I have a degree in computer science and I'm applying to the JET program because I am interest in living in Japan, experiencing their culture, learning more of the Japanese language (even 3 years in school you don't learn a lot), and helping people learn English as a foreign language and about America as a positive place in the world.

That being said, I have no formal training nor experience with teaching. Apparently this doesn't disqualify me outright, but will it be a serious handicap? More specifically, has anyone here had any experience with JET with no prior teaching experience?

It shouldn't be a serious handicap. One thing you should focus on are your interview skills. Round 1 is your written application, but if you make it to round 2, you'll have to do an interview at the nearest Japanese Consulate.

becoming part of the AET programme sounds like a idea for you. japan is a fanatastic country. I can almostguaranteee the AEt willacceptt you!
btw the AET programme is run by the sameorganizationn andprobablyy provides better advantages forsomeonee like yourself.
good luck!!!
xxx
(please exxcuse my not good english ^^;)

I agree with the first answer

The world is in too much sh-t right now and your country needs all the help it can get.

We're on the brink of war son, and you're thinking about vacations?

No teaching experience is not a hinderance at all-you are exactly what they are looking for. If they wanted people with teaching experience they could obviously hire in-country. If you can't get on with the JET program, you can always be an AET with Interac. Gambatte!

I went through the JET pre selection process, meetings and in the end I decided not to go to JET in favor of pursuing a job and career. If you present yourself as truly interested in teaching and international cultural exchange you will have very good chances being accepted.

You will enjoy your time in the JET program and in Japan. Your situation may vary compared to others. It depends on where you are sent to. The idea behind JET is to expose Japanese students to the world outside of Japan.

For me, my golden opportunity came again when I was a corporate transferee to Japan. 3.5 years in the company R&D facility!

Japanese companies have no need for foreign persons. What can you do for them that a native-born Japanese person cannot? This is a pivotal question.

Stay in your own country and make a difference there, if you want my advice!

I'm an ex-JET and had very little teaching experience before joining (a little bit of tutoring, but nothing official). Post-JET I have also done some screening of JET applicants, so trust me when I say that you sound like a pretty good candidate. The only thing you might want to work on is getting a little out-of-class teaching experience, such as tutoring kids or something like that, and also some intercultural experience (not necessarily having to do with Japan).

Basically, what they are worried about most is when a new JET comes to Japan, freaks out, and then leaves in the middle of their contract. Not only does that leave your schools without a JET for the rest of the year, but it also wastes the enormous expense of having brought you to Japan and putting you through all the training and seminars.

The #1 thing that they are wary of is someone who is already a Japanophile or manga/anime "otaku," because these kinds of people tend to not do well when they experience the real Japan.

The #2 thing they don't want is somebody who has LOTS of background or experience in education, because these people tend to have a lot of conflicts with the Japanese staff who may have a different view on the best way to handle some educational situation.

What they DO want is someone who can handle a ton of BS and can think on their feet and keep it together under a stressful situation. Also, someone who has some experience with a foreign culture (especially living abroad, but not in Japan) shows that you can handle things like culture shock and living away from home without freaking out.