Key Terms for the Refined ALT

2010.06.03 / Japan / posted by idrawgood

As a lowly Assistant Language Teacher, you'll be at the bottom of your school's food chain, which isn't always fun. Here are some key terms to ensure successful social etiquette while on the job, and if you learn to wield them successfully, you just might start working your way up.

Ohayou Gozaimasu ( お早う御座います )
Translation: Good morning!

It's the first phrase you'll learn and the last one you'll forget. On any given morning, you'll give and receive around 20 ohayou gozaimasu greetings. Failing to 'OG' a passing superior may result in a gypsy's curse on your firstborn. Even more interesting are the variety of pronunciations, which I'll demonstrate for you...



Sumimasen ( 済みません )
Translation: Excuse me, etc.

In its pure form, sumimasen means excuse me, but in everyday situations, it can effectively replace almost any word in the Japanese language. It's Japan's magic word, and can smooth over even the stickiest situations.



Isogashii ( 忙しい )
Translation: Busy

Whether or not you're actually busy, looking busy is of utmost importance. No doubt that Japanese teachers are hard workers, but when you work from 6:30AM to 8:30PM, you're bound to have some down time. Filling that time at your desk with shuffling papers, reorganizing your box of colored chalk, or clipping your fingernails will secure your place as a valued team member. A successful work day is often judged by the illusion of work quantity, not by quality.


Isoide ( 急いで )
Translation: Hurry! / Hurriedly

This goes along with the previous term. If you want to fit in, make sure you hurry everywhere, whether you're on your way to tinkle or heading to class. Perhaps you think you're a decently well-organized person who is capable of planning far enough ahead so you don't have to gallop through the halls carrying all your materials to arrive in class just after the last bell chimes? Well, it doesn't matter. Waiting till the last possible second then bursting out of the room like a wild boar will let your students and coworkers know just how busy (and thus how good a worker) you really are.





Heeeeeeyy ( へー )
Translation: Whoa, Is that so?, Huh..., Your ideas intrigue me.

(Note: prounce in the manner of slowly letting the air out of a whoopie cushion.) Chances are, one of your senior teachers will try to chat you up, either in English or Japanese, and you'll be able to employ heeeeeeyy to remind your chat buddy that you're still engaged in the conversation...even though you're probably thinking about hot dogs. Mmmmm....hot dogs.

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