So my co-workers this year are not so great.

[Ichirou]

Most of the teachers I worked with last year got replaced and the ones I'm working with this year are distinctly "meh."  I can't really complain about it at the school since it's not like they're horribly bad, just barely competent (especially this one teacher at the base school who's downright anemic in his teaching style) but it's really cramping my ability to teach well.  Last year I was paired up with some great teachers and we got a lot done, but now they're teaching other classes or have been transferred off to to other schools so I'm stuck with these new guys.

Bleagh. 

[Himu]

No hot chicks at all?

[Ichirou]

No hot chicks at all?

English teachers, y'mean?  No.

The worst is the guy at the base school, a few second year students have even complained to me about him, how they can't hear him because he talks in such a low voice.  He has zero energy, and when you're teaching one of these classes and you want the kids to get interested, you NEED to be high energy.  He just stands in the corner and talks.

[Candyflip]

No hot chicks at all?

English teachers, y'mean?  No.

The worst is the guy at the base school, a few second year students have even complained to me about him, how they can't hear him because he talks in such a low voice.  He has zero energy, and when you're teaching one of these classes and you want the kids to get interested, you NEED to be high energy.  He just stands in the corner and talks.

The biggest problem I've seen with new teachers (at least my school) is that they can't control the class. They have no spine and no passion. The kids have no interest because the teacher just drawls on in a monotonous voice, and the class just turns in to a zoo.

[Mupepe]

none of my coworkers are awesome, nor have they ever been.  I hate most of them and I despise the people under me.  Most of my bosses are pretty cool though.

[Stocky]

Coworkers suck.

Except for the ones with tits.

[Mupepe]

Coworkers suck.

Except for the ones with tits.

all of mine have saggy tits.

[Ichirou]

No hot chicks at all?

English teachers, y'mean?  No.

The worst is the guy at the base school, a few second year students have even complained to me about him, how they can't hear him because he talks in such a low voice.  He has zero energy, and when you're teaching one of these classes and you want the kids to get interested, you NEED to be high energy.  He just stands in the corner and talks.

The biggest problem I've seen with new teachers (at least my school) is that they can't control the class. They have no spine and no passion. The kids have no interest because the teacher just drawls on in a monotonous voice, and the class just turns in to a zoo.

Yeah, man, that's exactly my problem with my co-workers this year.  They don't relate to the kids in any way.  I think the best way to make the material fun is to have fun while you're teaching it.  If the students see the teacher is having a good time and is happy to be in the classroom, that attitude tends to be catch on among the students.  If the students see the teacher doesn't really seem to care all that much, they lose motivation.

[xnikki118x]

What grade level is this?

[Ichirou]

What grade level is this?

The American high school equivalent would be 10th grade, but keep in mind that Japanese high school kids tend to be different from American kids in two respects: maturity and study habits.  Japanese high schoolers tend to be a lot more childish than American high schoolers (probably the result of growing up in a much safer environment on the whole), and they also tend to have much bigger workloads in terms of study.

English is a compulsory subject in high school, and the kids are taking two English courses - reading and oral communication.  I'm teaching OC.  OC should be, in theory the much more fun course, but it all depends on the teachers you're stuck team-teaching with.  This year, I've had really rotten luck...actually, as soon as I met one of the teachers I knew we weren't going to have a good rapport so I asked not to be placed with him, but my request went ignored and now I'm stuck teaching half my classes with him.

[bork]

Himuro: Ny schools have them.  

The worst is the guy at the base school, a few second year students have even complained to me about him, how they can't hear him because he talks in such a low voice.  He has zero energy, and when you're teaching one of these classes and you want the kids to get interested, you NEED to be high energy.  He just stands in the corner and talks.

The biggest problem I've seen with new teachers (at least my school) is that they can't control the class. They have no spine and no passion. The kids have no interest because the teacher just drawls on in a monotonous voice, and the class just turns in to a zoo.

I have a teacher at one school just like this.  He's been here ever since I got here.  The first year, he was the san nensei (3rd graders = 9th graders in the States) teacher, and the classes were so wild and out of control that I ended up not even going to them.  Then last year he became the ichi nensei (1st grade) teacher and I watched these bright, energetic young kids go from being so eager to go to class and learn to a group of rowdy little brats who were starting to go out of control.  Thankfully at that point the school year ended and they seem better this year, despite having the same teacher again.  Things really do seem better this year, and I'm glad.  He's a nice guy, but he just doesn't seem to be very into his teaching.  One of the previous teachers here said the same thing and said that he wouldn't control the class last year when kids were being bad.  I had to lay the "smackdown" on some of those kids last year, and it seems to have carried over to this year as a newfound respect...they aren't going crazy anymore.  

