Yesterday after class was finished, a second grade girl infamous for being reckless came into the 1st grade teacher's room, demanding that a set of improvised paper (trump) cards be returned to her. They were taken from her brother in another class, where he and a friend were playing during the lesson. When it was explained to her that they may not be returned until her brother apologized, she had a temper tantrum, the likes of which I haven't seen yet in Japan. Words between her and two female teachers were had, and they weren't nice words. She was flagrantly rude to the teachers, making fun of the way they addressed her, telling them off (with a sharp urusai!) multiple times, and even cutting off a teacher mid-sentence by answering her cell phone (of course, illegal in school). After the exchange she cursed them off with a biting Shineh! (Die!) and stormed out of the teacher's room.
There are almost 600 students at my school right now, and about 5% of them are troublesome - not all on the level of the girl described above, but enough to create a large discipline problem. I spend most of my time in the 1st grade teacher's room, and almost every day I hear a lecture from a teacher to a student about discipline. There are some repeat offenders, but I'm always surprised at the scope of students who do things that they just shouldn't do (such as write "Die, ~~~~-sensei!" on the blackboard.
I've witnessed long lectures at assemblies from teachers about how the students need to "get out of elementary school" and how "our school can't move forward if it stays this way," but the situation doesn't seem to get much better. In the case of the 1st graders, it's driving several of their teachers crazy. One, in particular (also an English teacher), has been really struggling lately - she was in tears this morning because of her students' mischief. Rather than refer to the situation as "elementary school," this grade's teachers call it "the zoo."
It's disheartening to see the same thing happen day after day, and watch as things that the students are told by their teacher are forgotten once back with their classmates. There have been several times recently when I've wanted to step in and give verbal lashings to exceptionally bad kids, but held back because I didn't think it would have a positive effect. In the classes with funky students, I've become more rigid and more ready for any shenanigans that might break out. As a result, the bad kids don't like me (I've also received a Shineh! recently), but I'm more of a help in class.
Still, though, I've only been here for three months, and I haven't endured what other teachers here have endured for much longer. I have an enormous amount of respect for the teachers that put up with them without complaint - some will have to deal for 2.5 more years of the same. I ask if I can help from time to time, but mostly get "Oh, no, it's okay" as a response. They're dealing with it in their own way, which is fine, but as a result its tough to have a close relationship with them.
Card girl came back in 5 minutes later to look again. She went through the teacher(that took the cards)'s things, threatened to break her glasses, knocked over her books, and kicked in a drawer of her desk before given a second lecture about her behavior, then she stormed out again. What can you do? With violent students, teachers here tread a thin line between appropriate discipline and making sure their stuff doesn't get damaged. I am on the sideline wanting to help, but at the same time, not sure if I should get involved. It's a weird and difficult situation. The school is very high tension, and it feels like something's going to snap soon.
I'm staying alert for damage control.
~コッチ
P.S.
In other news, I found out that I can't apply directly to University of Tokyo, which is/was a candidate for grad school. I'd have to take an exam in August and pay 30000￥ as a screening fee. The reason for this ridiculousness? Because I live here. Thanks, Japan. さすが！
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
To a certain special Japanese cuisine:
I tried. I really tried.
I knew you were coming. I heard whispers of your name in the hallways. You were to make yourself known in the daytime, in all of your glory.
I recognized your fragrance when I entered the room. You sat apart from the crowd in your own little box. From the faces of others in the room, I could already tell you were having an effect, as would be expected from a name of this caliber.
As you made your way towards me, I was filled with an anxious optimism. I knew that within the confines of your white wrappings, you held the prestige and culture of an entire nation - distinction that can only come with time.
As the appropriate niceities were spoken, I slowly unravelled that which was inside the box. And there you laid, naked before me, and I trembled as two of my senses were arrested by your form and aroma. Hesistating ever so slightly, I allowed two more senses to fall to you as I delved into your container and stole part of your substance. With a sensation that only you can bestow, I was innervated in a way that I had only experienced once before.
