The Lows of Being an ALT

Maybe I shouldn't moan, but being a ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) leaves you with a lot of free time. Currently I have nothing to do for 3 whole day before I can go away on holiday. Normally this would be good thing, but when I still have to go into work and sit there, looking like I'm busy and not have the freedom to simply surf the net or read a book, it becomes a real chore. The days with not much to do go painfully slow and I would prefer to be busy. It's something about being an ALT I don't quite get. And it's not for the sake of not doing any work. I've planned my lessons ahead until mid-late January and have done a host of extra things, like created an English corner where every month I create a new poster about something linguistically or culturally English. Sometimes, being an ALT just doesn't feel that important of a job and it doesn't feel like a real job. Even at our training, we are told that being an ALT is not a career! It's something people do for a few years.

It's not an easy job though. Balancing students moods, abilities and desires with the teachers requirements and demands while communicating in one of the worlds most difficult languages and tightrope walking Japanese etiquette is no small feet. Everyday is a new challenge, you must work on your feet if something goes wrong and the adults can be just as bad as the kids.

The perks are plain to see. Good money, holidays by the bucket load, on the good days the kids are amazing to work with and the chance to work in one of the most interesting cultures I have ever come across. It's just a shame there isn't anything culturally interesting about having to sit at my desk for three days to show I'm here and part of the 'team' (I sigh as I look at the clock again for the 10^th time this hour).