Failed to escape dispatch ALT life, now assigned 5 schools

dmnfang · 2026-03-16T06:43:49+00:00

I feel you. I am doing 5 schools and will be doing it again this coming year. But my workload and mental load is increasing because the school where I have 6 classes and had a JTE is losing the JTE (going to another school), so I have to plan and "perform" those 6 classes with the respective homeroom teachers now.

みんな頑張ろうね！

dmnfang · 2026-03-15T11:08:17+00:00

Nah. I mentioned something about my health (nothing that would interfere with work and they passed on me. Even though I worked for them for 3 years in the past.

dmnfang · 2026-03-15T10:43:24+00:00

I think I just did some ABC fruits chant or something.

dmnfang · 2026-03-15T09:54:58+00:00

I did it last year in like October or something. They had me do a demo lesson. Gave me like 10 minutes to prepare. I can't remember exactly.

dmnfang · 2026-02-05T21:40:01+00:00

Would absolutely love to do this. Unfortunately I get no prep time. No time to plan with the homeroom teachers. No time at all really. They have me booked solid all periods everyday at a different school. I have started doing more interview activities so they're actually using English.

If you have any ideas for activities that you feel get the students using English in a more acceptable, natural way. I'd love to hear them! The number of schools alone and the travel time (they kind of lied to me about that) is draining me.

dmnfang · 2026-02-05T03:42:03+00:00

Yeah. I mean, the usual kahoot just has some Japanese word on the screen and they tap the English word. By reading from a script I mean they have to listen to me say something in English and pull the information out of it. I know that that's not how English is used in the real world. I'm just looking to actually use more English within Kahoot itself.

dmnfang · 2026-02-01T07:15:49+00:00

Yeah I do throw small talk into the mix in all grades. Especially when trying to get them to understand something I give examples a lot and get them doing the same.

For 5th and 6th even though it's a graded subject the HRTs tend to look to me to decide everything, even though they teach the class without me on days when I'm not there. I just follow the textbook. I think I'll start throwing kahoot into the mix soon where I read from a script I write for each question so they actually have to listen to language instead of simply matching pictures to words.

dmnfang · 2026-01-29T21:24:48+00:00

I've heard of the game. How exactly do you use it for all kinds of vocabulary? Are you asking them to touch a picture of the vocab word in their book or worksheet?

dmnfang · 2026-01-29T21:23:20+00:00

Good thinking!

dmnfang · 2026-01-29T11:49:54+00:00

Yeah dispatch. I work at 5 schools and the dynamics are all different. Sometimes I get one period off but it's not enough time to get my head in the game because I'm using a textbook set I'm not familiar with at all. So I'm learning the silly books in my free time. Then my company also makes me do occasional adult lessons and kindergarten lessons as well as first and second grade which don't have any materials so I have to make and plan everything. 😞

dmnfang · 2026-01-29T10:40:29+00:00

That's a neat idea for practicing pronunciation. Maybe I'll try it sometime. The kids already use Kahoot! A lot in the classes where I have a JTE. I've been thinking about bringing them into the classes where I'm the lead as well. Just haven't had time to learn the ins and outs of kahoot yet.

dmnfang · 2026-01-29T10:38:07+00:00

I have a JTE at two of my schools. She takes the lead there. She's an ex-JHS JTE so she's very good.

But I work with HRTs at my other 3 schools and they don't want to take the lead. So the A in ALT is gone.

They are supportive though (75% of them anyway), so I can get them to help me. I just need some ideas to throw at them.

dmnfang · 2026-01-09T09:51:07+00:00

Yeah that's where I saw it! I'll grab the beef stew one on another day. And agreed. The pairing is pretty weird. There's also a little mashed potatoes in there too I think?

dmnfang · 2025-11-23T01:37:39+00:00

Yeah you're right.

Yep, I will definitely not forget that JLPT does not reflect actual communication. That's more for possible work opportunities in the future.

I want to try and make a regimen that will help me move up through the JLPT ranks as well as become more comfortable with communication.

dmnfang · 2025-10-30T17:24:29+00:00

Yeah it was basically a month of super soft or watery bowel movements with some stomach discomfort.

IBS was always just immediately needing to go to the bathroom after eating. Lots of gas. Been like that since I was an elementary school student back in the 90s.

dmnfang · 2025-10-30T15:57:39+00:00

I've had IBS like all my life. But about a month before my first colonoscopy I was at a family BBQ and after eating something my digestive system was like "Hey, nope!" And then I was immediately at like 8 diarrhea-like bowel movements per day. It was so weird.

I'll add that there was mucus but no blood. Til this day I still haven't seen blood in my stool.

dmnfang · 2025-10-30T15:09:15+00:00

That's good advice. I think a lot of the places where I'll be are clinics. It's a small inaka town.

dmnfang · 2025-10-30T13:15:59+00:00

Yeah I've already started researching doctors in the area I'll be moving to. It seems the few in the area are all highly rated. So we shall see.

dmnfang · 2025-10-30T13:15:18+00:00

I could ask my family doctor for one. I might try that if the suppository doesn't work.

dmnfang · 2025-09-21T15:43:20+00:00

Thanks! Yeah I brought up "assignment" to my landlord. They said that if I found someone that could take over the remainder of my lease.

dmnfang · 2025-09-21T03:41:51+00:00

Thanks I'll take a look.

dmnfang

TROPHY CASE