So, you landed an assistant English teaching job in Japan.
Also known as an ALT, you’ll get to work with Japanese students and teachers while living in Japan and encountering new things everyday.
But among all of the things you have to worry about, from language to customs and culture, knowing what to bring on your first day of work can be nerve-wracking.
But don’t worry, check out the 7 things to bring on your first day of teaching English in Japan I’ve compiled below.
What Can You Expect on the First Day?
On your first day of school, you can generally expect to:
- Introduce yourself to your coworkers in Japanese
- Meet your Japanese Teacher(s) of English
- Listen and attend an Entrance Ceremony (始業式 shigyōshiki)
- Be introduced to the facilities, your classes, and various information
During the first week, you will inevitably give an introduction presentation to students. Depending on your school, you may not start classes until later in the week.
My Experience
I was lucky when I started my job as an ALT. I joined my school since another teacher was leaving.
Due to those other circumstances, many members of my dispatch company were available to help me get integrated into the school. My school is also on the smaller side, with less students and teachers than others.
Plus, I was already a JLPT N2 level Japanese learner when I began work. That meant I could quickly understand much of the classroom Japanese.
However, in many other teachers’ experiences, there is not a coordinator present on the first day.
That means you must have confidence and manage your own ongoing training. While you may have had lots of training beforehand, only the real-deal can give you on-the-job skills.
So, if you have questions, you should of course ask them. Your Japanese teacher of English (JTE) and coordinators will help you where they can. But don’t worry about the 7 things to bring – just see below!
7 Things to Bring on your First Day
Eventually, you’ll figure out what you need on the job. But for your first day, tension is high and anxiety can make planning feel impossible.
Technically, you can use any purse to carry these in. I recommend using nice quality bags like a backpack, satchel, or bucket purse. Currently I use a light blue tote-bag, but at first I carried a backpack.
So these are the 7 things I recommend you bring on your first day.
1. Company Paperwork / Script
First of all, you should bring your company paperwork (if any).
For example, we must have our daily hours confirmed and stamped by our vice principal. Bring such documents with you at all times.
You may have been given example lesson plans, guidelines, helpful tips, and more. Review these before you start, and bring them with you too.
If you aren’t confident in your Japanese ability, bring a script with you to introduce yourself. And even if you are confident, practice it the night before and have a script prepared if needed.
When you start your first day, you may be expected to give a brief self-introduction, and express your eagerness to start work. Check below for an easy example self-introduction.
2. Indoor Shoes
Japanese schools use indoor shoes. Bring both a comfortable pair which you can wear regularly and a nice pair.
Comfortable shoes can be sneakers, flats, loafers, etc. Black, brown or neutral colors are acceptable. Black is most common.
Professional shoes can be short kitten heels, black dress shoes, black loafers, etc.
3. Presentable Appearance
This may go without saying, but first impressions are very important. This is especially true for Japanese schools and companies.
On the first day you should come dressed in a suit. If you wear a dress or skirt, it’s advised that you wear stockings as well. Many clothing stores in Japan like Uniqlo sell suit sets (セットアップ setto appu).
Simply put, you should be in a work-appropriate blouse or white shirt, black suit, and style your hair and face neatly.
If you have a beard, you can shave it neatly. It doesn’t have to be clean-shaven unless your company has told you otherwise.
As far as makeup goes, current-ish trends like the clean-girl aesthetic are fine. Many Japanese women wear light, soft makeup, but usually not dark or thick makeup.
You should stay true to yourself, but consider the reality of working in Japan, where standing out could result in some coaching.
Japanese schools have been working with ALTs for a long time. They don’t expect you to know everything or look perfect. However, they do appreciate your earnest effort to look clean and approachable.
4. Hand Towel
Unlike bathrooms in the US, Japanese bathrooms in schools do not come equipped with paper towels.
You need to bring your own hand towel. This comes in handy if you need a napkin at lunch time or cloth to wipe away sweat.
A small one like this is good for keeping in your pocket.
Some teachers bring larger hand-towels to dab off sweat in the summer, too.
5. Water Bottle / Cup
It’s important to stay hydrated as a teacher, so make sure to bring some water or tea.
Once you’ve figured where the kitchen, aka boiling room (湯沸室 yuwakashishitsu) is, you can fetch your own tea and coffee.
You can alternatively bring a cup or mug.
6. Notebook and Writing utensils
Bringing a notebook and pen is important for many reasons.
For one, you should definitely be taking notes on things that people train you on.
For another, if you hear Japanese words or phrases you don’t know, you can take a memo and study it later.
