Transcript Volunteering

T. Tsukui and Mike
What is an ALT?
Main roles
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Interaction with native English
 Pronunciation
 Intonation
 Natural English vs Strange English
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Exposure to a foreign culture
 Teach about customs and traditions
 Increase interest in other countries
 Each ALT has something different to offer
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Role model
 Boost student’s confidence
 Set an example of learning a foreign language
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Additional support outside of class
 Speech contests
 Eiken practice
How are ALTs actually used?
Reality
The expectations of JTEs
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Many ALTs will find themselves able to be fully utilized by the JTE
and treated as equal teachers… but in some cases…
The human tape recorder
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Find fun and innovative ways to practice reading the textbook
Read and look up
Part reading
Timed reading
Game show host
 Mix it up, try new ideas
 Very successful? Play it again!
 Encourage JTE to be involved in games
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Dead weight
 Give more attention to individual students during class
 Talk to your JTE about how you can be more involved
Being an Effective ALT
Versatility is the key
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Many kinds of lessons
 Change your role based on the lesson plan
 Do what is needed when it is needed
 Be willing to adapt on the fly
 It’s ok to not be the star
Being an Effective ALT
Team Teaching
 Go into it with a positive mindset
 Be ready for anything
 Sometimes ALT and JTE work
together great from the start
 Don’t succumb to stereotypes or
make up your mind before you
even begin
Being an Effective ALT
Team Teaching
 Some JTEs lack experience with team
teaching
 Becoming more common, even in other
subjects
 Some JTEs love it, others… not so much
 One step at a time, do what you can
 Compromise
 Try to have a good relationship outside of
classes
 JTE vs HRT
Team Teaching
The Root of the Problem
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Too busy
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Help outside of class
Grade papers
Plan various games and activities in advance
Have ideas ready
Be flexible and discuss lessons when JTE has time
Afraid of failure
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Mistakes ≠ failure, necessary for improvement
Correct mistakes politely
Use of Japanese by ALT
Applies to students as well
Being an Effective ALT
English vs Japanese
 Try to use English whenever possible
 Elementary school vs junior and senior
high school
 Japanese with low level students
outside class
Being an Effective ALT
Know your students
 Learn names when you can
 Class sizes and visit frequency vary
 Remember things they like
 You can’t know everyone well – try your
best