be worried and wondering whether John or Kate are okay. Through my work with ALTs in the school setting, I have gained the impression this is the nature of international exchange at the grassroots level, and that is where the true value of the JET Programme is to be found.
Tanaka:I want to emphasise one thing: that the JET Programme has been supported by countless individuals around the globe. They include university professors in the Japanese language, volunteers who handle interviews of JET candidates, JET veterans who have returned to their home countries, and companies that have worked with or now employ JET participants. This programme has thrived on their goodwill and enthusiasm.
The selfless contributions made by these individuals and organisations -- as well as their commitment to making such contributions -- count as one of the most important features of the JET Programme. In that context, I feel that the JET Programme effectively serves Japan as a major asset or an infrastructure for international exchange. On that understanding, I want to urge that everyone continue to show your support for this programme. We are determined to do the best we can to make the JET Programme a continuing success.
Matsumoto: Thank you, everyone. Now in its 20th year, may the JET Programme continue to gain in value and evolve into ever-better forms. I now call this symposium to a close. (Applause)
