Job Discussion Forums

[tokyo376]

I haven't had much luck with the search function, so if you can refer me to some threads or links I would appreciate it.

I am interested in a comparison between JHS and highschool (public). I am currently working at a public JHS, and have been asked to consider moving to a highschool next year. I've never set foot in a Japanese highschool, so I'm hoping for some insight from forum members.

Thanks.

[Sweetsee]

I have and do work in public high schools. How can I help you?

[tokyo376]

Have you worked in a JHS? Can you compare the 2?

How do you find the attitude of your students? I'm concerned about a room full of teenagers not wanting to study English and trying to be cool. How would you decribe a typical class (genki vs. sleeping, interest in English, disruptive students, etc.)

JHS kids are young enough to still want to "play along." Is it the same with highschool, or do they sit and stare at you?

How do you fit into the lesson plan? Usual activities?

I'm interested in changing to a HS, but several Japanese teachers have advised me against it. They say the JHS age is easier to work with. What do you think?

Thanks for offering your help Sweetsee.

[fluffyhamster]

I did 3 years of SHS as a JET in Hokkaido, since when it's been several years of JHS (with infrequent ES visits) as a dispatch (i.e. non-JET) AET in the Kanto region, with a brief stint roughly between at a snooty private combined J-SHS ('ikkanbu').

Allowing for the differences between the regions, I found that even the worst (=disinterested and/or disruptive) of SHS students were not as bad as some 2nd grade JHS can be (it does seem that after JHS 1st grade, some kids occassionally go a bit psycho or antisocial for a year or two; sometimes the discipline problems appear earlier, but most JHS kids are genki and polite in 1st grade, as you have probably noticed yourself). Anyway, it seems that kids at SHS generally don't mind being there too much (remember, education after JHS level is not compulsory), indeed there are some who are developing interests (and who can thus be quite interesting), and the necessary motivation to pursue those interests etc.

With regards to the JTEs and the professional aspects of the job, you could well be treated better (with more respect) at the SHS level (especially if you are being hired directly above the city BOE level), and SHS JTEs will quite often have more time for planning and general chatting (seeing as they don't have to use kid gloves to wipe the students' noses as much as at JHS level).

The general syllabuses ultimately don't seem to differ much between JHS and SHS in terms of the grammar that they cover (I'd need to check about vocab lists, though), but at SHS level there were (and presumably still are) elective courses that purport to provide more communicative oral practice (I knew some JTEs however who seemed to prefer to use very dry and often confusing if not plain dodgy grammar practice materials).

[Brooks]

I found teaching at junior high to be more tiring.
Classes were larger and I had to make sure to keep things simple.
I had to plan more, and make sure my directions were easy to understand.
In junior high teachers have to guide the students much more than at the high school level.
Junior high was strict and some teachers were just old fashioned and narrow minded.
I thought that some kids would give up because they didn`t do well on the tests and I thought that bullying could be a problem.

At high school, I find I prefer it because the students can learn more and they are developing as people and they have clubs and they experience more things.
High school students are learning to be responsible and to be independent.
The main problems are motivation and a lack of energy.
The kids in clubs are always tired since they are really busy.

[fluffyhamster]

Brooks has made some good points: firstly, about the "need" to keep things simple for JHS students (usually at the behest of a 'Anything and everything is too difficult!' JTE), all the while being exhorted to make lessons interesting, exciting, sexy etc etc. Yeah, it can sure be hard work trying to satisfy the often conflicting criteria! There also seem to be more model lesson/visits by BOE teaching standards inspectors at JHS level (re. compulsory education). At SHS you are freer to wing things or do something that bit more interesting and ambitious. Secondly, about the clubs: if you like to get involved with sports, SHS is definitely more the place to be because you'll probably be more wlecome to join in, and can play harder once you do!

[Brooks]

I think the freedom to teach classes your way is good about high school.
Sometimes, I found team teaching annoying since some JTEs just expect people like us to do things their way. English isn`t a dead language, and there is more to teaching than tests and memorizing.

At high school I get to chose the books but at junior high the question was, "which would you prefer, New Crown or New Horizon?"

my answer, "uh, neither."

[furiousmilksheikali]

Given that a lot of JETs teach in JHS and HS and many have had experience with both perhaps it would be worthwhile checking out their discussion board.

http://www.bigdaikon.com/

[Glenski]

I've worked in a private JHS/SHS, although never taught in the JHS section. My colleagues there have, so this is info based on their experiences.

JHS is where they usually get their first exposure to English.First year they are scared, but usually excited because the NETs carry off the classes so well, usually teamed up with a JTE. Unfortunately, discipline at this tender age is a problem. They are often unruly brats who run screaming like elementary school kids through the hallways. Teachers do little to stop it. Also, our curriculum lacks a lot in ways to maintain enthusiasm in English, as evidenced by 3 solid years of read and repeat after me sessions in every class, resulting in a decline in motivation by 3rd year. Students are mothered and coddled by the Japanese teachers (usually women), though, and they eventually all make it through. Speech contests are highlights of the year, and the kids actually seem to spend a large amount of time assembling them, but then again, so do their teachers in helping them to prepare.

SHS is a different animal. The kids realize that they have 3 short years to decide on a college major and a college, and they need to shape up their studies (in all subjects, not just English) if they are to pass the dreaded entrance examinations. The English grammar gets more complex, and the teaching of it changes drastically. JTE-only classes don't really teach the grammar so much as they review it lightly in order to leave time to pound into them the senseless intricacies of dissecting long complicated sentences. They get what they see on many entrance exams, instead of lessons in communication, so that when they actually have classes with NETs (or NETs teamed with JTEs) for oral communication, they have zero motivation for it. It won't serve them on entrance exams, so why bother learning it? Besides, most of their English grade is not based on NET classes anyway. Laziness abounds in NET classes. Kids who are in club activities, especially sports, are exempt from class on many days, and the kids see this as being exempt from learning the lesson, too. Speech contests are lackluster events that are promoted highly by the school, but which are treated by most students apathetically. They know the winners will usually be the kids who have lived overseas or have won the JHS contests.

[tokyo376]

Thanks to all of you for your help. I have a much better idea of what to expect now.