It will be difficult to limit my thoughts of Sakata and the experiences I have had there to two pages, because there are so many.  For that reason, I will share with you my initial, and ongoing, impressions of Sakata and it's people.  Then speak briefly of my job; some experiences to date, as well as advice for future Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs)

I am one of the 377 Assistant Language Teachers from New Zealand who landed on Japan soil August 8th 2001.  I have now been living in Japan for five months, and for the following reasons I consider myself very fortunate to have been placed in Sakata.  It's size, proximity and physical characteristics are very similar to my hometown, Dunedin (except for the rice fields).  Sakata citizens have made my transition into the 'Japanese way of life" effortless, through their unbelievable kindness and generosity.  For example, before my first week in Sakata had ended I had been shown most of the famous sights in the Shonai area, and had tasted much of Sakata's cuisine.  I would like to thank my Supervisor Mr. Tsuchida and the Honma family for all of your kindness and help.

So my first few days in Sakata were a pleasure, however, my first teaching experience was a little more daunting.  Having had no formal teacher training or classroom experience before arriving to Japan, one could say that I hit the ground running.  Twenty minutes after touchdown at Shonai Airport I was whisked to Sakata's Bunka Center.  There I participated in my first practical team-teaching class.  The audience was 20 Junior High School students preparing for an upcoming exchange with America.  I am sure the students could see that I was terribly nervous, as my cheeks were unnaturally red and could not stop fidgeting.  I am pleased to say that since that time I have become somewhat more comfortable in the teaching environment-thank goodness!

Everyday I learn something new about teaching; especially when it comes to team-teaching.  The most important thing I have learnt for myself, and will pass on to my successor and any other ALTs starting out, are the following three pieces of advice.

1.  Be flexible and prepared for anything

2.  Be adaptable, because every situation is different; schools, classes, working relationships with teachers

3.  Ask for help if you need it - it will be given (200%)

These are simple statements, but I have found them to be true.  I will share some experiences I have had to reiterate the above mentioned points.

On a number of occasions when a teacher has seen that there is a gap in my timetable they have asked me to come to class with them, and pretty much take the lesson.  Sometimes this happens with 2 minutes to spare.  Now, I have a number of games or activities up my sleeve, which are adaptable to different types of grammar practice, and am ready to roll at any time.

I have also found that each school has a totally different personality.  Teachers and students have a different rapport with each other, and with the semi-permanent gaijin.  It is not to say that one school is better than the other, but we, as ALTs, should try to fit in to their way of life best we can.  By becoming involved in sports activities, helping in speech contests, and bring back omiyage from holidays, are just three easy ways to fit in to school routines.  I have had a wonderful time at my base school 6th Junior and 1st and 3rd Junior High School.  Everyone has gone out of his or her way to make me feel welcome.

Which leads me to my next point.  I have asked for help on a number of occasions and have been overwhelmed with the effort people have gone to accommodate my needs!  From booking train tickets to Tokyo for me, picking me up everyday for school, taking me to a hospital and waiting for 2 hours until I am finished.  Teachers in Junior High School are extremely busy and hard working, yet they are often willing to drop what they are doing to help me with something relatively trivial.

Having said this,  what do I really do in return?  I am present at school and in the classroom, which may help to generate interest or motivate students to learn my native language.  I may help with lesson and exam preparation, speech contests and marking, but I do not stay at school until 9-11 at night.  I do not work on Saturday and Sundays as Junior High Teachers do.  I think, therefore, it is only right that ALTs work beyond what our contracts stipulate.  If asked to take more classes than your timetable says, or work the occasional weekend for a sports competition, then do it.  It will not go unnoticed.  Students also find you far more approachable outside the classroom and are happier to talk with you then, and practice their English.

In conclusion, my time in Sakata so far has been a wonderful learning experience.  I already have learnt much about the Japanese culture, how respectful, kind and generous Japanese people are, to each other and foreigners.  Lastly, I have gained an understanding of Junior High School Teachers' work ethic; how hardworking and selfless they are.  I only hope that by the time I leave Japan these attributes are instilled in me.