When I first came to Japan as an ALT about 20 years ago, my BOE actually had me teach full lessons at my junior high school every week. Not team-teach. I mean, I was running the entire class myself.
It was rough because I knew absolutely nothing about teaching English. I had zero classroom experience. I knew nothing about keeping time or making a lesson plan. There were no resources or guidance whatsoever.
At the time there wasn’t any help either. I'd just get complaints and negative feedback if I struggled but never actual support. I remember asking another ALT what kind of lessons he did, and he said he was teaching his students how to play DnD.
Looking back, I honestly think having someone new and inexperienced like that lead full lessons was a waste of everyone’s time. The students didn’t really learn much, and I was completely lost.
I was wondering do BOEs still ever let ALTs run full classes like that? I feel like that kind of freedom (or recklessness?) doesn’t really happen anymore.
Nowadays, I think I’d actually enjoy it. I’ve got years of experience and tons of unused games, activities, and ideas that could fill full lessons easily. But back then… it was chaos. It also feels like the expectations have shifted these days, being an assistant really means just that.
Were dispatch companies and BOEs just bolder back then? Or did I just get thrown into a really unique situation?
by AdUnfair558