The word "Clubs" in this entry's title does not mean bars or discoes (Geez, that sounds so decades ago.) I'm referring to the sports and arts clubs in junior high schools. The Japanese word for it is "Bukatsu." Remember that word (BUKATSU) cause half of the students don't know the English word for it.
In Japan, JHS students spend half of their time in their clubs. They'd have clubs almost everyday from 3:30 to 6:00 pm. Some lasts until 8 pm. Students go to clubs even on Saturdays and sometimes on Sundays. Hence, clubs define the students' lives in junior high school. It's where they imbibe the sempai system. It's where they develop friendships that would last for years. It's where they find confidence in themselves even when their academics are not impressive.
Because clubs are important for the students, I personally recommend ALT's to take time in visiting school clubs. Here are my reasons:
1. It would let you see your students in a different and better light.
When I started visiting clubs, I began to understand why some students look sleepy in class all the time. Imagine playing soccer, tennis, track, basketball and other sports for 4-5 hours everyday. That's like a gym workout good for a week. No wonder the students look tired all the time.
When I started visiting clubs, I was surprised to see low-performing students in class show excellent skills in their sports clubs. I was ashamed of myself for underestimating some students. They may not be great in my class but they're just amazing in their clubs. I started to actually respect them.
When I started visiting clubs, I also learned to appreciate the seemingly unfriendly students in class. Students are happier and friendlier when they're in their clubs than in the classroom. They're more carefree and more open to talking with me. Had I not visited clubs, I would have missed the chance of knowing how really funny some students are.
2. It would help improve your relationship with your students.
Clubs are important to the students. Whoever gives importance to whatever is important for them, would be treated as a friend. That simple.
I have a theory that the more time you spend on your students' clubs the more willing they'll be to participate in class. I saw this happen all the time. There were quiet students who started talking to me and being active in class when I started visiting their clubs.
Even in the hallways, where I used to feel like a passing shadow, the students started acknowledging me. Some would even chat for a minute or would tell me a joke or would show me a trick. I felt more welcome in the school.
3. It would give you a chance to speak to club teachers.
Aside from improving your relationship with students, there's also a chance for you to improve your rapport with other teachers. All clubs are handled by one or two school teacher. They'd hang out for an hour or two in their clubs just to survey how the students are doing. Usually, I'd talk to them in these times. Teachers who seem unfriendly during class hours are surprisingly warm when you speak to them.
I know that visiting clubs is not part of an ALT's job description. Still, doing this would greatly help to make our jobs easier. It's not even an extra mile. It's just an extra step that wouldn't really hurt. In fact, sometime I enjoy being in the clubs more than in the classroom.
