High School ALTs
Senior High School and Chuto ALTs are employed by the Niigata Prefectural Board of Education and are placed at a base school under the supervision of that school's principal. Prefectural ALTs usually have two regular visit schools, although this varies. Prefectural ALTs all have the same contract and all information pertaining to their job circumstances originates in the Senior High School Division on the 15th floor of the Niigata Kencho. There are 10 SHS ALTs in Niigata. There are contact meetings for SHS ALTs spaced throughout the year.
Municipal ALTs
Municipal ALTs are employed by individual Boards of Education in cities, towns and villages throughout Niigata-ken. These Boards of Education are linked together by the JET Programme through the International Affairs Division on the 6th floor of the Kencho. Municipal ALTs have individual contracts with their Boards of Education. These contracts are basically the same as Prefectural ones, but some job duties may differ - most municipal ALTs visit elementary schools, and some teach evening or adult English classes. There are 66 of these positions in Niigata-ken for JETs.
Important School Events Opening and Closing Ceremonies
These take place at the beginning and end of each school term (there are 3 terms). At the beginning of the new term, the Kocho-sensei makes a speech to the school. Usually one or two teachers, and any new teachers (meaning you!), also give speeches. If it is the beginning of the first term in April, then the freshmen class' parents usually come and observe the opening ceremony.
Bunkasai
This is the school's cultural festival. In most schools, bunkasai takes place in the fall. At bunkasai, students display projects they have been working on. It is also a time for raising money for the school. You can usually buy sweets, food, drinks, and various other items at the bazaar. You may be asked to prepare a booth or an activity about your home country culture
Mid-Term and Term Exams
Around exam time, you will likely have few classes. The teachers are busy making the tests, and the students are busy cramming for them. Clubs are cancelled. School is a half-day for the students, and depending on your situation, possibly a half-day for you too.
School Excursions
Every year, most schools sponsor a big school trip. At senior high schools, it is usually the 2nd year students who take the trip, while at junior high schools it is usually the 3rd year students. You may be asked to go along. You can always inform your supervisor that you would like to go, if you are not invited. In either case, you will most likely be required to pay your own way. The trips are usually to Tokyo, Kyoto or Okinawa.
Ski Trips
Many schools (especially high schools) in Niigata take ski trips in winter. Ask your supervisor as winter approaches whether or not there will be a trip.
Graduation
Graduation is a very formal and serious occasion. From the Kocho-sensei down, everyone is dressed in their best dark clothing. There will be many speeches and graduating students' parents will attend. In the evening the teachers will have an enkai to honor the homeroom teachers. One thing to note is the controversy surrounding the Japanese National Anthem, which will be played at graduation ceremonies in March, and the first term opening ceremony. Union teachers may remain seated during the playing of the anthem because they object to the anthem's perceived use in the war as a call to arms to the citizenry; however, it is suggested that ALTs stand during the anthem.
Sports Day
Most schools will have a sports day in the autumn (JHS) or spring (SHS). It consists of parades, dances and all sorts of different competitions (some of them completely crazy) between teams. The teachers, and even some parents, get involved. Of course, come evening, there is an enkai to celebrate the success of the day (whether it was really successful or not!).
School and Teaching
If you are an ALT, contact your school before leaving your home country. Write a letter introducing yourself. This will allow the staff, particularly the English teachers, to get an idea about who you are. It will also give them something to talk to you about when you first arrive.
Once you arrive, school will become life, or a big part of it, so making a life for yourself at school is a big priority - and not such an easy task. Don't worry too much about how your predecessor did it - you've got to find your way. Having said that, here a few basic things you can do right away to make 'getting in there' much easier.
Arrive at school early and dress well Learn the teachers' names as soon as you can Take the initiative to have conversations about team-teaching with all the English teachers Take the initiative, over time, to get to know all the teachers in the staff room Go to enkais and school events Watch club activities and find ways to join in Take every opportunity to get to know the students outside of class
In spite of your best efforts at the above, you may still find it difficult to adjust to your new work environment - it's a challenge! Understanding and fully accepting your work situation is the first step towards making your experience on the JET Programme rewarding.
That said, be prepared to give many introduction speeches. You will probably be asked to give an introduction speech to the teachers, and then the students. You can use the same speech for both. When you get here, you can ask one of your teachers or someone who speaks Japanese to help you write a short, simple speech in Japanese. You will get applause even if you completely butcher the pronunciation of words. You can also do it in easy English.
Once you establish a routine, you might find yourself with more free time than expected. During this time you can work on lesson plans, upcoming projects, or a number of other things - studying Japanese is perfectly acceptable. Whatever you do, try to find ways to stay busy, active and involved in school life.
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