What is an ALT? - Team Teaching - School Status
An ALT is an Assistant Language Teacher. Although ALTs are called “assistants,” we are expected to be as responsible as regular members of the teaching staff. Most ALTs teach approximately 15-20 hours a week. How or how often you assist may vary with every Japanese teacher you work with. Monbusho (Ministry of Education) says ALTs are hired to teach conversational English. The old system gave students little or no chance to speak English. An ALT in their school means that they have a native speaker with whom to practice. It is hoped that ALTs will also help to improve the English abilities of the Japanese English teachers. Although well trained, some teachers lack confidence, therefore have difficulty in speaking English. Remember, they too learned in the old system. Your patience and understanding will be most appreciated should this be your situation.
This is the CORE of your job. For the most part, ALTs do not teach alone. Throughout the year, beginning with your orientation in Tokyo, you will have seminars and workshops on the theories and techniques of teaching English, as well as periodic demonstration lessons by experienced teachers to show actual activities. Effective Teamwork, Pronunciation, Lesson Planning, Using Music and Drama in the Classroom, Integrating Cultural Information into Lessons and Oral Presentation were just a few of the seminars offered last year. Language Do not worry if you don’t speak Japanese. Most ALTs have had little or no Japanese language training. You will learn to communicate very quickly even if it is mostly by using gestures.
ALTs in Sendai ARE considered to be bona fide instructors by other teachers and people in the community. ALTs here enjoy a high profile and seem to be very well respected.