Joe’s parents came during our spring break. We travelled quiet a bit and took lots of wonderful pictures. Overall I would say it was a success. We had lots of fun and saw many new things. We went to Himeji, Kobe, Osaka, Nara and Kyoto (3 times). We saw the oldest castle in Japan (Himeji-jo), the largest wooden structure in (Nara), a really awesome aquarium (Osaka), Monkeys (Kyoto) and ate wonderful Indian food (Kobe). Kyoto has a lot of really breathtaking shrines and temples. I think I can spend the rest of my life in that town.
The new school year began April 6th. In Japan the teachers get shuffled around from school to school. This year we lost and gained 4 teachers and a principal. They seem nice enough, but rarely talk to me. Something having to do with the language barrier. I am a little relieved that we have a new principal because I felt uncomfortable with the other principal. I didn’t re-contract for another year and I felt like I let him down.
I also picked up a new elementary school, now I will teach at 4 elementary schools and one Jr. High. I am really happy about that. I love teaching elementary schools. The classes are fun and the students seem to enjoy English more. I also have more freedom in how I conduct the class and I get to play with them during recess and that is always fun.
Joe and I started Japanese classes. They are every Friday in the neighboring town. I am in the lowest level class and Joe is a couple of levels above me, so we don’t sit together. I really enjoy the class, wish it was 3 times a week so I can learn faster though. The classes are taught in a big hall, there are several groups with a native Japanese speaker (our instructors) in each group. The class is taught in Japanese only, our teachers know a few words in our native language but not enough to instruct the class using her and our native language. Our town has a large Brazilian population so the rest of the students in my group are Brazilian and speak Portuguese. I understand them and sometimes help them understand the material. There are a total of 6-7 students in my class so everyone gets speaking time (wish I could hog all of the time, but the other students are just as interested as I am). Joe has a total of 4 students in his class, which he loves because he has more speaking time than he did in his previous classes.
Joe and I are starting to get sentimental about having to leave Japan. We knew it would only be for a year and that year is almost up. The other day we went bike riding around our little town for a couple of hours and discovered such beautiful things on our ride. Japan is a very magical place, there are many wonderful things hidden in every corner. We also ran into some of my students and began chit chatting with them. Children in general are amazing, but unless you talk to children who don’t speak your language, you will never see how strong a child’s desire is to connect with people. Adults always speak so divisively. Always speaking in terms of “they” and children are not like that. They understand differences between people, but are always so willing to understand and get to know them. To a child these differences are only aesthetic differences. That is until society spoils them. I will miss seeing my students try so hard to communicate something to me, or try to understand something about me. You should see these 3rd, 4th, 5th , 6th grade students use their limited English vocabulary, simple Japanese and a lot of gestures, to teach me a new game, just so I can play with them. Children are better communicators than adults. I've learned so much from them in these short months and I am very thankful.
(I can hear the tiny frogs croaking outside of the school. I can't wait to go out and try to catch me one. The frogs are so cute by the way.)
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment