Job Discussion Forums

[seklarwia]

Flyer:

As to free time, I would agree being in JHS. Next week I have a grand total of.... 1 lesson. I'm sure SH ALTs often have free time too. And yes, compared to the Japanese teachers' jobs, its a breeze. But I'm not sure whether its often a no brainer.

Depending on the school, some ALTs have more preparation and other jobs to do out of the classroom. I've had speech contests and festival prep, demo lessons and regular meetings with parents (especially for 3 special students), looking after visitors at the school (wednesday was the most stressful to date when 26 guests from French, Italian, English and Portuguese speaking countries came to observe club activities). And I'm not looking forward to do the 1-to-1 speaking tests with the 3rd years. My school has about 6 test periods a year (not including the SATs). I help in the test prep, listening sections, actually do the tests with the special students... then comes marking. Last week was the first time, a student brought his test to me to fight it out over half a mark.
In my case, it's not always easy, but its cetainly rarely boring.

ES ALTs though tend to have a much fuller teaching schedule with a lot less team teaching. Many of the ES ALTs here (JETs and dispatch) not only have to visit many schools, but will have many back to back lessons with no real assistance from the homeroom teacher for prep or in the teaching. One told me that she thought that her eikawa job was much easier (although she prefers being an ALT despite the added work).

[flyer]

aeklarwia;
Yes, your situation is much different to mine then. As I stated, it is very much case by case. But I bet your work load during and after school hours is still a lot better than the full teachers. Although I have to say your work load/schedules sounds about as full as I have heard for an ALT.

I suppose my use of the word "no brainer" was an over statement. But it often is like that.

[seklarwia]

[chinagirl]

I am no longer in Japan but thought I might chime in and share my experiences.

I spent a year in a conversation school before leaving Japan. Got some teaching experience in a Catholic school before going back to grad school and getting an MSEd in TESOL.

Back to Japan a few years later, to the same eikaiwa while I job hunted. Found a great job in a private junior high school, a job with good pay and a good deal of responsibility. Was there for three more years.

Now back in the US teaching in a high-needs, urban public high school. Our refugee population is huge and I find myself teaching large classes of 24 students from about 15 different countries and language backgrounds. It is by far much a much more difficult workload and more mentally challenging, but I feel much more appreciated by my students. I also feel much more needed by the school. More importantly, I will be eligible for tenure in three more years and there are many opportunities for promotion in my district and the salary increases every year until I retire.

I suppose if I was to ever head back to Japan I would look to teach at the University level or open my own school. Or perhaps I would find another private high school situation. There were a lot of opportunities to be active in the TESOL community in Japan - I had been trying to present at conferences and become active within JALT and ETJ before leaving Japan. Those are great networking opportunities that should not be missed.

But for the time being, I really enjoy what I do. There is a great need for licensed ESOL teachers in many parts of the US.

[flyer]

thanks Chinagirl, that was interesting