Regular School ALTs

You may become tired of hearing that every JET's situation is different.   However, it's a variation on a theme, and generally depends on where you are based. Those in  'base schools” will tend to have fewer (if any) visits, while those at a Board of Education (BOE) tend to visit many schools. Visits may follow a day by day, week by week or month by month rotation (or there may be no discernable pattern at all).

My particular job is as a regular school ALT based at the BOE. Perhaps unusually, I am treated as a sarariman (salaryman), as opposed to a teacher, and have to clock in and out of the town office every day. In a typical week I will visit each of the 4 junior highs and one of the 4 elementary schools; whisked there by taxi as apparently it's too dangerous for me to drive. I'm sure that one can drive oneself, but it may mean paying extra insurance (still more eco­nomically sound than the taxi fares,  but who am I to say it?).

At the end of the day, distances apart, my job is probably not so much different from that of an ALT based in a larger, single school  (my schools are small).   It's swings and roundabouts as regards relationships with the kids and teachers. On the one hand, they probably didn't get used to me as quickly as they might an ALT based in their school, but on the other hand, it's possible that when they do get used to you as a visitor they have more to say to you on a once-a-week basis. Perhaps the first few months are more difficult because of this, but as you get to know people you start to look forward to meeting them after a week's break. If this is reciprocated it can foster good friendships (you don't have time to get sick of them, and vice versa).

As a non-Japanese speaker, my relationship with the English teacher makes a huge difference to my acceptance at that particular school, and indeed what it is that I'm required to do as regards teaching and preparation. Some see me as their chance to relax for a day and put the pressure on me to magic up a game. Others keep me informed as to where they're up to in the textbook, and include me in the general running of things. This I find better as it ironically takes the pressure off me while actually increas­ing my responsibility within the “team-teaching” framework, using my presence for genuine benefit. That said, there are good and bad days as in any job, and you have to be relaxed enough to not mind flying by the seat of your pants once in a while.

I try to bear in mind that as a visitor I am disruptive to the routine, and have some sympathy for the already busy English teachers who are forced to be your personal  translator, secretary and cultural interpreter (a job for which they have neither the time nor the training although some bear up better than others). Further to this, a drawback of “just visiting” is that you don't have the continuity to mould your teachers to be as you'd like them. It can be like starting at square one every week.   This lack of continuity is a major point, which can work for you or against you in different situations. However, I think that if you’re aware of it then you won’t let it get the better of you. You can try things like getting the kids to write a diary for you or producing a newsletter or notice board to make your presence felt even in you absence.

One thing that is undeniable about a regular visitor’s job is that you get more variety, even if it’s only in the scenery and not the texts. The atmosphere of each school/staffroom is also different; it’s interesting to compare and it keeps you interested an on your toes. There’s always a highlight visit to look forward to in the week. Unfortunately, this can mean that you start to get favorites, or become more involved with one school than the others, which I don’t recommend. Really, (as a professional) you should at least appear unbiased, and share your time and talents as equally as possible, if only to make your life easier in the long run.

As a roving troubleshooter, less is expected of you in the way of chores and commitment. I’m not suggesting that this is a good excuse to be lazy, but it means that you pick and choose when you want to really cause a stir, like by joining in the cleaning or staying behind for clubs.

There is also a higher level of exposure in the community for regular visitors. Basically, you get around a lot, get invited to a lot of things, and meet a more diverse set of people. This is tiring and a drain on your time, and means that everyone knows who you are: bad if you’re not a genius at remembering names and faces; good if you prefer being greeted to being stared at, or like receiving gifts and kindnesses. If you can remember names and so on, it can make you feel really good to start introducing Japanese people connected to different schools to each other. I’m almost certainly the only person who knows every person in town, which can be very useful socially and at the BOE and makes me sound very popular. I’m also a kind of link between the students of the various schools.

One definite drawback is that I constantly have to carry everything I might need around with me. Having nine separate desks, I feel like a door-to-door salesman selling English and international good cheer. It can be quite testing. Indeed people expect you to be cheerful and healthy the whole time; if you’re at a place for only one day a week it’s not appreciated if you’re a grumpy git for that day (likewise sleeping is frowned upon). How do you keep up that good cheer and genki-ness? A good diet; exercise; early nights; drugs; whatever works for you!

So, if you’re going in to a job like mine, my advice is to be relaxed yet appear efficient and competent, accept all the green teas but don’t drink them all, and greet everybody at every opportunity (confident but friendly). Here’s a tip: on arrival and departure, make a point of greeting and ungreeting the kocho-sensei in a very loud manner. This will serve the dual purpose of being polite to the Big Cheese (which makes him feel important) and showing the rest of the staff that you’re really rather cool. That’s the easy bit. Next, you’ve got to face the kids!

P.S. Ice breaking tip: show people you’re interested in something Japanese. Also, bring photos around with you. That should do it!

by Jonathan Rose