Job Discussion Forums

[macondo]

My virgin posting in this forum.... be gentle with me.

I am currently in the process of trying to procure an ALT job in Japan, and have seen conflicting reports as to what an ALT does, exactly. I originally thought it meant you just help out the Japanese teacher, acting as the official language expert, but more recently I have read about ALT's actually leading each lesson, although it was mentioned that this varied depending on the school / teacher.

I would greatly appreciate any personal insight, experience, et.

Thanks!!

[Revenant]

An ALT can depending on the company/school:

1. Be the pronunciator (say something the Jteacher asks them to say).
2. Assist in various activities in the class.
3. Team teach
4. Run their own class.
5. All of the above (as it can vary from class/school)

[PAULH]

[spidey]

In my experience, it is not so much the company or the school that will dictate what you will be doing in the classroom. It will more likely be the teacher with whom your are teaching the class with. Each JTE (Japanese Teacher of English) will see the role of the ALT in a slightly different light. The old school types will more or less use you as a human CD player. Getting the students to repeat words and practice reading. Others however will be more proactive in getting you involved in the planning of each lesson. Bear in mind that these teachers still have to keep to the curriculum and the set time schedule.
On the other hand, some ALTs are perfectly fine with being that CD player while others prefer to be more involved.

You will quickly find out where you yourself will fit in.

S

[jesszilla]

My experience as an ALT:
- My teachers say they want to plan lessons with me, but never have the time.
- Most of the time, I am a human tape recorder. We drill and repeat the textbook readings, then the JTE spends 20 minutes explaining the grammar in Japanese.
- Every once in a great while, we attempt something that is suggestive of a communicative activity (i.e. a quiz game, interview, etc.), but since the kids don't even get their classroom commands in English, they don't know how to deal with the change in routine, and the activities bomb.
This is not for lack of suggestions or attempted planning on my part.
Short summary: The JTE teaches; I follow directions.

My boyfriend's experience as an ALT:
- One of his 3rd year JHS teachers plans with him frequently. She is very knowledgeable about activities that keep the students involved and using all four skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening). They do interesting and interactive lessons with speaking activities constantly, and rarely use the boring textbook.
- All of his teachers are open to his ideas, although they sometimes don't have time for them. But all try communicative activities on a semi-regular basis.
Short summary: They do some classes that are team-taught, and others that aren't.

Previous posters are correct in saying that it's a mixed bag. Your role as an ALT can vary wildly depending on who you work with.

[ntropy]

The seminal text on the JET program is called "Importing Diversity" by David McConnell.

Excellent book on the background and conditions of the program.

You can't go wrong reading it.

[wangtesol]

I'd second reading "Importing Diversity" which spells out that the ALT position is more about public diplomacy rather than teaching. If it were about teaching then why aren't ALT's required to be qualified teachers?

Further, about 25% of the 6000 ALT jobs have been privatized. So, companies are now outsouring ALTs with illegal gyomu itaku (service) contracts which violate Education Law in Japan. Notably section 23 which says the principal must be in charge of all staff, yet with these contracts the company is in charge of you.

So, if the board of education is signing these illegal contracts they really don't care about how Education Law applies to ALTs. Consequently you hear of some people who teach alone without a Japanese teacher even in the classroom. This is also a violation of Education Law since only a Japan certified teacher must be in the classroom at all times.

However, if the board of education is already breaking the law by hiring you through a gyomu itaku contract why would they care if a school has you teaching solo?

[macondo]

Thanks to everyone who has replied - I guess I'll find out when (if) I get there!

I'm actually currently a high school Spanish teacher, so coming up with lessons is not a huge deal. I would, however, like something of a break from the stress of being THE teacher, but still be able to enjoy being in the classroom with kids and doing what I love, teaching. My Japanese is elementary, at best, so being on my own is not necessarily a great idea at this point.

Another question - how difficult is it to get an ALT position directly through a BOE?

[bearcat]

Next to none. You're a risk to BOE on multiple levels. That's why they hire through private comapnies lke Altia, Interac, etc etc if they don't utilize the JET program. I know of only a few boards that hire direct and their conditions are not favorable.

If you have certification to teach spanish in public schools, then you might consider private Japanese highschools, international high school, or DOD schools as an alternative.

[macondo]

[PAULH]

[quote="macondo"]

[macondo]

I guess by "move on" I meant what you said: laterally or upwards (vertically? ). I put professionally in to clarify work-wise from country-wise.

I have a Masters in Teaching, a teaching certificate and will have 5 and a half years' teaching experience here. However, even just for myself, I'd like to have some real hands-on experience in the EFL territory before tackling a solo job. Get some ideas, be familiar with the system, what it's like to be in a Japanese classroom ... and throwing it on my resume wouldn't hurt either!

I have briefly given thought to working in the university environment, although I don't necessarily consider that to be "moving up." Maybe the pay is better (?) and the esteem, but the students I've always loved are the high schoolers. Rational (usually!), able to handle more complex thought and discussion, yet still impressionable and in need of adult role models.

Anyway, I'm just dreaming at this point, but I appreciate all the feedback - it's good to know what I could be getting myself into, have options, and be knowledgeable for my interview next week. Yikes!

[PAULH]

[casual]

One thing you might be suprised by is the complete lack of discipline in Japanese schools. I teach in three Junior High Schools and the teachers are so soft on the students you wouldnt believe it.

Students constantly sleep, walk in and out the classroom, completely refuse to speak English if the teachers tell them to. The weird thing is that while they are often rude to the japanese teacher, they are very friendly to me, but most of them dont want to actually learn English.

They will talk to you more freely outside the classroom but in my experience they only want to know about my sex life!!

[macondo]

"Be prepared to have your myths and stereotypes about Japanese students rudely shattered if you decide to come here."