Assistant Language Teacher (ALT） | Embassy of Japan in India

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR THE 2027 JET PROGRAMME

ASSISTANT LANGUAGE TEACHER (ALT)

SECOND ONLINE BRIEFING SESSION FOR 2027 ALT

Assistant Language Teacher（ALT）

Most JET Programme participants work as Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs), assisting English teaching in schools across Japan. As an ALT you will assist Japanese Teachers of English (JTE) rather than lead classes on your own. However, the exact nature of the ALT positions can depend on numerous factors, such as the number of schools visited, the frequency of visits, and the differing approaches of JTEs. No two situations are the same, therefore a flexible attitude is essential.

Japanese school children begin formally studying English at the age of 10 in their fifth year of Elementary School and continue to do so throughout Junior High School. At 15 years of age, 95% of students progress to Senior High School and the vast majority continue to study English there for another three years.

As an ALT, you will play a key role in promoting communicative training in the classroom. Contact with an ALT also provides your students with a valuable chance to become familiar with another culture.

General Conditions

(1) Remuneration
– Participants receive a remuneration of approximately 4.02 million yen (approx. 23 - 24 lakh) for their first year of appointment. Remuneration increases with subsequent appointments.

(2)Period of Participation
– In principle, participation is for a one-year period starting from the day after arrival in Japan and may extend up to 3 years or in exceptional cases to a total of 5 years.

(3) Work Hours
– 35 hours per week, standard (typically Monday to Friday)

(4) Holidays
– Saturday, Sunday, Japanese national holidays, paid leave (at least 10 days)*
* Due to work circumstances, participants may be asked to work during weekends and national holidays.

(5) Assignment
– Participants are assigned to local government organisations and schools throughout Japan. Although placement requests are possible, they are not guaranteed.

Duties and Responsibilities

ALTs will work in private or public schools or local boards of education in the prefecture or municipality they are assigned. The primary task of an ALT is to assist in classes led by Japanese Teachers of English in the following manners:

Assisting in the preparation of teaching materials,
Planning and supervising extracurricular activities for students, such as English club or sports activities.
Organizing cultural or international exchange programs.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

Hold an Indian passport.
Hold a Bachelor’s degree in any subject by July 2027.
Be adept in contemporary standard pronunciation, rhythm and intonation in English and possess excellent language ability that can be applied accurately and appropriately. Ability to form sentences comprehensively and logically.
Be both mentally and physically healthy.
Have a keen interest in Japan and be willing to deepen their knowledge and appreciation of Japan after arrival.
Be able to living and working conditions that could be significantly different from those previously experienced by the applicant.
Not have resided in Japan for 6 or more consecutive years in total since 2017 at the time of application.
Not have participated in the JET Programme since March 2024 JET Programme or for more than 6 years in total.
Not have declined, without justifiable reason, a position on the JET Programme after receiving notification of placement in the previous JET Programme year.
Obey all Japanese laws.

Additional points will be given to applicants who:

Have a bachelor’s degree or higher in English or Education.
Have a professional language teaching license and/or experience (especially in a classroom setting).
Have a general teaching experience or qualifications.
Have a Japanese language background (JLPT) and/or Japanese study background.
Have experience traveling/living in foreign countries.

Recruitment Timeline

Month	Schedule
September–October	Application window opens
30 October	Application deadline
November - December	First stage of screening process (written applications)
January	Second stage of screening process (in person interview in Delhi)
April	Announcement of final candidate and alternate candidate status
May	Placement Notification
June	Pre-Departure Orientation
25 July	Departure

Application Guidelines and Required documents

STEP 1: Read the Application Guidelines

STEP 2: Download and fill out the Application Form digitally, or take a printout and fill it out in neat handwriting (please use BLOCK LETTERS). Refer to the Chart Sheet codes while filling out the form.

