School (lack of) Life

I suppose everyone is very interested in what my life working at the schools is like. I haven't talked about it because there isn't much to talk about yet. At the moment, it is still summer vacation for the students, so there are only a couple around doing sports and clubs. The teachers don't get to take the summer off, like they do in the states, but many of them are taking off their very brief vacation at the moment, so the office is all but empty. It has been impressed upon me how incredibly hard Japanese teachers work; they are essentially expected to raise the children, with more responsibility even than the parents! So, once the year starts, I think seeing the office empty will be a rare and strange thing.

To pass the time, I usually spend a lot of time on the internet. I have no internet in my apartment yet (nor will I, probably for another month), so I have to soak it up while I am at school. I do have crappy internet on my cell phone, so I am able to check my e-mail and train schedules whenever/wherever I want. In case you were wondering, I write all of my blog entries while I am at school. I have no official school responsibilities yet, since school hasn't started. At the elementary where I work on Fridays, I have 2 lessons to plan, but that is all. I also bring along my Japanese to study, but thus far, not much time gets devoted to that. For this reason, and the fact that the teacher's room is air conditioned (the rest of the school is not), I don't mind going to work for no apparent reason.

About the schools.. well, at the junior high school, where I am 4 days a week, I have met and talked to two of the English teachers who both speak English quite well. They are both female and very nice. I have my own desk and laptop computer (which is in Japanese...) next to one of the English teachers. The rest of the teachers do not speak English. However, many times, the English teachers are not at school, and the one people around are non-English speakers. Mostly, they don't try to talk to me too much. We are all nervous about our abilities with foreigners and foreign language. However, once the ice is broken, quite a conversation can be had. Lots and lots of gesturing, mixing languages until the point has gotten across, it works out alright. It's pretty cute/amusing really. I really appreciate their effort.

Everyone is very interested in my life prior to coming to Japan. I have a small album of photos from home, showing my family, my house, my college, and friends. This was the perfect icebreaker when I met the Principle at the JHS. Right after introducing myself, we were left alone. He is a jolly little man, but he speaks no English and I was not getting any Japanese out, so I whipped out my photo album and, BAM, instant communication. I remembered to bring it the first day I was staying at the elementary as well. I took it out just to show the two people I was talking to, and instantly, the entire office had gathered in front of me. My first experience as a 4th grade teacher. lol. Everyone is particularly impressed with the picture of my parent`s house + boat in Texas. Should have brought more of those.

My first day at the elementary was kind of awkward. None of the English teachers were there, and, as far as I could tell, no one spoke English. So I sat at my desk in the back quietly for quite a long time without anyone to talk to or anything to do. Then, one of the woman from the front came back, the computer tech, and it turned out that she spoke some English. Later, the school clerk introduced himself to me and spoke a little. People seem happy to see me there, but are very shy. I understand, of course. I am shy as well.

Just as the day was winding down, the computer-sensei came back and invited me to join them in a game of badminton. I wasn't the only one with nothing to do! So someone lent me some indoor sneakers and we went to the (un-air conditioned!) gym and played. It was super fun and hey! no language required!

A side note: at Gunma orientation, it was impressed upon us that we are not allowed to mention people by name or post pictures of individuals from school, especially the children. So, if my vagueness strikes you at some points, this is the reason.

Cheers,

teacher Baer