Job Discussion Forums

[rich45]

Hi,

I am an ALT at three schools and for the mostpart, I love my job and all the kids. However, there is one class on a Friday afternoon that I don't look forward to teaching (and I use that word since there isn't a JTE present). It is literally the only class that is rowdy, and I wondered if anybody had any tips for control?

Firstly, their homeroom teacher is way too soft and I can hear them as I walk down the corridor...like zoo animals! Yet he just messes around with them and rarely tries to restore order. Secondly, I can barely speak any Japanese and obviously the kids (5th grade elementary) don't speak much English at all.

I have found that they work better when given practical tasks, and they have something to focus on. Likewise, teaching them in their homeroom (with desks and chairs) is better than in my English room (no desks and chairs = fighting).

There are about 22 boys and 12 girls in this class, and while it has never truly got out of hand, I would like to know some strategies that I can try to implement.

Thanks,

Rich

[Glenski]

You are an ALT, and that means assistant. If there is no JTE in the room, you are not assisting, and you are working illegally. Tell someone now! There is no reason you have to work alone, and it can be very dangerous if an emergency arises (earthquake, fire, illness, etc.).

The JTE is supposed to take care of classroom discipline anyway.

[ripslyme]

If the homeroom teacher is as useless as depicted here, you're gonna need parental intervention. Basically send out a letter (in Japanese) to the parents of the worst kids and explain how they are 1.) not learning anything and 2.) causing difficulties for others who want to learn. Also go on a spiel how this will cause them to develop bad learning habits for the future and subsequently get lower test scores when they try to enter high school/university. The test scores thing is key because it's the only thing people here really care about.

[baki]

Glenski is right, you are not suppose to account for the students' behaviour other than what you need to do to teach your piece. If the home room teacher can't cope with the class then maybe suggest a few things, think of several strategies to help the class become more focused. Remember not to overwhelm the JTE with what you think is right or embarrass them by complaining to the principal. Work it out together, they would probably appreciate it.

Kids act up because they are bored or really really bored. You have to give them some kind of directives for them to at least feel like they're achieving something (ie. practical tasks). I find it strange that you would have problems with 5th graders, they are my favourite level to teach.

[pnksweater]

Glenski, I think you may misunderstand the situation. With the introduction of English in Japanese elementary schools, ALTs that work for the municipal board of education are often farmed out to Elementary schools for English lessons. There are not JTEs at the Elementary level. The home room teacher is supposed to assist and take care of the classroom discipline, but it sounds like the HRT doesn�t really do that normally. I doubt the OP is actually in the classroom alone with the students.

OP, do any of the teachers at this school speak English? You might have them explain to the teacher that the class is very rowdy (genki is a good word if you don�t want to offend) and that it�s hard to teach the class when the kids are so genki. But if this is simply the way he or she runs the class, you may be SOL.

I don�t know how much teaching experience/background you have. So please don�t take offense if I�m pointing out the obvious. But there are a few things you can do to improve this class.

1. Take control of the classroom yourself. I take it you do teach with JTEs some of the time? Ask them for pointers. Translate simple phrases like �look at me�, and �quiet please�. Use the English, follow with the Japanese equivalent (nail that pronunciation), and wait until they are quiet and looking at you to start class. Keep your classroom phrases basic, and use the same methods and phrases to restore order every time. The first few classes you do this will be bumpy, but if you stick with it the kids will know exactly what�s expected of them. Pretty soon, you can drop the Japanese and run the class in limited English.

2. Keep them busy. Take a good look at your teaching style. Your lesson plans may be better geared to kids who can remain calm, sit at their desks, and take notes. You want to spend the minimum amount of time going over new vocab and phrases, and the maximum amount of time using the target language in games and activities. Are you using Eigo Note? Do you know about Englipedia? http://jhsenglipediaproject.com/esp2.aspx If you are an inexperienced teacher looking for good ways to use this ridiculous text book start there. Read the linked Eigo Note blog as well- but be warned, the author seems to have a unicorn class- good communications with the HRT plus kids actually interested in learning English.

3. Finally, relax. There is no test. They aren�t being graded. They will go on to Jr. High and study the same basics all over again. Elementary school English lessons are intended to give kids a leg up on the language and, most importantly, to foster a positive attitude toward learning a foreign language. I�ve been able to turn around a few miserable classes of unruly, uninterested students by making sure that every class has a fun payoff for paying attention.

