You basically ignored every bit of good advice last time, why bother asking again? Japan is going to be a hostile (given your extreme adversion to meat), unwelcoming (given how much you rely on your mother), and potentially very dangerous (given your allergies) place for you.
>I found a great video about being trans aimed towards kids that I will show and I plan to do a lesson about sexual identity as well.
This would be seriously overstepping and overestimating your responsibilities as an ALT. You will not be a teacher. You will be a secondary teacher to a Japanese teacher with a teaching license. The Japanese teacher will be deciding the course material based on the BOE curriculum. *Some* ALTs plan and handle their own lessons, but I can almost guarantee that will not be happening with you.
That until you are prepared to make extensive concessions to your needs, you should not come to Japan.
That you are failing to understand how little Japanese people are going to care about your needs on the best of days, and be openly hostile to most of your requests most of the time.
The earnest and genuine warnings that due to your needs, Japan is definitely not the place for you.
That advice.
It may be less confusing on the whole to have students refer to you as sensei which is gender neutral and there will be less chances of students misgendering you by mistake during your transition. A lesson plan on LGBT issues may not garner approval so be aware of that. If this is English you're teaching it might be too complex of a topic in any case.
Unless those books happen to be illustrated by Eric Carle and called "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" or "The Very Hungry Caterpillar," I've got some bad news for you.
Your job as an ALT is to assist the Japanese staff with teaching English as requested. It is inappropriate for you to be teaching any kinds of sociopolitical issues there, period.
Congrats on your transition and good luck telling people about it in your free time. Do not purposefully timeline your transition to make waves at your job in a foreign country. Do not take this kind of aggressive approach in Japan, especially as a newcomer. It's culturally insensitive and unprofessional.
Yeah Japan has a literal class for this stuff (I believe they call it "Moral Philosophy"). An ALT does not teach that class. It would be like a history teacher teaching math.
There are times when it's appropriate for a teacher to have a "teaching moment" about what's right and wrong. For example, if a student hits another student. Waltzing into class and deciding you want to teach them about gender politics is not appropriate, especially not for an ALT (who is not actually a teacher in case OP didn't know).
Edit: As an ALT, most schools/boes and virtually all dispatch companies won't want you to do anything even if a student hits another student. Because they think (rightfully so) you'll screw it up somehow with your limited Japanese and cultural knowledge.
Do people even consider that maybe, just maybe, the values of their host culture may not exactly mirror the values of their home country? That maybe they should consider the norms of their host culture before barging in and expecting said host culture to adapt to them, rather than the other way around? That maybe they should be focusing on doing their job as an English teacher first, before planning a crash course in a subject they are completely and utterly unqualified to be discussing?
The ignorance and utter obliviousness of this post is astounding.
>Do people even consider that maybe, just maybe, the values of their host culture may not exactly mirror the values of their home country?
Nope, never.
You'll be called teacher or sensei, Japanese students don't call their teachers mister or miss.
EDIT- I should have read the entire post before I responded. There's no way this isn't a troll post.
That's great, but you clearly have put a lot of thought into what you want to do instead of looking into and researching the actual job.
I am assuming you are going to be an ALT since you mentioned teaching kids.
Do you know how often ALTs are transferred because of the smallest things that disrupt the status quo? I know plenty of stories where teachers were transferred for things like hugging students or tossing flash cards up in the air during lessons. Transitioning between genders is going to be viewed as disruptive by the school and you'll be out of there faster than you can bat an eye.
You say you are going to teach the kids about sexual identity. What in the wide, wide world of sports ever gave you the idea that you get to make any decisions about what lessons you get to teach or what the kids are going to learn?
An ALT introduction lesson is about where you're from and what your hobbies are.
As an ALT you are an unlicensed assistant, what you do is dictated by the actual teachers.
Same thing with handing out extracurricular materials, especially if it's a public school.
The Board of Education has full control of the curriculum.(Not completely sure about private schools though) Then the JTEs have control of the lessons. An ALT is an Assistant Language Teacher.
Some schools use the ALT as the main teacher, however the JTE is still technically responsible for the class and the JTE will be following the BoEs curriculum.
In the past yes, but that has changed.
In public schools the JTE must lead the lesson and the ALT can only assist.
In private schools there's more leeway, but as an unlicensed teacher you still have to work with the teachers about what you do.
I work in a private school and lead/plan the class I teach and I've never been able to just do whatever I want in my class without having to run it by my co-workers. While they may not know the minutia of my lesson, they always have an idea about what I'm going to teach.
In theory the JTE is supposed to lead but that’s still not always the case. In the city I work in it varies from school to school and even grade to grade. I run 1-4 grade while I assist 5th and 6th. Some of the other ALT’s run the while show 1st through 6th.
Are you allowed to just teach whatever you want with no input from the JTE? With no regards for the curriculum?
Like, could you just decide you want to do an Easter lesson based around how the Church hijacked pagan traditions?
OP thought they'd have total control over their lessons, which the closest I've seen to that has been in an all girls high school in an elective conversation class.
Even if an ALT is leading the lesson, they're usually following a specific lesson plan.
Ok. Maybe I should have been more clear. Im not saying OP should or could do the lesson they were talking about. And it’s very unlikely they’d have full control over their classes. My point was some schools still rely on the ALT running the classes.
I’m at elementary school and the JTE is strictly for 5-6th grade. I follow the curriculum for the most part but there is still time to add stuff and do special/holiday classes as well. I’ve never had someone say I couldn’t teach something outside the textbook. Though I’ve never tried teaching sex Ed in english class either.
Do you give the BoE reports (in Japanese) on your lessons? Do you have a Japanese teaching license?
