Teaching in Japan - Elementary School - Part 1

For more info on teaching at elementary school in Japan, check out this playlist:

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=837F3698C649E0CF

**Sitting down outside at the local sports park, I discuss the challenges and rewards of teaching at shogakko (elementary school) in Japan.

I hope to film one more vlog touching on some other important aspects of teaching at elementary, so if you have any questions related directly to teaching younger kids, then please leave a comment and I'll address them in the next vlog on this subject.

小学校 (shougakkou) is grades 1 (１年生) ichi nen sei - thru to grade 6 (６年生) roku nen sei. So usually we're talking about kids age 6 to 12.
This term I'm teaching 5th graders and 6th graders exclusively, as my area is trying out the newly introduced English textbook, Eigo Noto 1 and Eigo Noto 2.

Every week I visit 5 different elementary schools, in addition to my regular teaching at one of my two Jr High Schools.

I plan on doing a separate vlog about the book being used and possibly I'll go over some of the lessons I've been teaching this first term so you can get an idea of what level of English we're talking about.

By way of example, yesterday I taught two classes of 6th graders the names of the months in English.

OK - hope you enjoy this vlog and more soon.

-Jason

Category:

Education

Tags:

• 小学校
• Jason
• vlog
• Shimane
• Japan
• JET
• Program
• ALT
• ESL
• teaching
• Elementary
• school

[crimsonmai]

Tomorrow will be my first time teaching English at an elementary school here in Japan. I'm really nervous, but watching this video gave me a better idea of what to expect and helped calm me down.

[myargonauts]

@crimsonmai excellent - best of luck!

-J

[iiTsumo15]

Hi I'm Rain, 13 years old. I will be moving tl Japan next year and I have a question, when I attend school, and I don't know how to speak Japanese. Will I fail? Or is there a certain class I will attend. I'm not sure what will happen?

[myargonauts]

@iiTsumo15 Hello. Well, it's hard for me to answer without knowing a little more info, but my guess is that you'll either go to a special "international" school with classes in English, or they will put you in separate classes to learn Japanese if your family is going to be there for more than a few years. Good luck!

[gd6585]

This is very informative. My wife is Japanese and we will be moving over to Japan in about 4 years. I am 35 now so I know where you are coming from. I am planning to become an English teacher but have no experience with teaching at all.

Were you an English teacher in America? How did you get started in Japan?

[myargonauts]

@gd6585 I had taught HS in America, but hadn't had much EFL experience. I came to Japan as part of the JET Programme - go to my main page for more info.

Make sure you have your BA/BS degree before you come over to live, since you'll need it to get a job, unless you'll get a spousal visa.

[myargonauts]

@DreamAcademyJapan Wow - that's such a loaded comment. Looking at your channel, I'm not sure what gives you the ability to criticize, and what you saw in this video that made you leave this comment. Other than basic jealousy, since this one video has more views than your entire channel. looking around the comments on my channel and over 300 videos I think you'll see that I'm actually a very experienced and well-liked teacher.

[drhikarisan]

to be in the jet program you must have a bachelor degree. It does not need to be in japanese or teaching, it can actually be any degree.

However, you do need to be a native english speaker and have an interest in the japanese culture and language is very helpful in the application process,

One of the main jobs of an ALT is not just a teacher, you must become an international ambassador. Your actions will effect the people you interact with opinions.

hope that helps

[Spazzosity]

Santa!? I NEVER KNEW SANTA WAS U!

[Kiraina]

@DreamAcademyJapan Wow, even if those are your feelings, you chose probably THE most unprofessional way to express them.

[DreamAcademyJapan]

You just seemed inexperienced. Based on your own remarks. I don't see jealousy involved. Although I understand the kneejerk reaction. If you are ever in the Tokyo area I would be happy to meet you and discuss it in more detail, but not on the net. It's a waste of time. Cheers.