i love teaching in japan. i love teaching in the schools that i teach in japan. why? because the students i teach are so open, uninhibited, crazy and just simply lovable. They are responsive, they try their best to understand me (generally) and they laugh at my terrible drawing, gasping in amazement when one of their own actually GETS IT and shouts out the right answer.
They are often honest with their thoughts and extremely uninhibited within the safety of their classroom.
They can’t speak much English, but they compensate with their eager desire to communicate and befriend you. It helps your self-esteem that some of them think the world of you.
I drop an eraser, and suddenly a boy races to the front to pick it up for me.
I sit in the garden and a boy calls out from a window on the 2nd floor ” Anne sensei! Destiny!! Destiny we meeto”
I attend a tea ceremony and a girl keeps telling me that I am ‘kawaii’
Before I say “How are you” , a student preempts the question and moans ” I’m TIREDDDDDDDDDDD”
It just feels good that to be recognised and found to be worthy of attention… most of the time.
I adore them and some of them adore me. Which makes me want to be a better teacher for them. Adoration then, works both ways I guess.
1 Comment
October 29, 2009 at 10:05 AM
So glad you are really enjoying your work.. few people actually enjoy their work, so indulge in your newfound joy! Am so happy for u too!
Now u make me want to teach in japan too!!!