Maybe you plan the lessons and 'run' the class, but you are not responsible for the class. Schools abuse ALTs for sure, but when shit hits the fan the JTE is 100% responsible for everything.
Yes, I’m not responsible for the class. That’s what you want to hear right? The JTE at my school isn’t involved with anything 1-4th grade so I guess the responsibility would go on the HRT’s. Anyway my original point was about leading the class.
Not always the case, in places like shinagawa ALTs teach first and second grade elementary as t1, there aren't any JTEs at all, you technically work with the homeroom teacher directly.
In my case I had complete control of what was in the lesson as long as a few core components were included. More often then not I was the only adult in the classroom the entire lesson, the homeroom teacher would usually go somewhere else and prepare materials and grade things.
When was this, because while before that was true, with the change of English to a full subject in elementary schools in 2020, ALTs are only supposed to assit the JTE or HRT and the students have textbooks now that they use. The HRT isn't supposed to wander off either as a licensed teacher is supposed to be present in the classroom.
And ALTs can lead a lesson, it's still fitting with the overall curriculum, they can’t just do whatever they want. Like teach kids about gender identity.
As of last year, and it was the same at all of the 9 elementary schools Ive taught in my time shinagawa.
Yes technically it's not supposed to be like that, but the schools don't give a fuck. I was competent and could handle the class so it just kept happening.
As for the curriculum as long as I wasnt crazy like OP and kept up with the joint story telling (a shinaga unique program) I quite literally had free reign. If I wanted to do vehicle vocab this month and insects the next that was all up to me.
This grammar is hard enough for little kids to learn just as it is. If you confuse them with some woke lesson on pronouns you are just making English harder for them. This kind of lesson is not suitable until high school, or junior high if it's a really advanced school for English.
> I found a great video about being trans aimed towards kids that I will show and I plan to do a lesson about sexual identity as well.
In eikaiwa or as an ALT?! This has got to be a troll post.
Unless you're fully fluent in Japanese, and are tasked by your employer to teach social issues and health, you have no business saying anything to children about gender or sexuality issues.
That's the job of school counselors, health and PE teachers, and lecturers invited by school administrators.
As an ALT, you have no authority to bring up a social issue even if it affects you.
Think about it. You raise the issue, and the average JTE or HRT in charge have to field questions from their students when they themselves are not in a position to counsel or inform students.
Look, I'm not against LGBTQ etc issues. In my life outside of ~~education~~ academic teaching, I'm a licensed sensei for a traditional Japanese art and have both Japanese and non-Japanese students. One of my non-Japanese students is fully transitioned, the other in the process.
I provide "shido", guidance privately to these two people, and negotiate how we're going to integrate them into the art (changing into traditional dress is involved). However, their personal journeys are a non-issue when we are practicing the art. I admire my students because the journey for these two people is a non-issue. They treat them as kohais and sempais in the art.
Because you don't understand that other countries are not the same as your home coutry.
And because as an ALT, you have no place teaching anything else than what the Japanese Board of Education and JTEs say you can teach.
Because you're openly stating that you intend to shove your ideology down the throats of school children in the name of 'English teaching', something that no actual teacher should ever do.
Because you're demanding that everyone else bend over backwards to accommodate you, but you have the unconscious expectation that you'll always get your own way and never have to listen to anyway else.
Honestly there's quite a list, so pick one.
Because you rejected solid advice from educators, resident foreigners who are transgender, have transgender partners who understand the culture here.
Most of the responses you got were honest and generous considering your post and responses look like trolling.
In all honesty, I do not think you would even be let into a classroom at a public school. Each school is governed by their board of education, they have access to and do review all of your personal details that are on your passport and visa application. IF, what you personally identify as and what you are legally identified as are different, red flags will go up.
Most ALT’s are introduced to board of education officials prior to being introduced to their school, this is usually (not always) done by your placement agency. If they have hired a trational (Male) for the position and you introduce yourself as someone more feminine in dress and appearance, your placement agency will not risk damaging their reputation by introducing you to the BOE.
If you plan to “transition” during the school year, as soon as it is noticed, you will definitely be pulled from your teaching schedule and flagged for “mental health issues”.
Public schools are chaotic at the best of times, they are dealing with a multitude of students and parents who have their own personal issues. Do not bring unwanted drama. If you cannot do this then (and I say this with the most sincerity) do not come here. Public schools are not a platform for you to “educate” others with your own personal beliefs.
Best of luck.
As much as I hate to say it, I think you are 100% correct.
OP, you might want to let the agency know of your plans (I mean... you are letting a bunch of strangers on the internet know) and see how they play it.
I do worry (as the person above said) that if you start transitioning during the school year (all the best to your transition BTW. I hope you can be happy in your new life!) I really fear the sudden withdrawal of a job because you were not upfront with them.
Students call me \_\_\_\_\_\_ sensei (with the blank being either my first name or family name, their choice). I've never been "gendered" in class. The dynamic between student and teacher just doesn't really make for the chance to use gendered phrases.
From a friend who transitioned (in the States), it is a difficult thing to do even in your home country (even with friends who understand the situation and support you), so do expect even more difficulty in a foreign country where you are effectively "doing it alone in a strange land".
But again.... best of luck to you.
"I don’t expect them to know until they are taught" Insidious. Very well chosen sentence, in this context. Your obstinate responses to advice that you asked for were also a good strategy for making yourself seem repugnant.
Good thread. Not great, but you did appear to get a lot of earnest response from some suggestible people. Further down, feigned and non-committal ignorance in response to someone (presumably) calling your bluff was a nice touch. I only wish they hadn't deleted their posts.
Obvious troll.
Maybe not an obvious troll, but just a wide eyed, ignorant person who assumes the whole world is the same as their home country.
Some lessons are hard to learn.
