Job Discussion Forums

[hammy.poops.again]

Hello all,
I was wondering if anyone that has been an ALT could give me an idea of a typical day. Also are there any age limits for ALT's.

Thanks!

[tokyo376]

I have 4 schools. I arrive at 8:30, and have a coffee while checking with the teachers for any last minute changes to my schedule or lesson plans. I usually have 3 or 4 classes in the morning.

During my free periods, I study Japanese. Once or twice a week I meet with teachers to discuss lesson plans. From time to time, I check test papers and compositions, but not often.

3 of my 4 schools let me leave after lunch. It's a nice schedule, but I don't take it for granted. I have a good relationship with my co-workers and students. I try to make the classes fun and interesting, and always offer to help out in the teacher's room.

As for age, I'm 35, and know 2 ALTs in their 50's.

[cornishmuppet]

I work 8.15 to 4. I have to be there during that time, but the amount of work I do varies. A typical day is 3 classes (out of six periods), occasionally 2 or 4 , or on test days, sometimes none, though this is once or twice a term.

If I have preparation to do I do it, but I know the kind of things teachers like and have a bunch of activities I recycle so it rarely takes more than one or two periods to do (less if I get the 'lets do the textbook today' or more if I get the dreaded, 'anything is ok, the whole period').

I usually have one or two periods worth of time, about 2 hours, to fill. I study kanji a lot, or reply to students letters if I have any, or surf the net (discreetly!) on one of the staff computers. I voluntarily mark the notebooks of the teacher who sits next to me, because she's young and obviously struggling with the 12 hour days she puts in, but this takes less than 20min and none of the other teachers ever ask or want me to do theirs.

Usually three days out of five I have no class from 2.30 onwards so I wind down with some coffee and internet or get stuff ready for the next day.

In the past I've hung around a bit to wave the kids goodbye, but at my current school I'm out bang on 4pm. Its pretty easy really.

While I have no personal experience of it, I know it can be harder. I have a friend in Osaka who works for Interac and teaches at a bunch of different elementary schools, and he told me he does 4,5, or 6 classes a day. While that would kill me, he says he prefers it because it keeps him active, and because he teaches at different schools he uses the same lesson plan something like 27 times!

Of the ALTs I work with, most are in their thirties (not me, I just turned 2, one guy peaking at 57. Age isn't important, really, if you have the attitude for it.

[User N. Ame]

I've done ALT work for a number of years, both JET and non-JET. The most typical thing about the job: Mon-Fri, 8-4. Weekends, public holidays off.

Otherwise, each situation tends to be a bit different. One important thing to remember is what the "A" in ALT stands for. You are merely an assistant, so typically, you won't be doing any teaching on your own (especially in junior high or high school). And quite often, when you do assist in the class, your role will be that of pronunciation model, ala, "repeat after me...." Much of your actual work day will depend on your JTEs (Japanese teacher of English) and how much or little they decide to use you. During my JET ALT years, I was grossly underutilized, and I had some JTEs who I felt were threatened in some ways by my existence; they were very passive aggressive! I think in one of those years, I was asked to teach (ie, assist in) an average of 4-6 classes per week!!! So, in an 8-hour day at school, my class time amounted to at most about 2 hours. I can't count the number of days where I had zero classes to go to. What you choose to do with your free time is pretty much up to you. I studied Japanese, I got involved in school sports clubs, culture clubs, and tried to stay as active as possible. I spent a lot of time gossiping with the secretaries in the staff coffee room. Oh, and I still managed to read War & Peace no leass than 3 times in one school year. By the way, if you do get involved in clubs, your day will not end at 4pm, but something closer to 6pm.

Yet, I had one ALT job (non-JET) in an elementary school, where I not only planned all my own lessons, but conducted lessons almost entirely on my own, which was fabulous. So your typical day will also be determined by where you are teaching: junior high? primary? Multiple school visits? One base school where you spend the bulk of your time?

As an ALT you technically should have the lunch hour free, but you will not likely be allowed to leave the school. In my case, I bought into the school lunch program and ate each day with the students. It turned out to be my favourite part of the day!

Hope this gives you some idea. Remember, these are my typical experiences. ESID.

Oh, and on the issue of age. In my experince, age should not prevent you from getting ALT work. I routinely ran into ALTs in their 30's and 40's, and the odd one in his/her 50's. The more important factor is whether you meet the base immigration requirement: university degree.