I.

Behind the Scenes at a Japanese School

A. Some sort of attention getter (Question, Fact, Joke) to engage the audience
B. Overview of what is to be talked about
1. Structure of the Japanese School System
2. Hierarchy
3. Differences between Japanese Teachers and ALT’s
4. Differences in the workplace and work ethic
5. Classroom behavioral differences
6. Video Clips
7. Getting Involved
8. Questions and answers
II. Structure of the Japanese School System
A. Elementary- Shogakkou (From 6 years old~12 years old)
B. Junior High-(13-15 years old) Students have to test to enter as in High school.
C. High School-Students have to take entrance exams to get into a
high school of their choice. Depending on their exams and what they want to study
can determine what school they decide to enroll in.

1. Academic- The aim is getting into a good university. The study of English
is primarily for University Center exams.
2. Vocational- The aim is getting the skills to do vocational work which can
3. Average- The aim is getting into a good university, getting a good job
or getting into a community college. Mixture of academic study and gaining
skills.

III. Hierarchy
A. Kocho Sensei
1. School Principal- He oversees and watches the school's
procedures and activities
2. Always show respect
3. Has their own office (and is probably the only school official who does)
B. Fukukocho or Kyoto Sensei
1. Vice-Principal- Vice Principal usually gives the school
faculty the permission to do things (Business trips, Club trips, etc)
2. They are in charge of keeping the school in running order.
3. Always show respect
C. Kyoumubucho-This person is the head teacher under the Vice-Principal
D. Bucho/ Shunin- This person is head teacher of their subject or division
E. The Jimushitsu, Jimubucho and Jimushokuin
1. The Jimushokuin is the school office
2. The Jimubucho is the office boss
3. The Jimushokuin may take care of your pay and other important things. Be very
nice to them!
F. Your Supervisor- Tantosha
1. Any requests, problems, or questions go directly to your supervisor.
2. If your supervisor isn’t around, the other English teachers are your default
supervisors.
3. Take a matter to a higher up only if instructed to do so by your
supervisor (If your supervisor is the problem, talk to your P.A.)
 G. Where do you fit?
1. AET’s are just above students in the hierarchy if not outside it altogether!
2. If you do want to get or do something special, be persistent but not pushy!
IV. Differences between Japanese Teachers and ALT’s
A. Japanese teachers are sometimes unbelievably busy
1. They will have a homeroom class to take care of with one or two
school clubs to take of, etc…
2. They also may have a lot of administration paperwork to do, they
sometimes hardly have time to plan for class
3.They are a part of the school's faculty/teacher club. They pay around 5000
yen a month from their paycheck to be a part of this. This allows
them to drink coffee, eat snacks, read newspapers and also participate in
official parties)
B. AET's/ALT’s
1. AET's / ALT's have spare time (The classes you teach may be limited)
2. You only have 20 days of paid leave
3. You are not a part of the school's faculty/teacher club because you a

V. Differences in the workplace and work ethic

A. Japanese teachers work later than the time they can leave usually
B. Japanese teachers have their desks all in the
same office (Shokuinshitsu). Once class is over, they all come back to the
teacher's office work or take a break.
C. Japanese schools usually have a morning meeting to discuss any announcements
for the day, share information, and do other business

VI. Classroom behavioral differences

A. Teacher and student relations
1. Teachers are much more involved with students (Home visits, Homework detail)
2. Students are always to show respect (Some don’t though)
B. Student behavior
1. Depending on the school and class, the students motivation levels can be
different
2. They can be very shy and quiet.
3. There may be a few loud, rude students with bad manners too
4. On the whole, students don’t like to stand out or be singled out
VII. School Life Video
VIII. Getting Involved
A. School Events Calendar (Months and description of major events within)
B. School Clubs
1. Sports Clubs
a. Most sports clubs often have no holidays
b. They practice on weekends and holidays, rain or shine
c. Most Japanese sports are offered in the schools
2. Other Clubs
a. Many traditional activities will be represented by its own club (flower
arrangement, tea ceremony, etc.)
b. Other subject specific clubs may be present as well (Science, Art, etc..)
c. If there is an E.S.S. (English Speaking Society) Club, get involved with it.
If not, try to start one!
 C. Drinking Parties (Official)
1. Drinking parties give you a chance to talk to and get to know your fellow
teachers and school faculty better.
2. Through these you can get to know the other staff outside the English Dept.
3. If you are invited to, but cannot attend one of these or similar events, make
sure to give a reason and let the inviting party know that you are interested in
going to future events. Otherwise you may not get invited again.
D. Communication with all staff and faculty
1. You are not the sole and exclusive property of the English Department!
2. Communicate with everybody and try to get as involved in school life as you
can
3. The more people know about you, the easier it will be to work in your school
4. It also helps to know a little about them as well
IX. Conclusion
A. Wrap-up of points
1. Structure of the Japanese School System
2. Hierarchy
3. Differences between Japanese Teachers and ALT’s
4. Differences in the workplace and work ethic
5. Classroom behavioral differences
6. Video Clips
7. Getting Involved
B. Thank everyone for their time
C. Questions and answers
 1