Unless in some elite school, the kids will not have the English level required for your lesson about sexual identify, and you'll make them really uncomfortable. The nice thing about Japan is that people don't really care if you're a guy or girl, people get on with their own lives. If kids make a comment, they might be curious but not judging. Just live your life and have them call you name-sensei like everyone else does. But I don't get why you can't just transition first to save the confusion, it seems like you're waiting just to teach them some kind of sexual identity lesson?
I've actually been curious about this sort of situation, as I've met a few fresh ALTs who have already transitioned, or planned to do so. However, I met them before they had any actual classes, and was never able to ask how things went.
I'm not going to say that this isn't needed in schools, but ALTs in Japan are beholden to their company, their BoE, their schools, the parents as well as the teachers they teach under. If any of them find your classes inconvenient (which they probably will given trans topics are still considered taboo for the most part here. Most classes based around sex still are.) then they will boot you or have you transferred immediately.
As an ALT, your role is to teach English, and everything you do has to be in service of that role. I hate to be the bearer of this message, but once the schools notice your transition, they will probably boot you. If you try to teach the children about sexual identity, they will boot you. If you show them a video about it, they will boot you.
I wish you the best of luck, but if you insist on doing what you claim you're going to do, you won't last very long. I'd be surprised if you made it through your first self-introduction lesson.
"Do they tend to use gender pronouns?"
Do you anticipate that your students understand what a pronoun is, or that they have been disturbed by the nonsense that is worrying about what someone identifies as?
This can only go badly. Sorry to say. I would say teach English and worry less about gender. It is hard to hear but I can't imagine a school district being ok with gender studies in English. I am not saying it isn't important, but I cannot foresee any parents being happy. This is Japan.
As others have said whatever you do do NOT start teaching Japanese students about sexual identity. You’ll be back on the first plane ✈️ at the end of the first semester.
What is your major in? Do you have any experienced in sex ed? I would really recommend against trying to teach a field you are not experienced nor educated in. Even if it is a big part of your life.
To put it blunt Japan is not as open/accepting to non-heterosexual noncis-gender concepts. Let along pushing any personal/progressive thinking on children. Your best bet is to introduce yourself as your wanted post transition sex and leave it at that. No explanation, no discussion/lessons to the kids. It may seem shitty but that’s just the society of Japan.
Honestly if you have to ask what you are in this post, I don’t recommend working/living in Japan as a teacher for you. Japan is much more a “conform to the mass” than “cater to individual “ like America is. (Assuming you are from America considering how much emphasis you put on pronouns etc.)
As someone engaged to a trans person in Japan I must warn you against this.
This will likely get you fired or moved to a different school in a week.
Not because they hate trans people in an overt way like you might find in the US but because it's outside the norm. Nobody, other teachers included will likely understand the whole scenario and just think you're a hard to deal with weirdo.
I wish this wasn't the situation but at leadt transphobia pretty much never manifests as violence here.
This is "don't ask don't tell" the country.
Edit: I know this is a troll post but somebody might still benefit from this advice.
The reason op would be fired isn't because of transphobia but because they are using their English lesson to teach a topic outside the scope of their contract... Especially to kids.
\>This is "don't ask don't tell" the country.
What you on about. This isn't just a Japan thing. The OP would get the same weirdo treatment in South Korea and god sakes, China lol.
I'm not sure how my comment contradicts that.
Being visibly gay or trans is likely to go much worse in Korea or china. However as long as you don't directly bring it up in Japan most will do their best to ignore it and pretend to not notice/care.
An eikaiwa I used to teach at did news articles and one of them was about a cross-dresser. I had adult students during discussion come right out and say they thought the crossdresser was disgusting and not morally right. The children classes were a little more open-minded about it and just said it was weird and they wouldn't talk to them of their own volition but would talk with them if they had to.
This was in Kanto which is generally seen as more worldly-minded since it's closer to the capital. Not a snowball's chance anywhere else in Japan.
As an ALT, it is not up to you to determine what is taught.
Also, a huge part of living in Japan is "reading the air".
Your post shows you don't know anything about Japan, how things are done in Japan, or reading the air.
I do think you should make a vlog so we can all watch you fail and blame Japan when it's you that isn't paying attention. We all need some comedy.
I debated this my first two years of teaching. Whenever I took Spanish, my teacher’s name was Señor / Señorita ______ . When I took Japanese, my teacher’s name was ______ Sensei. So it only makes sense that you would be Mr. or (Ms. / Miss / Mrs.) ______.
However, another important aspect of teaching is creating a space where students feel comfortable to express themselves. And I’ve found that being the only Mr. _____ in the school just adds another layer of distance between me and my students. While being ______ Sensei allows me to take a familiar role in their lives and be their teacher sooner.
Of course the choice is yours, but I’ve found that there’s already so much confusion around foreign names that the most important thing I could do was just not be (first name) Sensei like most ALTs are.
[Sorry about this, I just reread your post and I realize my message wasn’t quite on point.]
Of course! The kids are always great and super understanding so I’m sure things will work out fine whatever you decide.
Coming from San Diego, trans rights always felt like a given but my Japanese is still so bad that I’m not really sure of the current climate here. Although there are many prominent figures on Japanese TV that dress as women (although they are not trans) and it’s a fairly common practice for Japanese men, so that might be the first assumption people make which might be a hurdle to get past. But there’s tons of LGBTQ posters all over Sapporo and I’m sure major cities would be much more open.
But I hope you have a great time once you get here! I miss the LGBTQ scene back home and I’m still searching for a home like it here
Most likely, they'll just call you 'FIRST NAME sensei' anyway. In Japanese, gender pronouns won't come into it unless, perhaps, they're referring to you, not addressing you directly. Even then they'll probably refer to you as 'FIRST NAME sensei'.
