English goes out to the world
Students at Utah State University have found diverse ways to teach their mother tongue to citizens in other nations.
The International Language Program (ILP), Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET) and missionary service for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have provided opportunities for students to teach English abroad.
Becca Sorensen, a junior majoring in special education, went to St. Petersburg, Russia from January to June 2001 through ILP.
Sorensen said she was “just looking for something different” to do when she learned of ILP and the possibility of teaching English in Russia. She worked as one of six English teachers and was assigned to teach a group of 8- and 9-year-olds reading skills. She also taught writing to a group of 11- to 13-year olds to help prepare them to study English on their own.
Sorensen said Russian students were fully immersed in speaking English during class time because she didn’t speak Russian.
“They learn English how they learn their own language,” she said.
Sorensen said one Russian student created a word search as part of a homework assignment. When he delivered the word search, he used an uncommon word to express his desire for Sorensen to enjoy it.
“I hope you have advancement in doing this word search,” he said.
Laughing, Sorensen said, “He must have looked that up in the dictionary.”
She said teaching English as service was rewarding because she taught without being paid.
“It was the best experience of my life,” Sorensen said.
Aaron Howard, public relations coordinator for the Japanese Consulate in Denver, said the JET program is sponsored by the Japanese government and approximately 1,500 people are sent to Japan from the United States each year. Approximately 6,100 JET’s are currently teaching in Japan, he said.
Howard said three positions are available for any U.S. citizen with a 4-year college degree.
Assistant Language Teacher
Approximately 90 percent of JET’s work is as assistant language teachers, Howard said.
“They work everywhere from megopolis’ like Kyoto to tiny hamlets with populations of 400,” he said. “They assist in junior high and high schools [helping to immerse students in the language].”
Coordinator for International Relations
This position requires its participants to speak fluent Japanese, Howard said.
“They are placed in municipal offices to work with international affairs and coordinate events to help mutual understanding [between Japan and the United States],” Howard said.
He said coordinators talk about America to kindergarteners and students in junior high schools, high schools and colleges.
Sports Exchange Adviser
These advisers help coach sports and many fewer people, approximately 20, work in this position, Howard said.
“There are only two people from the United States [who do this],” Howard said.
Howard said all positions earn 3.6 million yen or approximately $31,000 each year. Participants in the JET program still pay for their own expenses including rent, food and utilities, Howard said.
Recruiting starts during fall and interviews start in February, he said. For the third consecutive year, JET administrators will return to USU in October. More than half of all JET’s renew their status to work another year and approximately one-third renew for a third year, he said.
Howard said the JET program had its inception 16 years ago.
Adam Billings, a sophomore majoring in communicative disorders and deaf education served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints between November 1998 and December 2000 in Sendai, Japan and taught English two times each week.
Billings said he helped set up scenarios for Japanese to practice travelling to the United States, getting a taxi or food and taught them grammar and vocabulary for each activity.
“Everyone in Japan wants to learn English,” Billings said.
Billings said the Japanese normally spend money on learning English and don’t mind learning from American missionaries because they teach for free.
He said teaching, although challenging, helped him understand English better.