EduCareer StaffBlog"Rinjin Blog" | "EduCareer"Supporting your career in English teaching in the Japanese school system

April and the Start of the Academic Year

2010/03/29

April is fast approaching and I expect most of you out there are already busy preparing for the start of the academic year.

For Japanese teachers the spring holiday is not much of a holiday at all, most teachers are at school throughout the break between the end of classes in March and the start of the new school year in April. Schedules are usually finalised last minute but when they are the planning can really start.

The experience for native teachers can be different and very much varies according to school. Public and private schools are different, as are elementary, junior and senior high schools but generally speaking all schools require attendance at the opening ceremonies. In fact, if you are a new teacher to the school you will most likely be introduced and in some cases expected to give a quick self introduction.

Before classes start you will be given your timetable and expected to plan your lessons, I am sure some of you out there are also required to submit these plans and a guide of what you expect to achieve over the course of the school year. It seems that (especially in private schools) textbooks can change regularly which makes planning somewhat of a nightmare as the course will also have to change every year.

Then of course come the new classes. If you are new to the school obviously every class will be new and the first week will most likely be spent on introductions and getting to know each other as well as setting out the aims for the year ahead. The first class is also an ideal time to set out any ground rules for your class. This can be somewhat difficult as while you need to seem accessible to the students but at the same time not seem like a pushover!

Every teacher has their own style and routine for first classes, let us know some of your top tips and we can share them.

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