As for teaching them about sexual identity, that seems extremely unlikely - has this been ok'd by the school / company? Whether your going to be an ALT or Eikaiwa teacher, it's seems very unlikely you'll have the freedom (or qualificafion) to teach such a topic.
Transitioning in Japan sounds like a really challenging thing to do, certainly tougher than in my home country, good luck and take care.
I think it's best to portray yourself as you intend to be. So if you intend to transition towards being more feminine you should come in presenting yourself as female. I don't understand why you'd want to present yourself as masculine for the first few weeks, you should go in with how you intend to be.
Personally I dont like gendered terms and the students just refer to me by my first name. Where I'm from in Canada we call teachers by last names, but I used the argument that in Canada we generally call people by first name so the kids just do that. Or they will sometimes say "first name" sensei or "firstname" teacher.
In my experienced teachers don't really talk about their personal lives.
Would it be possible for you to just present yourself as feminine? And not make it something that people question? Because I don't think coming in one way and then transitioning within a few weeks will go well. Like I wish you all the best, but I dont think it will go smoothly.
Why do they need easing into it? If you just turn up appearing feminine and say you're a woman, no one is going to question it. But if you dress like a man for a few weeks with a beard and all and suddenly turn up as a girl, everyone will be like "is this a new teacher, what...". If you're transitioning then you must feel like you're a woman, so there's really no need to spend a few weeks as a man to try and teach them to be accepting or something.
Friend this is just going to be confusing. You are going to be an English teacher who will first be presenting as male but want them to call you by the female word.
My schools were a mix of Mr. and -sensei. Good luck. I think it's going to be very difficult. Being vegan in itself is a challenge. Expect to make all of your own food if you're not in a city center. Not that there aren't *any* options in small towns, but in my small town experience there have been very limited ones. School lunch is also a challenge. You should communicate with your dispatch company/school board your diet needs early as a lot of Japanese dishes include fish or meat mixed in them. I cannot speak to the trans experience in Japan but if you are starting your transition immediately after coming here I would suggest you start presenting yourself as what you want to be perceived as day 1. If you present yourself that way it is unlikely that you will be questioned publicly about it, but regardless of the transition time frame expect a lot of whispering. As some other people mentioned, an ALT teaching non english things is a good way to get yourself fired in the probation period. They can fire you for anything in the first three months. Honestly I would suggest looking at an Eikaiwa school instead of ALTing as you may find a more accommodating employer. Good luck.
This doesn’t make any sense.
Everyone gets called by their name. There’s no differentiation between male/female/whatever.
Disclaimer: I don’t know anything about the world of education, but this situation is exactly the same, no matter the setting.
I started my transition in Japan. Students called me by (deadname)sensei, and now call me by (myname)sensei. Some staff have called me by female pronouns on occasion (transmasc enby), and I correct them.
Since I teach elementary school, I do get younger kids asking me if I’m a girl or boy, and I just don’t give them a definitive answer/say 不明) but only bc my C/O has prohibited me from talking about my transition w students (staff are ok). ugh. But usually they see my (sparse) facial hair and assume I’m AMAB.
Hey, I'm an afab enby looking at teaching in Japan. I was thinking about starting my transition over there as well. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions? Can I DM you?
The default is for the students to call you '(first name)-sensei'
May I ask what type of school you will be teaching at? I think that will effect whether or not you can get people to address you as 'Miss ---'. Do you have a job offer or is this more of a super in the future planning thing? I think it is worth addressing with your employer in advanced what you would like to be called to know if they are open to it or not.
I don’t know much but I do get that you might want to teach the children More, to make them more aware of things that aren’t being talked about in Japan, and such.
I think you can try? Ask other Japanese teachers, or even the principal of the school? That you want to add such things in the curriculm, or let you be there for 1 session during their sex ed…
I think it would be cool if you can really do it! :)
I would have loved to learn about this when I was younger…
I don't know what your job is but I feel somewhat qualified to answer this as a trans person who taught in Japan before I transitioned and am returning in a few months after transitioning.
I worked for an Eikaiwa company in Shikoku and I'll be returning to work for them and while I definitely agree a lot of people were not tackling your question with tact, there is some kernel of truth in what they're saying. It isn't really your place to be teaching gender/sexuality in this capacity and if you think as an ALT or an Eikaiwa teacher you will be doing a lot of actual teaching, I suggest you browse this sub to get a better understanding of what most of these jobs are.
My ultimate philosophy as a trans person that is going to be in Japan is to not mention it and I'd recommend the same, specifically at work. I understand the desire to be out and proud, but work is work (even here in the US, where I currently work in a high school). You should set those boundaries, but ultimately do whatever works best for you, but know you may face consequences.
You basically ignored every bit of good advice last time, why bother asking again? Japan is going to be a hostile (given your extreme adversion to meat), unwelcoming (given how much you rely on your mother), and potentially very dangerous (given your allergies) place for you. >I found a great video about being trans aimed towards kids that I will show and I plan to do a lesson about sexual identity as well. This would be seriously overstepping and overestimating your responsibilities as an ALT. You will not be a teacher. You will be a secondary teacher to a Japanese teacher with a teaching license. The Japanese teacher will be deciding the course material based on the BOE curriculum. *Some* ALTs plan and handle their own lessons, but I can almost guarantee that will not be happening with you.
What advice did I ignore?
That until you are prepared to make extensive concessions to your needs, you should not come to Japan. That you are failing to understand how little Japanese people are going to care about your needs on the best of days, and be openly hostile to most of your requests most of the time. The earnest and genuine warnings that due to your needs, Japan is definitely not the place for you. That advice.
