I'm an American ALT at a junior high school. I moved to Japan about 8 months ago and have been at the same junior high the entire time. I started working with a new group students this semester. My first semester, I was well connected to a lot of the students in my class (I worked with third year students who have now graduated) having conversations after school, lunchtime, in the hallways, etc. I think this group of students was generally a bit less shy and friendlier so it was easier to connect. I feel like I made an impact and left a positive impression upon this group of students.
With this new group of students (new third-years) I can tell that these students like me but it's hard to have meaningful conversations with them. I'm not sure how to open up a conversation because they're very shy. I'm also new to ALT work and TESOL so I want to find ways to have meaningful English conversations with them that most will be able to understand.
TLDR: I had a great time my first semester as an ALT. It was easy to interact with my students as they were very friendly and talkative. How can I make connections and have conversations with my new, very shy 3rd year JHS students? I can tell that they like me, but I'm not sure how to approach a conversation with them.
by toolateinthesemester