So I will take you back to a few months back when I first arrived in Japan. But first, my day today. It's a Monday...but I was surprisingly not as tired as I thought I would be! I went to bed pretty late last night...but I guess I got quite a bit of sleep on the train ride back from Tokyo yesterday. So I know that helped and I snuck in an afternoon nap. Today was a day back at the middle school. Lucky for me, the 3rd grade classes were canceled. 3A had a test during 1st period (which is normally English class) and 3B's class was switched to Home Economics. So that left me with only 1A and 2B...meaning only 2 classes for today! Woohoo! So it wasn't so bad. I have also been recently practicing piano again. I decided that I want to conquer Debussy's Clair de Lune. It's one of his most famous pieces and I'm sure that if anyone heard it, they would recognize at least bits and pieces of it.
Anyway, back to my original thought of the day...equality. So a few months ago, I was in a long and heated discussion with the teachers at my school about how American and Japanese education are much different. The main difference is that in America, kids are able to fail a grade and be held back...meaning they have to redo that grade. The teachers in Japan were in absolute shock of that, because in Japan, no matter how poorly a student does on tests or homework (which doesn't exist), they will automatically advance to the next grade so that everyone is in the same class still. They have the mentality that everyone moves together, because it's one big team. Everyone is equal and everyone must help each other out. No one is left behind and no one is considered "better" than somebody else as a result. While I think this is an ideal thought, and would be great if it were true, I do not believe in this idea. I guess it's because I grew up in America where things are opposite and so I'm biased toward that thought.
While I think that it's true we are all humans, people are better at different things and we all have different talents. As well, we all have to try hard in order to get to the next level, which is how American education works. I feel that in Japan's elementary and middle schools the students can get away with not studying at all, and are still rewarded for it. They don't have homework and are not held liable to those projects which I remember working delicately on during my school years back in the States. So back to the scenario where all the teachers were in shock to hear that in America, students can be held back. They were even more shocked by the news that the classes in America are split into different levels for the students. To them, having a "Basic", "Intermediate", and "Advanced" class level for different subjects was a very big surprise and they could not believe it. I guess it's because the parents of those students would be ashamed if their child was in a lower class for math or science. I explained to them that most students know and understand what level they are in. It's also good because that way the whole class can move at a pace which is reasonable for everyone without having to accommodate for a wide spread of students at different levels.
So while they were surprised at all this news a few months ago, I was talking with the same teacher again today about English class. There was a speech presentation last week and the students rated themselves on their performance. There were many students who thought that they didn't do as well as they could have...of course most people will be harsh critics on their own performance. In talking with the teacher, she said that it's difficult for some students because they might be slower in learning English or they don't feel as confident as some of the others....and in turn it's a problem because of the widespread of ability. She went on to talk about that it can get boring for the faster students if we slow down the material for the ones who don't understand as quickly, and that it's a problem for the slower learners if we move too quickly because then they won't understand and will fall behind. She was explaining that it is a problem in the classroom and it's hard to manage the widespread abilities....which brings me back to the point that I had referred to earlier when I was talking with her a few months ago.
That's exactly why we have different levels in the schools in America so that this issue won't arise! There are different levels for a good reason! I thought it was ironic and interesting...a few months ago she was in complete shock to hear about the different levels, and then today she went on to say that it's difficult to teach the widespread level in one class and to manage all of that. Then she went on to explain how it works for getting in to high schools. I was asking about high school entrance exams and she was telling me that the students will go to different high schools based on their exam scores. So the students who perform better will be eligible to go to certain high schools, ensuring that the top students go to the top high schools, and lower performers go to average or less than average high schools. In some lower high schools, it is already known that those students will not go to college or they won't be able to because that high school is not reputable.
So wait, the Japanese teachers were in complete shock to hear that in America, classes are divided into different levels based on students learning abilities and how smart they are. Yet, in Japan, they do the exact same thing, just at a later level and in a slightly different fashion. To me, it sounds like they are doing the same thing because they are accumulating the smarter people in smarter high schools, while those that don't do as well academically go to lower high schools. The irony and the frustration! This situation doesn't surprise me, as it should be according to this fashion. Normally, smarter people will be able to have a better opportunity to get better education and be able to further themselves both in school and in life. But the thing that frustrates me is that the teachers were so shocked by the concept, yet it happens in Japan just the same.
Anyway, enough ranting, I'm glad that I learned something new today and hopefully at some point may be able to kindly help the teachers understand that the same thing happens in Japanese education...students are separated into different levels for education, no matter how equal everyone may be!