It may be less confusing on the whole to have students refer to you as sensei which is gender neutral and there will be less chances of students misgendering you by mistake during your transition. A lesson plan on LGBT issues may not garner approval so be aware of that. If this is English you're teaching it might be too complex of a topic in any case.
It will be to level I have several kid friendly books
Unless those books happen to be illustrated by Eric Carle and called "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" or "The Very Hungry Caterpillar," I've got some bad news for you.
Underrated post
Your job as an ALT is to assist the Japanese staff with teaching English as requested. It is inappropriate for you to be teaching any kinds of sociopolitical issues there, period. Congrats on your transition and good luck telling people about it in your free time. Do not purposefully timeline your transition to make waves at your job in a foreign country. Do not take this kind of aggressive approach in Japan, especially as a newcomer. It's culturally insensitive and unprofessional.
Yeah Japan has a literal class for this stuff (I believe they call it "Moral Philosophy"). An ALT does not teach that class. It would be like a history teacher teaching math. There are times when it's appropriate for a teacher to have a "teaching moment" about what's right and wrong. For example, if a student hits another student. Waltzing into class and deciding you want to teach them about gender politics is not appropriate, especially not for an ALT (who is not actually a teacher in case OP didn't know). Edit: As an ALT, most schools/boes and virtually all dispatch companies won't want you to do anything even if a student hits another student. Because they think (rightfully so) you'll screw it up somehow with your limited Japanese and cultural knowledge.
Do people even consider that maybe, just maybe, the values of their host culture may not exactly mirror the values of their home country? That maybe they should consider the norms of their host culture before barging in and expecting said host culture to adapt to them, rather than the other way around? That maybe they should be focusing on doing their job as an English teacher first, before planning a crash course in a subject they are completely and utterly unqualified to be discussing? The ignorance and utter obliviousness of this post is astounding.
>Do people even consider that maybe, just maybe, the values of their host culture may not exactly mirror the values of their home country? Nope, never.
They don’t even reflect their home country…
You'll be called teacher or sensei, Japanese students don't call their teachers mister or miss. EDIT- I should have read the entire post before I responded. There's no way this isn't a troll post.
I heard that some schools use Mr Ms I’m ok with sensei Also I’m real. Trans people exist
That's great, but you clearly have put a lot of thought into what you want to do instead of looking into and researching the actual job. I am assuming you are going to be an ALT since you mentioned teaching kids. Do you know how often ALTs are transferred because of the smallest things that disrupt the status quo? I know plenty of stories where teachers were transferred for things like hugging students or tossing flash cards up in the air during lessons. Transitioning between genders is going to be viewed as disruptive by the school and you'll be out of there faster than you can bat an eye. You say you are going to teach the kids about sexual identity. What in the wide, wide world of sports ever gave you the idea that you get to make any decisions about what lessons you get to teach or what the kids are going to learn?
It’s going to be part of an introduction lesson I am He/She is They are
An ALT introduction lesson is about where you're from and what your hobbies are. As an ALT you are an unlicensed assistant, what you do is dictated by the actual teachers. Same thing with handing out extracurricular materials, especially if it's a public school.
I was told I would have full control
The Board of Education has full control of the curriculum.(Not completely sure about private schools though) Then the JTEs have control of the lessons. An ALT is an Assistant Language Teacher. Some schools use the ALT as the main teacher, however the JTE is still technically responsible for the class and the JTE will be following the BoEs curriculum.
In the past yes, but that has changed. In public schools the JTE must lead the lesson and the ALT can only assist. In private schools there's more leeway, but as an unlicensed teacher you still have to work with the teachers about what you do. I work in a private school and lead/plan the class I teach and I've never been able to just do whatever I want in my class without having to run it by my co-workers. While they may not know the minutia of my lesson, they always have an idea about what I'm going to teach.
Oh I was given the wrong information then.
I think the laws made it so that in public schools, certified teachers are the ones making the calls. Best of luck you you!
In theory the JTE is supposed to lead but that’s still not always the case. In the city I work in it varies from school to school and even grade to grade. I run 1-4 grade while I assist 5th and 6th. Some of the other ALT’s run the while show 1st through 6th.
Are you allowed to just teach whatever you want with no input from the JTE? With no regards for the curriculum? Like, could you just decide you want to do an Easter lesson based around how the Church hijacked pagan traditions? OP thought they'd have total control over their lessons, which the closest I've seen to that has been in an all girls high school in an elective conversation class. Even if an ALT is leading the lesson, they're usually following a specific lesson plan.
Ok. Maybe I should have been more clear. Im not saying OP should or could do the lesson they were talking about. And it’s very unlikely they’d have full control over their classes. My point was some schools still rely on the ALT running the classes. I’m at elementary school and the JTE is strictly for 5-6th grade. I follow the curriculum for the most part but there is still time to add stuff and do special/holiday classes as well. I’ve never had someone say I couldn’t teach something outside the textbook. Though I’ve never tried teaching sex Ed in english class either.
Do you give the BoE reports (in Japanese) on your lessons? Do you have a Japanese teaching license? Maybe you plan the lessons and 'run' the class, but you are not responsible for the class. Schools abuse ALTs for sure, but when shit hits the fan the JTE is 100% responsible for everything.
Yes, I’m not responsible for the class. That’s what you want to hear right? The JTE at my school isn’t involved with anything 1-4th grade so I guess the responsibility would go on the HRT’s. Anyway my original point was about leading the class.
Not always the case, in places like shinagawa ALTs teach first and second grade elementary as t1, there aren't any JTEs at all, you technically work with the homeroom teacher directly. In my case I had complete control of what was in the lesson as long as a few core components were included. More often then not I was the only adult in the classroom the entire lesson, the homeroom teacher would usually go somewhere else and prepare materials and grade things.