But alas, I quickly grew less fond of you as you lingered within me. You became caustic and bitter. I tried to recitfy your nature by modifying your appearance with spices, dressings, and grains, but that, too, was a fruitless effort. There were no means possible to conceal your fierce, acute personality. And although I am now through with our initial encounter, I know other parts of me still are burdened with finishing this affair.
And so, I must apologize to you, natto, for leading you to believe that we might have had a meaningful relationship. My once hopeful optimism has turned into the realization that I cannot allow you to exist inside of me again. I was naive.
So farewell, natto! Know that I will think earnestly about our meeting, but in no way do I desire to meet again. If our paths cross are to cross again, be not offended by my apathy. I wish to move on, and I think our separation will be the most effect means to that end. You have a country of adoring fans who will appreciate you much more than I will.
And so I leave you, natto, not with a bang, but with an upset stomach.
Good day.
I knew you were coming. I heard whispers of your name in the hallways. You were to make yourself known in the daytime, in all of your glory.
I recognized your fragrance when I entered the room. You sat apart from the crowd in your own little box. From the faces of others in the room, I could already tell you were having an effect, as would be expected from a name of this caliber.
As you made your way towards me, I was filled with an anxious optimism. I knew that within the confines of your white wrappings, you held the prestige and culture of an entire nation - distinction that can only come with time.
As the appropriate niceities were spoken, I slowly unravelled that which was inside the box. And there you laid, naked before me, and I trembled as two of my senses were arrested by your form and aroma. Hesistating ever so slightly, I allowed two more senses to fall to you as I delved into your container and stole part of your substance. With a sensation that only you can bestow, I was innervated in a way that I had only experienced once before.
But alas, I quickly grew less fond of you as you lingered within me. You became caustic and bitter. I tried to recitfy your nature by modifying your appearance with spices, dressings, and grains, but that, too, was a fruitless effort. There were no means possible to conceal your fierce, acute personality. And although I am now through with our initial encounter, I know other parts of me still are burdened with finishing this affair.
And so, I must apologize to you, natto, for leading you to believe that we might have had a meaningful relationship. My once hopeful optimism has turned into the realization that I cannot allow you to exist inside of me again. I was naive.
So farewell, natto! Know that I will think earnestly about our meeting, but in no way do I desire to meet again. If our paths cross are to cross again, be not offended by my apathy. I wish to move on, and I think our separation will be the most effect means to that end. You have a country of adoring fans who will appreciate you much more than I will.
And so I leave you, natto, not with a bang, but with an upset stomach.
Good day.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Some things
Tonight I drank with the teachers at my new school for the first time. I would stay another year if the situation were different.
The moon is only good when full or new.
The rest of the world needs 代行.
I will marry a Japanese woman, because she will look the same at 45 as she does at 25.
The word "desultory" if fitting for many occasions.
No more shochu, please.
~コッチ
The moon is only good when full or new.
The rest of the world needs 代行.
I will marry a Japanese woman, because she will look the same at 45 as she does at 25.
The word "desultory" if fitting for many occasions.
No more shochu, please.
~コッチ
Sunday, September 27, 2009
The Dark Side of ALT
I made a mistake.
I contracted with a private company who dispatches English teachers to schools in the middle of Japan. There have been substantial differences between this situation and the JET program, of which I was a member until August of this year. I am now located in Saku City, on the middle-east side of Nagano prefecture. While the location of this place is prime to get around Japan, there have been several hindrances with this company that prevent me from getting used to life here. And it's frustrating.
Most boards of education pay the same amount for English teachers, no matter where they come from. In JET, you get this base salary (minus insurance, pension, etc.), as well as flights to and from your location, and transportation fees, moving in money, etc. It's a good deal. Where I am now, the company receives the full of that base salary, tells the teacher to bear the transportation fees, and takes out some of the salary for profit. In the end it saves the board of education a lot of money, and the company is happy. But not necessarily a good deal for the teacher.
There are a few things that are particularly bugging me right now:
- Paying for transportation to training events
Being in Nagano, it takes the longest and costs the most for me to get to training (in Yorii, Saitama). The one day I went in August, I spent 8000 yen (~$80.00) to get there and back, only to spend the day listening to things I already knew.
