Using Japanese in an interview - Yes? No? Maybe? (Circle one)

[Kdes23]

If you were applying as a CIR, then of course using Japanese would be not only welcomed, but expected of you. But as an ALT applicant, don't use it unless they ask you. If you've written in your application that you know some Japanese, chances are they'll test you on it. And when I say "chances are", note that there are a few instances where they don't test people, despite them having listed that they speak Japanese.

My personal theory as to where your Japanese ability will affect you is when they (CLAIR and the BOE's) consider whether they want to send you to teach at elementary vs junior high or high school. Where I'm placed, you definitely need a good understanding of Japanese to teach at shogakko (elementary school).

[mrcharisma]

This reminds me a of a guy who turned up on the official forums a year or so back and suggested he might wear a Japanese school uniform to the interview. I'd love to have been a fly on that wall...

[johnny]

This reminds me a of a guy who turned up on the official forums a year or so back and suggested he might wear a Japanese school uniform to the interview. I'd love to have been a fly on that wall...

How sure are you that he wasn't joking? He'd either have to be crazy or completely sheltered from the outside world. Maybe both.

Also, did you encourage him to go through with it? Did you guys tell him "yeah, that sounds like a great idea! It will go over really well with the interview panel."


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mrcharisma]

I can't remember the full details but unless he was very clever and subtle it didn't feel like a wind-up. He got plenty of responses and responded back with further questions.

I didn't respond to the thread. Sadly most others just ridiculed him instead of encouraging him.

[ihatefall]

Picturing a gaijin suited up in a JHS uniform walking in to the interview and shouting "失礼します、3年4君のスミス・トムです." Actually made me giggle.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Gizmotech]

LOL. Third Year 4th you!

[ihatefall]

LOL. Third Year 4th you!

Haha just as well


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[zombiekelly]

I made a joke about using 失礼します during my Interac interview, but I wouldn't do it for a JET interview. It would give them another excuse to toss you into the otaku pile.

Picturing a gaijin suited up in a JHS uniform walking in to the interview and shouting "失礼します、3年4君のスミス・トムです." Actually made me giggle.

....I vaguely recall reading about someone actually doing that. Maybe I've been on the internet too long.

[word]

This reminds me a of a guy who turned up on the official forums a year or so back and suggested he might wear a Japanese school uniform to the interview. I'd love to have been a fly on that wall...

Oh, god; I totally remember that. I probably responded to it; I can't remember what I said, though. I hope I encouraged him.

[Jedirust]

Yeah, I remember the school uniform thing too. I thought it was an excellent idea... but only because I really wanted to hear how horribly it would crash and burn. It would be even better if the uniform was two sizes to small.

[Teishou]

Oh, that kid. He got in, by the way. Not sure if he wore that uniform or not, though.

[Jamie Solo]

If anyone didn't encourage him to do it, I would consider them to be terrible human beings... >.>

Oh, that kid. He got in, by the way. Not sure if he wore that uniform or not, though.

Damn, any way to find out? Or did he 'go native' after arriving?

[Teishou]

I'm not certain. Benj, or whatever his name is, got into Kobe or something, I believe. He may have gone full JP for all anyone knows.

[mrcharisma]

So the moral is, dress like a sex offender and get one of the programme's most sought-after placements!

[mothy]

It's important to show you can fit into Japanese society.

[kenkennif]

I got asked to read some stuff in hiragana during the middle of my interview and I had not read anything in the Japanese language since studying it about two years prior to my interview... so basically I ballsed it all up and actually thought I had blown all my chances of getting here at that point right there.... Apparently spluttering out nonsensical gibberish was enough to impress them all though, so maybe instead of ending with 「ありがとう」 try something like 「ありがらどようこうろもうそうどうぐ」 and you'll probably get the job.