Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Misuse of the ALT

JTE: Jill-san... uh... would you be so kind to help me with something?

Me: *in the midst of grading essays about eco-friendliness and final exams* Certainly. What kind of help do you need?

JTE: Ah. I am so glad you said you would help. I need you to help me with a test.

Me: Oh, like recording?

JTE: *starts to look nervous* No... uh... I need you to... to... well... *hands me books and some papers* ...Here are the test materials for tomorrow. Please make a test for me and leave a copy on my desk before you go home.

Me: Uh... (Teacher's name)... why is it that you need me to make this test?

JTE: Oh, well.... *a lot of deep-breathing through the teeth* Well we do not, uh, have classes today.... so.... I am taking nenkyu to go home early.

Me: (Teacher's Name) ... let me make sure I understand what it is you need "help" with. You need ME... to do YOUR work... so you can go home EARLY? *gestures to the piles of papers on her desk*

JTE: *pause* I see. Well... thank you for your help. I will see you tomorrow.

If this JTE really is going to be my Supervisor next year, I might try to catch a deadly disease.