Job Discussion Forums

[furiousmilksheikali]

[Sweetsee]

Thanks Ali. You know what? We didn't get off to a very good start but I like you. Your posts are very good.
I told the first teacher I saw hear that I am fed up with the way things are here, with the students all using their phones when I have a job to do. He said, "They don't like studying." But I am about to have a class with mate and will run it by him, you know, trying some things after the break, like you said about banning phones, food and drink.
Besides that, I want to tell you that I know that people here think I am nuts but believe me when I tell you that there are people pm'ing me with support, it's unreal, and those folks are awesome. I know that I am all over the map and it is very difficult for me to organize my thoughts, I know this and if the truth be told, I am hear to get better. So, get used to it! And one more thing...ah heck, there's the chime.
Enjoy,
s

[furiousmilksheikali]

[Sweetsee]

Gotcha, hey what do you want, I was speed typing before the chime mate. Anyway, just had an awesome lesson, mate is with me all the way and we are going to turn things around.
Put a teacher on the spot on the way to class asking him if he allowed phones and he said yes, he said if not they would be chattering disruptively. The lesser of two evils I told him. There's the chime, see if we can do it again. Sorry about the schmaltz.
Enjoy,
s

[SeasonedVet]

Alot depends on what the School allows and what powers You have as an ALT.
Different schools have different rules. And some have different unwritten rules.
Night schools are a different kettle of fish some of them. Night Schools seem to be quite relaxed. Some students work days and "study" nights.
I have taught at a night school and it was a little more relaxed than a regular public school. However there were rules but the enforcing of the rules depends on 2 or more) things

1: What the JTE is willing to enforce
2: What the Kocho Sensei and Kyoto Sensei are willing to enforce.
You have to check the tone of the school.
Also despite what others have said about putting your foot down, you have to bear in mind what powers you as an ALT have. Some ALT jobs specifically point out that disciplinary measures are not to be carried out by the ALT. Of course you are free to go ahead and try to enforce some kind of behavioral standards in your class but the question is how far.

In my experience I have seen students doing the same thing. Playing with phones, ignoring the teacher etc. I have seen drinking but I think the teacher allowed it because the student was hungry after work.
Another thing to consider is that some night schools have kids with special problems. They may look like the average kid but some of them are autistic and have alot of other problems which might range from Psychological to violent etc ... so you might want to find out if your night school has students like that, If it does then you might want to be careful about how you enforce discipline to a psychologically troubled teen.

Moreover I have seen students sleeping or looking disinterested all term but outside the classroom they turn into different people sometimes. very friendly and chatty and really want to talk ( even if only in Japanese) The reality I am understanding is some of the kids are just not interested in English, others don't like the teacher, others don't like school and then there might be some who are just on the bad apple side ( but maybe not so bad)

I wanted to post here for a while about a topic similar to and including this. I think it is far reaching. We have to consider what parents allow and what the society at large is allowing and the new high school Culture that has emerged.
If any of you have friends or girlfriends/boyfriendsr husbands or wives who are in their late 20's early 30's or over, ask them about such things and if they occured when they were in school.
I have seen some things that really worry me and give me stress as far as teaching and discipline in High schools is concerned. But there are so many things to consider.
It would need another thread and I don't want to steal this one.

[Glenski]

Just in case you haven't realized it, readers, Sweetsee, has a habit of contradicting himself. Take a look at some of his past posts (just this year).

[Sweetsee]

Thanks for that post SeasonedVet, exactly the kind of thing I came here for originally, to share and discuss high school work. Please go on...there's the chime again.
Enjoy,
s

[king kakipi]

Glenski asked:-

[Sweetsee]

That's right King, it is spread out and it's 55 an hour, down from 65 overnight. As for Glenski, he must be losing it or something -- wow!
Enjoy,
s

[furiousmilksheikali]

[Sweetsee]

Sorry Ali, that be five-thousand-five-hundred yen per hour. Back in the day, long before I got here, the same jobs were paying something crazy like, well I can't remember exactly but it was something like over 27,000 an hour and has been steadily declining. Also declining is the number of hours contracted. For example, I worked at a school and had 320 hours a year, then 300, then 270, then 240 and I imagine the same job now has maybe 170-180, maybe less.

Getting back to the topic of my classes. I am so glad I posted that because yesterday was really something, a teaching-rush to say the least. Incidentally, I never asked for advice but can't tell you how happy I am to have gotten it. There was the usual grumbling and my usual roadblocking but in the end it was a major breakthrough last night. I told the JTEs I wanted to ban phones, drinks and food from the break and they agreed. Not only that but I appealed to the students to let me do my job. I explained to them that I work all day and then come to their school and everyone is using phones or sleeping. I explained that their teacher and I are friends and have worked together many years at another school. I explained to them that my mission is to build rapport with as many students as possible and that it is extremely dificult to do when they are using phones in class. I also outlined for them my teaching philosophy, which consists of three points:
1. I have positive expectations for all students' success.
2. I establish good classroom management techniques.
3. I design lessons for student mastery.
There was a young man who I find to be quite engaging, although during the previous three lessons he hadn't participated, this was troubling me. However, last night he was rapt with attention from when I began my announcement. Afterclass, I told him how happy I was that he was back and he replied, "Hot teacher!"
So, what started as a whim and extemperaneous ended in delight, and I owe a debt of gratitude to Ali. Thanks man!
Glenski? I don't get it. Why the negativity? The way I see it you are either part of the problem or part of the solution. You are generally very helpful but what happened, some kind of a grudge or something? Anyway Big Daddy, good luck with that.
Have a great teaching afternoon all.
Enjoy,
s

[furiousmilksheikali]

Just keep taking your medication.

[Sweetsee]

Excuse me?

[Glenski]

As for Glenski, he must be losing it or something -- wow!

Just pointing out your typical inconsistent and contradictory posts. Who's losing it?

[Sweetsee]

You are definitely losing it Glenski. You post random quotes taken out of context?(head shaking) Why don't you include who it was that advised me to care less? That should be easy for you seeing as how you must be poring over my posting history in your attack. Bravo!