The Inside Japan Podcast

In my opinion, the best way to work in JHS is as a member of a team with your JTE's, rather than being resigned to a role of tape recorder, provider of a 15 minute activity every class, or having to run the whole class myself. In this podcast, I give some strategies to help you work towards that goal of having the most fun in your Junior High Schools with as many of your teachers as possible!

Resist.

(Right click here to download the MP3)

Things Mentioned in This Episode:

* FY Obituary

* Tape Recorder Role

* Warm-Up Game

* Working with your JTEs

* Envelopes

* Eating Koalas

* Last Minute Games

* Say No to Stickers

Thing to do:

* Leave a Review in itunes! (Click here)

Transcript:

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James: Hello ALT Insiders! Welcome to episode 004, the ALT Insider podcast all about how you can be more than just a piece of electronics at your junior high schools. If you want to, of course, let's get to it.

Tantalizing Announcer: Welcome to the ALT Insider podcast dedicated to making you have the most fun possible wild living or dreaming about living in Japan. Whether you've been for years or just starting to consider it, we've got you covered. And now, your host, broadcasting from somewhere in Japan - James.

James: Okay, guys. Yes, it is James from the ALT Insider podcast, welcome to episode 004. And today, before we get going, I want to get into why the intro has the epic guy's voice and I come in with the stupid "James," and that is because, well, on the website, I used to go by the name F.Y. until I said I wanted to be James at the website. You can read all about that, altinsider.com/FYobituary. But after I came out, as using my real name James, I had to change the guy's intro. So instead of hire him again to make the voice intro, I just did it myself that's why it sounds way less cool than his voice, but we work with what we have, right?

Okay, so I hope you guys are having a great time in Japan. In the beginning of the show, this is where I read the iTunes review and I have one here from jetjackson5 and he says, the title was, "Subbed," and he says, "Keep it rockin'." And I do keep on rocking it, if you would like to leave a review, please do and I will read it on the next podcast possibly, of course.

Okay, so today's topic: how to resist the role of "tape recorder" when you're working in junior high schools. So first, let's go over what a junior high school ALT does. Now for me, it's kind of like four choices, four uses that ALTs have in junior high schools. One is the ALT that is only a tape recorder.

Now what this means is, the teacher does their class and every time they would use a, push a tape recorder to read a vocab, to read a dialogue, they have you do that instead. That is the definition of your job, you're a tape recorder, you are the natural pronunciation machine. When they need something repeated,

On this edition of the podcast I go through what I consider to be the essential items you need to bring with you

to school everyday. Keeping your bring-to-school bag fully stocked will make sure you don't run into any hiccups during your day, ensuring you are having the most fun possible while teaching in Japan. Nothing sucks worse than running around your school looking for some dice for your next level grammar board game on a Thursday at 8:45 in the morning after you realized you've forgotten yours. I've been there.

Give it a listen and always be prepared!

(Right click here to download the MP3)

Things Mentioned in This Episode:

* The Bag I use

* The USB I use

* Correct usage of Ire

* Swamp Thing

* ALT Insider Elementary School Lesson Plans

* Magic Folder

* Typhoon

* Last Minute Games

* Undies

Thing to do:

* Let me know what YOU think is an essential item to bring to school that I left out in the episode in the comments below!

Transcript:

Expand to Read Transcript

 

 

James:                  Hey everybody! This is James from the ALT Insider Podcast. Today on Episode 003, we are going to get in to everything you need to bring every day to be the most prepared   ALT you can be. Let's get to it.

Awesome Announcer Guy:            Welcome to the ALT Insider Podcast dedicated to making you have the most fun possible while living or dreaming about living in Japan. Whether you've been here for years or are just starting to consider it, we've got you covered. And now, your host, broadcasting from somewhere in Japan --

James:                  -- James. Hey guys! Once again, this is James and thanks for joining me on Episode 003 to show all about what you need to be bringing to your schools every day to be this prepared as possible.

This is the part of the show when I would read a review from iTunes. Sadly, because this Podcast is so new, there aren't enough reviews to be displayed so I want to give one from my wife. She said, "This show makes you laugh at your own jokes so I don't like it." That's her review. If you have a better review of this show, please write it on iTunes and I will read it on the next show.

Anyway today, What's in The Bag is the unofficial name of this episode and what does that mean? That means what's in the bag of a prepared ALT Insider going to school and is ready for anything. These are going to be all the essential things...

In the first REAL episode of The ALT Insider Podcast I go into 5 easy ways you can be a better ALT. And when I say better, I actually mean an ALT that is having more fun. These might seem simple, but you'd be surprised how many problems they solve once you actually implement them.

Give them a try and have more fun!

(Right click here to download the MP3)

Things Mentioned in This Episode:

* First Episode of the Podcast

* Leaving Early (sometimes)

* Yoko Tate

* Using an Assistant

* Being Observed

* Eating Lunch with the Students

* Staying out of the Teachers Room!

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!

Transcript:

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What is up guys this is James from ALTinsider.com welcome to episode number 001 of the ALT Insider Podcast let’s get to that sweet introduction music!

[Music 0:00:10.4]

“Welcome to the ALT Insider Podcast dedicated to making you have the most fun possible while living or dreaming about living in the Japan. Whether you have been here for years or are just starting to consider it we have got you covered and now your host broadcasting from somewhere in Japan…”

James. What is up guys this is James from the ALT Insider Podcast this is nice to have you here for the true first episode of the ALT Insider Podcast. We did have one episode before but that was just a little bit of the formalities and the show episode so if you want to go and check that out go to www.altinsider.com/podcast1 but if you want to stay around for some real content that is what is going to happening on this episode today.

