I’ve been teaching English in Japan for over twelve years now. Through my various teaching jobs (teaching at an English conversation school, being an ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) at Japanese public schools, and recently teaching English at university level), I’ve come across a lot of jargon and acronyms. This list is for someone finding their feet in the field of language teaching in Japan. As you get further into any subcategory of teaching, the amount of jargon and acronyms are endless. This list is focussed on teaching English specifically in Japan. There are some international organisations that support English language teachers anywhere, but unless they are specifically focussed on teaching in Japan I’ve left them off this list.
ALT – Assistant Language Teacher
These teachers are native speakers of English who support the Japanese English Teacher (JTE) in their English lessons. The main job of the ALT is to provide a model of a native speaker for the students. As well as being a language teacher an ALT is expected to be a “cultural ambassador” for their country.
BOE – Board of Education
CALL – Computer Assisted Language Learning
A computer-based interactive method of study that helps learners achieve their goals at their own pace. Also see MALL (Mobile Assisted Language Learning).
CELTA – Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Awarded by the University of Cambridge this is one of the most highly regarded English teaching certification.
CIR – Coordinator for International Relations
Provided by JET Programme, CIRs have some Japanese ability and they assist local government in organising international exchange activities. Just under 10% of JET participants are CIRs.
CLAIR – The Council of Local Authorities for International Relations
A government-affiliated foundation that works to support the internationalisation of local government in Japan. This foundation works closely with the JET Programme.
CLIL – Content and Language Integrated Learning
CLIL is an approach to teaching and learning where content is taught in a foreign language. So in a Japanese university you might study Economics or Law in English rather than just studying the English language. This approach is becoming more common in Japan.
Cram School – Juku in Japanese. Private schools which offer extra exam tuition for students. They usually operate from 3pm until 10pm and accept students from elementary school level to high school level.
DELTA – Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
Like the CELTA, the diploma is only offered through University of Cambridge approved providers.
Direct Hire – Usually talking about ALTs. These are teachers or ALTs that have been hired directly by the local Board of Education, not provided through a dispatch company or the JET programme.
Dispatch Company – A company that provides teachers (usually ALTs) to Japanese schools and universities.
eikaiwa – Japanese for English Conversation School
Privately owned schools that tutor children and adults in conversational English. See also “English Conversation School”.
Eiken – Sometimes known as “Step Eiken” is a popular (especially for kids) English proficiency test that has the backing of The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).
EFL – English as a Foreign Language
ELT – English Language Teaching
English Conversation School
Eikaiwa in Japanese. Privately owned schools that tutor children and adults in conversational English. English is compulsory in Japanese schools, but the focus is very much grammatical and comprehension based. In order to learn and practice speaking English, students will go to a conversation school.
Some of the most common Conversation School chains in Japan are AEON, Nova, Seiha, Berlitz, ECC, Peppy Kids Club, Shane English School …
ESID – Every Situation is Different
A common mantra at JET Assistant Language Teacher training used to illustrate that your situation could be different based on a number of factors: age and ability of your students, the English ability and teaching philosophy of the Japanese teacher of English you’re working with, behaviour and socio-economic factors etc…
ESP – English for Specific Purposes
Learning English because the student has a specific need such as preparation for studying abroad, or survival English for immigrants. This area can also include EPP (English for Professional Purposes) such as English for flight attendants or English for computer coding.
Gaijin Pot – A long-established website dedicated to working, living, studying in Japan. www.gaijinpot.com – It’s one of the best resources for job-hunting in Japan and the blogs have a wealth of information on living in Japan.
HRT – Home Room Teacher
In Japanese elementary schools it is often the home room teacher who teaches the English lessons.
Instructor – A teacher at a conversation school
English conversation schools tend to refer to their teachers as “instructors”. Actually an instructor at an English conversation school and an ALT at a Japanese school are on different categories of Japanese Work Visa.
JACET – Japan Association of College English Teachers
An organisation that strives to improve tertiary level English language education in Japan.
JALT – The Japan Association for Language Teaching
An NPO dedicated to the improvement of language teaching and learning in Japan.
JET – The Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme
A Japanese government programme to bring people from around the world into Japanese classrooms to assist with language teaching. JET is the biggest provider of ALTs to schools in Japan.
JLPT – The Japanese Language Proficiency Test
A test of Japanese proficiency over five grades, N5 being the easiest and N1 the most difficult. It is a test of listening and reading comprehension, you are not required to produce any spoken or written Japanese.
Juku – Japanese for Cram School. See also “Cram School”.
JTE / JTL – Japanese Teacher of English / Japanese Teacher of Language
L1 – this is the student’s native language.
L2 – this is a student’s second language or a foreign language.
MALL – Mobile Assisted Language Learning
A subset of CALL (Computer Assisted Language Learning). Language learning that is assisted through the use of a mobile device. This includes apps like Duolingo, but could simply be using your mobile phone to chat with your teacher or peers in the target language.
MEXT – Japanese Ministry of Education
The acronym stands for the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
Ministry of Education – See “MEXT”.
O-HAYO Sensei – A website for job hunting in Japan. www.ohayosensei.com
It prides itself as being “the world’s oldest and largest Jobs-in-Japan magazine.” Ohayo sensei translates literally into “good morning, teacher”.
RA – Regional Advisor
In the JET Programme this is an experienced ALT that you can go to for advice or support.
SEA – Sports Exchange Advisors
Provided through the JET Programme, SEAs work for local government promoting internationalisation through sport.
SIG – Special Interest Group
In JALT (The Japan Association of Language Teachers) these are groups containing JALT members who share a professional interest. Some examples of SIGs are Literature in Language Teaching, and Extensive Reading. Individual SIGs publish can publish their own journals and newsletters.
T1 – The lead teacher when team teaching. As an ALT in Japan, you are not supposed to be T1 in the classroom, but often you are, especially in elementary schools.
T2 – The assistant teacher in team teaching.
TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language
TOEIC – The Test of English for International Communication
TEFL – Teaching English as a Foreign Language
This describes English language teaching that occurs in countries where English is not the primary language. This is similar to the acronym TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language) which could include language courses that occur in countries where English is the primary language. Such courses often serve people who have immigrated to the country.
TPR – Total Physical Response
In TPR the teachers give commands to students in the target language accompanied by body movements. The students respond in the target language with full body actions.
TESL – Teaching English as a Second Language
The term “TESL” covers the teaching of the English Language as a foreign language in a country like Japan. It is also inclusive of those teachers who teach English as a second language in countries where the primary language is English. See also TEFL.
TESOL – Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
This is an umbrella term which covers both TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) and TESL (Teaching English as a Second Language).
TT – Team Teaching
Often used with regard to ALTs (Assistant Language Teachers), team teaching is when you teach in partnership with another teacher. If the ALT system is working correctly the ALT should always be team teaching with the Japanese teacher as T1 and the ALT as T2. See also T1 and T2.
