is it just me or...?

Submitted by Dann0 on Tue, 2008/04/08 - 14:41.

I have weeks on end at JHS base school with near to no work to do. I do try to look for things to do, but with just the past few weeks apart from helping to set up the gym for the opening ceremony(noone bothered to ask me to help, i just joined in), and measuring the height of all the students in the school today( I actually got asked to do something!),and playing basketball with the basketball club, well, thats it. I know its the new term and the end of a holiday period, but this is what goes on most of the other time as well. I have repeatedly had weeks without classes at my base school, without even being told that there will be no classes.
I want to make some lesson plans or curriculum outlines for my three elementary visit schools, but have had no contact from them, and when I asked my VP he said maybe I wont even go for the next few weeks. So I dont know when my visit schools want me to start, but it could be as early as wednesday and as late as two weeks from now? I dont have any class schedule from them yet either, so its a bit hard to plan for the term as I dont know how many classes each grade will get at each school. I understand they may not know themselves, but do I have to actually go and visit them or phone them to get a heads up?
Next time anyone sees me I am likely to have spiralling irises from staring into my computer screen all day everyday. I can speak Okay Japanese, but my confidence in that Japanese is not so great that all initial communication should be left up to me. Should I just call Ogino to get some info? Generally speaking I am left put of the loop at my base school, and would love to pass my time here at least doing a little of something resembling work.
Sincerely,

hung out to dry.

»
Brigg Sabol's picture

I call it "me time".

Submitted by Brigg Sabol on Tue, 2008/04/08 - 15:08.

I call it "me time".

bahia's picture

If you're bored...

Submitted by bahia on Tue, 2008/04/08 - 15:14.

It's not just you!

If you're bored, help me out by answering these questions: http://www.gunmajet.net/node/1081

Thanks!

-Bahia
ALT Advisor
Gunma Prefecture
sm-bahia at pref.gunma.jp

bahia's picture

But as for your real questions...

Submitted by bahia on Tue, 2008/04/08 - 15:21.

It is unfortunate. With the transitions every year often the Japanese teacher's don't really know what's going on, and unfortunately the ALTs often get left out of the mix.

If you have a sympathetic teacher willing to help you out then I would ask them. If not, it might be up to you to initiate contact so that you can start planning. If you presently don't have an email address for the visit schools, I recommend trying to get one, if they have one. For the moment, faxing them might be helpful as you can probably find their number from someone like the VP.

Ask the head of the JHS English department if there is a plan for the classes. Since classes should be starting soon, I imagine there must be one someone, even if they don't know when the ALT (you) will be teaching.

If those things don't work you can contact your supervisor, but I bet in the transfer chaos he might not have much time to sort out your school schedule.

I wish I could help more. It's frustrating, I know!

-Bahia
ALT Advisor
Gunma Prefecture
sm-bahia at pref.gunma.jp

Dann0's picture

unfortunately

Submitted by Dann0 on Tue, 2008/04/08 - 15:49.

because of all the transfers i dont even know who to contact by fax, as usually I had a specific person at my visit/elementary schools. Not to mention that at two of those schools there was no-one who spoke a word of English.
I've already had a few miscommunications where one school ran to the supervisor over nothing, so I guess thats given the confidence in my Japanese a bit of a kick in the nuts.

Unfortunately, like I said before, its not just now, its all the time. Just a bit more than usual at the moment. Ive now been conveniently moved to the back of the office where I can be more conveniently ignored. I would think of it as 'me-time' if I didnt know enough japanese as well as body language to know that there is some resentment/jealousy to me not doing anything...its weird coz I like being busy, so this just makes time drag so slowly.

Oh well, I'll think of something maybe. Or just cry into my Teacup 0_o
P.S. yes I am trying to study the NihonGo, like 8 hours a day most weeks untill my NihongoGland ruptures and I can take no more. I should start an online business and make a fortune seeing as Im at my desk so much.

April Runarounds

Submitted by Hyakuman on Wed, 2008/04/09 - 08:56.

Most of us are in the same boat around this time of course, but if you look closely, a lot of the newer teachers are also left with little to do and kind of look all bewildered. They're just better at occupying themselves because they've been doing this since leaving University. That being said, having too much free time on your hands will no doubt make you go insane which is why you should speak with your JTEs and insist that you help in any preparations for the beginning of the year. I don't think you have much to lose, I doubt they would resent you for easing their workload. In Japan, I have found for certain that if you don't ask, you don't get.

phill's picture

aight

Submitted by phill on Wed, 2008/04/09 - 11:58.

yo,

let's start a business!!!

or we can start looking for new jobs. seems like all
of Japan is getting rid of ALTs...

Dann0's picture

for real man

Submitted by Dann0 on Wed, 2008/04/09 - 13:43.

Im not sure how endangered we are, but one of the threats is inactivity related death. Im mostly wanting to upgrade da nihongo before I try to find another job..But business is business

bahia's picture

Being bored is stressful

Submitted by bahia on Wed, 2008/04/09 - 14:47.

Being bored can be just as stressful as having too much work.

http://www.detnews.com/2005/careers/0509/06/C02-280367.htm

-Bahia
ALT Advisor
Gunma Prefecture
sm-bahia at pref.gunma.jp

Dann0's picture

yes

Submitted by Dann0 on Wed, 2008/04/09 - 14:57.

that article pretty much nails it. Thats my biggest criticism of JET, in that we are underutilized. Or at least I am, and I am one of the few ALT who are TESOL qualified.
Go figure.

bahia's picture

Dude. Questions. Dude!

Submitted by bahia on Wed, 2008/04/09 - 15:34.

Seriously, dude, answer my questions. http://www.gunmajet.net/node/1081
It's a chance to let new teachers know the ALTs feelings about team-teaching and ways the ALT can be utilized effectively.
I don't know if it will have impact on your school, but hopefully it will help some schools out.
-Bahia
ALT Advisor
Gunma Prefecture
sm-bahia at pref.gunma.jp

Dann0's picture

so

Submitted by Dann0 on Wed, 2008/04/16 - 14:12.

It actually looks like someone gave a heads up to my JTE, she told she has decided to take me to as many classes as she can from now on. Its done the world of good. I dread turning up everyday so much less now. Aint it funny how pissing and mosning can be so fruitfull. Is that what they mean by "indirect communication" ? And it only took about 6 months to get anywhere!

phill's picture

"Aint it funny how pissing

Submitted by phill on Thu, 2008/04/17 - 15:51.

"Aint it funny how pissing and mosning can be so fruitfull. Is that what they mean by "indirect communication" ?"

Brilliant