[rich45]

Thanks for the replies.

Glenski - At my base school (JHS) and other school (ES) I always have a JTE present. However, on Fridays I go to my third school (ES) and nobody speaks much English at all. There is always a homeroom teacher present in class who either tries to help and control the kids, or does nothing, depending on the HRT in question. There are only 150 kids in the school and I really like it, so I don't want to kick up a fuss. Is it really ilegal though? Some of my other ALT friends teach classes alone too...

Ripslyme - The homeroom teacher is definitely as useless as depicted here, but I'm not concerned enough to contact parents, although I appreciate your response. I have this class on a Friday afternoon, so once a week, and afterwards it is the weekend so I don't lose any sleep over it! It is just frustrating when I have planned a good lesson and it falls flat due to control issues. They aren't bad kids...just rowdy due to the sheer number of boys.

Maybe I should take some of the blame for not speaking Japanese, or not being knowledgeable about classroom control, but part of me believes that the HRT should be in charge of this, seen as though I am doing above and beyond what an Assistant Language Teacher should be doing. Besides, I have no issues in any other class at all.

[rich45]

[rich45]

[pnksweater]

It�s great to hear that some Elementary schools do have JTEs. I must have too inaka a placement to have one. But are you really alone in the classroom with the kids? That is illegal. No one without a Japanese teaching license is allowed to be alone in the classroom with students. However, it seems like some teachers don�t know this. I get put in classrooms with students alone for one on one tutoring all the time. I just move to a public space like the school library.

[rich45]

[Glenski]

You are farmed out to the school, therefore you are not the school's employee. Your dispatch agency is your employer. I presume your title is either ALT or AET, and the key letter there is A. Even with a crappy HR teacher present, discipline is not your realm of responsibility.

Do your utter best to let the HR teacher know your position so that someone, even they, can do the job. And, by all means let your employer know.

With your poor Japanese and farmed out status, I wouldn't even dream of sending parents any letters. That is also not your job. It's that of the HR teacher or principal.

[ripslyme]

[rich45]

I just had a really fun class with them! I taught body parts with left/right, then played "Twister" in groups...it went really well. I think the trick is to keep them occupied with practical activities, as suggested in this thread. They were loud of course, but they were concentrating on the game and having fun, which is the main thing I suppose.

[dynastar]

heaven forbid people go out of their way to do something that isn't their responsibility

[Nagoyaguy]

Points;

1. Yes, it is completely illegal for an ALT to be left alone in a class without a licenced Japanese teacher in the room. There are insurance risks, personal risks, etc. If anything happens, the blame will fall squarely on YOU. You are not covered by any form of insurance, and your pimp/dispatcher will drop you like a bad habit should anything happen.

2. Discipline is the exclusive purview of the HRT, especially at the elementary level. The HRT knows the kids, their situations, their moods, etc. You know none of this, so any discipline you try to enforce will be, at best, futile.

3. You are not supposed to be teaching the class solo, even IF the HRT is present in the room. One of the big points of English education at the elementary level is for the HRTs to get used to organizing and leading the English classes. You are the assistant. Ifthe HRT is too lazy to do their job properly, that isnt your problem.

I used to work in elementary schools and ran into all the above problems. The HRTs were the worst- they wouldnt even come to the front ofthe class for the opening greeting! They would sit at their desks, or stand at the back ofthe room and watch expectantly.

Solution? BEFORE the class,find the HRT and ask them for their lesson plan. According to the Min. of Education, the HRT is responsible for planning all English lessons, with some input from ALTs.

Also,dont let the teachers be "salary thieves" by treating English class as a free period. The kids pick up on this really really fast, and act accordingly. At the beginning of the class, beckon the HRT to the front, and have them STAY at the front. Give them things to do, talk to them, etc. THEY are the role model for the students, not you.

As for discipline, if the kids start acting rowdy, the best thing to do is just stop. Stop teaching, stop talking. Dont try to calm the kids down, and NEVER try to use Japanese unless you are quite proficient. Soon enough, they will realize what is happening and stop chatting. The HRT may be uncomfortable during this time, but too bad. Once they are quiet enough to continue, say "thank you" and pick up where you left off.