ALT Interview Roundtable - preparing to come to Japan

[missy192]

seth is hoottttttt

[gothanimechick13]

i have the same problem, but i am asian and i live in the states, i have such a hard time finding clothes that fit me. it is too big in length and width size.

[astontsui]

damn, its so weird that i was watching this video before i got into the program, now i hang out with these people...ur videos were super helpful! glad i got to meet u in person at izumo airport :)

[myargonauts]

did we take a picture together that day?  You'll have to send me a copy... :)

Everyone in this vid has my email if you need it. Peace!

[Slink12345]

I am using "Remembering the Kanji" I love that book!!!!!

[hmmpf]

I wish I could become a JET too. Unfortunately, they don't recruit in the Netherlands any more. しょうがないね。

[42317]

Haha... women always need more clothes! :-)

English books were available at the store on the campus in Hirosaki... I bought a complete Frederick Forsyth collection there.

Maybe they should try the nearest university.

[msotakud2r]

Enjoyed watching and listening to everyone! Thanks for sharing once more! :)

[HARRISINGH]

I WISH HAD TAKEN MORE SPICE AND SHOSE.

[rocketgal]

haha seth! that shirt and vest is amazing!!

iwish i lived near you guys. i'd love to take part in your videos but maybe im too cynical hah

[shinmei2006]

seth is a bit ginger beer huh lol...

[wickednellie]

I think I've seen almost all your videos. They're incredibly useful. I don't think I can wait 5 months to apply for JET!

What will I watch for info when you leave?? (Jumping way ahead of myself here, but if I get into JET I'd like to continue your "tradition" of these vlogs).

[myargonauts]

That would be great if someone picks up the baton and carries on vlogging about the job of being an ALT.

Good luck!

[HardGaySuperFan]

I thought you had to know some Japanese before you put in a application to the JET Program. Two of them seem to not know any Japanese until they got there.

[TaishaJason]

nope - you can speak zero Japanese and still get into the program. My prefecture even offers a two-week crash course in basic Japanese for new ALTs during the first month they're here before classes begin.

[matman125]

I love these guys!

I could probably listen to them talk about Japan or other stuff all day!

[demonvamp33]

good thing i am learning katakana and hirigana right now and i almost got them down hehe kanji is scary though especially for someone like me who has dyslexia

[yellowbananahammock]

that one girl is super genki!

[hardyboys0]

He says Kanji are for " later on down the road"..

But I think If anyone is really serious about learning Japanese... its really useful to tackle the really difficult part FIRST!

Sure it will take a few months, but if you stick to Heisig's book and study everyday, it will be over before you know it!!

[joebevis92]

yeah that's what I'm doing

[DeeDoubleYou81]

Thanks for another great video!

I must say (this is to Seth) I have never seen anyone where a full sleeve v-neck sweater over a shirt and tie, and you pulled it off. (I would have chosen a different colored tie, not sure what color, just different). I was wondering about dressing more "western" as apposed to the bland light shirt, black tie of traditional Japan and now I know!

[myargonauts]

Seth is a style guru! :)

I certainly don't follow Japanese style in my dress - I often wear short sleeves before you're "supposed" to and I wear bright pastel shirts and plaids that most male teachers don't wear. But I still look business casual/professional as the school warrants. (I dress more casually in the hotter weather or at my shogakko)

[drdolittle3]

Hi, I am Seth and ,yes DDoubleyDDad, I completely agree with you. The tie was a bad decision and I regret it horribly, but my kids like it because it had zebras and my favorite tie that kicks but with the ensemble was a horrible crinkled mess because I fall asleep in my clothes. The job is a little tiring.

[mostawesomestjes]

Is it two suitcases, one checked and one carry on? Or is this two checked suitcases? This might be helpful for me to know. I want to bring my guitar and it is RIDICULOUS to ship my $79 guitar ($500). Great video! ^_^ Ridiculously excited! hehe! Great advice! Check! ^_^. ahh Ashley has a pretty contagious smile ^_^ Genki is great! I love me some Genki!

[myargonauts]

it might have changed from when I came to Japan in 2004, but I got to bring TWO suitcases - one that stays with you in Tokyo and one that gets sent ahead to your new workplace/apt (and the weight limit for Americans is more than for UK/Australia JETs - I think it's about 40kg per bag) - AND one carry on - which was a smallish bag with my laptop, etc.