Japanese School Calendar of Events

August: Summer Vacation April: Entrance Ceremony (School year starts)

September: Second semester begins First semester begins
October: Midterm Examinations (2nd Semester) May: Golden Week
December: Final Examinations (2nd Semester) Midterm Examinations (1st Semester)
Second semester ends, Winter Vacation starts June: Final Examinations (1st Semester)
January: Third semester begins July: First semester ends
The Center College Exam (High school) Summer vacation begins
Entrance Exams First Test
February: Final Examinations (3rd Semester) (School Trips, One day Excursions, Culture
March: Graduation Ceremony Festivals, Sport Festivals dates vary from
Entrance Exams Second Test school and prefecture)

Pointers on getting used to your workplace and fitting in

☆School Faculty ☆Students
☺ Show the school staff respect and your willingness Offer to help your students.
to work from the time you start working at your school. Be available for students.
☺ Participate and get involved with official school events, Get involved with school clubs.
activities, meetings etc. (If you can’t go everyday, set the days
☺ Help the school faculty during your free time. you can go.)
(Say that you want to help rather than how can I help you) Eat lunch with the students
☺ Buy gifts (omiyage) when you are away on trips to give (In the classroom or cafeteria)
to the school faculty that take care and are responsible for you. When you have time, go to their games
☺ Create a good relationship with your supervisor. (It shows that you care about them)
(Your supervisor will help you when you need it the most) If there are some rude students, let their
☺ Don’t fight with the school system, do what you can homeroom teacher know about it.
in your school. Remember, you just being there is a big Be yourself. Don’t forget who you are.
influence to the school and students. (Students are interested in you)
☺ Go with the flow. It takes time to develop good Have fun and enjoy what you are doing.
relationships with the school faculty. (This boosts up the students motivation
☺ Interact with all the school staff even if it is just and you have a good time )
saying hi. Communication is the key to building
friendships and a good working environment.
 Glossary of Japanese School Words
Important People Roma-ji Pronunciation
There are five vowel sounds in Japanese
English Roma-ji Kanji A ah as in father
Principal Kocho Sensei 校長先生 I ee as in me
Vice Principal Kyoto Sensei 教頭先生 U oo as in too
Section Boss Bucho/Shunin 部長／主任 E e as in let
Section Chief Kacho 課長 O oh as in go
Office Boss Jimubucho 事務部長
Subjects Clubs
English Eigo 英語 Tea Ceremony Club -cha no yu bu- 茶の湯部
Math Suugaku 数学 English Club -E.S.S./eigo bu- 英語部
Japanese Kokugo 国語 Japanese Wrestling -ju do- 柔道部
Science Rika 理科 Ping Pong -takkyu bu- 卓球部
History Rekishi 歴史 Drama Club -engeki bu- 演劇部
Physical Education Taiiku 体育 Japanese Chess Club -shogi bu- 将棋部
Music Ongaku 音楽 Art Club -bijutsu bu- 美術部
Home Economics Kateika 家庭科 Japanese Archery -kyudo- 弓道部
Japanese Fencing -Kendo- 剣道部
Important Places / Organizations
School Gakkou 学校 Copy Room Insatsushitsu 印刷室
Elementary Shogakkou 小学校 Classroom Kyoushitsu 教室
Middle School Chugakkou 中学校 Reception Room Ousetsushitsu 応接室
High School Koko 高校 Gymnasium Taiikukan 体育館
Board of Education Kyouiku-inkai 教育委員会 Library Toshokan 図書館
Principal’s Office Kochoshitsu 校長室 Student Entrance Shoukouguchi 昇降口
School Office Jimushitsu 事務室 Front Entrance Shoumengenkan 正面玄関
Teacher’s Room Shokuinshitsu 職員室 School Gate Koumon 校門
Basic Workplace Japanese
Good morning -ohayo gozaimasu I’m leaving -osakini shitsureishimasu
Good afternoon -konichiwa Good work today -otsukaresama deshita
Good evening -konbanwa Thanks (for this) -kochira koso
Excuse me -sumimasen/shitsureishimasu You’re welcome -do itashi mashite
Sorry -gomenasai It’s OK/Are you OK? -dai jo bu(?)
Thank you -Domo arigato gozaimasu That’s it/That’s all -ii jo desu
Nice to meet you -Hajimemashite What’s your name? -namae wa?
Please (help yourself) -dozo After you –osaki ni dozo
Please (help me) -onegaishimasu Where is so and so? -(Name) doko desu ka?
Please continue to favor me Oops! -yabbai!
-yoroshiku onegaishimasu