Monday, January 31, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Normal day
Today I only had 3 classes. Great day! I had the 1st grade classes in the morning and one 2nd grade class. Then, I had no classes in the afternoon....which left me with a lot of time. I used that time to plan for my classes the next day and for next week. I like having this time, as on other days I am super busy and barely have time to think. On the days that I'm at elementary school, my day is usually chock full from 1st period to 6th period. Even my lunch break is not really a break, since I eat with the students and so I'm literally with the kids for the WHOLE day!
But anyway, not too exciting of a day. In the evening, I went to get my haircut and went to the same place that I went to last time. The guy who cut my hair remembered me and asked me how my school day was. Haha, I thought it was funny since he had remembered pretty clearly and what schools I was at! I guess, if someone who looks Japanese but is American, and is a teacher walks in to get a haircut, you'd probably remember them more than someone else who was just an ordinary resident that you met.
This weekend will be pretty relaxing. I am planning on going to see the movie "Unstoppable" with my girlfriend and hang out. Then the rest is pretty open with nothing much but relax and just enjoy the weekend. Tomorrow will be another day at the elementary school, so it's that routine until the weekend comes!
But anyway, not too exciting of a day. In the evening, I went to get my haircut and went to the same place that I went to last time. The guy who cut my hair remembered me and asked me how my school day was. Haha, I thought it was funny since he had remembered pretty clearly and what schools I was at! I guess, if someone who looks Japanese but is American, and is a teacher walks in to get a haircut, you'd probably remember them more than someone else who was just an ordinary resident that you met.
This weekend will be pretty relaxing. I am planning on going to see the movie "Unstoppable" with my girlfriend and hang out. Then the rest is pretty open with nothing much but relax and just enjoy the weekend. Tomorrow will be another day at the elementary school, so it's that routine until the weekend comes!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Kotatsu Bed
I must get out of the habit of falling asleep at my kotatsu and not waking up until the next morning...realizing that I've slept under the table the whole night and then just end up staying there all night long. I haven't' slept in my own futon or bed for nearly 2 weeks! Haha....I know...it's bad. But it's so comfortable! I mean, who wouldn't want to fall asleep at their computer, under a nice, warm table that's heated. And it's covered with a fuzzy blanket! You can't beat that!
Well, I guess I'll try to break the cycle starting tonight! But it's more difficult in the winter. I have the room heated where I am at my computer and do things online. Then my bedroom is completely separated on the other side of the house. This is a problem because the room where my computer is located is already heated up from me being in there and having the heater on. Now, I could just turn on the heater in the bedroom for a little bit and have that heat up. The only problem...my bed is still cold and it's so hard to make it over there when I'm already in a warm and comfortable place! Winter brings out the lazy in us, I guess!
Anyway, today was another day at the middle school. Today, I had 5 classes. In the morning, I had 3 classes in a row so it's good to have those over with right away. Then I finished off the afternoon with 2 classes. It can get to be a long and tiring day, especially since I'm usually the one speaking or talking since I have the native tongue of an English speaker. But overall, I guess it's not too bad. As long as you have fun with it and interact with the students, it makes the time go by more quickly. The 3rd grade classes aren't doing too much...except continuing to prepare for their high school entrance exams. So we've been mainly doing worksheets and preparation materials with them before they take their exams sometime in February.
And in the afternoon, I had the 2nd grade classes. They're preparing for a presentation that they will have in English this coming Friday. They will do a mini speech on their New Year's Resolutions for 2011 and it's all written in English. Granted, none of their speeches will last over 1 minute...but they are all nervous. They get nervous because in Japan, public speaking is nerveracking enough, let alone in a foreign language in front of their classmates. But I think it's good for them to present in front of others and get used to speaking. They will have to in order to get better at English or at presenting in general. However, I won't be at the middle school on Friday because that's one of the days that I have elementary school...bummer! I wanted to watch them give their presentations, especially since I'd been helping them prepare their speeches and helping them out with their pronunciation and such. I guess I'll just have to watch the videos after they're done!
Tonight, I have my English Eikaiwa class as well. The group is really fun and good at English, so it's not too bad! I have Aesop's Fables ready for them to read and to learn about. I haven't read those since elementary school. I don't know too much about Aesop but I think it's good to expose those in my class to those as well since I think it's fairly popular/famous around the globe. Anyway, more postings to come!
Well, I guess I'll try to break the cycle starting tonight! But it's more difficult in the winter. I have the room heated where I am at my computer and do things online. Then my bedroom is completely separated on the other side of the house. This is a problem because the room where my computer is located is already heated up from me being in there and having the heater on. Now, I could just turn on the heater in the bedroom for a little bit and have that heat up. The only problem...my bed is still cold and it's so hard to make it over there when I'm already in a warm and comfortable place! Winter brings out the lazy in us, I guess!
