Teachers Banned from Speaking with ALTs

Japan just keeps getting better and better….

Have a look at this article from the Yomiuri Newspaper: A less-than-desirable ALTernative

…the school opted for the safest approach: banning all conversation between teachers and ALTs during class.

For those of you abroad, ALTs are assistant language teachers, usually non-Japanese who are asked to help, but often end up teaching, English lessons.  And now they are banned from talking to the class teachers!! You can’t make this stuff up can you.

Interesting that they say they can’t find enough ALTs though.

On the other hand, today’s Yomiuri also has this story: Business English revives schools

It’s almost as if the politicians are purposely crippling public school English in order to boost the private sector.  But why on Earth would they want to do that…

Richard Graham

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2 Responses to “Teachers Banned from Speaking with ALTs”

  1. Margit

    are purposely crippling public school English in order to boost the private sector???????

    Wow, what a thought!
    Well, I think we are in a big wave, how ever.
    There were 3 pages about the same topic (ALT HRT) in the Asahi Newspaper about 2 weeks ago.
    At least the news that something is going terribly wrong is spreading.

    But no communication with the HRTs: This would be so boring for the kids, as well. They loved the times when the HRT would make mistakes, or I wouldn’t know something and ask the HRT about it. Just watching 2 professionals at the front not knowing something. It’s such a great experience for each kid.

    Well, I’m really curious what will come once the second term will start.

  2. William

    Dear Richard,

    Hope you are well my friend.

    As per Teachers and ALTs communication.

    Here’s my take on this for what it is worth.

    I actually think this is a GOOD idea.

    It is actually paying MORE respect to an ALT.

    Let me explain why.

    My experience as an ALT In Nasu Japan, outside the classroom was fantastic. It was inside the classroom I had the worst experiences. The so called English teachers were nothing but a pain in the … I soon realized that the best way to finish my contract was to be subordinate and pretend I was enthusiastic about helping to teach when in actual fact everytime I was actually enthusiastic It was shot down or ridiculed in a way. There was the vibe of resentment and envy… big time.

    So I think this is people that are wiser sending a clear message to JP Teachers of English Get out of the Way and let the real English teachers do their job

    Please respond with your thoughts.

    Take care

    Billy

    Interesting development as per primary school policy.

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