Club activities and events always together. Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture launches "permanent stationing" at junior high schools with 11 ALTs, realizing one of Kyoto Prefecture's top-tier English education environments.

An ALT teacher brightly conducting a class with gestures at a public elementary school in Kameoka City.

Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture (Mayor: Takahiro Katsuragawa), which declares "Children First," has launched a fundamental reinforcement of English education in the city's elementary and junior high schools as part of its educational policies. In fiscal year 2025, based on a comprehensive cooperation agreement concluded with a private company and an "Agreement on Educational Cooperation Partnership" with Lapu-Lapu City, Republic of the Philippines, 11 new ALTs (Assistant Language Teachers) have been hired from the Philippines. This will significantly expand the total system to 15 people, making it one of the top-tier systems in Kyoto Prefecture, and will launch a new English education model, including "permanent stationing" at junior high schools.

[Background/Purpose] Fostering "Living English Skills" to Thrive in a Global Society

Kameoka City is focusing on English education so that children can actively participate with a global perspective, free from anxiety or resistance towards different cultures. By expanding from the previous 4-person system to a 15-person system, we will simultaneously achieve qualitative and quantitative improvements in English education at all elementary and junior high schools in the city, establishing a fulfilling educational environment.

[Implementation Details] Strategic ALT Placement

An ALT teacher supporting learning next to students at their desks (Kameoka City)

This project aims to create an environment where students can be exposed to English anytime and anywhere in their school life by reviewing ALT placement.

First Semester:

The 11 new hires will be assigned as "permanent staff" to junior high schools and compulsory education schools (upper grades) in the city.

Second Semester Onward:

In parallel with the permanent stationing of ALTs at junior high schools, we will shift to a system where ALTs can intensively circulate to elementary schools, and new and existing ALTs will work together to launch the city's unique English education.

[Key Points] Three Unique Aspects of This Project

An ALT teacher, stepping beyond the classroom, joining club activities and conversing with students with a smile (Kameoka City)

Complete Transition from "Classroom" to "Daily Life" (Permanent Stationing) The role will shift from "teachers who come to school only during class hours" to "partners who are at the junior high school all day, from morning until after school." They will accompany students during lunch, cleaning, breaks, and even school trips, creating an environment where English is integrated into daily school life.

Adoption of the "Second Language Acquisition" Model The biggest reason for hiring ALTs from the Philippines is their background of having "acquired English as a second language in an environment where it is not their native tongue." From the same perspective as Japanese children, they can convey effective acquisition know-how and methods for maintaining motivation.

"English x Individuality" for Communication That Makes You Want to Speak The hired ALTs each possess high levels of expertise and special skills, such as martial arts coaching, dance, design, and video production. Before viewing English as "study," we will draw out the children's proactive engagement (excitement and anticipation) that arises from wanting to "talk to this teacher" through their hobbies and talents.

[ALTs' Thoughts on the Children of Kameoka]

The ALT teachers who came from the Philippines this year are deeply moved by the purity and eagerness to learn of the children in Kameoka. "We want them to maximize their passion for speaking by being exposed to English every day. It's okay to make mistakes! We will fully support you," say the teachers. By communicating through English, they are fostering a mindset that makes foreign people and cultures feel much closer.

[Future Outlook] Dispatch Program for Junior High School Students to the Philippines

Through pre- and post-assignment training, the city will build a teaching system in line with its educational policies and maintain high-quality education. Furthermore, next year, a new program is planned to dispatch junior high school students residing in the city to the Sisters of Mary School in the Philippines as short-term language study abroad students, providing opportunities for practical global experience.

[Comment from Takahiro Katsuragawa, Mayor of Kameoka City]

Takahiro Katsuragawa, Mayor of Kameoka City

For Kameoka City, which has declared "Children First," improving the educational environment is one of the most important pillars. I am extremely pleased that we have been able to build a 15-person ALT system, one of the top-tier in Kyoto Prefecture, through the agreement with Lapu-Lapu City and collaboration with private companies. I hope that children will cultivate "global sensibility" to soar into the world by interacting with ALTs on a daily basis and experiencing diverse values and cultures firsthand. Kameoka City will continue to invest without hesitation in education that maximizes the potential of children.

[About Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture]

Aerial photograph of Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture

Located next to Kyoto City and conveniently accessible within approximately 20 minutes by rapid train from JR Kyoto Station, it is a "Tokainaka" (city + countryside) surrounded by rich nature. Sangha Stadium, which opened in 2020, is not only a venue for sports viewing but also hosts a variety of events, serving as a new hub of activity. Furthermore, we have declared "Children First" and are seriously supporting people who are working hard for children and child-rearing. Various policies and child-rearing support facilities such as "Galleria Kameoka" and "KIRI no KO (inside Sangha Stadium by KYOCERA)" are also enhanced.

City Official Website

City Official Instagram (※Child-rearing/Relocation related site)

[Related Website]

https://www.city.kameoka.kyoto.jp/site/kosodate/89494.html

[Contact Information] Kameoka City Board of Education, Kyoto Prefecture School Education Division, Contact: Nishimura TEL 0771-25-5053 E-mail: gakkou-shidou@city.kameoka.lg.jp