A less-than-desirable ALTernative

Reference

The Yomiuri Shimbun (2010, August 19). “A less-than-desirable ALTernative”,

Sep. 14, 2010 from http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/by/features/language/T1008150

01255.htm

Summary

In the article “A less-than-desirable ALTernative”, the reporter states that 

there are many problems in Japanese English education, and using assistant

language teachers (ALTs) is one of the biggest problems in English education.

Today there are many ALTs in Japan, and they teach English to children at

school. Local governments and schools hope that it is a good experience for

children to study English with ALTs, and children can make progress in their

communication skills by talking with ALTs. However, many local governments

and schools do not employ directly, and most ALTs are employed as third

parties. Because schools do not have enough money to pay  the personnel

expenses, and ALTs are not required to have a the teacher’s license or

teaching experience. So, it is up to schools or local governments to direct

them. Also, few ALTs can speak Japanese fluently. Moreover, according to

this article, Japanese teacher cannot guide ALTs directly; therefore, there are

some problems between them. For example, some Japanese teachers do not

communicate with ALTs during class at all and do not teach English together.

As a consequence, some local governments have begun to employ Japanese

teachers who can speak English fluently instead of employing ALTs. In

addition, in middle or high school, children study  English grammar only to pass

the exam, and they cannot have the opportunity to speak English in class. So,

Rimi Morita said, “I think English classes during primary school are a fun way

for kids to come into contract with foreigners and it will help to motivate them.”

Response

I think it is difficult for some teachers to teach with ALTs during class. I have a

vital reasons that support my opinions. Teachers have to speak English fluently

to communicate with ALTs. It is natural that an English teacher speaks English

fluently; however, however there are many English teachers who cannot speak

English very well in Japan. When I was a middle school student, my English

teacher could not speak English very well. So, even if an ALT came to my

class, she didn’t talk with the ALT at all, and the ALT just read the textbook

and pronounced the words. I think teachers have to speak English fluently to

make use of the ALTs. Moreover, I think the government should reconsider the

employee system of ALTs. I have a crucial reason that supports my argument.

I think it is good experiment for children to communicate with a native speaker;

therefore, I feel the local government should employ more ALTs for children.

However, many local governments don’t have enough money to employ ALTs.

So, I think the Japanese government should provide ALTs with a comfortable

environment such as a stable salary or full employee system. Moreover, the

Education Ministry should give a lecture to every teacher about  how to teach

with ALTs during class and give the opportunity to demonstrate to the class

with ALTs. When I become an English teacher, I want to teach English with

ALTs as much as possible. So, I hope it is good experience for children to talk

with native speaker, and I want them to be interested in English and inter-

cultural communication.