Job Discussion Forums

[rich45]

This may be something of a rant, but it is Monday morning so please forgive me:

What is the typical workload of the average ALT? I think I have a pretty good gig in that my base school only has 100 students, so I don't have that many lessons. There are two JTEs here, and one of them doesn't really use me much at all and I have zero planning to do for him.

The other is the complete opposite and I do everything in our so-called "team teaching" which is leading to a bit of resentment on my part. I enjoy the feeling of planning a lesson and when it goes well, but on the other hand, I am sure she is getting paid a lot more than me yet hardly does any work from what I can tell! For instance, today is our first class with the 1st graders and I would have expected her to take the lead, introduce herself, explain how classes work in the JHS, but no...she just told me to plan the lesson myself. Also, my dispatch boss came and watched a lesson of ours before Christmas which I basically taught myself as usual, but in their meeting afterwards she claimed this was the exception rather than the norm!

Basically, I just wondered if this was typical?

Thanks,

Rich

[fluffyhamster]

It does sound a little unusual, especially as this isn't your very first term teaching with this JTE. But as long as you aren't being allowed or encouraged to deviate from the textbook too much (at least in terms of the linguistic items - words, structures etc - to be taught), is it really that much of a problem? Most AETs want (or would claim to want) more rather than less responsibility - I mean, aren't your lessons with the other JTE pretty boring in comparison? Plus, planning genuine and even halfway-effective team-teaching in any detail isn't exactly a quick and easy breeze either. And you never know, it could be a sign that this JTE actually respects you enough by now to entrust most of the lesson(s) to you. The main thing I'd like to ask though is aren't there any points on which you ask this femail JTE for her thoughts (advice?) if only for interest's sake, no professional discussion at all? (I'm thinking, points of analysis of grammar maybe; or the approximate translation of some functional item; or useful activities plain and simple). If not, perhaps you could try initiating such discussion - it might get her back on board and coming up with some ideas of her own to help share the workload. Anyway, hope that doesn't come across as too many assumptions - just raising some questions is all. And ultimately, if it weren't for all this "team teaching" in Japan, there'd be only one person once again to teach all these classes anyway...so maybe the occasional JTE feels entitled to take their term-long or even year-long breaks every now and then LOL.

[CarolinaBen]

I realize that alts get certain months off during the year, such as part of March. Do they get paid for those months when school is not in session?

[fluffyhamster]

Increasingly, they unfortunately don't, CarolinaBen. (By the way, I'm talking about dispatch AETs here, not those lucky enough to be somehow "directly" hired or part of whatever vestiges remain of the JET Programme, both of which offer better pay and perks than dispatch work).

[CarolinaBen]

Wow! I would never take an ALT job under those circumstances.

[rich45]

Thanks for your replies.

I think I was just in a bad mood earlier, so it was nice to have a rant. We just had our first class with the 1st graders and both JTEs were present, but still I taught all the class. The male JTE was good though as he helped with translations, but the other barely did anything. Incidentally, when we were having an enkai soon after I arrived last summer, the male JTE slipped it into conversation that the female JTE isn't actually a fully qualified teacher, and quite frankly it shows and could be a reason why I basically do everything for her. Not sure how she has been at this school for many years though...

Regarding vacation, I am lucky enough to have found a dispatch company who pays full pay even in summer, so to be honest my whining earlier was uncalled for! It's good to have a whinge sometimes though.

[Glenski]

You've described two ends of the spectrum, from doing nothing to doing everything. The average ALT's responsibilities fall in between. It's all very much case by case here.

[Nagoyaguy]

It's best to remember that the "A" in ALT means "assistant". Not lead teacher. Any JTEs who use you that way are just being lazy. If they want you to be the main teacher, they should pay you what a teacher gets, not an ALT salary.

Back in the day when I was an ALT, waaaaaaaaaay too many Japanese teachers saw the ALT's class as an opportunity to slack off, throw the entire lesson at the ALT, go for an extended smoke break, etc. Amazing that after more than 20 years of the 'team teaching' concept being promoted, so little teamwork actually happens.

If you want to forestall this situation, it pays to be proactive. Take initiative and ask the JTE if you can see their lesson plan. If\when they don't have one, they will probably start sucking their teeth and saying "dou shiyou kanaaaaa" ("well, what should we do about that....")while looking at you expectantly. Don't fall for it! Just let the silence linger until they break down. It's hard to do at first, but the Japanese are masters at using Western impatience and discomfort at silence to get us/you to do what they want. Show some strength and wait them out.

You can even up the ante and say, "well, I'm here to help once you are finished" and go back to your desk. That's a sure fire winner!

[Glenski]

If one is going to be proactive (and I advise it), then it pays to do it well before the day that the lesson begins. Nobody appreciates being told that they have to teach such and such with 5-10 minutes to prepare. Try to exchange email contact information with the JTE; they will feel more comfortable writing English to you than speaking it.

[Sour Grape]