So today is a little simple episode of five ways that you could be a better ALT today so if you are listening to this on your way to work there are five things that you can literally do today to make sure you can be a better ALT. When I say be a better ALT when I say be a better ALT I mean an ALT have more fun because that is the ultimate goal and that is what is going to make you have the best time in Japan which is what I know you want to be doing.

1. Is greet people more; greet people more. Sounds so easy right? I can already guess you probably say hi as a must when you walk in the teacher’s room or at least I hope you do! I mean taking it to the next level, instead of just saying it when you walk in the room saying good morning everyone I mean go to the principal’s office and say good morning. I am not saying have a big conversation with him because I do not like doing that either; a lot of the Principals are pretty boring you might find a cool one if you are lucky but just say good morning to him. Go to the vice principal and say good morning; go to the kind of office and say hi to them. Go find ways to make sure everyone knows you are there and this opens the avenue for you to maybe arrive a little bit later when you do not have a class. Maybe leave a little bit earlier when you do not have a class; this is the way you get...

In episode #002  of The ALT Insider Podcast I go over what I consider to be the essential 10 games every ALT should have in their repertoire of fun. You will definitely already know most of these, but I guarantee there is at least one you have never tried before and I add some little twists that I like to add to the old favorites to make them more fun as well.

Enjoy!

Right click here to download the MP3

Things Mentioned in This Episode:

* Bowling

* Karuta

* Bingo

* Janken

* Draw a Story

* Typhoon

* Memory

* Yoko/Tate

* Envelopes

* Shoots and Ladders

* ALT Insider Yearly Lesson Plans

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!

Transcript: 

Expand to Read Transcript

What is up guys? This is James from ALTInsider.com and today, we are going to go over the 10 games I feel our sense of every ALT to know and use in their classes. And you got to know some of these, but do You Think You Know Our Ten? Stick around to find out.

Welcome to the ALT Insider Podcast, dedicated to making you have the most fun possible while living. Or dreaming about living in Japan. Whether you have been here for years or just starting to consider it. We have got you covered. And now, your host, broadcasting from somewhere in Japan, James!

Hey guys! Yes it is James of ALT Insider.com. Thanks for joining our episode number 002 on the ALT Insider Podcast. It is nice to have you with me. Today, we are going to go over the 10 games I feel every ALT should have in their toolbox.

Not all of these are going to be new to you, but I am sure a few of them will. If you do know them, I am sure I am going to share some information you might not know about the best way to utilize this in your classes. So without further ado, let us get to the number one game that everyone should know, and that is bowling.

If there is a Hall of Fame of games for ALTs, bowling would be in the center room with all the statues and all the accolades. This is the best game. There is no other one. If you try it, your students will request it for the rest of the year. I promise it. If you do not believe me, please try it.

Quick rundown. You get students into groups. We will have one person from these groups stand up. You hold up a flash card and ask some question, however you want to do it. Once your team gets it right, that team gets a cup.

Once a team has accumulated three cups, they then have a choice of answering the question or choosing if they want to go ball or cup. If they choose ball, they can go bowling. Now, the key, the crux of the fun of this game is when you go bowling,

The first episode of The ALT Insider Podcast is here!

 

To check it out, you can either listen to it on the blog OR check it out on Itunes.

 

Since this is is the first episode, I go over a little bit about me, what to expect from the show, and a short explanation as to what being an ALT Insider means.

 

Future shows will have a more focused format, covering a topic or two about the ALT game in more detail.

 

Information about the episode such as links mentioned during the show and things to do will usually appear below, along with a transcript.

 

Right click here to download the MP3

 

Things Mentioned in This Episode:

* Your Guide to (sometimes) Leaving Early

* Dealing with your JTEs

* One Piece

* Nintendo

 

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!

 

Transcript: Expand to Read Transcript

What’s up guys this is James from ALTInsider.com and welcome to the first edition of the ALT Insider Podcast. Before we get things started today let’s get that introduction music.

[Introduction Music 0:00:11.1]

Welcome to the ALT Insider Podcast Dedicated to making you have the most fun possible while living or dreaming about living in Japan. Whether you have been here for years or just starting to consider it we have got you covered and now your host broadcasting from somewhere in Japan James.

Okay guys once again this is James from ALT Insider.com I thank you so much for joining me here on the ALT Insider Podcast. This main voyage of ALT Insider Podcast will be all about what this show is going to be. The format and how I think it will help you as an ALT whether you are just starting out or a long year veteran or just thinking about the job.

To get things started let’s talk a little bit about me. I am James the creator, owner/manager of ALTInsider.com blog. I came to Japan seven years ago I started as a Eikaiwa teacher and did not like that very much at all and quit about two months later. Then found a job as an ALT and have been doing it ever since. Of course there have been some bumps along the road but I am still doing it and having a great time doing it.

One thing you should know about the show is I do not want to chit-chat; I do not want to have the wasteful fluff talking that a lot of podcasts have and it makes me turn off right away. I want to give you the straight stuff; the information you want to get to make you have more fun in Japan and that is it. I do not want to waste your time so if I ever do waste your time please let me know and I will make sure I get right back to giving you the great information that you need to be from ALT.

Okay so first question today is ‘what is an ALT insider?’ So an ALT insider for me in my definition, your definition might be different is someone that has earned the respect, the trust and has built the relationships to do the ALT job the way they want to do it by having...