- Jumping through hoops to get things done
In JET, I could just talk to my board of education, or even just the head teacher at my school if I needed to leave to go to the bank or the post office. Now, I need to call the company, who calls the board of ed., who calls the school, then repeat backwards. The reason this is done is because if I leave without permission before my time is done, the board of ed. will fight to withhold money from the company, and it becomes one big clusterf***. All over maybe 30 minutes where I'll be doing nothing anyway.
- Paid-holiday-screwed
With this company, I get school holidays off. Normally, this is good, as I'd get a ton for summer break. But, since I started in August, I don't get them. Quick background - teachers usually get 20 days paid leave. Hence, I should get 10, since its a half year. However, with the current plan, I get around 7. Since it would be better for me to have 10 and be able to choose, I asked the company about this, to which they responded, "You can't have paid holiday with that plan for 6 months, and you only get to choose 5 of those days, we get to choose the other 5." Ugh.
- Pay delay
Payday used to be the 21st of each month for the month that I was in (so, August's pay in August), but here, I get paid for this month at the end of NEXT month. Which means that since I started in August, I haven't gotten paid yet. And since all of the moving fees have been taken out, and I have to pay next month's rent this month, I get a pretty paltry paycheck. I know that I'll get a good chunk back at the end of my time, but since I want to do things now, and not later, I've had to dig into what I had saved up. And I'm not happy about that. It's causing me to be more frugal and not take off on an impulse, when I really want to (for example, I had the chance to meet a friend in Tokyo today, and I didn't take it - sorry mate, I regret not coming).
Yes, I'm only in this until midway through March, but I feel like it's time I could have better spent doing something else. And yeah, good things are coming from this, like really bearing down on what and where graduate school will be. But when the situation is not ideal and emotions run high, it's easier to make rash decisions. 注意してください。
I have to learn to get around this. Time to focus on finding squirming room between rocks and hard places.
Rant over.
~コッチ
I contracted with a private company who dispatches English teachers to schools in the middle of Japan. There have been substantial differences between this situation and the JET program, of which I was a member until August of this year. I am now located in Saku City, on the middle-east side of Nagano prefecture. While the location of this place is prime to get around Japan, there have been several hindrances with this company that prevent me from getting used to life here. And it's frustrating.
Most boards of education pay the same amount for English teachers, no matter where they come from. In JET, you get this base salary (minus insurance, pension, etc.), as well as flights to and from your location, and transportation fees, moving in money, etc. It's a good deal. Where I am now, the company receives the full of that base salary, tells the teacher to bear the transportation fees, and takes out some of the salary for profit. In the end it saves the board of education a lot of money, and the company is happy. But not necessarily a good deal for the teacher.
There are a few things that are particularly bugging me right now:
- Paying for transportation to training events
Being in Nagano, it takes the longest and costs the most for me to get to training (in Yorii, Saitama). The one day I went in August, I spent 8000 yen (~$80.00) to get there and back, only to spend the day listening to things I already knew.
- Jumping through hoops to get things done
In JET, I could just talk to my board of education, or even just the head teacher at my school if I needed to leave to go to the bank or the post office. Now, I need to call the company, who calls the board of ed., who calls the school, then repeat backwards. The reason this is done is because if I leave without permission before my time is done, the board of ed. will fight to withhold money from the company, and it becomes one big clusterf***. All over maybe 30 minutes where I'll be doing nothing anyway.
- Paid-holiday-screwed
With this company, I get school holidays off. Normally, this is good, as I'd get a ton for summer break. But, since I started in August, I don't get them. Quick background - teachers usually get 20 days paid leave. Hence, I should get 10, since its a half year. However, with the current plan, I get around 7. Since it would be better for me to have 10 and be able to choose, I asked the company about this, to which they responded, "You can't have paid holiday with that plan for 6 months, and you only get to choose 5 of those days, we get to choose the other 5." Ugh.