STEP 3: Prepare all other required documents as specified in the Application Checklist below:

Application Checklist

(1) Application Form referring to the Chart Sheet codes

(2) Self-Report of Medical Conditions : The applicant must fill out this form. If you answer “Yes” to Questions 1, 2a, 2b, or 3, you must also submit the Statement of Physician Form duly filled signed and stamped by a general physician (MBBS or above).

(3) Two Letters of Reference from referees are mandatory, either in Japanese or English.

For those who have not yet graduated: One of the two referees must be from your university and must contain a reference to your expected date of graduation.
For those who have already graduated or are currently working: Your educational institution or employing organisation can become your referee.

(4) Certified Academic Record: Marksheets or transcripts for all courses completed at colleges or universities.

Please note that scanned copies of original marksheets or transcripts must be submitted. In case of transcripts each page must be duly signed and stamped by the respective university.
These can be obtained from the Registrar's Office of your college or university

Ensure that certified transcripts/marksheets are submitted for any additional college or university attended as part of a study-abroad program, exchange program, or placement. Documents must be officially issued by the respective college or university.

(5) Essay (Statement of Purpose)
Typed, single-sided, double-spaced essay on an A4 paper not exceeding two pages. This page limit must be strictly observed

(6) Proof of Degree

For those who will graduate by July 2027: Certificate of expected date of graduation is mandatory.
For those who have already graduated: A scanned copy of Graduation Certificate or Degree. Please restrict these copies to A4 size wherever possible. Include all the degrees earned in higher education (i.e. BA and MA, or BSc and MSc, etc.)

A signed and stamped Provisional Degree Certificate is acceptable if the original degree certificate has not yet been issued.

(7) National ID: Please include a copy of your passport. If you do not have a passport or your passport is out of date at the time of application , include a copy of your birth certificate, your std. 10th result, aadhar card, voter card or driving licence.

(8) Teaching or Language Proficiency Qualifications: TEFL, TESL, JLPT, NAT, etc. (These documents are not mandatory and are only required for applicants who already hold these certifications.)

(9) Criminal Record: Police Clearance Certificate (Only for applicants with a criminal record)
In the case the applicant is unable to obtain his/her criminal record by the time of application, a document proving that you have applied for the certificate will be accepted. In this instance, the criminal record itself must then be submitted by Friday, 8 January 2027.

Please see Guidline 6.(1) in regards to obtaining a criminal record.

STEP4: Submit the audio data file comprising the following two audio segments according to the given instructions. Applicants must have Google account to access the Audio File Application Form. Preferred audio format is mp3 or m4a audio. Applicants must submit the Audio File no later than Friday, 30 October 2026.

<Audio segments>
・Audio Segment 1 :Motivation for applying to the JET Programme (approx.15 seconds)
・Audio Segment 2 :Reading the TEXT aloud (approx. 30 seconds to 40 seconds)

Submit a single audio file that combines both audio segments mentioned above, with a total duration of not more than one minute and thirty seconds.

Audio File Application Form :Preferred audio format .mp3 or .m4a audio

The audio file must be submitted simultaneously with the application form, as specified in STEP 5. Applications submitted without an audio file will be considered incomplete.

STEP 5: Submit all documents to the JET Desk by email no later than Friday, 30 October 2026. Applications received after the 31st will not be accepted for any reason whatsoever. You must combine all necessary documents in one PDF file in the numerical order specified in the STEP 3 Application Checklist above. Application size must be under 10 MB as Embassy email server cannot receive e-mails larger than 10 MB.

Email: jetindia@nd.mofa.go.jp

STEP 6: Candidates shortlisted for the interview will be notified by email in December 2026.
Preparing an application for the JET Programme can take longer than expected, so applicants are strongly advised to start preparations well in advance of the deadline.

Enquiries to:

JET Desk , Information and Culture Section, Embassy of Japan in India
TEL: 011-4610-4850
Office Hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
Lunch Break: 1:00 p.m.–2:00 p.m.
E-mail: jetindia@nd.mofa.go.jp