An examination of how JET ALTs are trained, along with analysis of a new training program implemented in Fukuoka Prefecture

1. Improving JET ALT
Training
Aaron Hahn

2. JET Programme
• Founded in 1987
2012-2013
Approximately
4300 ALTs
From over
40 countries

3. Purpose
Improve JTE
English
ability
Native
speaker
model
Mandatory
English
Informal
“ambassador”

4. Assist JTEs in
class
Duties
Communication
activities
Pronunciation
practice/model
Games
Answer JTE
English
questions
Interact with
students
Design
lessons
Grade tests
Create tests
Check other
student
work
Private
tutoring
Assist
clubs
Attend
meetings
Create
special
curricula

5. ALT Training
• Pre-departure training
• Tokyo Orientation
• Prefectural Orientation
• In school training
• (Monthly meetings)
• Skills Development Conference

7. Three surveys
# sent #
compl.
All Fukuoka SHS ALTs
2011-2012
73 19
All 1st year SHS ALTs
2012-2013
26 20
All Fukuoka SHS ALTs
2012-2013
72 20

8. Interviews
• Five 1-1.5 hour interviews,
conducted via Skype
• Covering training issues and
issues of ALT identity formation

9. In-School Training
6
9
3
1
3
13
2
0
Strongly
Disagree
Disagree Agree Strongly
Agree
2011-2012
2012-2013
Training was sufficient to do a good job

10. In-School Training
0 0
7
12
0
2
8 8
Strongly
Disagree
Disagree Agree Strongly
Agree
2011-2012
2012-2013
Wish I had received more training

11. In-School Training
17
2
0 0
12
6
0 0
Strongly
Disagree
Disagree Agree Strongly
Agree
2011-2012
2012-2013
School seemed to have a specific plan

12. The positive note
2 1
13
3
0
5
10
3
Strongly
Disagree
Disagree Agree Strongly
Agree
2011-2012
2012-2013
Generally satisfied with answers from JTEs

13. Fukuoka SHS ATP DT
i.e.,
The Fukuoka
Senior High School
ALT Training Program
Development Team

14. Structure
• 25 units
• Each unit has
–Information
–Homework
• Independent work
• Questions for JTEs
• Communication with Mentor

15. Major Topics
• Japanese culture and educational
system
• Team-teaching
–Communication
–TT structures
• Teaching methodologies
• Lesson planning
• Materials design

16. Pre-known problems
• Only “unofficial” official approval
• Not mandatory
• Not declarative
• Targeted primarily at motivated ALTs

17. Preliminary results
Question SD/
D
A/
SA
The training manual was helpful.
1 8
I would recommend the manual to my
successor
1 9
Discussions with my mentor were helpful
0 11
I was able to get answers from my JTEs to
the question prompts in the manual.
2 6
My JTEs seemed to care whether or not I
worked on the manual.
9 2

18. Moving forward
• Change the delivery system
–Portioned delivery
–Reminders
–Emphasis on long term use
• Integrate more with other aspects
of ALT training
• Continue to seek “official” approval