The Inside Japan Podcast

The Honeymoon Period is a magical time, no matter what is causing it. A new pet, a new hobby, or even a new life in Japan. While it's impossible to make it last forever, this podcast is all about ways to keep enjoying some of those honeymoon-like feelings even after you've been in the country for more than a few months.

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Things Mentioned in This Episode:

* Honeymoon Period

* PHP

* Willy Wonka

* Scary Orange Dudes

* Willy Wonka Crazy Soap Ride

* Tough Classes

* The Thrill is Gone

* Normalization

* Too Cool

* Pitfalls of Living In Japan

* Stayer

* Shogi

* Studying Japanese

* Starbucks

* Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Sheets

* Breaking Bad

Thing to do:

* Have you left a review on iTunes yet? I would really appreciate it!

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Teaching grammar is a huge part part of an ALT's job, so it deserves a podcast episode don't ya think? This week I'll tackle the magical world of Elementary School Grammar, with Junior High School to follow in a few weeks. Spoiler Alert:

* 1. Present the Grammar

* 2. Repetition

* 3. Focused Practice

* 4. Last Repeat

* 5. Game!

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Things Mentioned in This Episode:

* MEXT Changes

* Simple is Best

* What Would You Like?

* Who knew?

* ALT Insider Lesson Plans

* Fun Trumps All

Thing to do:

* Have you left a review on iTunes yet? I would really appreciate it!

Discuss this show (or anything else you want) with other like-minded peeps on the ALTInsider discord by clicking the image below:

My theory:

the more you "accept" a country's culture, the more you can succeed in that country.

This podcast goes into more depth about this thoery, and it's implication to the experience you can have in Japan or any other foreign country in the world.

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Things Mentioned in This Episode:

* Kimonos

* Tea Ceremonys

* Senpai/Kohai

* Military Bases in Japan

* Accept

* Give a Wink

* Learning Japanese

* Speaking Japanese metaphor

Thing to do:

* Have you left a review on iTunes yet? I would really appreciate it!

Discuss this show (or anything else you want) with other like-minded peeps on the ALTInsider discord by clicking the image below:

Karaoke is a huge part of the Japan nightlife. The songs, the drinks, the friends, it's almost always a good time. Well, until someone breaks one of these kommandments! The last time went to karaoke, how many did you break? Sinner. Clean up your act and respect the 10 Kommandments!

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Things Mentioned in This Episode

* Creepy Finish Him

* Dat K

* The Kais

* Paradise by the Dashboard Light

* Dream Theater Fan

* Bohemian Rhapsody

* Hotel California

* Death Bad for a Cutie

* Linda, Linda, Linda

* Linda, Linda, Linda, again

* Studying Japanese

* Ghibli Song

* Ohio

* Baby Metal

* Ok Rock

* That Princess Mononoke Song

* Taylor Swift

* Michael Jackson

* Jimmy Eat World

* Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory

* Backstreet Boys

* Eminem

* Cat

Thing to do:

* Print this out and put it on the wall of your next karaoke session with someone that is known to break any of the kommandments! Sharing it on their Facebook wall works too! (Click for PDF version)

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The 75% rule is a guideline to help you enjoy your life more, by getting you working while using the ideal % of your brain power. It doesn't mean not working hard, it means working smarter. For more information on the subject, check out the original post I wrote here. With a little work, you'll be following the 75% rule yourself in no time in all. You're welcome!

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Things Mentioned in This Episode

* The Original 75% Rule Post

* Hottish

* Twitter

* Facebook

* Lumberjack

* The Wood Industry

* Justin Beiber

* Care Bank

* Neverending Story

* Cat

* Lumberjack Verb

* English Board

* Silent Classes

* Special Need Classes

* Bowling

* Japanese

* Translation

* This Website

Thing to do:

* Tell me what percent you are currently rolling along at in the comments!

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Special needs classes are just like normal classes, but feel a little different. Due to the uncertainties, they can sometimes cause unneeded stress to ALTs. Don't let them! Once you learn the parameters and what is expected of you during the class, it should be smooth sailing. This podcast will help ensure your special needs classes are as fun as possible!

