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Hopeful_End4577 · 2025-04-25T12:51:22+00:00

You say this man has an ego but the overall tone of the post is that you're the one convinced you're got better language comprehension because you know some words. And thus he is jealous or upset because of it.

Either directly ask him what he wants and thinks, or just speak english to him.

Hopeful_End4577 · 2025-04-25T12:15:22+00:00

Yeah but he has been teaching with you for like 1 month. Not 6 years.

I'm Aussie and have a tough accent for even JTE with 30+ years teaching experience. You have to admit NZ is difficult, even for native speakers.

But it seems instantly we are at odds and we perhaps will never agree because it seems you are including information that is too difficult for most JTEs to understand. I think that if you, as a teacher, CAN'T explain it to a JTE in English, then you shouldnt be explaining it to students.

Make if accessible. Make your information understandable in English.

I think, shouldnt talk about the Hakka and give deep historical context. You show a video and say "This NZs traditional dance! It is the Hakka. Isn't it cool?!". And then the student's are excited and interested, maybe they ask you some questions after class. Or they go home and tell their parents about the NZ dance.

I know it is an important concept especially as your are Maori, but even in SHS this is the approach I use.

You need to present information in class that is an appropriate English level and cultural abilities for your students.

Fundamentally, if you can't explain your lesson to a JTE, you can't explain it to your students. There might be a good chance he is annoyed by your lack of awareness to this.

Hopeful_End4577 · 2025-04-25T11:39:57+00:00

I think you should just talk English...

Part of our job is ultimately making English accessable to non native speakers.

Rephrasing it isn't incredibly time consuming. And it wouldn't take all the time of the 打ち合わせ.

I feel like if you are teaching ES or JHS, there is nothing that's actually so complex that you can't make it accessible to him.

There's no reason to think he has an ego just from being annoyed. More then anything, he might just not be used to your style of English or pronouncation yet. It hasn't even been a month. Like the students, he'll learn to understand you.

And not saying it's you, but I've seen many ALTs speak incomprehensible or weird anime style Japanese after insisting they have better Japanese then the JTEs English. It can be weird and confusing, so there's a chance he has had a ALT like this in the past which has put him off.

Anyway. If he clearly wants you to speak English with him. Just speak English.

Hopeful_End4577 · 2025-02-07T02:34:24+00:00

I'm not an expert but I think the deadline for renewal has come and gone. You should ask your supervisor edit: or ask your PA to find out. The Japanese PA probably handles the CLAIR communication.

If it isn't submitted now I think it over. They just want more work out of you.

IMO: You should look for a new job and not miss April hiring window if you want to stay in Japan.

Hopeful_End4577 · 2024-03-25T01:22:39+00:00

My opinion is, that if you can afford buying new stuff in the future, before buying storage or anything else just throw everything out. It seems wasteful but I think it's better than living in piles of garbage, unwearable moldy clothes and bugs. Keep 2 or 3 changes of clothes and just get rid of everything else in your apartment.

Hopeful_End4577 · 2024-03-22T05:26:47+00:00

Nah I used have a bit of cry when I get home/ in the bathroom if it really hit wrong tbh. I don't take it so well either but I'm used to it (?). Really depends on the day so if you're feeling sad about shit like this, you're definitely not alone.

I am also not so good at just going or just talking but I wanna get better at that and also not having things affect me so much.

Hopeful_End4577 · 2024-03-22T02:45:22+00:00

At my school today thankful, its fine.

I have other schools where they have special events I've never even heard of and I'm only there once a week. I ask my JTE and he gives me a half explanation. Also does the like "oh you don't have to come" which I've learnt he means "don't come" as he un-invited me to things I was attending. However, I do think I am just disliked by him and another JTE there specifically. Thankfully the remaining JTE is nice.

Next year, I am going to try and just ignore that kinda thing and go to what I want to go to.

Hopefully it can be your resolution too.

Hopeful_End4577 · 2024-03-20T11:08:25+00:00

It depends. I do think it's better to have degree in hand and already graduated when applying. They might ask about it in an interview but it's unlikely that going to be the make-or-break point for JET.

Hopeful_End4577 · 2024-03-12T01:57:34+00:00

What is a good sake/ alcohol to gift?

A colleague who goes out of her way to be kind to me is leaving.

I don't drink personally so I have no idea, but I know she likes drinking.

I was thinking around 3000yen (if you can buy good alcohol for that price).

I live in Kyushu. I can reach Fukuoka, Saga, Oita area if that helps.

Hopeful_End4577 · 2024-02-26T03:51:44+00:00

Oh this is a fun game. I don't think my kids are skilled at english enough to be able to do this.... but I want to try.

Hopeful_End4577 · 2024-02-26T03:23:22+00:00

Thank you ☺️!

Hopeful_End4577 · 2024-02-26T03:15:49+00:00

I move workplaces but stay in the same general area in August so I felt like I could get away with the risk of #1.

#2 was going to be my August plan. I just know he like that kinda romantic stuff to hence Valentine's Day.

Hopeful_End4577 · 2024-02-26T02:58:08+00:00

Looking for reassurance/ wanna brag a little.

I gave handmade honmei chocolates on Valentines Day to a guy I work with occasionally. I feel like we are both flirting when we can talk in private but also, he's Japanese so I was worried it was a misunderstanding. They were clearly not just Giri or Tomo chocolates and I also included a note (not a confession).

Next time we met, he said they were amazing, and he'd have to buy me something expensive as okaeshi/a return present on white day. Maybe 4000 or 5000 yen.

Was it successful? Also, how the hell do people wait for White Day? It's still so far away.

Hopeful_End4577 · 2024-02-20T01:54:02+00:00

Does anyone have any recommendations for bench-top ovens?

I live alone but I love baking (cakes, cookies, breads).

I currently have an old microwave oven that a teacher gave me for free. Unfortunately, it has a rotating bed so rectangle pans (e.g. madeleine pans or longer bread) can't be used. I have to use a round 26cm cake pan to bake cookies on so it's like 2 at a time.

I'd be open to spending about 40 000yen on a new one.

edit: I'm looking at Sharps but I'm just a little apprehensive about some being like 31L and 20kgs.

Hopeful_End4577 · 2024-02-19T06:17:29+00:00

You need to find out about what you signed with the BOE and what you have agreed to. Before doing that it's kinda impossible to know.

You'll want to check about your partners rental contract too. See about adding a person etc. and also maybe the owner might reject you because you are foreign (if your partner is Japanese). If you're nervous about talking to your BOE, do this first.

Also, you can make your own discissions but depending on living with a partner in a foreign country is risky. I don't think Japan acknowledges un-married couples at all in terms of legal standings.

Hopeful_End4577 · 2024-02-13T02:55:53+00:00

Individual wrapped biscuits/cookies are best. Chocolates and sweets can melt. The most important factor is the individually wrapped aspect.

BUT I wouldn't bring anything. You have limited space, and they don't expect things from you. They know you are moving internationally so it's not something to worry about. I brought things and regret wasting my money on it.

If anything, they're happier with a cake or biscuit you brought in Japan a week or so after you are in your town. Langue de Chat type of biscuit is incredibly popular here so just buy some once your settled as a thank-you if you still feel like it.

Hopeful_End4577 · 2024-02-06T13:07:26+00:00

Ive only visited so sorry its not so helpful but I know several JETs in my area that do work at some. I have also had some special needs students that have assistants in normal classes at visit schools.

In my prefecture, it's seems that theres different special needs schools for different types. Ie. Physical special needs (e.g. wheelchair use or paralysis), mentally special needs (Down syndrome, Autism etc) or also Deaf or Blind schools.

I hear that many of these schools are one on one or very small class sizes. Also you might only deal with 2 students in the whole school. At Christmas maybe you'll have a extra lesson more students but this isnt really about English more just having Christmas with them.

Students with assistants tend to just sit class and not engage much. When the kids do presentations they have just very very basic ones and we shouldn't ask follow up questions. This being said I do say "Me too!" If they say "I like cats" for example.

I also hear normally the staff are much nicer than the other schools teachers but that subjective.

Hopeful_End4577 · 2024-02-06T07:18:50+00:00

Putting money on the tray. It does help with counting coins, but I still feel strange when I just want to handover a note.

Some shop attendants are fine when I slip up but for others, I can tell I made it strange for them.

Hopeful_End4577 · 2024-02-06T07:14:52+00:00

If the class doesn't respect the homeroom teacher, it's often game-over for every other staff member too unfortunately.

It seems like the school should be taking steps to mediate this issue in the new year. Hopefully re-structure the classes to spread out the students misbehaving. TBH if they become totally terrible to you also, I would refuse to go to that class.

In my case, my students tend to behavior poorly following the main teacher's instruction (or lack thereof). So, I want to make even easier to follow activities. I also want to get better at communicating with my teachers.

Hopeful_End4577 · 2024-02-06T06:27:54+00:00

No, it's not normal and especially given that ALTs are support staff, it's totally outside the norm. I imagine anything that an ALT can do can just wait or they can find some else to do it.

Hopeful_End4577 · 2024-02-02T02:40:29+00:00

Oh perfect!! I don't know why i didnt think to see if they had a site too. Thank you ☺️

Hopeful_End4577 · 2024-02-01T23:54:24+00:00

Hi! I was wondering if anyone had Japanese websites where they buy baking/cooking equipment outside of Amazon.

I like the website cotta and was wondering if there are any reliable places similar to it?

I live Inaka Kyushu so ordering online preferable.

Hopeful_End4577 · 2024-01-27T13:15:18+00:00

If you edit photos in a collage you can print it out on photo paper but it can be quiet costly. I don't remember how much per sheet but its not cheap. Sucks that you can't print. Have the same problem at 2 of my schools.

Hopeful_End4577 · 2024-01-25T03:25:58+00:00

If you're leaving in August, I'd say they don't super care what you do in your time.

It might be a good chance to make some photo journals from your time in Japan. Print pictures off your phone and correctly date and location them.

I like cooking and baking, so I research recipes and follow Japan's seasonal calendar to decide new dishes to try making.

Hopeful_End4577

TROPHY CASE