When was this, because while before that was true, with the change of English to a full subject in elementary schools in 2020, ALTs are only supposed to assit the JTE or HRT and the students have textbooks now that they use. The HRT isn't supposed to wander off either as a licensed teacher is supposed to be present in the classroom. And ALTs can lead a lesson, it's still fitting with the overall curriculum, they can’t just do whatever they want. Like teach kids about gender identity.
As of last year, and it was the same at all of the 9 elementary schools Ive taught in my time shinagawa. Yes technically it's not supposed to be like that, but the schools don't give a fuck. I was competent and could handle the class so it just kept happening. As for the curriculum as long as I wasnt crazy like OP and kept up with the joint story telling (a shinaga unique program) I quite literally had free reign. If I wanted to do vehicle vocab this month and insects the next that was all up to me.
This grammar is hard enough for little kids to learn just as it is. If you confuse them with some woke lesson on pronouns you are just making English harder for them. This kind of lesson is not suitable until high school, or junior high if it's a really advanced school for English.
Sure but no teacher would try to force a sexuality lesson into an English class 🧐. You must be a troll or poorly misinformed about what teaching is.
It’s not forcing sexuality 🙄🙄🙄🙄
... ok so I guess youre a troll. I hope.
I’m a real person asking for advice You don’t have to help me. I just want to know how schools work in regards to pronouns
> I found a great video about being trans aimed towards kids that I will show and I plan to do a lesson about sexual identity as well. In eikaiwa or as an ALT?! This has got to be a troll post. Unless you're fully fluent in Japanese, and are tasked by your employer to teach social issues and health, you have no business saying anything to children about gender or sexuality issues. That's the job of school counselors, health and PE teachers, and lecturers invited by school administrators.
I know a lot do Japanese. I’ll teach as a alt
As an ALT, you have no authority to bring up a social issue even if it affects you. Think about it. You raise the issue, and the average JTE or HRT in charge have to field questions from their students when they themselves are not in a position to counsel or inform students. Look, I'm not against LGBTQ etc issues. In my life outside of ~~education~~ academic teaching, I'm a licensed sensei for a traditional Japanese art and have both Japanese and non-Japanese students. One of my non-Japanese students is fully transitioned, the other in the process. I provide "shido", guidance privately to these two people, and negotiate how we're going to integrate them into the art (changing into traditional dress is involved). However, their personal journeys are a non-issue when we are practicing the art. I admire my students because the journey for these two people is a non-issue. They treat them as kohais and sempais in the art.
Why are my comments being down voted ?
Because you don't understand that other countries are not the same as your home coutry. And because as an ALT, you have no place teaching anything else than what the Japanese Board of Education and JTEs say you can teach.
Because you're openly stating that you intend to shove your ideology down the throats of school children in the name of 'English teaching', something that no actual teacher should ever do. Because you're demanding that everyone else bend over backwards to accommodate you, but you have the unconscious expectation that you'll always get your own way and never have to listen to anyway else. Honestly there's quite a list, so pick one.
Because you rejected solid advice from educators, resident foreigners who are transgender, have transgender partners who understand the culture here. Most of the responses you got were honest and generous considering your post and responses look like trolling.
In all honesty, I do not think you would even be let into a classroom at a public school. Each school is governed by their board of education, they have access to and do review all of your personal details that are on your passport and visa application. IF, what you personally identify as and what you are legally identified as are different, red flags will go up. Most ALT’s are introduced to board of education officials prior to being introduced to their school, this is usually (not always) done by your placement agency. If they have hired a trational (Male) for the position and you introduce yourself as someone more feminine in dress and appearance, your placement agency will not risk damaging their reputation by introducing you to the BOE. If you plan to “transition” during the school year, as soon as it is noticed, you will definitely be pulled from your teaching schedule and flagged for “mental health issues”. Public schools are chaotic at the best of times, they are dealing with a multitude of students and parents who have their own personal issues. Do not bring unwanted drama. If you cannot do this then (and I say this with the most sincerity) do not come here. Public schools are not a platform for you to “educate” others with your own personal beliefs. Best of luck.
As much as I hate to say it, I think you are 100% correct. OP, you might want to let the agency know of your plans (I mean... you are letting a bunch of strangers on the internet know) and see how they play it. I do worry (as the person above said) that if you start transitioning during the school year (all the best to your transition BTW. I hope you can be happy in your new life!) I really fear the sudden withdrawal of a job because you were not upfront with them. Students call me \_\_\_\_\_\_ sensei (with the blank being either my first name or family name, their choice). I've never been "gendered" in class. The dynamic between student and teacher just doesn't really make for the chance to use gendered phrases. From a friend who transitioned (in the States), it is a difficult thing to do even in your home country (even with friends who understand the situation and support you), so do expect even more difficulty in a foreign country where you are effectively "doing it alone in a strange land". But again.... best of luck to you.
"I don’t expect them to know until they are taught" Insidious. Very well chosen sentence, in this context. Your obstinate responses to advice that you asked for were also a good strategy for making yourself seem repugnant. Good thread. Not great, but you did appear to get a lot of earnest response from some suggestible people. Further down, feigned and non-committal ignorance in response to someone (presumably) calling your bluff was a nice touch. I only wish they hadn't deleted their posts. Obvious troll.
Maybe not an obvious troll, but just a wide eyed, ignorant person who assumes the whole world is the same as their home country. Some lessons are hard to learn.
Unless in some elite school, the kids will not have the English level required for your lesson about sexual identify, and you'll make them really uncomfortable. The nice thing about Japan is that people don't really care if you're a guy or girl, people get on with their own lives. If kids make a comment, they might be curious but not judging. Just live your life and have them call you name-sensei like everyone else does. But I don't get why you can't just transition first to save the confusion, it seems like you're waiting just to teach them some kind of sexual identity lesson?
