B-11 Team Teaching in Elementary School

Summary

In this engaging video, Naoya Mayuko from Japan’s Ministry of Education discusses effective team teaching between an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) and a Japanese elementary school teacher. Special guest Lauren Porter, an ALT from the U.S. teaching in Yamanashi, shares her experiences collaborating with Japanese teachers to create a fun, interactive learning environment. She emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships with students outside class and how teachers can encourage students to learn English by showing a willingness to try. Together, they highlight the importance of teamwork, communication, and participation in school life.

Takeaways

• 😀 ALT Lauren Porter enjoys teaching in Koshu City, Japan, at three different elementary schools, where she emphasizes fun and engaging lessons.
• 🏫 The ALT and team teacher (Mr. Kamiyama) prioritize creating a positive and relaxed atmosphere for students to enjoy learning English.
• 📝 Lauren memorizes students' names by using large, easy-to-read English name tags, allowing her to connect with them more personally.
• ⚽ Lauren actively participates in school life beyond lessons, such as playing soccer with students during break time and joining them for cleaning time.
• 🏃‍♂️ Lauren ran with students during the school marathon, motivating one student to break a school record, boosting his confidence.
• 🤝 Building relationships with students and homeroom teachers outside of lessons is crucial to Lauren’s teaching approach, as she believes it fosters trust and relaxation.
• 📚 Before each lesson, Lauren and Mr. Kamiyama carefully plan and discuss the goals and activities, ensuring both are on the same page.
• 🌍 Small talk in class is an essential part of the lesson, helping students practice conversational English in a relaxed setting.
• 💬 Lauren encourages Japanese teachers to try speaking English, emphasizing that good communication is more important than perfect English.
• 🎉 ALT's role extends beyond the classroom, including interactions during events like PTA meetings and sports tournaments, contributing to the overall school community.

Q & A

Who is Naoya Mayuko, and what is her role in the video?

Naoya Mayuko is the inspector at the Ministry of Education, Cultural Spirit, Science, and Technology (MEXT) in Japan, and she introduces the topic of team teaching in the video.

Who is the guest in the video, and where is she from?

The guest is Lauren Porter, an ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) from North Carolina, USA, currently teaching in Koshu City, Yamanashi, Japan.

What is the main focus of the video?

The video focuses on good team teaching practices between an ALT and a Japanese elementary school teacher in foreign language activities and classes in Japan.

How does Lauren Porter describe her experience teaching at elementary schools?

Lauren says she loves teaching at elementary schools, where she teaches at three different schools. Some classes are small, with only six students, while others are average-sized with around 25 students.

What does Lauren Porter do to remember the students' names?

Lauren has students create English name tags that are large and easy to read, which helps her remember their names during lessons.

What activities does Lauren participate in outside of regular lessons?

Lauren plays games with the students, helps them clean the classroom, and participates in school events like marathons and break-time activities such as soccer.

Why does Lauren believe it's important to spend time with students outside of class?

Lauren believes that spending time with students outside of class is essential to build a strong relationship with them, especially because she only teaches at each school for one or two days a week.

How do Lauren and her team teacher, Mr. Kamiyama, work together during lessons?

Lauren and Mr. Kamiyama create a positive atmosphere for students by having fun while teaching. They plan each lesson together, discussing the goals and activities in advance to ensure smooth cooperation.

What message does Lauren give to new ALTs?

Lauren encourages new ALTs to keep learning and to set a good example for their students. She emphasizes that students may not remember everything a teacher says, but they will remember how they felt in the teacher's presence.

What advice does Lauren give to Japanese team teachers?

Lauren advises Japanese team teachers to try to speak English during lessons, even if it isn't perfect, because their effort will motivate students to try speaking English as well.