Anyway, today was another day at the middle school. Today, I had 5 classes. In the morning, I had 3 classes in a row so it's good to have those over with right away. Then I finished off the afternoon with 2 classes. It can get to be a long and tiring day, especially since I'm usually the one speaking or talking since I have the native tongue of an English speaker. But overall, I guess it's not too bad. As long as you have fun with it and interact with the students, it makes the time go by more quickly. The 3rd grade classes aren't doing too much...except continuing to prepare for their high school entrance exams. So we've been mainly doing worksheets and preparation materials with them before they take their exams sometime in February.
And in the afternoon, I had the 2nd grade classes. They're preparing for a presentation that they will have in English this coming Friday. They will do a mini speech on their New Year's Resolutions for 2011 and it's all written in English. Granted, none of their speeches will last over 1 minute...but they are all nervous. They get nervous because in Japan, public speaking is nerveracking enough, let alone in a foreign language in front of their classmates. But I think it's good for them to present in front of others and get used to speaking. They will have to in order to get better at English or at presenting in general. However, I won't be at the middle school on Friday because that's one of the days that I have elementary school...bummer! I wanted to watch them give their presentations, especially since I'd been helping them prepare their speeches and helping them out with their pronunciation and such. I guess I'll just have to watch the videos after they're done!
Tonight, I have my English Eikaiwa class as well. The group is really fun and good at English, so it's not too bad! I have Aesop's Fables ready for them to read and to learn about. I haven't read those since elementary school. I don't know too much about Aesop but I think it's good to expose those in my class to those as well since I think it's fairly popular/famous around the globe. Anyway, more postings to come!
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Celebrity Tuesday
Today I had 2 elementary schools. In the morning I taught 1st, 2nd, 5th, and 6th grade. At this school, the 1st and 2nd graders were EXTREMELY happy to have English! I mean really really excited! Haha....the moment I walked in the room they all started cheering and ran up to me and grabbed at me. I felt like a celebrity, haha!
We did fruit lessons...so of course we did the classic "Fruit Basket" game. This is always a big hit and an easy game to do as everyone knows the game and it's a lot of fun. So I mentioned that I felt like a celebrity...well at the end of the class period, the students also brought up notebooks and opened up to empty pages...and asked me for my autograph! Haha, I guess they like the idea of having a foreigner's autograph. It was an interesting day.
Then I moved on to my second elementary school in the afternoon where things calmed down...except for one sixth grader told me he wanted to move to America...after marrying me...kinda weird....
Anyway, classes finished and I went by the local grocery store to pick up a few things for dinner. There, I saw the middle school tea lady. She's extremely nice and always prepares excellent food at school. Well, while I was checking out, I had laid down my money to pay for my items. Then she ran over and gave me back my bill and gave the cashier a money certificate that the tea lady had...which paid for my groceries today! How nice! I just stood there surprised and taken aback...not knowing what to do in that moment as the transaction was completed. It all happened so fast and the tea lady insisted on it!
So, today I felt like a celebrity and I'm not going to lie...it felt good! It's also funny, because in the countryside, everyone always wants to know what the "foreigner in town" will eat for dinner. So the tea lady looked inside my grocery bag as we were walking out and was surprised that I could eat "sashimi!" I told her that sushi is one of my favorite foods and she looked at me saying, "I guess you'll have a fancy dinner tonight!"
Ahhh....good times. Well, I'm going to go enjoy my sashimi and eat dinner!
We did fruit lessons...so of course we did the classic "Fruit Basket" game. This is always a big hit and an easy game to do as everyone knows the game and it's a lot of fun. So I mentioned that I felt like a celebrity...well at the end of the class period, the students also brought up notebooks and opened up to empty pages...and asked me for my autograph! Haha, I guess they like the idea of having a foreigner's autograph. It was an interesting day.
Then I moved on to my second elementary school in the afternoon where things calmed down...except for one sixth grader told me he wanted to move to America...after marrying me...kinda weird....
Anyway, classes finished and I went by the local grocery store to pick up a few things for dinner. There, I saw the middle school tea lady. She's extremely nice and always prepares excellent food at school. Well, while I was checking out, I had laid down my money to pay for my items. Then she ran over and gave me back my bill and gave the cashier a money certificate that the tea lady had...which paid for my groceries today! How nice! I just stood there surprised and taken aback...not knowing what to do in that moment as the transaction was completed. It all happened so fast and the tea lady insisted on it!