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Things Mentioned in This Episode

* Pilot (wings)

* Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Nose

* Keep it Simple

* Imaginary Bad Guy

* Memory

* Karuta

* Janken

* Golden 10 Games

* Bread and Butter

* Days of the Week Caterpillar

* Golden Oldies x 2

* Songs

* Judge, Jury and Executioner

* Rainbows

Thing to do:

* Leave a review or rating! This podcast is brand new so it needs your help. Click here to leave an honest review!

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Silent Classes. My least favorite kind of class. It's tough to make a fun class when there is just no energy to harness into learning in an entertaining way for your students. But, there is a way to attempt to approve things, if you dare. Here's your action plan to attempt to do just that.

Break the Silence!

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Things Mentioned in This Episode:

* Bowling Game

* Word Search

* High School Prep Worksheets

* Santa Claus is Lost

* Yoko Tate

* Bingo

* Lunch Groups

* Easier said then done

* Drawing on the Board Embarrassment

* Life Sucked Out

* Relationship with JTE

* JTR? (not sure why I said that)

* Lunch Times

* Battle

* Golden Ticket

Thing to do:

* Leave a Review on iTunes!

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Episode 006 of the ALT Insider Podcast is all about those must-do things you just have to make time for if your going to be in Japan for any length of time. There is a lot of cool stuff, that I left out of course, so consider my list your starting point when coming up with things you HAVE to do before you time in Japan is done.

Enjoy!

Right click here to download the MP3

Things Mentioned in This Episode:

* Tokyo

* Dog by the Station

* Special Massage

* Huge Retro Video Game Store

* Natto

* Raw Horse

* Raw Squid

* Okinawa

* Hokkaido

* Osaka

* Kobe

* Hanami

* Karaoke

* Shrine

* Castle

* Grand Canyon

* Wal-Mart

* Omiyage

* Learning Japanese

* Lunch Time

* ALT Free Time

* Elementary Yearly Lesson Plans

* Climbing Mt. Fuji

* Fantasy Adventure

Thing to do:

* Tell me the one thing that made you start thinking about working in Japan in the comments!

Discuss this show (or anything else you want) with other like-minded peeps on the ALTInsider discord by clicking the image below:

This session of the ALT Insider podcast is the second half of episode number 005 which will go over the good AND bad points about being an ALT in Japan. This week I go over the worst parts, and a sort of mini wrap up for anyone that is thinking about being an ALT in the future or anyone that needs some perspective if they are not enjoying their time in Japan as much as they had hoped. etc.

Enjoy the episode.... if you dare!

Right click here to download the MP3

Things Mentioned in This Episode:

* The Best Parts about Living in Japan

* Welcome Person at Walmart

* Cart Wrangler

* Being a Translator

* Studying Japanese

* Rainbows

* Unicorns

* Improving your Relationship with your JTEs

* Being more than a Tape Recorder

* Not staying at your Desk

* Tough Classes

* Controlling Classroom Excitement

* Cat Meow

Thing to do:

* Leave a review or rating if you found this episode not too depressing! Click here to leave an honest review!

Transcript: (coming soon)

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This session of the ALT Insider podcast is the first half of episode number 005 which will go over the good AND bad points about being an ALT in Japan. This week I go over the best parts, and next week I'll go over the not so great parts and then wrap it up with a conclusion for anyone still not sure about whether or not this job is right for them.

Spoiler: I came to Japan so I think the good stuff outweighs the bad.

 Enjoy this episode!

Right click here to download the MP3

Things Mentioned in This Episode:

* Sunshines and Rainbows

* Anime

* Green Tea

* Japan Castles

* Using your Free Time Effectively

* Working as a Translator

* Eikaiwa vs. ALT

* Hey Man

* Things you need to be an ALT

* Golden Ticket

* Eating Lunch with the Students

* Yearly Elementary School Lesson Plans

* Jiro Dreams of Sushi

* Learning Japanese

Thing to do:

* Leave a review or rating if you found this episode helpful! Click here to leave an honest review!

Transcript: (coming soon)

Discuss this show (or anything else you want) with other like-minded peeps on the ALTInsider discord by clicking the image below: