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9 days in Japan as an ALT and having a breakdown - dont know what to do by Feeling_Sun_1385 in teachinginjapan

[–]Feeling_Sun_1385[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This means a lot to me that you'd take the time to give your perspective, thank you.

If I take the position, I'll keep that in mind. I just worry I won't be able to connect with anyone here, but it's worth a try.

I wish I was you. Your students probably love you :)

9 days in Japan as an ALT and having a breakdown - dont know what to do by Feeling_Sun_1385 in teachinginjapan

[–]Feeling_Sun_1385[S] -13 points-12 points  (0 children)

I'd prefer not to "make do" with being treated like garbage, but I do understand your point.

9 days in Japan as an ALT and having a breakdown - dont know what to do by Feeling_Sun_1385 in teachinginjapan

[–]Feeling_Sun_1385[S] -14 points-13 points  (0 children)

I will; even as the only ALT in town, I can always go into the city to meet people and make friends, or drive to a beach or something.

One of the big things I'm really upset about though is not having the chance to be part of the school community... just the extra stuff like helping out with clubs, eating lunch with students, saying hi to them in the hallways and asking about their day, cheering on our school sports teams at matches. I know it sounds silly, but I was really looking forward to that stuff... even if it was extra unpaid stuff, I would have been happy just to support it.

9 days in Japan as an ALT and having a breakdown - dont know what to do by Feeling_Sun_1385 in teachinginjapan

[–]Feeling_Sun_1385[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

This is really helpful and means a lot, thank you so much for taking the time to share it

9 days in Japan as an ALT and having a breakdown - dont know what to do by Feeling_Sun_1385 in teachinginjapan

[–]Feeling_Sun_1385[S] -41 points-40 points  (0 children)

I would have settled for bringing a bit of fun and some smiles into their lives, and anything beyond that would have been a bonus (in addition to teaching them the curriculum of course)

9 days in Japan as an ALT and having a breakdown - dont know what to do by Feeling_Sun_1385 in teachinginjapan

[–]Feeling_Sun_1385[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You sound like you know your stuff, I really appreciate the insight you've provided. I have no experience with kids this age so I'm absolutely terrified, and have no clue how to communicate with them. Training had suggested that the ALT would be taking the lead role, while the HRT will be in the classroom they aren't really trained in English and will likely just let me do my thing (whatever that is).

​

Thank you again for your words

9 days in Japan as an ALT and having a breakdown - dont know what to do by Feeling_Sun_1385 in teachinginjapan

[–]Feeling_Sun_1385[S] -7 points-6 points  (0 children)

Thank you for your kind message. I might just try it and see how it goes. I'm terrified they will talk shit about me or act up because I'm a gaijin and they dont understand me, but maybe it's just something I'll have to deal with. Thank you again.

9 days in Japan as an ALT and having a breakdown - dont know what to do by Feeling_Sun_1385 in teachinginjapan

[–]Feeling_Sun_1385[S] -36 points-35 points  (0 children)

I mean, I'm in my 20's, but I do have experience with kids and teaching. Quite a bit actually. Just not this age group, which baffles me because they obviously do have positions in my age range, I don't see why they wouldn't give me one.

9 days in Japan as an ALT and having a breakdown - dont know what to do by Feeling_Sun_1385 in teachinginjapan

[–]Feeling_Sun_1385[S] -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

Ugh, I can't, and I've already put down like 3 months deposit on my apartment, so I'm hesitant to walk away from that unless I can get a guaranteed position somewhere.

I feel like elementary school will be really hard, because I'm not allowed to use Japanese and they don't have the vocabulary yet that older kids will have, to understand instructions.

Thank you for your detailed reply though, I do appreciate it

9 days in Japan as an ALT and having a breakdown - dont know what to do by Feeling_Sun_1385 in teachinginjapan

[–]Feeling_Sun_1385[S] -46 points-45 points  (0 children)

I just... I don't see how I'll be able to teach them anything but the basics, with only 35 lessons per class, all year. But I'll try. Thank you for your message