Job Discussion Forums

[thomthom]

The days are running down now before I'm due to leave for Tokyo. I'm trying to get an idea of what to expect from my first week or two. Any experiences to share?

I've been offered a position with Borderlink, which doesn't have an excellent reputation but their correspondence has been good, and I'm just happy to have the visa in my passport so that there are always other options on the table.

Apparently I will have 4-5 days of "training" then a couple of weeks off before the placement begins. I'm not sure if it will be a passive lecture or an involved activity, whether it will be formal or informal, etc. What do you think?

I've heard that on commencement day at school, it's common for ALTs to have to introduce themselves to the entire staff/student body at assembly, first thing in the morning! Did anybody else have to do this? I'm fine with teaching classes of 20-40 students but that sort of thing makes me rather anxious..!

[Pitarou]

[takeda]

I only had to speak to the assembly at one of the seven schools where I've worked as an ALT. My Japanese is OK but I was a bit nervous so I probably sounded stupid. As a side note, i had been warned that this particular school was "rough", but I never had any problems there at all. Did being made to address the assembly help? I'll never know.

[kah5217]

Interac's first week is training, then they ship you out to your town and have a housewife or equivalent show you around and go shopping. No idea how the first week in class will go but I imagine a lot of awkwardness (as in any new job).

[funkyging]

I had to do a introduction on my first day, they don't expect much just a bit about yourself. Mine pretty much went "name,age,where im from,hobbies then favourite Japanese movies"

The first week probably wont involve that many classes but you will probably have to do your Jiko shokai(spelling?) which could range from 2 minutes to the whole class. bring stuff from home, flag, pictures of family, maybe a magazine or two.

It would probably be a good idea to talk to the teachers you will be working with and ask them about their teaching style and what your role in the class will be. Although my training told me to stand at the front of the class, all the teachers in my school asked me to go around the class to check work and stand at the back when they are doing grammar work on the blackboard. Some teachers want you to use flashcards and also show the Japanese meaning as well as the English, some told me not to. But when your asking them on what to do, don't say " is it ok to do XYZ?" as they might say yes to be polite. Make it so its an open question. I had a teacher before say yes to my question to then having my company tell me that teacher didn't want me to do that. This is from my personal experience though so not every school will be like that

[Cool Teacher]

[Cool Teacher]

[OneJoelFifty]

Have your introduction lesson prepared beforehand. Print out pictures of your home town, country, favourite food, etc. And have a worksheet prepared to go with it. Doesn't have to be anything special, I think I just did some multiple choice questions with pictures for the 1st grade junior high classes. "OneJoelFifty likes... a) sushi b) pizza..." etc. Make it appropriate for each grade, and be sure to have plenty of interaction where students are answering questions aloud or asking you questions about yourself.

This is likely to be the only lesson you have to do in your first week or two at school, and as someone said you might not have to do more than a two minute hello depending on your teacher. But be prepared to teach a whole lesson. A good first impression can go a long way!

[thomthom]

Thanks for the replies

[OneJoelFifty]

A few tips for talking in front of your class, sorry if this sounds patronising but I had to learn them myself when I was fresh off the plane.

- Talk slowly, use very simple sentences and smile a lot
- Use gestures, especially the open-handed (using all fingers together) pointing gesture towards a student you want to answer a question
- Always praise the students for answering a question, even if it's wrong
- Don't say "No, that's wrong" or the like. Use phrases like "Mmm, okay...! Close! (use your fingers to make the 'little' gesture) Does anyone have a different answer?"
- Repeat the correct answer again for the class to hear after the student gives it
- Bring plenty of stickers. I use an evaluation sheet for all my JH classes. A simple sheet with sections where they write the day, date, weather (first grade JH students won't be able to do this at first, you can introduce it after a month or so), topic for the class, circle A, B, C or D for how they think they did, and a box where the stickers and stamps go. Students get stickers or stamps for raising their hands and answering (correctly or incorrectly) questions, winning quizzes, etc. Make a show of this, at the end of each term make a poster showing the best students from each class. You can give small prizes if you like. Starting off with some nice stickers from your home country will help with getting them to raise their hands.

EDIT - Daily questions. Up to you if you want to do this, but I find it helps. Students ask, answer and write on the board the same three questions at the start of every class. "What day is it today?" "What's the date today?" and "How is the weather?" That's nine stamps you get to give out. Some classes will have 15 or 20 students almost out of their seats wanting you to choose them, some you will have to pick them out yourself. If you do want to do it, introduce it at the same time as the evaluation sheet. Have the JTE explain that they will have the questions at the start of every class with you. Then teach them the questions. You can switch the questions up or give them little sentences to remember for the start of next class too.

[stumptowny]

the intro lesson!! pm me and I can send you some easy, fun worksheets... you will appear legit from the outset..

[genesis315]

Hi, I am also starting in a position with Borderlink next month. Does anyone know if there placements all tend to be in the Tokyo area? I was told that I will be in the Kanto region, but of course will not find out the specific school until I get there presumably.

[thomthom]

[ssjup81]

Some things I can think of right off to do - and if it's been mentioned already, sorry for repeating, as I haven't read the thread - are....

-Get down to the students' level. This goes for JHS kids too. If they're at their desk working on something, and you help them, stoop down onto their level. Personally, I've always done this with small children...felt awkward, and strange, to do this with big kids.

-When you speak, try to speak clearly and slowly. Enunciate your words as best as you can.

-This may come natural to you anyway, but you should always compliment a student when answering a question, even if it's wrong or not completely right. The fact that the student made an effort is great, especially since Japanese students (older ones, seemingly) has this terrible habit of not answering questions when asked, even if they do know the answer in fear of being wrong. I know this isn't just a "Japanese" thing, but it seems to be an extreme here (imo). Usually, I would say, "Ooo, almost!" or "Good job! So close!"

-Try to use gestures when teaching.

-Make sure you come across as warm and friendly, but don't let the kids walk all over you.

-Try to always be prepared, but this goes without saying regardless of the job.

-IMO, I also feel it's important to talk with your JTE, if possible. I know some ALTs have too many schools/classes to even remotely do that.

I know there are more things, but....kind of tired and my mind is blanking out atm. lol Sorry.

[thomthom]