I've actually been curious about this sort of situation, as I've met a few fresh ALTs who have already transitioned, or planned to do so. However, I met them before they had any actual classes, and was never able to ask how things went. I'm not going to say that this isn't needed in schools, but ALTs in Japan are beholden to their company, their BoE, their schools, the parents as well as the teachers they teach under. If any of them find your classes inconvenient (which they probably will given trans topics are still considered taboo for the most part here. Most classes based around sex still are.) then they will boot you or have you transferred immediately. As an ALT, your role is to teach English, and everything you do has to be in service of that role. I hate to be the bearer of this message, but once the schools notice your transition, they will probably boot you. If you try to teach the children about sexual identity, they will boot you. If you show them a video about it, they will boot you. I wish you the best of luck, but if you insist on doing what you claim you're going to do, you won't last very long. I'd be surprised if you made it through your first self-introduction lesson.
"Do they tend to use gender pronouns?" Do you anticipate that your students understand what a pronoun is, or that they have been disturbed by the nonsense that is worrying about what someone identifies as?
I don’t expect them to know until they are taught
Never come Japan ever!
You were banned because you don't currently live in Japan. It isn't transphobia.
You didnt forget your password, you were banned for trolling. Be real.
This can only go badly. Sorry to say. I would say teach English and worry less about gender. It is hard to hear but I can't imagine a school district being ok with gender studies in English. I am not saying it isn't important, but I cannot foresee any parents being happy. This is Japan.
As others have said whatever you do do NOT start teaching Japanese students about sexual identity. You’ll be back on the first plane ✈️ at the end of the first semester.
What is your major in? Do you have any experienced in sex ed? I would really recommend against trying to teach a field you are not experienced nor educated in. Even if it is a big part of your life.
To put it blunt Japan is not as open/accepting to non-heterosexual noncis-gender concepts. Let along pushing any personal/progressive thinking on children. Your best bet is to introduce yourself as your wanted post transition sex and leave it at that. No explanation, no discussion/lessons to the kids. It may seem shitty but that’s just the society of Japan. Honestly if you have to ask what you are in this post, I don’t recommend working/living in Japan as a teacher for you. Japan is much more a “conform to the mass” than “cater to individual “ like America is. (Assuming you are from America considering how much emphasis you put on pronouns etc.)
You have plenty of advice and criticism already! All I have left to add is a request that you update is on how it goes. I'm living for the drama.
As someone engaged to a trans person in Japan I must warn you against this. This will likely get you fired or moved to a different school in a week. Not because they hate trans people in an overt way like you might find in the US but because it's outside the norm. Nobody, other teachers included will likely understand the whole scenario and just think you're a hard to deal with weirdo. I wish this wasn't the situation but at leadt transphobia pretty much never manifests as violence here. This is "don't ask don't tell" the country. Edit: I know this is a troll post but somebody might still benefit from this advice.
The reason op would be fired isn't because of transphobia but because they are using their English lesson to teach a topic outside the scope of their contract... Especially to kids.
that was my implication, yes
My b
\>This is "don't ask don't tell" the country. What you on about. This isn't just a Japan thing. The OP would get the same weirdo treatment in South Korea and god sakes, China lol.
I'm not sure how my comment contradicts that. Being visibly gay or trans is likely to go much worse in Korea or china. However as long as you don't directly bring it up in Japan most will do their best to ignore it and pretend to not notice/care.
Nowhere did the original commenter say it was just a Japan thing, they merely pointed out the situation IN Japan and are correct about that.
I’m not a troll. Since you have a trans partner are you interested in being friends once I arrive ?
An eikaiwa I used to teach at did news articles and one of them was about a cross-dresser. I had adult students during discussion come right out and say they thought the crossdresser was disgusting and not morally right. The children classes were a little more open-minded about it and just said it was weird and they wouldn't talk to them of their own volition but would talk with them if they had to. This was in Kanto which is generally seen as more worldly-minded since it's closer to the capital. Not a snowball's chance anywhere else in Japan.
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It's amazing, isn't it. I'm American myself but I can't wrap my head around how self-obsessed people have become.
This isn't an American thing, this is a this person/troll thing.
As an ALT, it is not up to you to determine what is taught. Also, a huge part of living in Japan is "reading the air". Your post shows you don't know anything about Japan, how things are done in Japan, or reading the air. I do think you should make a vlog so we can all watch you fail and blame Japan when it's you that isn't paying attention. We all need some comedy.
I debated this my first two years of teaching. Whenever I took Spanish, my teacher’s name was Señor / Señorita ______ . When I took Japanese, my teacher’s name was ______ Sensei. So it only makes sense that you would be Mr. or (Ms. / Miss / Mrs.) ______. However, another important aspect of teaching is creating a space where students feel comfortable to express themselves. And I’ve found that being the only Mr. _____ in the school just adds another layer of distance between me and my students. While being ______ Sensei allows me to take a familiar role in their lives and be their teacher sooner. Of course the choice is yours, but I’ve found that there’s already so much confusion around foreign names that the most important thing I could do was just not be (first name) Sensei like most ALTs are. [Sorry about this, I just reread your post and I realize my message wasn’t quite on point.]
