Things to Consider Regarding the JTE

Upon arriving in Japan, many things will appear new to you as an ALT who has just arrived and started working over here.

However, there are a number of important points to bear in mind. Firstly, try to be as adaptable and versatile as possible in every area of your personal and professional dealings with other people.

This will really help you to make friends with Japanese people and will inspire confidence and trust in them a lot quicker than if you merely close your mind off to anyone who is not English-speaking. It is said by many JETs that to really maximise on your time in Japan, it is important to have a good balance between Japanese and English speaking friends.

Remember, you are an ambassador for your country. Many JTEs are very interested in foreign culture and nearly always willing to help you if you approach them in the right way and treat them with respect and courtesy.

With this in mind, try to learn some basic Japanese language and cultural etiquette as quickly as possible e.g.from the correct way to address someone to polite table manners etc.

This is essential. This similarly applies to team-teaching. Generally Westerners are culturally more extrovert than their Japanese neighbours. Sometimes, a loud, authoritarian teaching approach is not always a good one. Japanese people are shy and retiring culturally and JTEs may find it quite difficult adjusting to your cultural differences in the same way as you do to them. It may also be hard for them to initiate a time for you to both sit down and plan lessons- not solely due to linguistic barriers but mainly due to a genuine lack of time- you will note that Japanese Teachers are always very, very busy! Be proactive! Don't wait to be asked　 go and seek them out and ask them what you are both going to be doing for future lesson plans and what role each of you will play in the lesson. A proactive ALT gets more done and gets more out of their teaching and their time in Japan. ALTs are here to share their culture and experiences but they are also here to assist in the teaching of English. As an ALT, your professional priorities should be similar to the above. Be willing to negotiate and discuss your lesson ideas- flexibility is the key. You will find that if you give a little you will very often get a lot more back unexpectedly. Invitations to dinner, social outings - to name but a few.

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