The Purpose of ALT Program：
　The primary purpose of the ALT program is to improve students' communication abilities; in other words, to strengthen listening and speaking skills. At the same time, the program offers the students exposure to an English speaking culture, thus raising their concerns and interests in international understanding.
ALT of Yokosuka City：
　An ALT is a native English teacher, and it stands for the Assistant Language Teacher.Presently, we have 27 ALTs chosen by the public subscription. We use a home school system, each junior high school and high school has its own ALT. (Depending on the school size, some ALTs visit 2 or 3 schools.) ALTs visit their home school a few days (about 10 school hours) in a week to team-teach English with the Japanese English teachers. In addition to the English classes, ALTs are efficiently used in elective classes and comprehensive learning classes as well. Every school tries to make time for students to visit with ALTs in extra curricularactivities, too. For example, assemblies, school events like sports dayand cultural meeting, club activities, lunch time, etc. are great opportunities for the students to practice communication skills and participate in a cultural exchange . The ALT program is working efficiently in each school.
The History of ALT and the Present Situation：
　The ALT program in Yokosuka started in 1983 for the municipal high School and junior high school students. At first, only one ALT visited all schools responding to requests. As the requests increased, the number of ALTs also grew. Since 1998, each junior high school has had its own ALT, and the high school share two ALTs. Additionally, there are two schools for special education in Yokosuka and ALTs are also available to visit　there.
　Recently the visit requests from elementary schools are increasing.　The needs of these schools are for cultural exchange activities. We look forward to continued success with the ALT program in ensuring our students' acquisition of English communication skills and international cultural understanding. Since last year ALTs have been visiting all elementary schools.