Work/Life Balance Nacho

Introduction How to appropriate time during and outside of work. The ALT is a very unique position and at time it can be hard to gauge what is expected and how much time ALTs should be spending at work. While effective communication can help alleviate many problems, time management becomes a necessary tool to accomplish everything at work while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I would like to discuss techniques to manage your time and how to incorporate your experiences outside of work into your teaching.

Work ALT hours. ●35 hours a week (Times may vary) ●Paid leave varies according to contracting organization. ●ALTs are an employee of their contracting organization. ●It may be hard to take sick leave, taking all of paid vacation may not be common among JTEs ●Talk to contracting organization how to take time off, how its logged, when are national holidays. ●Ask ahead of time, maybe remind JTEs because they tend to be very busy. Will talk more about this later.

Work II What is expected of JET ALTs? The Manual/Site states: Japan Exchange and Teaching Program ALTs assist with classes taught by Japanese Teachers of English/Language (JTEs/JTLs) and are thus involved in the preparation of teaching materials and in extracurricular activities like English clubs or sports teams. Typical duties for an ALT: ●Team-teaching, or assisting with classes taught by JTEs/JTLs ●Assisting in the preparation of teaching materials ●Participating in extracurricular activities with students But really it can vary.

Work III What responsibilities do ALTs have? ●Can vary. ●Both ALTs and JTEs talk about it ahead of time. New ALTs may not know what to do. Expectations may differ depending on the JTE.

Difference between ALTs and JTEs Very different. ●JTEs normally have a teaching license in Japan and have studied education. ●ALTs, while they may not have a Japanese teaching license can contribute with important cultural knowledge. ●Although very different, when working together I think JTEs and ALTs can facilitate cultural exchange.

Communication is Key JTE/ALT communication (Good things to clarify) ●When: it’s due, the meeting is, people are taking time off (ex. when ALTs are taking off, when JTEs are off in the summer esp because ALTs sometimes stay back for speech contest stuff.) ●How: to do something, to team teach more effectively, to pronounce something/read something ●What else can be done: how to help, (more of an ALT problem) during free time

Efficiency ●Record times and due dates. ●Prepare lessons and print stuff in advanced. (printers always break when you need them.) ●Print out schedule and hand the to other ALTs/JTEs. ●Sort paperwork before you have a mountain of paper. o Get rid of anything you don’t need and categorize papers you keep. Cheap folders at 100yen shops. o If you haven’t looked at the paper in more than a semester throw it away. o Get rid of books/workbooks/textbooks you haven’t looked at in a year. o Organize everything on your computer for easy access. o Color code print outs. (grade, tests, month, subject) ●Keep things flowing in class, have intermission activities, connect lessons. (Time everything) ●Clear concise directions, if its hard to understand in English it will be even harder for students. ●Delegate tasks to students, esp grading quizzes. ●Keep daily homework/assignments short and grade immediately.

How to get to know your students. Go to club activities Decorate Stay after school and talk to students Memorize names (flashcards, nametags)

Life How you allot your time. House work, Friends, Studying, Exercise How you may be able to save time/be more productive in your day to day. Don’t procrastinate Don’t play around with your phone Get plenty of sleep Write things down Do laundry with timer function and hang it during the day Plan dinner before you go to the grocery store Make extra dinner and pack if for lunch Plan trips ahead of time

Travel Best times to travel: During test periods, maybe take a day off Three day weekends/holidays (go to foreign country during local holiday to avoid rush) Golden week for those who are daring Look up holidays and big events at destination Other tips: Package deals from midorino madoguchi Day passes for Tokyo train, or Kyoto bus Use taxis in Kyoto Norikae Annai/Smartphone aps Buy tickets to America way in advance, use privacy browser

Travel II Communicate when you want to travel. Avoid busy times in school/when everyone else travels. Ask JTE in advance and confirm. Might get tips from other teachers. JTEs sometimes have great advice for where/how to travel. ALTs can give good travel tips too. Use experience in class. Dialogues, chats, or even just something to talk about with students.

Getting involved with the community Join an activity or group outside of school. Make the most of your time in Japan. Learn something. Ask around, kyoikuinkai or yakuba/shiakusho Be part of a community. Join town events and matsuris. How can JTEs support ALTs’ life in Japan? What resources can they share? A friendly and proactive JTE can sometimes unlock the whole community for an ALT.