Japanese for ALTs: Classroom Items

The Words You’ll Use Every Day

Learning Japanese as an ALT can be frustrating. Your Japanese textbook is teaching you how to talk about hobbies and travel. Your flashcard app is drilling you on academic and scientific terms.

Meanwhile, you’re trying to figure out how to say “stapler” and “HDMI cable.”

Students will ask you for things. JTEs will ask you to prepare things. You need to know what the stuff around you is called.

This article focuses on high-frequency classroom item vocabulary that ALTs actually use.

Core Classroom Objects

These are items you see almost every single day. Do you know what they’re called?

Vocabulary

黒板（こくばん, kokuban）– blackboard

黒板消し（こくばんけし, kokuban keshi）– board eraser

チョーク（chōku）– chalk

ホワイトボード（howaito bōdo）– whiteboard

マーカー（mākā）– marker
(Note: Be careful, the same word is used for permanent markers and dry erase markers)

教科書（きょうかしょ, kyōkasho）– textbook

ノート（nōto）– notebook

ワークブック（wākubukku）– workbook

プリント（purinto）– handout / worksheet
(Note: From “print,” as in “printout”)

消しゴム（けしごむ, keshigomu）– eraser

えんぴつ（enpitsu）– pencil

ペン（pen）– pen

Example Sentences

These nouns will carry most of the classroom objects you’ll be asked about or need to ask about.

Technology & Equipment

Japanese classrooms traditionally lag behind the rest of the world in technology usage, but that’s starting to change. Get comfortable with these terms now, because ALTs will be using them more in the future!

Vocabulary

パソコン（pasokon）– computer

(Note: from “personal computer”)

タブレット（taburetto）– tablet

プロジェクター（purojekutā）– projector

スクリーン（sukurīn）– screen

(Note: the technical term is 画面, gamen, but you’re just as likely to hear the katakana version)

スピーカー（supīkā）– speaker

マイク（maiku）– microphone

HDMIケーブル（eichi’dii’emu’ai kēburu）– HDMI cable

(Note: make sure to use the katakana pronunciation of HDMI – pronouncing it correctly will confuse people!)

リモコン（rimokon）– remote control

電源（でんげん, dengen）– power

(Note: “power” as in “power button,” 電源スイッチ, degen suicchi)

コンセント（konsento）– outlet

(Note: specifically, a power outlet)

Example Sentences

Of course, you can swap in other nouns:

Paper & Materials

While digital materials are on the rise, there’s no substitute for the classics. You will use all these when making traditional classroom materials, or doing hands-on projects with students.

Vocabulary

はさみ（hasami）– scissors

のり（nori）– glue

テープ（tēpu）– tape

画用紙（がようし, gayōshi）– construction paper

色紙（いろがみ, irogami）– colored paper

カード（kādo）– card

フラッシュカード（furasshu kādo）– flashcard

ラミネート（raminēto）– laminate/laminator

(Note: used both as a verb for the action of laminating and as a noun for the laminator machine)

ホッチキス（hotchikisu）– stapler

クリップ（kurippu）– paperclip

Example Sentences

This is the vocabulary that keeps your lesson from falling apart five minutes before class.

Storage & Organization Words

Once you’ve mastered what common classroom items are called, it’s time to learn where they’re stored!

Vocabulary

引き出し（ひきだし, hikidashi）– drawer

棚（たな, tana）– shelf

ロッカー（rokkā）– locker

(Note: Most schools won’t have lockers for students, but they often have them for teachers!)

箱（はこ, hako）– box

ファイル（fairu）– file

(Note: can refer to both physical files and computer files.)

バインダー（baindā）– binder

Example Sentences

Understanding storage words will help you find things – and make it easier to collaborate with coworkers.

Common ALT Situations

Let’s put it together and see how these words and phrases work together in some daily situations.

You Forgot the Handouts:

ALT: Sumimasen, purinto o wasuremashita.
JTE: Daijōbu desu. Insatsushitsu de kopī shimashō.

ALT: Sorry, I forgot the handouts.
JTE: It’s okay. Let’s make copies in the printing room.

Tech Failure

ALT:「プロジェクターの電源が入りません。」
JTE:「ちょっと見てみます。」

ALT: Purojekutā no dengen ga hairimasen.
JTE: Chotto mite mimasu.

ALT: The projector won’t turn on.
JTE: Let me take a look.

Student Doesn’t Have Materials

ALT: 「教科書はありますか。」
Student:「ありません。」
ALT:「じゃあ、一緒に見ましょう。」

ALT: Kyōkasho wa arimasu ka?
Student: Arimasen.
ALT: Jā, issho ni mimashō.

ALT: Do you have your textbook?
Student: No, I don’t.
ALT: Then let’s look together.

You Need Supplies

ALT:「はさみを借りてもいいですか。」
JTE:「はい、どうぞ。」

ALT: Hasami o karite mo ii desu ka?
JTE: Hai, dōzo.

ALT: May I borrow the scissors?
JTE: Yes, go ahead.

Cultural Notes

1. Supplies usually belong to the school, not to individual teachers, particularly supplies in the 印刷室 (printing room)
2. Even so, don’t assume you can use items or move them to another room without asking.
3. Some materials are class-specific. Moving them from one classroom to another or using them for a different purpose can cause problems.
4. Using school technology may require permission. Each school will have its own policy, so don’t assume that what’s allowed at school A will be fine at school B.
5. When in doubt, ask. A quick 「使ってもいいですか?」 (Tsukatte mo ii desu ka? Is it okay to use this?) prevents most problems.

What to Read Next

Japanese for ALTs: Giving Classroom Instructions

How to tell students what to do clearly and politely.

What to Do When You Don’t Have Classes

Why looking busy matters.

JTE Collaboration

How small language choices build trust.

Thinking about becoming an ALT? Get the full guide from applying to arriving in So You Want to Be an ALT.