by Tamra Cocks
Bored at work? Ready to scream coz you've given the same lesson plan a thousand times already? Then check out these 10 things to do!
The Productive List!
10. Join another lesson. Whether it's Japanese, P.E., or whatever - get in there and get involved!
9. Look at the textbook and try to come up with future communicative lessons.
8. Go for a walk. Who says you have to stay remained in the staffroom? Go for a stroll around the school and chat with the teachers (and all the students avoiding their lessons).
7. Set up an AET letter box on your desk. At each of your lessons, encourage the students to write you a letter and promise them you will reply. The students can then put their letters in your "highly decorated" letter box.
6. Get on the Internet. We all do it. Check the email, daily news, etc.
5. Get involved with a club activity. If you're into soccer then ask the soccer teacher if you can join. Most of the time they'll be really flattered.
4. Learn some Japanese. This is probably the only job you'll have in your lifetime that allows you to study during work hours - Take advantage of it! If you have a desire to improve your J, then give the books a go!
3. Bring in a great novel and appreciate some ENGLISH literature.
2. Bake cookies or cake or something and walk around offering it to teachers. This is a great way to get relations going for you.
1. Go through the travel brochures and plan your next trip overseas!!!!
Or... The Time-Wasting Approach!
10. Make yourself your 5th coffee for the day.
9. Check your e-mail and discover that the only people who love you are other extremely bored JETs and the Hotmail staff.
8. Count how many laps you can walk around the staffroom for. (Add in some side lunges and star jumps for some extra exercise!)
7. Run up and down the halls screaming, "KAJI! KAJI! KAJI!!!"
6. Make yourself a coffee, pull your chair into the Principal's room and practice your Japanese with him while making extremely loud slurping noises.
5. For girls, get on the Internet and check out all the new lingerie Victoria Secret has now on offer. For boys, read the sports column of every newspaper.
4. Take off your shoes and clip your toenails. In the case of any objections, explain it is a custom of your country to do this at work.
3. Set up camp in the smoker's room and tape a sign to the door saying "... is now sleeping. Please don't disturb."
2. Pop your MD on and sing Jon Bon Jovi at the top of your lungs in the staffroom. (Any objections, then say it's for lesson preparation.)
1. If you have been ignored for the day, paste a massive photo of yourself on the staffroom blackboard with "... is at school today" written underneath. They'll be sure to talk to you after that ... maybe.
Happy Holidays!