So, today I felt like a celebrity and I'm not going to lie...it felt good! It's also funny, because in the countryside, everyone always wants to know what the "foreigner in town" will eat for dinner. So the tea lady looked inside my grocery bag as we were walking out and was surprised that I could eat "sashimi!" I told her that sushi is one of my favorite foods and she looked at me saying, "I guess you'll have a fancy dinner tonight!"
Ahhh....good times. Well, I'm going to go enjoy my sashimi and eat dinner!
Monday, January 24, 2011
SUPER BOWL!!! GO PACK GO!!!
So the Green Bay Packers are going to the Super Bowl! They're finally going back after having been robbed back in 2007 against the Giants...and not having been there since 1998 when they last were robbed the title by the Broncos! Haha...I keep saying they got robbed...but that's how I feel, I guess! I'm just really excited that they'll be going to be playing for the championship...as a 6th seed during the playoffs!
I'm just bummed that they make it to the Super Bowl while I'm out of the country....which poses the problem of how I'm going to watch the game while at work...because of the time difference...it will be playing at around 10am my time on a Monday morning. So that means...I'll probably be teaching class during that time. Bummer!
Well, I'll have to catch the highlights as I am able and just keep rooting for them. Anyway, go Pack go!
I'm just bummed that they make it to the Super Bowl while I'm out of the country....which poses the problem of how I'm going to watch the game while at work...because of the time difference...it will be playing at around 10am my time on a Monday morning. So that means...I'll probably be teaching class during that time. Bummer!
Well, I'll have to catch the highlights as I am able and just keep rooting for them. Anyway, go Pack go!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Wednesday....
Today I had my 2nd Elementary School day in a row....talk about tiring! Haha!
I have a conference up toward Chiba city tomorrow and Friday. Since I normally have elementary school on Friday as well, I was going to miss it. But the BOE didn't want me to miss teaching those classes so they scheduled me to take those classes today instead of being at the middle school.
Well, the day was tiring but it's over, so I guess it's not so bad! I taught numbers lessons, a lesson from the textbook, and fruits for the classic Fruit Basket game!
It was kind of nerveracking because one of my classes was canceled and replaced with another grade because of "Influenza!" They sent home the 6th graders early today because quite a few of them were absent because of the sickness. After I heard that, I was wondering why they don't just send the whole school home early...there's probably a chance that if someone had it leftover in their system, it could spread pretty easily. I thought it would have just been better to send everyone home...but oh well! I hope that I don't get sick!
Well, I'll be at the conference tomorrow and Friday and it will be cool to catch up with some of the other Chiba ALTs that I haven't seen in awhile. I hope the conference isn't too bad! On Friday, I also have a presentation. It's for all 1st year ALTs and they have to do a demo teaching lesson with one of the JTEs at their middle or high school. I practiced earlier this week with my teacher so I feel pretty good, but it's still something left on the plate to do. Wish me luck!
I have a conference up toward Chiba city tomorrow and Friday. Since I normally have elementary school on Friday as well, I was going to miss it. But the BOE didn't want me to miss teaching those classes so they scheduled me to take those classes today instead of being at the middle school.
Well, the day was tiring but it's over, so I guess it's not so bad! I taught numbers lessons, a lesson from the textbook, and fruits for the classic Fruit Basket game!
It was kind of nerveracking because one of my classes was canceled and replaced with another grade because of "Influenza!" They sent home the 6th graders early today because quite a few of them were absent because of the sickness. After I heard that, I was wondering why they don't just send the whole school home early...there's probably a chance that if someone had it leftover in their system, it could spread pretty easily. I thought it would have just been better to send everyone home...but oh well! I hope that I don't get sick!
Well, I'll be at the conference tomorrow and Friday and it will be cool to catch up with some of the other Chiba ALTs that I haven't seen in awhile. I hope the conference isn't too bad! On Friday, I also have a presentation. It's for all 1st year ALTs and they have to do a demo teaching lesson with one of the JTEs at their middle or high school. I practiced earlier this week with my teacher so I feel pretty good, but it's still something left on the plate to do. Wish me luck!
Monday, January 17, 2011
Influenza
So luckily I don't have the influenza....*knock on wood
But my buddy does and a lot of the students at the schools around the area do! I don't know what exactly "Influenza" is in Japan, but I think it's similar to the flu or fever...but anyway, all the teachers and the school nurse have been making a big deal out of this, as it is the flu season. And so there have been packets of information and pages upon pages dumped on my desk on how to prevent the sickness and to let people know right away if you feel any flu-like symptoms or don't feel right.
