ALT work in Japan: Expectations vs. Reality

Hello! Hope everyone is doing well! We've reached 1 year in Japan. Here we reflect on what we were expecting when we first came to Japan to teach and what actually happened. If you have any questions please comment below!!

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[VidaDeSuazo]

I love the fact you said that ALT's are there to be they REALLY conversation. Makes sense and it adds a real human dynamic to the job.

[DanPortson]

I am a new ALT this year teaching mainly at a JHS. I do teach at one ES, but its only one class one day a week. I can completely relate with the whole sitting in the staff and having all of this Japanese conversation happening around you and not knowing any of what is going on... I am slowly trying to teach myself Japanese. I also experienced my first earthquake (ever anywhere) last weekend which was kind of terrifying. I really liked this video!!!

[XChan]

Great video, guys! I really appreciate you both relaying your experiences, and sharing your insight and advice. Thanks! ^_^📝

[starr]

Excellent info, very sweet. I like how you two really care about the students and want to help build their confidence. Question, I'm older, been teaching for years here in the States. I applied, interviewed, (SF), and am now waiting to hear from the BOE's if I'm getting an assignment. Do you see any older ALT's? Be honest! I am literally 52 and if the kids can't warm up to you two very quickly, I can't fathom them warming up to me, even though my students love me here bcz I'm a big goofball around them.

[juandenz]

Thanks for the video. I was an ALT when I was much younger, about 10 years ago !! I was thinking about going back 1 more time before I get too old. ALT work is definitely not a way to make money, just a way to survive. Some dispatch companies are paying really low now. When I was in Japan I got around 260, 000 a month. Even during the holidays I got paid around 60% of the regular payment. Now I see companies paying 200, 000 / mth with no payment during the August holidays.

[TheMitochondrie]

thanks for all your videos. i m a susbstitute english teacher at junior high schools in geneva. I m thinking of coming to japan for a year maybe next year and your videos give me a good insight as to what to expect

[LittleTurtleUnicorn]

i really want to do the ALT programme in a few years when i graduate college, do you think i should do anything before i go to japan to make life easier there? thank you! love your video <3

[blondenogirl]

The ALT system is the reason that salaries have gone down this far and English teachers in Japan aren't getting the respect they deserve. However, it isn't the fault of the ALTs themselves. The problem lies with BOE's and predatory companies like Interac who are making money off the backs of the ALTs. They are hiring people who have no teaching experience or qualifications on the premise that all you need to teach English is to speak it. Obviously this isn't true; the proof being in the fact that when graduating from school, the kids can't speak any English at all. They have zero communicative ability because the teachers aren't actually doing anything more than filling up time with games, worksheets, and translation exercises. There is no methodology to their madness, so to speak, and the content is not based on an actual syllabus. They are, as you guys in the videos are saying, making it up as they go along and pulling "lessons" out of their asses on a daily basis. They really have no idea what they are doing, since they have no understanding of second language acquisition at all.

But they keep hiring ALTs because they are cheaper to hire than someone who has a MA in TESOL, and easy to get rid of because they usually only stay for a year in Japan anyway - which also means they don't have to be given raises, bonuses, insurance, or any of the perks that the Japanese teachers at public or private HS and Jr. high teachers get. ALTs know they aren't qualified, and so are perfectly wiling to work at a low wage just so they can come to Japan - which is their real purpose, anyway. When ATLs leave Japan, they have had a great experience, but are ready to go on to a "real job". As though teaching is not a real job...and to many of them, it isn't.

This means that there is always going to be a pool of young, unqualified and enthusiastic ALTs for the BOE and Interac to exploit for their own profit. Meanwhile the students don't learn English, and the teachers who have actual degrees in education or TESOL, have lived in Japan for 20+ years, have permanent residency, and a family to feed, are getting paid the same kinds of wages or else being replaced by the younger, cheaper ALTS.

ALTs who complain about their low salaries should first think about that - very, very carefully. Realize that you are getting pretty much what you deserve, while at the same time managing to drive down wages for real teachers.

And just for full disclosure, I'm not and have never been an ALT. I have an MA in TESOL and work as regular salaried employee as a business language trainer for a Japanese company. I know all of this because I have been in Japan for 25 years and have seen the industry changing, and I also have known a lot of teachers who work for public schools in Japan, including ALTs.

[OfficialKonSite]

Are you guys working for Borderlink? Would you recommend them as a ALT company to work for? I just want I know your experience with this company.