![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Entry tags:
September 15th, The REAL First Day
9/15/09
I tried to wake up slowly, peacefully, and early today, but I ended up getting up at almost the same usual time because no matter how hard I try I just can’t seem to get to bed early. I was making okay time, but then the internet wouldn’t connect, and then it would, so I tried skypeing with The Pred to figure out what I was supposed to do. I’m not sure she gave me any real answers, but I can definitely use this information to help me figure it out.
As a result, I was a little late, so I got to school with no make-up on. Fortunately I was having a good face day, because my first class ever was first period! Ichi-sensei came up to me in his characteristic meticulous and uninviting way to remind me that I was with him during period three, and that made me realize I should probably touch base with the other teachers. Things were so busy prepping for the Open School and the weekend that I’d completely put off any preparation other than my game. Also, I thought K-sen had told everyone. Apparently I was wrong.
When I went to Mumbles-sensei, he almost shit a brick. He had no idea and I could tell he was terrified by the thought of me watching him teach. I understood, but at the same time, he’s an English teacher and I’m not threatening. I think it would have been better had he had time to mentally psyche himself up, but his sheer terror lead him to running over to the other teacher and asking in Japanese instead of continuing the conversation with me in Japanese or English. I was a little bothered by this, but I realize not everyone can put themselves on the line when it comes to foreign language. I definitely couldn’t have 2 months ago.
My plan for class was to ask them what they remembered from my formal self-introduction, and then I stylized questions based on my introduction to ask them in a game afterward. If they answered yes, they had to stand up and find a new seat, and if they couldn’t find a seat, they had to answer the question out loud. So in the end, I did my 10 minute activity (the teachers were very strict about me keeping to that limit so as to not inconvenience their lessons :P) but Mumbles-sensei wanted me to continue so he wouldn’t have to talk, so he had the students ask me questions. It was awkward goings, but we all survived and I ended up playing human tape recorder for a while at the end, which was fine because it’s better than sitting at my desk. The kids were quiet, and because of their reservation you can never tell if they understand or if they think your jokes are funny, but it was fun all the same.
Third period with Ichi-sensei was a little heinous. I’d refined my game so that it went really well, I learned you have to ask tangible questions or the kids will lie to get out of using English…And then immediately after, Ichi-sensei said, “ok, you can go back to the teacher’s room now.” Part of me understood that maybe he was self-conscious or thought that since I didn’t have a part in the lesson, I had better things to do, but most of me is just a little bitter that he’s so keen to get rid of me. His personality seems a little arrogant, like, “why use the foreigner just because she’s foreign? I’d rather do it on my own thanks.”
But what he’s forgetting is that I’m a real teacher and that I’m a native speaker on top of that. Or maybe that’s what he’s remembering, and that’s the problem.
The last period of the day was the most fun, Shadow-sensei came out of his shadows, sat down with me for a long conversation before hand, and then used me for the whole lesson.
In Japan, the kids have a classroom that is “their room,” and the teachers go around to them, instead of the other way around. I think I like that better, actually, it’s more fun. Though it makes me wonder whether the kids get bored sitting in the same place all day.
At the end of the day I went home and made curry, entirely homemade except that I used roux for the sauce. It made two huge meals already, and I still have 3 cups of it left in the fridge! When the mailman came by to drop off some registered mail (wtf, 8 PM again. Crazy, Japan, crazy!) he sniffed the air a few times and said, “…curry?” and I said, “un, sou desu.” And it was cute.
I went for a run, this time to the old downtown. I didn’t make it quite as far as downtown, because it’s about 20 minutes by bus, but I suspect I got really close. I’ll have to check the map. I went past the bikkuri donkii restaurant that looks really cool. It’s famous for being open until 2AM. Not only is that a fun name to say, but it means “Surprise Donkey.” I also ran far enough to find The Lion of Oz, which made me very happy. I’m kind of hoping that by bike all these places are accessible, because if I have to pay for the train to get to my English conversation club every week, I will be very bitter and poor.