Well, I hope that I don't get the sickness...this week I have an orientation for the Chiba ALTs. It's the mid-year conference and my friend who is an ALT at the school by mine isn't able to go to the conference because he's sick...even if he gets better, the BOE won't let him go to the conference. So that's a bummer, but I guess to prevent others from getting sick.
Well, I'm going to do my best to stay healthy! Hopefully I will be alright. I will just get lots of sleep, eat right, and stay warm! It's tough to when the hot water doesn't work in the morning and you have to wash your face with the freezing cold water when it's not even over 50 degrees inside your house as well! That makes waking up just impossible.....!!!!!!
But I guess that's how it is in Japan...just have to get used to it!
Today, I also had a mini "interview" with the people from my BOE. Although I technically can just re-contract, the people at the BOE wanted to talk to me and just be sure that things were going alright with the schools and with class. Since they're not with me everyday, they don't know all the details about how everything is going or if I needed anything. So before making a final decision on whether I will stay another year, they wanted to just sit down and talk about those little things and help me understand that I could stay another year if I wanted, but at the same time they wanted to make sure that I had everything I needed and to be sure that everything was going smoothly. It lasted about 30 minutes and was a real casual talk between myself, my supervisor, and a couple people from the BOE. They're all really nice so I wasn't nervous and I was already planning on staying for another year. I know that I want to stay in Japan at least a few years since I made a big move and gave up a lot of things in America to be in Japan. I feel like it would be a waste to stay for only 1 year and then go back. I feel like to really experience Japan, you have to stay at least 2 years and even that's not enough. There are just so many things and places to see but soooo little time!!
Well, I hope to get all the stuff squared away soon and I should be re-signing my official contract soon. Later!
But my buddy does and a lot of the students at the schools around the area do! I don't know what exactly "Influenza" is in Japan, but I think it's similar to the flu or fever...but anyway, all the teachers and the school nurse have been making a big deal out of this, as it is the flu season. And so there have been packets of information and pages upon pages dumped on my desk on how to prevent the sickness and to let people know right away if you feel any flu-like symptoms or don't feel right.
Well, I hope that I don't get the sickness...this week I have an orientation for the Chiba ALTs. It's the mid-year conference and my friend who is an ALT at the school by mine isn't able to go to the conference because he's sick...even if he gets better, the BOE won't let him go to the conference. So that's a bummer, but I guess to prevent others from getting sick.
Well, I'm going to do my best to stay healthy! Hopefully I will be alright. I will just get lots of sleep, eat right, and stay warm! It's tough to when the hot water doesn't work in the morning and you have to wash your face with the freezing cold water when it's not even over 50 degrees inside your house as well! That makes waking up just impossible.....!!!!!!
But I guess that's how it is in Japan...just have to get used to it!
Today, I also had a mini "interview" with the people from my BOE. Although I technically can just re-contract, the people at the BOE wanted to talk to me and just be sure that things were going alright with the schools and with class. Since they're not with me everyday, they don't know all the details about how everything is going or if I needed anything. So before making a final decision on whether I will stay another year, they wanted to just sit down and talk about those little things and help me understand that I could stay another year if I wanted, but at the same time they wanted to make sure that I had everything I needed and to be sure that everything was going smoothly. It lasted about 30 minutes and was a real casual talk between myself, my supervisor, and a couple people from the BOE. They're all really nice so I wasn't nervous and I was already planning on staying for another year. I know that I want to stay in Japan at least a few years since I made a big move and gave up a lot of things in America to be in Japan. I feel like it would be a waste to stay for only 1 year and then go back. I feel like to really experience Japan, you have to stay at least 2 years and even that's not enough. There are just so many things and places to see but soooo little time!!
Well, I hope to get all the stuff squared away soon and I should be re-signing my official contract soon. Later!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Tired Thursday
So today was a regular Thursday. I had 3 classes today and it wasn't such a bad day. However, the day seemed to drag on for awhile...I had a lot of free time in the morning which I think added to the longevity of the day. I was pretty tired as is and it's getting even harder to get out of bed with the frigid air surrounding your warm bed!
This morning, I let the snooze go off for over 30 minutes and I just couldn't get myself to get out of bed until I ABSOLUTELY had to! Well, one more day until the weekend...yay!!!
I don't have too much to post today except that it was another normal day and hopefully there will be more exciting days to come!
This morning, I let the snooze go off for over 30 minutes and I just couldn't get myself to get out of bed until I ABSOLUTELY had to! Well, one more day until the weekend...yay!!!
I don't have too much to post today except that it was another normal day and hopefully there will be more exciting days to come!
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