I visit 14 elementary schools, each 3x a year. Some JTEs will have me run games and activities whereas others will just use me as a human CD player, saying words in the native English tongue and having the students repeat after me. Sometimes I will just stand in the back of class and gaze off into space because I have nothing to do. I guess some teachers don't really know how to utilize an ALT? But I'm fine with it. I do whatever I can to support the JTEs and the students. For the past 2 months, I've been introducing myself at the various schools. I'll start off by showing pictures of my family and friends back in Hawaii, then I'll play pictionary using my hobbies as cues, then I'll teach some Hawaiian words and talk about life in Hawaii, then I'll dance the hula to a Keali'i Reichel song, and finally I'll answer any questions the students may have. I've got some crazy questions, ranging from "What is your favorite animal?" to "Are you a virgin?" (at Jr. High schools only!) LOL...awkward is what it is :P The elementary kids are SUPER cute and energetic! They are always asking questions and trying to speak English. Whenever I leave, I can see them peeking out of the classroom window and waving goodbye :)
There are 5 Jr. High Schools that I visit. These kids are a little less energetic, but some really do like learning English. Others don't. Some will sleep in class and others will talk to their friends...while the teacher is talking!!! In this way, the work of an ALT is difficult. It's hard to motivate a student when you can't effectively communicate with them. I find it hard to connect with them on certain levels. This is why I try my best to get to know them during less academic times...such as PE! One day at Towa Jr. High I joined them for a PE session of volleyball and running. It was great :) I think in this way, the students can see that I really am a "kid at heart" and just want to work with them and teach them English...that I am no threat.
Aside from all the grammar questions and "CD player-like tasks," I also get the "privilege" of eating school lunch! School lunch usually costs around 230 yen (about $2.50) Every meal usually consists of a bowl of rice, a bottle of WHOLE milk, vegetables, and a main dish (fish, meat, curry, etc.) Me not being a big fan of fish has proved quite the dilemma. I've been forced to overcome my dislike of fish and have eaten everything from bony fish (bones and all!) to rice w/tiny fish hidden inside. BLEH :P I've also tried new things like NATTO!!! Stink stuff but not bad when gulped down with rice and milk!
(Taken from kennethgbevan.blogspot.com)
Lunch is treated almost like a big ceremony or production. Students rotate who serves lunch on which day. They dress up in these smocks and a mask that covers their mouth. Sometimes you'll see kids with a piece of scratch paper scotch taped to their faces because they forgot their mask at home! They take turns placing an equal portion of food into each bowl and distributing it amongst their classmates. One day one tray was missing a bottle of milk, and everyone was frantically searching for it! They are really serious about lunch I tell ya! If someone is missing a banana, the class goes into almost a chaotic whirlpool until it is resolved. Good times :) And I have observed that it is bad to waste food. No leftovers. Kids will be kept inside the classroom away from recess outside until they've finished all their food. If you know beforehand that you can't eat, say, all your rice, you are expected to pass some off to a friend before you begin. This is what I've noticed at least. I will often pass off half of my rice or my packet of mayonnaise to a nearby student. Gotta watch the carbs and calories :P
Teaching at the elementary and Jr. high school levels has been a very interesting transition for me. I don't think I could see myself teaching English...maybe biology? At the high school or college level? I've learned so much about teaching within my 2.5 months here in Japan and I can't wait for the lessons yet to come!