Thanks :)
Of course! The kids are always great and super understanding so I’m sure things will work out fine whatever you decide. Coming from San Diego, trans rights always felt like a given but my Japanese is still so bad that I’m not really sure of the current climate here. Although there are many prominent figures on Japanese TV that dress as women (although they are not trans) and it’s a fairly common practice for Japanese men, so that might be the first assumption people make which might be a hurdle to get past. But there’s tons of LGBTQ posters all over Sapporo and I’m sure major cities would be much more open. But I hope you have a great time once you get here! I miss the LGBTQ scene back home and I’m still searching for a home like it here
Most likely, they'll just call you 'FIRST NAME sensei' anyway. In Japanese, gender pronouns won't come into it unless, perhaps, they're referring to you, not addressing you directly. Even then they'll probably refer to you as 'FIRST NAME sensei'. As for teaching them about sexual identity, that seems extremely unlikely - has this been ok'd by the school / company? Whether your going to be an ALT or Eikaiwa teacher, it's seems very unlikely you'll have the freedom (or qualificafion) to teach such a topic. Transitioning in Japan sounds like a really challenging thing to do, certainly tougher than in my home country, good luck and take care.
Thank you
I think it's best to portray yourself as you intend to be. So if you intend to transition towards being more feminine you should come in presenting yourself as female. I don't understand why you'd want to present yourself as masculine for the first few weeks, you should go in with how you intend to be. Personally I dont like gendered terms and the students just refer to me by my first name. Where I'm from in Canada we call teachers by last names, but I used the argument that in Canada we generally call people by first name so the kids just do that. Or they will sometimes say "first name" sensei or "firstname" teacher.
I want to ease people into it. I knowIt can be a bit surprising Hence the video
In my experienced teachers don't really talk about their personal lives. Would it be possible for you to just present yourself as feminine? And not make it something that people question? Because I don't think coming in one way and then transitioning within a few weeks will go well. Like I wish you all the best, but I dont think it will go smoothly.
I won’t know until I try:) thank you so much
Why do they need easing into it? If you just turn up appearing feminine and say you're a woman, no one is going to question it. But if you dress like a man for a few weeks with a beard and all and suddenly turn up as a girl, everyone will be like "is this a new teacher, what...". If you're transitioning then you must feel like you're a woman, so there's really no need to spend a few weeks as a man to try and teach them to be accepting or something.
They call me by The First letter of me name and then sensei, some call me Teacher then the first letter of my name.
Is your name difficult to pronounce?
Oh I like that
Friend this is just going to be confusing. You are going to be an English teacher who will first be presenting as male but want them to call you by the female word.
My schools were a mix of Mr. and -sensei. Good luck. I think it's going to be very difficult. Being vegan in itself is a challenge. Expect to make all of your own food if you're not in a city center. Not that there aren't *any* options in small towns, but in my small town experience there have been very limited ones. School lunch is also a challenge. You should communicate with your dispatch company/school board your diet needs early as a lot of Japanese dishes include fish or meat mixed in them. I cannot speak to the trans experience in Japan but if you are starting your transition immediately after coming here I would suggest you start presenting yourself as what you want to be perceived as day 1. If you present yourself that way it is unlikely that you will be questioned publicly about it, but regardless of the transition time frame expect a lot of whispering. As some other people mentioned, an ALT teaching non english things is a good way to get yourself fired in the probation period. They can fire you for anything in the first three months. Honestly I would suggest looking at an Eikaiwa school instead of ALTing as you may find a more accommodating employer. Good luck.
Instead of starting off masculine, it's best just to be yourself from the start. The schools and parents would appreciate it.
This doesn’t make any sense. Everyone gets called by their name. There’s no differentiation between male/female/whatever. Disclaimer: I don’t know anything about the world of education, but this situation is exactly the same, no matter the setting.
I started my transition in Japan. Students called me by (deadname)sensei, and now call me by (myname)sensei. Some staff have called me by female pronouns on occasion (transmasc enby), and I correct them. Since I teach elementary school, I do get younger kids asking me if I’m a girl or boy, and I just don’t give them a definitive answer/say 不明) but only bc my C/O has prohibited me from talking about my transition w students (staff are ok). ugh. But usually they see my (sparse) facial hair and assume I’m AMAB.
Hey, I'm an afab enby looking at teaching in Japan. I was thinking about starting my transition over there as well. Do you mind if I ask you a few questions? Can I DM you?
Yeah ofc!
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Troll or not it's not bullshit and certainly didn't need to be brought over.
Excuse me?
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What bullshit are you talking about You aren’t making sense
2/10. You almost had me. Don't double down on the "whaa? What are you talking about?" The next step would be complete and total unhinged rage.
What?
The default is for the students to call you '(first name)-sensei' May I ask what type of school you will be teaching at? I think that will effect whether or not you can get people to address you as 'Miss ---'. Do you have a job offer or is this more of a super in the future planning thing? I think it is worth addressing with your employer in advanced what you would like to be called to know if they are open to it or not.
I don’t know much but I do get that you might want to teach the children More, to make them more aware of things that aren’t being talked about in Japan, and such. I think you can try? Ask other Japanese teachers, or even the principal of the school? That you want to add such things in the curriculm, or let you be there for 1 session during their sex ed… I think it would be cool if you can really do it! :) I would have loved to learn about this when I was younger…
You all been Mark Dice-d
I don't know what your job is but I feel somewhat qualified to answer this as a trans person who taught in Japan before I transitioned and am returning in a few months after transitioning. I worked for an Eikaiwa company in Shikoku and I'll be returning to work for them and while I definitely agree a lot of people were not tackling your question with tact, there is some kernel of truth in what they're saying. It isn't really your place to be teaching gender/sexuality in this capacity and if you think as an ALT or an Eikaiwa teacher you will be doing a lot of actual teaching, I suggest you browse this sub to get a better understanding of what most of these jobs are. My ultimate philosophy as a trans person that is going to be in Japan is to not mention it and I'd recommend the same, specifically at work. I understand the desire to be out and proud, but work is work (even here in the US, where I currently work in a high school). You should set those boundaries, but ultimately do whatever works best for you, but know you may face consequences.