Recent Posts
Wet Hot Japanese Summer: Keeping Cool in the Classroom
How can we deliver engaging, informative lessons that students will retain, when neither they — nor you — want to be in a sweltering classroom with no AC?
By Liam Carrigan on August 7, 2018
Omiyage: How to Fit Right in at Work when Giving Japanese-style Gifts and Souvenirs
Japan’s gifting culture is impressive, but it can create some confusion for those unfamiliar with the concept.
By Liam Carrigan on July 31, 2018
Forward Together: 5 Ways to Build Bridges Between Teachers and Dispatch Companies
Sometimes, simple steps can make a big difference — like these ideas for helping ALTs and dispatch companies in Japan reach more mutually beneficial relationships.
By Liam Carrigan on July 25, 2018
Teaching Japanese Kindergartners: 4 Reasons It’s Not as Scary as You Think
While most people first start looking for English teaching jobs in Japan that cater to adults and older teens, teaching young children has its benefits, too.
By Alfie Blincowe on July 24, 2018
ALT Super Powers: From Unexpected to Awesome in the Japanese Classroom
When teaching in Japanese classrooms, inspiration for ways to help can sometimes come from the most unlikely sources — and don’t always involve your English lessons.
By Liam Carrigan on July 18, 2018
Using Down Time as a Language Teacher in Japan for Self-Improvement
What’s the point in having all that free time as an ALT if you can’t make good use of it?
By Liam Carrigan on July 10, 2018
The Japanese Summer as an ALT Without Air Conditioning at School
What it’s like working in these ungodly hot schools — explained in 10 gifs.
By Victoria Vlisides on July 9, 2018
Bringing the Concept of ‘Real Life’ English into the Classroom
As an assistant language teacher, sometimes it’s who you are here rather than where you come from that matters most to your students
By Liam Carrigan on July 4, 2018
Making the Best of It: Creating Positive Outcomes from Negative Situations at School
As an ALT, you can expect to face some tough challenges in the classroom. Here’s how I overcame two of the worst.
By Liam Carrigan on June 26, 2018
6 Types of Students Language Teachers Will Meet in Japan
If “Teaching English in Japanese High Schools” were a movie, these six characters would get the lead roles.
By Alex Rickert on June 21, 2018
Visa Basics: Instructor Versus Specialist in Humanities and International Services
GaijinPot investigates two common types of visas for teachers in Japan that cause the most confusion.
By Matthew Coslett on June 19, 2018
Hopes and Dreams: Japan at the World Cup 2018
As Japan’s Samurai Blue head to the FIFA World Cup once again, here’s how you, your school and your community can use its teaching moments and be a part of the action.