[mostawesomestjes]

Awesome so I can bring my guitar... or I was looking around on japan amazon and I might just well get one there... hmmm decisions. T-T

[JapanPlz]

Great video again, it's good to see what other people have to say... I'm also glad that Seth recommended some good books. I'll be sure to check them out, if you have any book recommendations as far as learning Japanese goes Jason... I'd absolutely LOVE to hear what you have to say. I think that would be a good vlog you could make. :]

[Regalia31]

Believe it or not, I a have been learning hiragana and katakana from a nintendo ds "game" called My Japanese Coach. The touch screen it a big plus learning a language like Japanese. Some people don't like it, but I recommend it.

I hope I get bumped up from the alternate list soon because I don't want to miss out on orientation.

[stringtofate]

There's plenty of great DS games in Japan that natives use to study kanji. I'm currently using Kageyama Sensei Tadashii Kanji Kakitori-kun, it's aimed at Japanese grade schoolers to help them learn to write their kanji.

The great thing about it is that because it's aimed at young kids, it has furigana for all the kanji on the menus, so you don't need to know any kanji before you jump in the game. It's perfect for the kids, and for a Japanese student, I would recommend it.

[myargonauts]

most alternates still get an Orientation - they come over in Group C in late August, so don't worry.

[Izoto593]

This is inspiring because these people came into this not knowing any Japanese and it makes me feel like I can learn it as long as I put some effort behind it.

[ughat]

In Tokyo you could find some English magazines, books and novels in most public libraries. I don't know about Shimane but it my be worth checking.

[myargonauts]

for sure, in the big cities you will find bookstores, like Tower Books or Kinokuniya - that have large English book sections - I've shopped in Osaka, Kobe, and Tokyo. But even in a fairly large city, like Hiroshima, it can be difficult to find English books or magazines. And it's basically impossible in the inaka.

[ughat]

Yes but I was not talking about bookstores. I was talking about public libraries or perhaps libraries in some universities are open to public where you can borrow English books for free. But this also may only be available in Tokyo.

[myargonauts]

ahh - I see. Yeah - my guess is that you'd only find English books for borrowing in large city libraries. Good tip tho.

[Ghostkri]

Great info.

[jamitone]

Does the girl on the right have a vlog?

[martinstatic]

面白いですよ、Jason-san! 「面白い＝おもしろ」：）

Ha brilliant I feel a bit better now that, still years away from starting college, my Japanese is a bit better than what these ALT's say their Japanese was and they seem pretty happy with it all, so a bit of a confidence boost.

Nice idea interviewing people Jason, keep up the new ideas and useful videos man!

- Peace

Martin

[freeinjapan]

If you know japanese; have a degree in it, and want to teach as an ALT, does it look better or will it help you get chosen?

(Even though you will be teaching english;;)

[myargonauts]

I think it certainly looks great on your JET application. You may also consider the job of CIR - but if you really want to be an ALT, then go for it. Did you learn at a foreign university, or did you learn while living in Japan? There is a restriction for JET based on if you've lived in Japan for more than 3 years.

[freeinjapan]

Oh, I actually haven't gotten the major yet; I don't start college until august even ;D

And, although l haven't lived in japan, I had the awesome opportunity to go visit my exchange sister for 2 weeks(in Miyazaki '07). I knew next to no japanese; luckily, everyone was really nice(especially in the airports)

Hopefully I'll be visiting my aunt in Okinawa this summer, and post a couple of vids :)

Thanks for your always helpful responses, and the vids on JET!!

[SlickWilly440]

Use the book: "Remember the Kanji" by James Heisig, isn't just for "later down the road". Anyone can pick up the book and start learning character b/c there is no Japanese language involved (Which means you don't have to know a word of Japanese to start learning) with the first volume of the book that teaches the 2040 most commonly used Kanji.

[myargonauts]

true. And there is a good PDF of it - featuring a trial section of the book - maybe about 200 kanji - that you can try for free - I'll try and find the link and post it in the description box.

[afronathan]

Love remembering the Kanji, using it now. I've tried a few programmes to get to Japan (I'm the top end of U.K high school age) with no luck so far :)

But I cannot wait to apply for the JET programme once I finish Uni.

[yotafro]

Ashley is very energetic. Her kids must love her.

[basch2020]

Ashley is such a sweetheart, does anybody know if she have a blog or a YT channel?

[myargonauts]

I don't think so, but I'll ask.

[TokyoBrando]

first rate & first comment, woohoo..kool vid