Job Discussion Forums

[PAULH]

One last point:

If you have a Masters degree in teaching, a certified teaching licence how will you be happy playing second fiddle to someone else?

Its likely the Japanese teacher in the partnership will see you as a threat to his authority and usurp control in the classroom. In many cases the ALT is leading the lesson by default as they are English speakers, but if you are armed to the teeth with Masters degrees and a teaching licence they may feel intimidated and feel you are overqualified, even if you are a newbie and wanting to learn the ropes here. Most qualified teachers dont like to call themselves "assistants" and the average ALT has no more than a BA degree. 90% of new JETs have no formal training or certification before they go on JET and Ive known people with masters degrees to be turned down at NOVA for being overqualified.

[J.]

Paul, how about lightening up a little? We really need more qualified teachers over here, so don't scare them all away, huh? :) People with teaching skills, such as this person has, will do very well here, in my experience. Because he already knows how to structure lessons and has a lot of classroom experience, he will likely be able to negotiate with the teachers he works with more easily and together they will find a way to make the classes work. My experience with teachers here is that if you've got the goods they recognize it and give you some respect and a bit more free rein. Yes, the students are struggling along with very low-level English, but frankly it's the fault of the lousy English programs that haven't allowed them to develop their speaking skills. Whenever you can get them speaking, no matter how little, their interest perks up and they enjoy the class.

I welcome qualified teachers here; the more we have, the better for English education in Japan. And this person says he loves teaching, too. What could be better?

[guest of Japan]

I'm taking the middle road between Paul and J. Ironically, I don't disagree with either one.

As a professional teacher you will be given more control and respect from other teachers, if you don't try to push or compare to a western education system. Other teachers tune out instantly if you say in the US/UK we did___. And if you try to control a class in an overly aggressive manner (as is sometimes required in the US/UK) (and really is required here - but will leave you unemployed) you will find you are a kite in a hurricane. English teachers in this country tend to not be strong willed to anyone except the foreign teacher to whose presence many object to.

In my opinion, if you view yourself as a professional teacher for life, then stay the lead teacher. Come to an international school if you can. Being an ALT has many degrees. Some are human tape recorders. Some are programmed robots who work for a company and shoot out the lesson of the week. Some are a walking "genki" (overly lively) game machines, some are a jungle gym. Some are helpful assistants to the Japanese teacher. Some are lead teachers in a team teaching system.

I fall into the last on the list. It would seem to be the best from a professional teacher point of view, but quite honestly - it still lacks. Some teachers who partner with me are truly outstanding and really make classes go much better. Some should be laid in a pit of burning ashes until incinerated for the good of universal education. And even when team teaching with the good ones, there is no garauntee of harmony. As a professional teacher you may tire of the responsibility, but you never tire of the autonomy.

J is right. Japan needs great experienced teachers. But, in my opinion, it doesn't really want them. A school may appreciate one when it has one. and really long for one it has lost, but will never long a new one or go the extra mile to get or keep a good one. We are disposeable foreigners and every so often one us is pretty and shiny, and the school thinks "OH how lucky." After that the school will hold every teacher to that "lucky" standard, but only be willing to pay for the lowest level.

Come to Japan for the experience of Japan if you like, but expect to be frustrated with work whether you be lead teacher down to tape recorder.

[macondo]

I can understand all of your points. As an experienced teacher I can see where PAULH is coming from. Even when I was a substitute, before getting a full-time position, I would often get frustrated by not being able to do things "my way".

However, and I say this without having been in the position of an ALT (yet?), I am looking to not be the main teacher, and I am hoping that as such, I will be able to take things as they come, experience, and not feel like I want to make changes based on the way I feel things should be done. Hopefully, if I go, that will be the case.

And yeah, as for being a lead teacher, I'd rather get the experience and language first, but I'm not ruling it out for later, should I decide to stay... should I decide to go in the first place!

Thank you all for your concern and feedback!

[PAULH]

[PAULH]

Another useful JET/ALT link

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=31648