Many ALT staff working with children in Japan definitely gain experiences that are rewarding and memorable. Children are so honest and tend to say and do things that reflect their personal lives, their fears and dislikes and their hopes and wishes.
The Japanese children seem to attach themselves to ALT Staff from different countries almost like they are an animation character or a television hero, something that you will rarely see in their interactions with their home room teacher or other Japanese teachers in school. Many of the current generation of new Japanese teachers of English teaching English in Junior High Schools across Japan today fondly remember the name and the conversations had with the ALT that came to their school while they were students, inspiring them to study and practice English so that they can one day pursue their interest in the language and even teach the next generation of students. Yes, it’s been that long. The role of the ALT has changed dramatically over the past years but fundamentally it is still the same, providing the Japanese students and teachers with a chance to practice their English and experience life with a person from a different culture. A chance that is difficult to find for Japanese people outside of paying a monthly fee at an English conversation school.
As the industry has moved away from the government sponsored programs such as the JET program to private recruitment companies, sometimes known as dispatch companies, a higher level of professionalism is required. After all, it is for the children.
One particular ALT was surprised by a Year four Elementary students question while eating lunch with her class, the young girl looked closely into the ALT staffs eyes and quietly asked “Do you see everything in blue?”