Being an ALT in Nagai

As of 2024, Nagai has a rotating chair of 8 ALTs - a very large number for a city this size. ALTs participating in the JET program may be sent to one of 8 participating elementary or middle schools (there are also some high schools participating in the JET program with their own ALTs, though they work separately from the others). Unlike other cities and towns which usually have one ALT cycle through short weekly visits to multiple schools, Nagai pairs one ALT to one school as a permanent faculty member. Only occasionally (maybe once or twice a month) do the ALTs perform visits to other schools to participate in group teaching activities.

Elementary schools and Middle schools have very different structures. An elementary school requires only one or two classes of English a day (sometimes none at all)  and generally is a more laidback atmosphere with more free time for studying or working privately at your desk. However, the English teachers at elementary school usually do not speak much English and as a consequence, the majority of lesson planning and execution is pushed on to the ALT to perform (though technically, as per the contract it is not the ALT's responsibility). This can be a heavy responsibility. However, since it is just elementary school with grades 1-6, the atmosphere is very relaxed and the expectations for English learning are not too high. As long as the kids are learning and having fun you have the added benefit of lots of leeway to teach creatively as you like. There is also a textbook curriculum to guide you.

The two middle schools by contrast have a much heavier workload - 4-6 classes a day, on average, of English classes. If it is your first year at a middle school you may not be expected to do the full workload, it may be closer to 4-5 or even 3-4 classes a day (50 minutes each). In either case, your duties will be much less than at elementary school. Middle schools have trained, professional English teachers that guide the class. In this capacity you are truly an "assistant" English teacher, and it may be expected for you to do little more sometimes than read out a list of vocabulary words then stand silently to the side while the teacher performs the lesson. To be successful as a middle school teacher requires only that you show up on time, perform your duties responsibly, and look for ways to take the initiative in helping out around the classroom even when the teacher doesn't ask. Middle school is a somewhat stressful time for Japanese students (though still quite fun, compared to high school) and a busy job for Japanese teachers. So whatever you can do to make class activities fun and to lighten the load (so to speak) of your JTEs will be greatly appreciated. On the whole Middle schools are perhaps a more difficult placement than elementary schools (but it depends on you and your personality).

At elementary school, you can contribute to your school by participating in other classes and especially, the recess time games of dodgeball, tag, and the like. Teachers are quite happy for you to show up to their classes and help out, even if it's not English but a subject like social studies or math. As for middle school, you can contribute to your school by making an effort to sit with the teachers and students at lunch time and socialize with them, providing opportunities for the students to learn English casually. You can also try and participate in the post-school club activities like volleyball, soccer, tennis, and table-tennis. The kids and coaches are quite happy to have a teacher join their club - though, you should think carefully before doing so because it will add to your workload and may offend the club if you decide to quit later.

Another thing you can do, if you like, is start an English board. While completely optional and not necessary to do, this can be a fun way to passively interact with the students at your school. Here, for example, is a picture of an English board an ALT created at Minami middle school. In the image on the left, you see the main board which is separated into three sections: Culture, Game, and Challenge. For the culture section, the ALT discusses bumper stickers in the US (they don't exist in Japan). In the game section, the students are invited to make a bumper sticker (this particular initiative didn't go very far. Perhaps the students couldn't understand the concept). In the challenge corner is a large homemade "wheel of fortune" with different prompts in English, like "touch your toes" or "hug a friend". The wheel of fortune proved the most popular this time around. The joke board seems to be empty in this picture, but it's a nice idea as well.













ALTs by and large either go one of two routes - they integrate into the local community (if their Japanese skills are good enough) or, they form friendship networks with one another. Usually, it is the second case. You will likely find that most of your friends turn out to be other ALTs and foreigners living in Nagai, Nanyo, and especially the nearby Yonezawa city. There are quite a few, so don't expect any shortage of people to befriend. In Nagai, most of the ALTs also live in the same apartment building (as arranged by the Board of Education) so your fellow ALTs will also be your neighbors. In order to survive the stress of ALT life, make sure to develop healthy friendships and socialize regularly. The biggest stress that can weigh on you in Japan is loneliness and isolation. But, it is also an easy enough stress to avoid.