First off, despite what you may think or have heard, the schools here are very similar to public schools in America. Junior high kids are the same the world over thanks to our friend puberty and its crazy mind-altering effects. I plan a lesson for
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| SCHOOL LIFE | ||||||||||||||||||||
| As you know, I am teaching English to Junior High School and Elementary School students in Japan's public school system. The students that I teach are nothing short of awesome! Last year I taught at 2 Junior High Schools and at both the students were really cool, even though I don't think English was the favorite subject for many of them.My two JHS ranged from 250 -360 | ||||||||||||||||||||
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students. First off, despite what you may think or have heard, the schools here are very similar to public schools in America. Junior high kids are the same the world over thanks to our friend puberty and its crazy mind-altering effects. I plan a lesson for |
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| (ABOVE: my JHS students at a sports day jump rope game) each class sometimes with success and other times I have to constantly wake students up throughout. But no matter what, students always try to talk to me in the halls and after school. Its amazing that these students like me simply because I am a foreigner and because I am trying my hardest to teach them something I am passionate about. The teaching can be extremely frustrating at times, but as any teacher in the world can tell you, the rewarding times will easily make up for the frustrating ones. I often run into my students when grocery shopping or eating out and when they speak English to me, I am instantly elated and proud. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Now, the Elementary school children make this one of the most gratifying and amazing jobs I've ever had. These students absolutely love English and get hyper with excitement to see me coming. As much as I would love to think they are losing their sanity because of me, I know that it is because of what I represent; a chance to learn something different from someone that comes from a completely different place. What you have to understand about Japanese culture is that for the longest time, and many would argue still today, their is little emphasis on being unique and so the stress is to fit in with those around you by conforming. When these students ages 6 to 11 see me coming they see someone who doesn't conform at all and it excites and intrigues them. There are no English tests, no grades, just a fun class filled with pictures and games where hopefully they will learn a little English, but more importantly realize that there is a world outside of Japan that they can easily be a part of. Any one of | ||||||||||||||||||||
| these students can make my worst day great as they yell HELLO!!! to get my attention or become too shy with laughter and run away. Look at this picture and you can see what I mean. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| As you know I love kids, and I couldn't ask for better ones than the ones I teach everyday. After only a year, I have seen enough smiles to last a lifetime. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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