“Because I’m kinda like Jesus, but not in a sacrilegious way”
- Homer J. Simpson
This is the re-rebirth of my blogging persona. My screaming Phoenix arising from flames of blogs-long-forgotten. I’d like to say that I’m going to do better this time, but going by my track record, it’s safe to say that you probably shouldn’t be getting your hopes up. At least not for some sustained work of incredible genius. More than likely, I’ll struggle through about 13 posts, put up a few dozen pictures here and there and then succumb to the inevitable laziness that comes with Japanese sweltering summers. But hey, maybe if I start out with low expectations of myself and low expectations from my followers (if there are any) I’ll surprise a few people and unleash whatever dormant potential may be hibernating in the depths of my shoyu-saturated brain.
So, while there’s no possible way I can update you on an entire ten months word of stories and shenanigans, I can at least put a few pieces of the puzzle together for you.
I teach English at two high schools in Shiga Prefecture, Japan. I am an ALT, or Assistant Language Teacher, meaning that I have another Japanese English teacher “team-teaching” with me at all times. “Team-teaching” means a different thing for everyone involved in the action, but in my case, it essentially means I teach everything and the Japanese teacher is there in case I need any help with translations. Of course, since I work at two of the lowest level high schools in the prefecture, I need A LOT of translation done.
That brings up an interesting factoid you may not know about the Japanese public school system. Kids have to take entrance exams in order to be accepted for enrollment into high school. Therefore, high schools are ranked according to their academic level. When I say that I work at two of the lowers level high schools, I mean academically. These kids aren’t the kids you’d typically think of when you think of Japanese high school students. No, they aren’t insanely good at math. No, they definitely don’t all sit their obediently and listen to their teacher. In fact, some of my classes are absolute zoos. I’d say that about 50% of my students are convinced they will never need to utter an English phrase in their entire life after high school. That means that these 50% of students don’t give a shit about English class. Finding new ways to motivate my students is one of the two hardest things about my job. The other one being the complete and utter lack of consequences for acting up in class. I’ll go into a more detailed description of these another time. I’ll probably save it for when I’m really irritated. It’ll make for better reading, I’m sure.
Thought it may not sound like it, I really do love most of my students. Despite their attitudes about English, they’re generally always genki (excited, happy, energetic, pleasant all in one convenient word) and are always interested in talking to me. This can prove challenging since I know very, very little Japanese, but it really helps me pick up words and phrases quickly. I hadn’t studied any Japanese before getting here and I have to say, I’m doing pretty well after ten months. I know most of the BARE essentials - ordering food, telling the time, asking where the train station is, ordering BEER - and I’ve been putting in a bit of study time recently. I’m hoping to take the JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test) Level 4 sometime this fall. It’s the first test out of four, and it’ll give me something tangible to work towards and hopefully measure myself by when I pass!
That’s about all I’m going to be able to muster this evening. Basically I teach English, I get paid and I do fun things around the country (and surrounding countries). I’m fortunate that my sexy, sweet and stellar girlfriend Lindsey is teaching in Seoul, which is a quick two hour plane hop from where I live. I’ve been to Seoul twice to visit her already and there’s no doubt there are many more trips out there to come.
It’s a sweet gig. I have great friends, a steady job that pays well and lots of crazy, bizarre Japanese things all around me. I’m happy to say that I’ll be staying here for at least another fourteen months. After that, well, who the hell knows?
Until next time,
John-san
