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: Paperback / softback
Length: 234 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
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), 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 key stakeholders such as 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 offers practical strategies and approaches for effective team teaching, drawing from the experiences and perspectives of ALTs and native language teachers alike.

In conclusion, this book is a groundbreaking contribution to the field of language teaching and learning. It offers a wealth of insights and perspectives that will be valuable to educators, policymakers, and language learners alike. By exploring the experiences of ALTs in a comprehensive and nuanced manner, this book contributes to our understanding of the role of foreign language assistants in the classroom and provides valuable guidance for future endeavors in team-taught lessons.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032164779