The General Union’s comprehensive survey on Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) in Japan has garnered significant attention, including a feature in the Asahi Shimbun, one of Japan’s most prominent newspapers. The survey, which collected responses from over 600 ALTs working in public schools across Japan, is the most extensive study of its kind to date.
Summary of Ashai Shimbun Article: The article highlights the financial struggles of Assistant Language Teachers (ALTs) in Japan, particularly those employed through dispatch companies. Jesse Ali, a 43-year-old ALT from California, reports earning less than 200,000 yen monthly despite working full-time. ALTs often face loneliness and financial insecurity, with some surviving on just one school lunch per day. The number of dispatched ALTs has increased, now comprising 34% of the total, surpassing the JET Program. Dispatched ALTs earn significantly less than their JET counterparts. This situation is affecting the quality of English education in Japan, with the country ranking 87th in a global English proficiency survey. The article calls for government action to investigate and improve ALT working conditions. Read the article here.
UPDATE 2024/08/20: The full article is now available in English HERE
Toshiaki Asari, Chair of the General Union, was interviewed by the Asahi Shimbun about the survey’s findings. “Our results reveal a stark disparity in income among ALTs based on their employment type,” Asari explained. The survey showed that dispatched ALTs earn an average of 2.47 million yen annually, significantly less than their counterparts in the JET Program, who earn 3.75 million yen on average.
The Union’s work has not gone unnoticed. Following the presentation of the survey results last June, numerous local politicians and even Diet members have engaged with the Union, recognizing the importance of the issues raised. “This survey has opened doors for us to discuss ALT working conditions at the highest levels of legislature ,” Asari noted.
The study’s comprehensive nature sets it apart from previous research. “In the past, case studies of 10 or 11 ALTs were considered substantial. Our survey of over 600 ALTs provides a much more accurate picture of the situation across Japan,” Asari added.
Professor Tomoko Komagawa from Hokkaido University’s Faculty of Education, an expert in Labor Sociology, emphasized that the issues faced by ALTs encapsulate broader labor problems in Japan, including those related to foreign workers and non-regular employment.
The General Union’s survey has sparked interest from various media outlets, highlighting the pressing need for comprehensive data on ALT working conditions. As the conversation around English education in Japan continues, the Union’s work stands as a crucial contribution to understanding and improving the situation for ALTs across the country. Full Survey Results