Narrative Inquiry into Language Teacher Identity: ALTs in the JET Program

This book explores the experiences of foreign assistant language teachers (ALTs) in Japan,the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) program,and team teaching,using personal narrative accounts to conceptualize ALT identity and offer practical and empirical applications to future endeavors.

Format: Hardback
Length: 234 pages
Publication date: 16 March 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book provides valuable insights for both native language teachers and local language teachers who engage in team-taught lessons, particularly focusing on the role of foreign assistant language teachers (ALTs) in the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) program and team teaching. Notably, this book stands out as a pioneering effort in its exploration of ALTs' experiences, encompassing a comprehensive analysis across historical time, including their experiences prior to, during, and after the JET program, as well as their experiences within and outside the school. By delving into the multifaceted identities that ALTs construct and reconstruct over time, this book offers a profound understanding of their unique perspectives and experiences within their specific social settings.

To accomplish this insightful inquiry, Hiratsuka employs personal narrative accounts gathered from a diverse range of participants. Through these narrative accounts, Hiratsuka develops a conceptualization of ALT identity, a topic that has previously received limited attention. This conceptualization holds significant practical and empirical implications for future endeavors involving native language teachers and those who interact with them, including local language teachers, their local boards of education, governments, and language learners worldwide.

By examining the experiences of ALTs through a multi-dimensional lens, this book sheds light on the complexities and nuances of their role in team-taught lessons. It provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities that arise when ALTs collaborate with native language teachers, as well as the impact that their presence can have on language learning and cultural exchange. The book also explores the broader implications of ALTs' work, including their contributions to the development of language teaching methodologies and the promotion of international understanding.

In conclusion, this book is a valuable resource for educators, researchers, and policymakers interested in the field of language teaching and learning. It offers a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of ALTs' experiences, perspectives, and contributions to team-taught lessons, and provides practical applications of this knowledge to enhance the effectiveness and impact of language education programs worldwide.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032164762