Q: What kind of instructors do you retain?

A: OWLS ALTs are instructors who share their different cultures and values with their students, while exhibiting a strong awareness for mutual respect. They are educators who work hard and possess a strong sense of duty. They understand the purpose of their educational activities and help provide effective instruction in the classroom with Japanese teachers.

In addition to a fundamental knowledge and technical proficiency befitting a foreign language teacher, the following characteristics are necessary to become an OWLS ALT:

1. Insight and creative power (to assure the ability to contribute in the role of an ALT over an extended period of time)
2. Cooperative personality (in order to work successfully with the entire teaching staff)
3. Flexible and practical (in order to be able to successfully interact in various classroom situations)
4. Strong desire to understand a foreign culture
5. Strong verbal and non-verbal communication skills

At OWLS, to verifying that candidates possess the above characteristics, qualified ALTs are selected after repeated, multi-faceted examinations.

Q: How are lessons taught?

A: Children are taught using things that interest them as subjects. We teach meaningful communication skills so children can express what they want to ask or tell.

With the teaching methods employed by OWLS, children are given the opportunity to regularly experience natural English. They are taught proper pronunciation by following the ALT example. Communication ability is fostered in steps as children interact with a native English speaker. Children understand what the ALT says → respond to the ALT’s questions → and are able to answer the questions in English. Through this process, children acquire the ability to communicate naturally in English.

Q: Who oversees the ALTs?

A: Full-time staff members manage everything; helping the ALTs understand their job's responsibilities, providing advice and support, etc.

1) In-house management staff

Each day, under the auspices of the ALT management staff, a written report containing detailed work-related information is submitted by the ALT. This is combined with reports written by the coordinator and the ALT leader to provide a summary of the ALT’s performance. By guiding the ALT from this information, effective English educational activities are realized.

2) Coordinators

The ALT’s coordinators are professional English educators with a wealth of experience in language instruction. They are all bilingual. They keep in regular contact with the ALTs, and advise them about everything from instructing to living in Japan. They are entrusted with looking after the ALTs. Furthermore, they also serve the board of education and the schools through consultation and support

3) ALT leaders

Within the instructors, there are ALTs who additionally act as ALT advisers, trainers and leaders. Being familiar with the ALT's position, these foreign staff members provide appropriate advice for issues arising in work and private life.

Q: How are ALTs evaluated?

A: To ensure a high level of English education, ALTs continue to be evaluated in different ways even after been hired.

ALT leaders and OWLS staff objectively analyze and evaluate from their standpoints, helping ALTs improve their performance.

Evaluation criteria

State of affairs/attitude concerning instructional duties performed at schools

1. Instructor qualities
2. Shows a desire to positively participate in the classroom and at school events
3. Exhibits a cooperative attitude towards other teaching staff and colleagues
4. Working with children
5. Researching teaching materials
6. Personal communication skills

Interpersonal and social skills

1. Manners and etiquette
2. Personal appearance
3. Punctuality
4. Health maintenance
5. Ability to detect and resolve problems
6. Sense of responsibility

Preschools and kindergartens

Elementary schools

Junior high schools

High schools

Teacher Training for Primary School English Activities