Hello! I'm in my third year as an elementary school ALT and both of my schools have gone through multiple minor alterations to the timetable every year. Everything in the school day from the start time, morning homeroom, break times, lunch time, cleaning time, individual periods and the end of the day has been shifted and shuffled around by 5-20 minutes with the start of each school year.
What is the purpose of this?
On top of the changes each year, there multiple timetable patterns that vary depending on the day of the week. These patterns and the days on which they are applied have also changed each year too. Sometimes I'll come in on a Monday and written on the staffroom chalkboard will be "today is a Thursday schedule". Individual year groups go home at different configurations of staggered times during the day, then sometimes all at the same time. This too changes day to day, and has been altered each year.
Around once every two or three weeks all students will be sent home immediately after lunch, which at first I thought was so that a meeting or some training could take place in the staff room in the afternoon – but often nothing of the sort occurs.
Can anyone explain why the timetable at schools in Japan is so seemingly random? Many of my ALT friends are confused by it too. I've tried ask my JTE to understand and they usually reply with "oh they have a special schedule today", which doesn't really explain anything. How does everyone keep track of all of this?
Much love.
by ClemFandango6000
13 comments
Japan loves to over complicate and micro manage anything and everything. I went through school in my home country and not even once was my timetable changed
Some admin twat in the local BOE wanting to put his own stamp on things, then in three years he’ll be moved to another department and the cycle will start again.
Usually it’s to ensure that subjects get the classes done when the entire school does an assembly or something
Every school is different, so I can’t speak for all. However, as far as keeping up, at least twice each month, the schools where I have worked left detailed spreadsheets laying out the following two weeks’ worth of schedule–“Oh this day is the 45-minute lesson schedule..this day is the 50- minute lesson schedule…This day is Staff-meeting day…this day is the no cleaning day..” So, at least in my experience, the information is usually there. (Whether I actually look at the detailed schedule is another matter altogether)
As for WHY the seemingly random schedules–there are school events, staff meetings, special occasions, and so on. Additionally, my understanding is that the amount of time in lessons is dictated by law, and the schools budget it out down to the minute over the course of the year. (I am not sure if my understanding is totally accurate, but it is something one of my JTE’s said to me a few years ago)
I don’t think this is particularily unique to Japan.
But with Japan schools there is usually a special schedule (where times shift slightly), a regular schedule, and sometimes another special schedule (for testing days).
Everyone has meetings so everyone knows what is going one.
If something unexpected happens locally, or some of the classes are behind and need another hour, or anything. During the teacher meetings they can rehash the schedule and everyone is on board with the changes.
Not to mention lost and confused students who have no idea what’s going on where they need to be and what to take!
r/ALTinginjapan
I also teach 3rd graders. Here is my understanding. It is the way things are done in public schools in Japan, especially elementary schools. It is confusing but they meetings and determine these things ahead of time, usually. I get your frustration though.
It’s cultural to do things off the cuff.
There is a lot of social respect for the people running up and down the halls. Korean culture is ~~famous~~ notorious for “Bali-Bali” culture. I think it’s really similar to that.
It shows you really care about the collective…even if it’s very performative.
Do you know that Offspring song that goes “The more you suffer
The more it shows you really care, right?”? It’s funny b/c it’s hilariously toxic and wrong…in Eastern cultures it’s actually an accurate statement.
Depends on the school but mostly because there’s some extra thing they have to make time for. My school has 50 minute class days and 45 minute class days. 45min ones are almost always because of a staff meeting / student club periodic meetings / some kind of special event / assembly / teacher training.
If it’s the shift of the entire day you’re talking about, it may have to do with local bus/train times. Even if your students aren’t commuting, parents might be, and that could affect what time they can help their kids get to school.
It definitely won’t be random. Staff meetings, PTA, events etc. All these kind of things affect the school schedule.
At least you get informed in some way.
I have a different office to the other teachers at my school and I’m not allowed to attend the morning meetings. There seems to be a new schedule everyday at my school at the moment and they never think to tell me so many times teachers have run to the office to come get me because I didn’t know I had a class. Or I show up and there’s actually no class.
I try to ask myself but the teachers are too busy or say they aren’t really sure either. I think they just make it up as they go along sometimes 😂
> I’ve tried ask my JTE to understand and they usually reply with “oh they have a special schedule today”, which doesn’t really explain anything.
This + the fact that you have to ask here to get answers after three years sounds like you have issues communicating well with your teachers. I know they’re busy but building a good working relationship and communicating better with them should be your goal. It’s a huge part of the job. Learn Japanese, go to the work parties, make yourself a part of the schools, and you’ll enjoy the job more and it will be more rewarding.