For me the staff didn't really change; just lost three (Two visiting and one regular) teachers.  But the mood is much better, I think because the san nensei last year were SO FUCKING AWFUL (so bad that this school is ranked the worst in the city and the kids have made the freakin' papers for doing bad shit), and now that they're gone everyone is so relieved.

[bork]

actually, as soon as I met one of the teachers I knew we weren't going to have a good rapport so I asked not to be placed with him, but my request went ignored and now I'm stuck teaching half my classes with him.

Wow, I didn't even know people did this.  Has that worked for you in the past?  I would have loved to have done that last year...

[Ichirou]

actually, as soon as I met one of the teachers I knew we weren't going to have a good rapport so I asked not to be placed with him, but my request went ignored and now I'm stuck teaching half my classes with him.

Wow, I didn't even know people did this.  Has that worked for you in the past?  I would have loved to have done that last year...

It's the first time I asked, and it didn't work.  Of course, I didn't say "I get the impression that this guy is a very sucky teacher so I don't want to work with him", my excuse was that it was stressful to have to work with a whole bunch of different teachers so I'd like to be placed with as few as possible, and then I mentioned the names of the teachers I was really looking forward to working with.  It didn't help.

My first year, I team taught with two teachers and it worked out okay.  Last year, I team taught with three teachers and they were all great, so I was super-happy.  This year, I'm team teaching with FOUR teachers, and two of them are good but I only teach a couple of classes with them - the bulk of my classes are spent teaching with this old guy who just stands on the side and doesn't do anything unless I ask him, and with this guy who looks totally anemic and doesn't even bother projecting his voice when he speaks.

I think I was spoiled by the teachers I worked with last year.

[bork]

It's the first time I asked, and it didn't work.  Of course, I didn't say "I get the impression that this guy is a very sucky teacher so I don't want to work with him", my excuse was that it was stressful to have to work with a whole bunch of different teachers so I'd like to be placed with as few as possible, and then I mentioned the names of the teachers I was really looking forward to working with.  It didn't help.

You got some big cajones, because that doesn't sound very proper for the Japanese workplace.     I don't think I could do that here.

My first year, I team taught with two teachers and it worked out okay.  Last year, I team taught with three teachers and they were all great, so I was super-happy.  This year, I'm team teaching with FOUR teachers, and two of them are good but I only teach a couple of classes with them - the bulk of my classes are spent teaching with this old guy who just stands on the side and doesn't do anything unless I ask him, and with this guy who looks totally anemic and doesn't even bother projecting his voice when he speaks.

I think I was spoiled by the teachers I worked with last year.

I think you were lucky your first year.  I've always taught with four teachers at each school...sometimes five.  I don't let the stress get to me and I ask them if they want my help/input.  If not, I let them go about making the lesson and I just do whatever they tell me to.  But I'm a JHS ALT, so I don't generally plan lessons in the first place.  I know it's different for HS ALTs.

[The Fake Shemp]

Can anyone explain to me why you would want to move to Japan to teach kids English?  It's like such a big deal for folks in the States and it sounds absolutely dreadful.  Fun in theory ("omg lets go to japan land of videogames and anime - new culture omg fun who is driving car omg bear is driving car ha ha ha!), but in practice... not so much.

[Scurvy Stan]

Can anyone explain to me why you would want to move to Japan to teach kids English?  It's like such a big deal for folks in the States and it sounds absolutely dreadful.  Fun in theory ("omg lets go to japan land of videogames and anime - new culture omg fun who is driving car omg bear is driving car ha ha ha!), but in practice... not so much.

Don't burst their bubble, they'll get plenty of that later on.

[Ichirou]

You got some big cajones, because that doesn't sound very proper for the Japanese workplace.     I don't think I could do that here.

They know I work my ass off and do overtime practically each and every day without complaining, so if they were to get offended at my suggestion, I'd just gently remind them that I do a lot more than the average ALT.  I plan all the lessons, I make all the handouts, etc, etc.

[Ichirou]

Can anyone explain to me why you would want to move to Japan to teach kids English?  It's like such a big deal for folks in the States and it sounds absolutely dreadful.  Fun in theory ("omg lets go to japan land of videogames and anime - new culture omg fun who is driving car omg bear is driving car ha ha ha!), but in practice... not so much.

Erm...how do you know that in practice, it's not so much?  You've never done it.

As for my reasons, I'm pursuing a career in teaching so this is great experience for me in my chosen profession.  I get to learn about a different culture and broaden my horizons while learning a lot of useful skills and gaining practical knowledge.  I also love my students, get along well with most of my co-workers (this year's team teaching partners being an exception rather than the rule) and am basically having a great time.

