teaching in elementary + junior high school. don’t panic!

Teaching in Elementary+ Junior High School

DON’T PANIC!

• You are not T1.

• You’ve got time to settle in to your schools.

e.g. self intros, sports day, enkai, etc.

• Get familiar with your textbooks, JTEs.

• Explore the various databases of resources. Talk to your JTE about your classes, what they’re like, etc.

• Finish your self-introduction, find out what tech / how much time you have.

LET’S ENJOYLESSON PLANNING

• Most ES and JHS ALTs wont plan lessons.• Often the JTE will let you know what they

want to you do with what they’ve planned.• You might be asked to prepare an activity

or a worksheet (this may take up a class).• If a JTE or HRT doesn’t ask you to do

anything, look ahead in the textbook, make something, and leave it on their desk.

• There are heaps of resources out there.

WHEN EVERYTHING GOES WRONG

• Always have a back-up.• Fail to plan, plan to fail.• One lesson that works with one

class/school can crash with another.• Know each class’ level and plan

accordingly.• Talk with your JTE about what went wrong

and how you can fix it.• Don’t worry! Fake it until you make it.

COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR JTEs + HRTs

• Start off on the right foot!• Your relationship with your JTE will often

influence their expectations of you.• A JTE that trusts you will give you more

room to plan activities/lessons/do things.• JTEs are busy - use all available time. • Sometimes JTEs will just forgot to ask you

plan anything or to take you to class. Being proactive helps prevent this.

QUESTIONS TO ASK

• When should I arrive/leave?• What should I prepare?• What is today’s/the week’s schedule?• Are there any changes to the schedule

today/tomorrow/next week?• Are there tests? Events? School trips?• How can I print, laminate, use resources?• Can I get the yearly ALT schedule?

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

• You work with each grade’s HRT.• You often have more freedom (if you want)• 5th + 6th grade use Hi, Friends!• Focus on speaking and listening exercises

to build vocabulary and simple sentences • You will probably teach 3rd and 4th grades

occasionally. Lessons often based on a topic e.g: colors, fruits, numbers, etc.

• Much more scope to try new things and play games than in JHS. Have fun!

JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

• English is required at all grades and students will have 3 classes each the week but you probably won’t go to all of them.

• Depending on the JTE, you will be everything from human tape recorder to planning whole lessons (rare).

• JTE might ask you to prepare activities for a grammar point, work sheet, or games.

• Keep an eye out for timetable changes!

sagajet.com

OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM

Speech Contests

Club Activities

English Boards

English Boards

English Boards

English Boards

Observation Classes

Cleaning time

English Clubs English Class in the Pool

Field Trips

GAMES ACTIVITIES

RESOURCES

• OMG LOOK AT YOUR HANDOUT

KNOW THAT FACE

ANY QUESTIONS?