An ALT Skill Set Review

A card kit of knowledge: 5+ years of a successful teacher’s experiences condensed into 99 tips and techniques.

Every year thousands of new ALTs, Assistant Language Teachers, start their jobs in front of a class full of kids without any prior experience in teaching.

Inevitably stressful for all involved, many go from bright eyed enthusiasm to a foggy, zombified state which lasts at least a few months until they learn the right mix of streamlined preparation and effective classroom behaviour, which slowly rebuilds their energy and confidence.

A year, or several later, they leave, and the process repeats itself.

Belinda Kyle, a JET Programme veteran of 5 years, recognised this issue when it came to handing over her school and classes to a fresh teacher.  She wanted to give the next teacher some of the knowledge she had acquired, not only to cushion the shock for him, but also for the busy Japanese staff, who new foreign teachers sometimes rely heavily on.

Encouraged by her school’s principal, Belinda designed An ALT Skill Set and the initial run has already been a success with teachers from her adopted home, Shiga prefecture.

Belinda Kyle and one of her Japanese coworkers. (from An ALT Skill Set)

And for good reason. Beyond providing practical advice on everything in and outside the classroom, An ALT Skill Set, is well designed, with an easy to understand colour code system; friendly, entertaining tone; and a clip ring so that teachers can remove cards, or reorder the set to suit their needs.

Cards come in two colours, orange and green. The orange cards relate skills directly translatable to a classroom, from useful tools and props to teaching techniques.

With roughly half of the pack dedicated to tool and techniques for the classroom, new teachers will have a bank of practical advice to support them.

The green cards give ideas for outside the classroom, including preparation, building relationships with Japanese staff, organisational strategies and design tips for clear, punchy materials.

Belinda’s love, and skills in design are obvious as the cards draw the eye around to important information.

Many of the methods suggested in An ALT Skill Set are supported by educational research such as utilising authentic materials, or the importance of feedback. Other ideas, such as the different kinds of comments to put on student work, and how to encourage more passive students to contribute, are obviously born from Belinda’s warm personality, and desire for positive interactions with her students and coworkers.

Even for those who have been in Japan nearly as long as Belinda, there are some brilliant, why didn’t I think of that? suggestions. My personal favourite was her idea of teaching students, in the very first lesson, standard English-class phrases to be used throughout the year (even simple ones such as put away your … can help reduce some frustration). I also liked her suggestions on how ALTs can become more involved in their school community.

For the next batch of ALTs, those considering applying, or maybe even someone who has been here for a few years but want some extra ideas, An ALT Skill Set is a very handy resource. Containing a lot of commonsense , practical and effective advice, without being too Japan-centric, it is a set that would be useful for all ESL teachers, in Japan and beyond.

With only about 30 copies left in this run, An ALT Skill Set is available for a limited time at 1000 yen, through the Shiga Board of Education, or directly Belinda Kyle. PM your contact details to the Where Next Japan Facebook page or leave your contact details in the comments if interested.

Belinda’s cards emphasis the importance of clear communication