Obviously you've made it clear that it's not something for you, and I probably wouldn't suggest it for the majority of people, much less the geeks on GAF who only want to come here to bag asian girls, watch animu, and play video games, but for me it's been a very worthwhile experience so far.

[brawndolicious]

How does the TV and food compare?

You speak Japanese, right?

[The Fake Shemp]

I may have not done it, but everyone who is in the program has spent more than their fair share complaining about the program and the culture on message boards throughout the Interwebs.  There is no one person who ever says, "OMG GREATEST EXPERIENCE EVAR!"

[bork]

Can anyone explain to me why you would want to move to Japan to teach kids English?  It's like such a big deal for folks in the States and it sounds absolutely dreadful.  Fun in theory ("omg lets go to japan land of videogames and anime - new culture omg fun who is driving car omg bear is driving car ha ha ha!), but in practice... not so much.

All you're seeing is some venting.  If it really that bad, do you think there would be tons of people competing for these positions every year, and also most people renewing their positions, even trying to stay for an extra year or two?  There's a lot of good to go along with the bad, Willco.  And hey, it certainly beats working retail.  

You got some big cajones, because that doesn't sound very proper for the Japanese workplace.    I don't think I could do that here.

They know I work my ass off and do overtime practically each and every day without complaining, so if they were to get offended at my suggestion, I'd just gently remind them that I do a lot more than the average ALT.  I plan all the lessons, I make all the handouts, etc, etc.

I don't want to sound like I'm preaching, but wow man...what you just said is what was recommended we don't do when I got here.    Everyone does overtime at schools here, and from what I know all the HS ALTs make lessons and handouts and such.  You shouldn't expect special treatment from that.

[Howard Alan Treesong]

Can anyone explain to me why you would want to move to Japan to teach kids English?

Well, if you're looking for full-language immersion for your Japanese studies, Japan is hard to beat. You can look at English teaching as your work-study that subsidizes your "real" studies (Japanese). That's how I treated it, at least.

[Ichirou]

How does the TV and food compare?

You speak Japanese, right?

I speak a very, very little bit of Japanese.  I don't watch TV so I wouldn't be able to tell you how it compares, and the food is pretty good, though I miss being able to go to some of the fast food places from back home once in a whle.

[brawndolicious]

So by the time the kids get to you, they know a little english?  what do you do all day, isn't it that if you leave the cities you basically have to be able to speak japanese?

Kancho, does it happen at your grade level?

[Ichirou]

I don't want to sound like I'm preaching, but wow man...what you just said is what was recommended we don't do when I got here.    Everyone does overtime at schools here, and from what I know all the HS ALTs make lessons and handouts and such.  You shouldn't expect special treatment from that.

I'm starting my third year, and I've never actually done it, but if they started to criticize me or my work ethic, I probably would mention it at least indirectly.  I don't know what you've heard from high school ALTs but I have never, ever met any HS ALT who stays past 5 o'clock, and I would say that 75% of the HS ALTs don't make any of their lesson plans.  

Kancho doesn't happen in high school.  I teach two schools, in one of them the kids don't know much English, the other one is a bit better.  At my base school, the kids are eager to learn, which is good.  I live next to Tokyo so I don't have to worry about my lack of Japanese, heh.

[BlackMage]

So Ichirou, what are you plans after all this?

[Ichirou]

Probably going to get my Ph.D. so I can teach at university level.

[bork]

I may have not done it, but everyone who is in the program has spent more than their fair share complaining about the program and the culture on message boards throughout the Interwebs.  There is no one person who ever says, "OMG GREATEST EXPERIENCE EVAR!"

I know plenty of people who have bitched far more than anyone here or GAF ever has, and at the end they still said "I fucking loved it here and I'd do it all over again."

I probably wouldn't suggest it for the majority of people, much less the geeks on GAF who only want to come here to bag asian girls, watch animu, and play video games, but for me it's been a very worthwhile experience so far.

Definitely.  If that's what you want to do, you're going to be very disappointed, because you aren't going to be living in Tokyo near Akihabara (nerd central)

I came here to improve myself.  I wanted to boost my confidence, live abroad, and overcome my fear of getting up in front of people and speaking, and I have done all that.  I've also improved my Japanese a bit and met my future wife.  I have plenty of complaints, but I am so glad I came out here.

How does the TV and food compare?

Japanese TV fucking sucks, but I'm just talking about network channels.  If you get cable, you can get some programs from back home.  They do show movies (with either no or only a little bit of censorship) and shows like 24 and Prison Break (in English), but they are always behind.  I just use bit torrent and youtube to watch everything I'm interested in.

The food here is awesome, but it depends on your tastes and where you live.  I'm fortunate enough to live in a big enough city where I can go eat at Japanese (dur), Chinese, Italian, Thai, Indian, French, and one Mexican restaurant.  I can even go to the supermarket and buy the ingredients to make tacos, gnocchi, etc.