I personally like to carry a small memo pad and tricolor Uni Jetstream that I got it with my hobonichi. Other than that, I have a few notebooks at my desk for studying and planning.
The office administrator/receptionist (事務長 jimuchō) will keep the staff room supplied with basics like glue sticks, scissors, colored markers, etc.
You don’t need to bring lots of new stationery supplies on the first day.
7. An Open Mind
There will be many things you may not understand. Try not to worry about knowing everything right away.
You’ll get acquainted with teachers and staff along the way. Eventually, you’ll become more familiar with the chalkboard/digital bulletin system and other notifications as well.
Starting a new job is overwhelming. Starting a new job in a country where you don’t speak the language fluently is even harder. Many things may seem difficult, but don’t fret. The teachers are mostly concerned with their other duties.
As long as you keep a positive attitude and try to accept new ideas, you should be fine.
Other Useful Things to Know
1. Don’t just be on time, be early. If needed, try your route to school the day before. You should be at least 10 minutes early.
2. You should of course bring your phone– but keep it in your bag. I don’t suggest looking at it unless you need to contact your company. Once you understand the atmosphere of your school staff room, you can start using it.
3. I highly recommend you ask your JTE for a class roster with romaji, so you can get to know the students. Even if you can’t remember all of them, it’s good Japanese practice.
4. Always ask the teachers if you can do anything for them. Worksheets, small talk ideas, lamination, etc. Even if they don’t need anything at first, this will make them more comfortable with asking you in the future.
Example Self-Introduction Script
Simple and Easy Script:
① はじめまして、私のなまえは ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿です。
Hajimemashite, watashi no namae wa ＿(name)＿desu.
Nice to meet you, my name is ＿(name)＿.
② 私は＿＿＿＿＿＿からきました。
Watashi wa ＿(place)＿ kara kimashita.
I came from ＿(place)＿.
③ 私は＿＿さいです。しゅみは＿＿＿＿＿＿です。
Watashi wa ＿(age)＿ sai desu. shumi wa ＿(hobby)＿ desu.
I am ＿(age)＿ years old. My hobby is ＿(hobby)＿.
④ どうぞよろしくおねがいします。
Douzo yoroshiku onegaishimasu.
Thank you very much.
Helpful Words to Know
Greetings
よろしくお願いします yoroshiku onegaishimasu please/thank you
はじめまして hajimemashite nice to meet you
おはようございます ohayō gozaimasu good morning
こんにちは konnichiwa hello
ありがとうございます arigatō gozaimasu thank you
いただきます itadakimasu thank you for the meal (I accept humbly)
ごちそうさまでした gochisōsamadeshita thank you for the meal
お疲れ様です otsukaresama desu good work (you must be tired)
お疲れ様でした otsukaresama deshita good work (you must be tired) (to someone whose work is finished)
お先に失礼します osaki ni shitsureishimasu excuse me for leaving before you
ご苦労さまです gokurōsamadesu good job (to students; not used with superiors)
Rooms
クラスルーム kurasurūmu classroom
湯沸室 yuwakashishitsu boiling room / kitchen
職員室 shokuinshitsu staff room
印刷室 insatsushitsu printing room
被服室 hifukushitsu home-making room (home economics/sewing room)
調理室 chōrishitsu cooking room
校舎 kōsha school yard
技術室 gijutsushitsu technology room
更衣室 kōishitsu locker room / changing room
音楽室 ongakushitsu music room
図書室 toshoshitsu library room
廊下 rōka hallway
School Terms
始業式 shigyōshiki opening ceremony
終業式 shuugyōshiki closing ceremony
生徒 seitō junior high – high school students
児童 jidō elementary school students
一組 ichikumi class ~1
A組 A-kumi class ~A
二組 nikumi class ~2B
組 B-kumi class ~B
授業 jugyō class (クラス kurasu class)
１校時 ichikōji 1st period (校時 kōji = period)
サイクル saikuru cycle (of classes)
登校 tōkō students arrive to school
下校 gekō students depart school
部活動 bukatsudō club activities
教科書 kyōkasho textbook
放課後 hōkago after school
全校生 zenkōsei all students
在校生 zaikōsei students (existing in the room currently)
Staff
校長 kōchō principal
教頭 kyōtō vice principal
教務 kyōmu school affairs/admin
事務長 jimuchō administrator / school receptionist
先生 sensei teacher
職員 shokuin staff
教員 kyōin school staff
司書 shisho librarian
コーディネーター kōdinētā coordinator
