This kind of teacher speaks great English, and might even know more about the language than you do. Most have either lived abroad or are simply geniuses in languages. The "native" might know more than one foreign language, so be careful of what you say if you happen to have another common tongue besides English and Japanese. However, their teaching talents / planning with ALT abilities vary widely. However, they make the best get-to person in case you need to explain something quickly and clearly.

This teacher is the Yang to the "native teacher" Ying. They might know the language on paper, but when it comes to speaking, it comes out as "Japaneezu Ingurisshu" or riddled with grammatical and vocabulary mistakes. Shakespeare's Language becomes mangled in such a way that the students, as well as the ALT, might have difficulty understanding what Ingurisshu Tiicha is saying, although in some cases, the students understand perfectly well, not the case of the ALT. Concentration power and carefully picking your "correct the grammar" battles is a must.

This is a textbook classic character. You will not see LMM/W for most of your time at school, but they appear about 5 minutes before lessons in a panic, usually with some kind of request, in the lines of "can you think of a game?". Even after countless seminars and private meetings stressing the importance of consulting the ALT in advance for a lesson, this situation usually never changes. There is usually always one LMM/W in every school. The rest of the time they are busy not talking to you.

From LMM/W, you can find The Planner on the other side of the spectrum. The Planner is difficult to find and is a pearl if present in your school. There are two kinds of Planners: The one that sits down with you to plan the lesson, and the one who has the plan already made for you. Although the latter gives the ALT the least amount of burden, ALT are often struck with "Tape-recorder syndrome" while in the lesson. The former is considered the "ideal" Japanese English teacher. treat them well and compliment them, as they are a rare find and deserve the praise.

The one that makes everyone else laugh - except you. Often due to the fact he/she (usually he) only speaks Japanese, speaks fast for humour value or uses Kansai dialect or some other kind of dialect you are not familiar with. Makes you wish you knew what he/she is talking about, but instead serves as staff room background noise. Usually do not help you get into the conversation.

This one is actually funny, maybe because said teacher uses funny English(Japanese)/swear words/etc or has a similar sense of humour as the ALT. Great person to hang out with, talk about all sorts of things and have your sides hurt from laughing. A moderately hard find, but a nice enhancement to staff room life, from an ALT point of view.

The teacher that everyone thinks is soooo cool - but who's too cool for you. Often ignores you in corridors and in the staff room, adored by the students and other staff. Often young, but has no interest in gaijins, and therefore find it easier to just ignore you.

Another specimen is one that can be useful as an ally. Actually talks to you, and if seen with Popular-sensei, can give you brownie points with the students and staff alike. +5 bonus if Popular-sensei is also an English teacher.

Great addition to the roster, if English teachers are not available. Sometimes speaks English, but even if they do not, try their best to talk to you and make you feel comfortable at school. Usually very interested about foreign customs/culture/music/etc, makes for very interesting conversations on varied subjects from current events to differences in toilet etiquette from country to country. Some can even easily become your best friend.

Doesn't know anything about foreigners or foreign countries, and frankly, doesn't care.Many have a stereotypical view of the "outside World", i.e. foreigners are loud, rude, are unpredictable, difficult to make out their body language, etc. Some might be mildly interested, but may ask you weird/inappropriate questions. Note that whatever the answer, they will quickly forget and quickly lose interest. Might react by saying something like "Wow, it's crazy what they do in [your country here]." You know what? We think the same thing about Japan...^_^

Not much information has been collected on this specimen. Will usually be seated quite far away from you and out of your general field of vision. Never spoke to you, and never will, unless you go up to him/her directly. They are not necessarily all evil, but many are just socially inept, especially when it comes to foreigners/aliens. Some are actually nice if you talk to them (usually Japanese). There is always one of those teachers part of the staff. Some are also rejected by the other members of the staff too, similar to elementary school when some kid always gets picked on by others. We may be adults...

(Could also be "Hunk-sensei" if male. Here is the female version). This is self-explanatory. Hot, young Japanese woman part of the staff and recognised by all (no, not just you) as "Babe-sensei". Often gaijin-friendly, so often gives you the impression you have a chance, even though she is engaged to another staff member for the last 2 years. Add extra visual torture by making her an English teacher. Some ALTs get lucky though, and apparently it is best to keep it under wraps. Babe-sensei ratio is often higher in elementary school.

This one tries to talk to you, but unfortunately, the conversation is one-sided due to the fact you have no idea what they are saying. Some mumble, some talk in a too-low voice, some use university-level field-specific Japanese, incredibly bad English, or just bad train of thought when expressed in words (that could be me too, though). Leaves the ALT often wondering why he/she can understand everyone else but this person. I wished I spoke Swahili too...

Loud. Always. Usually makes the ALT loose their concentration when playing solitaire or reading email. Often a booming or shrieking voice addressed to some student. You can usually easily locate Loud-sensei in the school at any time, as though they have built-in GPS. Often think they are soooooo important for the school, and often yell something like "Just a moment, I 'm very busy, but I 'll be with you in a moment.", "Please wait for ME.", "I'll take care of it." and so forth. Bark orders to students during cleaning time. They just love to show that they are busy, while the ALT tries to be busy.

You've been studying Japanese for x years, and this fellow asks you is you can read hiragana. Many Japanese cannot say their age in English even after 7+ years of English Education, and therefore believe that foreigners are the same. If you stress that you can read some Japanese, and show them some kanji you know, the next time they come up with Japanese that is way beyond your level. You're illiterate or you're a kanji master. Even if you build up enough credibility about your language abilities, one mistake and you are thrown back to the "can you read hiragana?" stage. The best thing for ALTs is just to say "I'm ok, I can read it", and continue with your business. This kind of teacher rarely pursues the case any further.

The school geek. You have a computer problem, ask the Tech. Abilities vary, and many can fix your problem in a jiffy or in a few hours. If you are also a fellow geek, the Tech can be a good ally when you want the school proxy settings, software, hardware or administrative passwords.

"Sports and nothing but" sensei (SANB-sensei) live ONLY for sport. They usually teach other subjects, but education is only secondary to having the kids practice baseball 4 hours a day. Most talk concerns their sport club activity, and have especially no interest in English. The only way for an ALT to approach SANB-sensei is to ask if they can join (disturb) the sport team. SANB-sensei is most glorious on undoukai (Sports Day Festival), and is a celebration of all his hard work and gives him/her purpose as to why he/she is a teacher: lead his student-minions to victory. For the 1-2 months before undoukai, SANB-sensei has the power to cancel other, more "intellectual" classes, reducing the ALT to the state of paperweight.

The behind-the-scenes woman. Takes care of lunches, serves tea for everyone, passes out treats from time to time, cleans a bit on her free time, etc. She is usually a very nice and interesting person to talk to. It is a very good thing to have her on your side, as you can get an extra chocolate, senbei, whatever if you are lucky. ^_^ Some are awesome, but there are rare instances where the tea-lady is evil and the source of all gossip.

Takes care of administrative work, and usually very busy. Usually her work is unrelated to the ALT, as the ALT deals with his/her Board of Education concerning administrative matters. Usually sits in the ALT's general area.

The school nurse, some of which are quite pretty, nice and patient, and make you wish you got a cold or a big ol' bruise that she could kiss to make the pain go away. ^_^ In a few rare cases, some are evil, and it is recommended to live through your cold instead of seeking help.