[Ichirou]

I may have not done it, but everyone who is in the program has spent more than their fair share complaining about the program and the culture on message boards throughout the Interwebs.  There is no one person who ever says, "OMG GREATEST EXPERIENCE EVAR!"

Okay, Willco...listen up...

OMG GREATEST EXPERIENCE EVAR!

And I mean it, too.

[bork]

Some of the fast food joints I definitely miss...really though almost all the big chains are the big cities; Burger King and Taco Bell are missing though.

I'm starting my third year, and I've never actually done it, but if they started to criticize me or my work ethic, I probably would mention it at least indirectly.  I don't know what you've heard from high school ALTs but I have never, ever met any HS ALT who stays past 5 o'clock, and I would say that 75% of the HS ALTs don't make any of their lesson plans.  

I know a guy that routinely stays until 6-7 at night almost every day, works his ass of planning lessons, and does stuff on the weekends with the school too.  Every time I go to the monthly ALT meetings we have here, all the HS ALTs show some of the lessons and worksheets that they've planned and used in the classroom.  It's all location I guess.  

Kancho doesn't happen in high school.  I teach two schools, in one of them the kids don't know much English, the other one is a bit better.  At my base school, the kids are eager to learn, which is good.  I live next to Tokyo so I don't have to worry about my lack of Japanese, heh.

I've never had or seen kancho here either.  Never talked to anyone who has had it or seen it too.

I took Japanese for four+ years before I came here and have learned more since then (I'm starting my third year too), but you really don't need to know Japanese to live here.  Seriously...you get used to getting and around and pick up some basic language pretty quickly.  Most ALTs that come here don't speak a word of Japanese, nor do they care about teh anime or gaemz.  I think I'm like one of three people who plays games in my entire prefecture.

[bork]

I may have not done it, but everyone who is in the program has spent more than their fair share complaining about the program and the culture on message boards throughout the Interwebs.  There is no one person who ever says, "OMG GREATEST EXPERIENCE EVAR!"

Okay, Willco...listen up...

OMG GREATEST EXPERIENCE EVAR!

And I mean it, too.

QUOTED FOR MUTHA TRUCKIN' TRUTH   

[xnikki118x]

Wow, that sucks abuot those other teachers. Bad for you and bad for the kids.

[Ichirou]

I'm starting my third year, and I've never actually done it, but if they started to criticize me or my work ethic, I probably would mention it at least indirectly.  I don't know what you've heard from high school ALTs but I have never, ever met any HS ALT who stays past 5 o'clock, and I would say that 75% of the HS ALTs don't make any of their lesson plans.  

I know a guy that routinely stays until 6-7 at night almost every day, works his ass of planning lessons, and does stuff on the weekends with the school too.  Every time I go to the monthly ALT meetings we have here, all the HS ALTs show some of the lessons and worksheets that they've planned and used in the classroom.  It's all location I guess.  

Yeah, I dunno, I'm just going off of what I've been told by my fellow ALTs here as well as from some English teachers who've had bad past experiences with ALTs.  I know a few who are really good and work really hard, and I know a whole other bunch that take sick days so they can go party or go on vacation, or who arrive late for school practically every day, etc., etc.

[bork]

Yeah, I dunno, I'm just going off of what I've been told by my fellow ALTs here as well as from some English teachers who've had bad past experiences with ALTs.  I know a few who are really good and work really hard, and I know a whole other bunch that take sick days so they can go party or go on vacation, or who arrive late for school practically every day, etc., etc.

Oh, me too, me too...but I also know plenty of people who do a good job. 

I wish there was a way for them to "weed out the crap" and fire the types of ALTs you mentioned.  I don't know if you heard or remember it, but at the renewers' conference you and I were at last year, I remember during the freaking MEXT presentation, there was a group of dickheads laughing and talking LOUDLY.  I couldn't fucking believe it.  A lot of ALTs come off as college party kids that are just here for an extension of their former partying ways, IMO.  It's those people that give JET a bad name.

[whiteACID]

I may have not done it, but everyone who is in the program has spent more than their fair share complaining about the program and the culture on message boards throughout the Interwebs.  There is no one person who ever says, "OMG GREATEST EXPERIENCE EVAR!"

People will always find something to complain about anything.

[Tauntaun]

Can anyone explain to me why you would want to move to Japan to teach kids English?  It's like such a big deal for folks in the States and it sounds absolutely dreadful.  Fun in theory ("omg lets go to japan land of videogames and anime - new culture omg fun who is driving car omg bear is driving car ha ha ha!), but in practice... not so much.

Korean animation studio....WE ARE SLAVE!