I tried to wake up slowly, peacefully, and early today, but I ended up getting up at almost the same usual time because no matter how hard I try I just can’t seem to get to bed early. I was making okay time, but then the internet wouldn’t connect, and then it would, so I tried skypeing with The Pred to figure out what I was supposed to do. I’m not sure she gave me any real answers, but I can definitely use this information to help me figure it out.
As a result, I was a little late, so I got to school with no make-up on. Fortunately I was having a good face day, because my first class ever was first period! Ichi-sensei came up to me in his characteristic meticulous and uninviting way to remind me that I was with him during period three, and that made me realize I should probably touch base with the other teachers. Things were so busy prepping for the Open School and the weekend that I’d completely put off any preparation other than my game. Also, I thought K-sen had told everyone. Apparently I was wrong.
When I went to Mumbles-sensei, he almost shit a brick. He had no idea and I could tell he was terrified by the thought of me watching him teach. I understood, but at the same time, he’s an English teacher and I’m not threatening. I think it would have been better had he had time to mentally psyche himself up, but his sheer terror lead him to running over to the other teacher and asking in Japanese instead of continuing the conversation with me in Japanese or English. I was a little bothered by this, but I realize not everyone can put themselves on the line when it comes to foreign language. I definitely couldn’t have 2 months ago.
My plan for class was to ask them what they remembered from my formal self-introduction, and then I stylized questions based on my introduction to ask them in a game afterward. If they answered yes, they had to stand up and find a new seat, and if they couldn’t find a seat, they had to answer the question out loud. So in the end, I did my 10 minute activity (the teachers were very strict about me keeping to that limit so as to not inconvenience their lessons :P) but Mumbles-sensei wanted me to continue so he wouldn’t have to talk, so he had the students ask me questions. It was awkward goings, but we all survived and I ended up playing human tape recorder for a while at the end, which was fine because it’s better than sitting at my desk. The kids were quiet, and because of their reservation you can never tell if they understand or if they think your jokes are funny, but it was fun all the same.
Third period with Ichi-sensei was a little heinous. I’d refined my game so that it went really well, I learned you have to ask tangible questions or the kids will lie to get out of using English…And then immediately after, Ichi-sensei said, “ok, you can go back to the teacher’s room now.” Part of me understood that maybe he was self-conscious or thought that since I didn’t have a part in the lesson, I had better things to do, but most of me is just a little bitter that he’s so keen to get rid of me. His personality seems a little arrogant, like, “why use the foreigner just because she’s foreign? I’d rather do it on my own thanks.”
But what he’s forgetting is that I’m a real teacher and that I’m a native speaker on top of that. Or maybe that’s what he’s remembering, and that’s the problem.
The last period of the day was the most fun, Shadow-sensei came out of his shadows, sat down with me for a long conversation before hand, and then used me for the whole lesson.
In Japan, the kids have a classroom that is “their room,” and the teachers go around to them, instead of the other way around. I think I like that better, actually, it’s more fun. Though it makes me wonder whether the kids get bored sitting in the same place all day.
At the end of the day I went home and made curry, entirely homemade except that I used roux for the sauce. It made two huge meals already, and I still have 3 cups of it left in the fridge! When the mailman came by to drop off some registered mail (wtf, 8 PM again. Crazy, Japan, crazy!) he sniffed the air a few times and said, “…curry?” and I said, “un, sou desu.” And it was cute.
I went for a run, this time to the old downtown. I didn’t make it quite as far as downtown, because it’s about 20 minutes by bus, but I suspect I got really close. I’ll have to check the map. I went past the bikkuri donkii restaurant that looks really cool. It’s famous for being open until 2AM. Not only is that a fun name to say, but it means “Surprise Donkey.” I also ran far enough to find The Lion of Oz, which made me very happy. I’m kind of hoping that by bike all these places are accessible, because if I have to pay for the train to get to my English conversation club every week, I will be very bitter and poor.