So I have mentioned this in posts before. I live in a very rural area and I am the only ALT at my school in a small town. I can say that things have improved little by little while being at this school for awhile now. I’ve been making the intiative to talk more to my JTE’s and also two teachers who aren’t English teachers at my school. However, there is an area I want to improve on, which is being able to talk more to the students at the school. I know this is normal to go through but some people who are on JET don’t really mind interacting with their students much, but I am someone who would like to interact with them more. I don’t get as many opportunities to talk to them because I can’t eat lunch with them and we have no English club at my school. The only problem is I don’t really know how to interact with them when given a chance because of the language barrier. I know this might sound silly but I just never know what to say besides “how are you?” to them. Back home it was pretty easy for me to start up conversations with people because we spoke the same language, but being in a country with a huge language barrier I just feel very opposite of who I am back home. I wanna be able to have more conversations with them than just “how are you?”, but I’ve never had to do this before so it’s been difficult for me to figure out how to approach this. So if anyone has advice I would appreciate it!
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Try to go outside during break times, or even just wander into classrooms during those ten minute periods between classes. If their shirt or pencil case has a character or something on it ask if they like that thing. Generally my conversations in English with my students are quite simple but I just try to spend time with them even if we don’t really speak. Some of the point of the program is just exposure to foreigners and different types of people so just keep at it and eventually you’ll break through with some of them. My students are pretty forgiving with my broken Japanese, I’m sure yours will be too. 🙂
Use the grammar they are learning at the time to speak with them. It sounds kind of stupid, but it’s a good way for them to practice and solidify the grammar point in their brain with a real-life experience. Or just try to make small talk with them while they have free time in English class. If they’re working out of their workbook, I’ll usually find a student and compliment them on something (their new haircut, glasses, etc.) and start talking with them from there. I have below N5 level, so if I can manage, I’m sure you can, too.
Also, go to classes that aren’t just English (with teacher’s permission), and talk to the students during their free time (after class, after lunch, after school, etc.). I bonded with some students by spending time with them at their clubs. One student asked me if I wanted to do their warm ups with them, and I’m like heck yeah! I stayed close with them for 3 years until they graduated.
Bottom line: don’t be afraid to put yourself out there! Good luck 🙂
It also makes it hard when you are forced to speak english and they don’t want to.
Grateful to be able to speak some japanese.
The top thing you can do is to work on your Japanese skills. If you want to interact thats your best bet. Learn basic phrases, they don’t have to be perfect, being able to convey the meaning is more important than the precise grammar. If a student comes up to you and says “OoMiraclesoO like pizza?” you know the meaning of their question even if they didn’t say “Oh OoMiraclesoO do you like eating pizza?” So start with verbs and nouns. worry about the particles later if necessary.
Beyond that, depending on their age and level you can also try very basic English. Again verbs and nouns.
There is no English club, but are there other clubs? Why not drop in on some of them? Even if its just for a short time, they will probably like having you visit (so long as it isn’t a disruption). I only had English club 1-2 times a week at my Jr Highs, so some days I’d just wander the school stopping by different clubs for 10-15 minutes, having basic conversations with students. Go by the art club? Its easy to point and ask basic questions/make basic comments “nandesuka?” “kirei!” “jouzu” etc.
Basically you are going to have to do most of the work, put in most of the effort. They are going about their normal lives in their normal environment, you’re the fish out of water. Most/all of the time you’ll have to be the one to make the first move. Some of them might respond, some might not. Know when to walk away if they aren’t interested or you’d be disrupting them. But simply making the effort will likely help at least a few of them open up/be more interested in communicating with you.
And finally, maybe there are some students who would like to start an English club. Talk to your JTE’s and see if thats a possibility. Even if its just a part time club, say once a week, maybe some students will be willing to participate. I had students who did that, they’d do two clubs since neither was full time. Can’t hurt to ask at least.
> I don’t really know how to interact with them when given a chance because of the language barrier. I know this might sound silly but I just never know what to say besides “how are you?” to them.
I’m in the same place. Very poor japanese, and tired of weak conversation.
The trick is to
crack jokes,
wave at them,
tease or banter with them when it’s the right moment,
say their pencil case is cute,
ask what the character is on their file, case etc,
point at them when they do something funny or weird,
say ‘I’m hungry’ and rub your stomach,
‘Do you like __’ style questions.
Yes, it’s not full communication, I’m not totally content and I’ve started studying a lot, but I still manage to get pretty far in getting them to laugh and have a good time talking to me.
It’s basically freestyling improv comedy, once you get good at it you can just find things naturally to amuse them with. When you see them in the halls, always say hello to them too, fist bump etc, thumbs up, it’s all good. Don’t ignore the students like teachers do! You have freedom to be way more relatable than any other teacher.
Play Rock Paper Scissors with them or the thumb game. It helps bring down wall gap than you can slowly interact with them and they will want to interact with you when you are randomly walking around. That’s what I did. I actually restrict myself from using Japanese in front of the students if I can.
What age are they? Approaches for ES kids and HS kids are totally different.
For my JHS kids I started out by making faces at them when they did weird shit. Boys start tackling each other the second the bell rings? I’d make a wtf? face at them, they’d notice and get a good laugh out of it. I also worked to memorize their names, which really helped.
Recently I also started an English journal project. Free topic, they can write as much or as little as they like. Some of the 3rd years have gotten really into it and it’s been a fantastic way to get to know them and their interests better.
Easiest thing is to just be present when things are happening and do things with them instead of worrying about having a full in-depth conversation. You won’t be able to do that until you improve at Japanese and that’s going to take some time.
Hang around the corridors, join in on cleaning time, go outside during break time.
You’ll pick up random words or how to say something every day and eventually you’ll have enough to have a basic conversation.
Don’t force it it’ll happen.
I always found my students want to interact with me the most during break times or just before/after class. Admittedly, when I did my self introduction when I first met them, I used a fair amount of Japanese. I also find myself using Japanese often when students need help in classes with a particular thing.
I would say just continue trying to make an effort, and they’ll eventually come around. The more your students are used to having you around, the easier it is for them to talk to you. So try to be around for cleaning time, in between classes, during break times, etc. The more you’re around, the more likely you’ll be able to start interacting with your students. And continue to work on your Japanese. If you can crack jokes in Japanese where they laugh, that is easily one of the best ways to start communicating with them more. Teachers can kinda be intimidating everywhere, so showing yourself as a more relaxed and fun teacher will help out. Good luck!