- Pay delay
Payday used to be the 21st of each month for the month that I was in (so, August's pay in August), but here, I get paid for this month at the end of NEXT month. Which means that since I started in August, I haven't gotten paid yet. And since all of the moving fees have been taken out, and I have to pay next month's rent this month, I get a pretty paltry paycheck. I know that I'll get a good chunk back at the end of my time, but since I want to do things now, and not later, I've had to dig into what I had saved up. And I'm not happy about that. It's causing me to be more frugal and not take off on an impulse, when I really want to (for example, I had the chance to meet a friend in Tokyo today, and I didn't take it - sorry mate, I regret not coming).
Yes, I'm only in this until midway through March, but I feel like it's time I could have better spent doing something else. And yeah, good things are coming from this, like really bearing down on what and where graduate school will be. But when the situation is not ideal and emotions run high, it's easier to make rash decisions. 注意してください。
I have to learn to get around this. Time to focus on finding squirming room between rocks and hard places.
Rant over.
~コッチ
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Run Ragged
The new AIM screen name will be AomoriOmelet. Add on up!
I've been really busy lately...elementary schools, baseball, and car issues have consumed lots of time lately.
Elementary schools are a mixed bag compared to junior high schools. Some days it'll be great, and other days it will suck. Big time.
Elementary school days start late and end early. This doesn't mean less classes then usual, it just means the day is packed. It's good because it keeps me busy and seems like its over before it starts it seems. Plus, since there's little to no English spoken, its the best chance to practice Japanese. But, on the flip side, that means I can't speak English all day (a brain-strainer). Classes are tough... they can be fun, sometimes the kids are eager just to hear words from the guy with blond hair's mouth. Other times, though (more common with younger kids), its out of control. Screaming, teachers attempting to keep order... it can get bad. In elementary schools, I also clean the school with them and play with them at recess, which can be equally double-edged. Rowdy classes and running games at recess are the perfect recipe for a bad day. On the other hand, though, a day with attentive students and baseball or soccer at recess equals a really good day. Either day is usually a recipe for a nap in the afternoon.
Something that always hangs on my mind when I go to elementary schools is the infrequency of visits and English. In Japan, English is not a subject taught everyday, of course, and the students very rarely use English outside of the one-class-a-month they have with me. They forget quick. I spend time reviewing greetings more than anything. But, I find that elementary school visits are more for the "making English fun!" cheesiness than for the actual learning. Which is good, maybe. Maybe I'm inspiring kids to study English harder when they are older.
Or maybe I'm just the foreigner. Which is good. Maybe.
I've been really busy lately...elementary schools, baseball, and car issues have consumed lots of time lately.
Elementary schools are a mixed bag compared to junior high schools. Some days it'll be great, and other days it will suck. Big time.
Elementary school days start late and end early. This doesn't mean less classes then usual, it just means the day is packed. It's good because it keeps me busy and seems like its over before it starts it seems. Plus, since there's little to no English spoken, its the best chance to practice Japanese. But, on the flip side, that means I can't speak English all day (a brain-strainer). Classes are tough... they can be fun, sometimes the kids are eager just to hear words from the guy with blond hair's mouth. Other times, though (more common with younger kids), its out of control. Screaming, teachers attempting to keep order... it can get bad. In elementary schools, I also clean the school with them and play with them at recess, which can be equally double-edged. Rowdy classes and running games at recess are the perfect recipe for a bad day. On the other hand, though, a day with attentive students and baseball or soccer at recess equals a really good day. Either day is usually a recipe for a nap in the afternoon.
Something that always hangs on my mind when I go to elementary schools is the infrequency of visits and English. In Japan, English is not a subject taught everyday, of course, and the students very rarely use English outside of the one-class-a-month they have with me. They forget quick. I spend time reviewing greetings more than anything. But, I find that elementary school visits are more for the "making English fun!" cheesiness than for the actual learning. Which is good, maybe. Maybe I'm inspiring kids to study English harder when they are older.
Or maybe I'm just the foreigner. Which is good. Maybe.
Monday, June 2, 2008
Don't Try This at Home
Time to take a break from the school chats and go on to one of the "only in Japan" stories I've had so far.
One night last year, I was juggling two events between two groups of friends. I had gone to karaoke in Aomori and was planning to meet some friends for other shenanigans later in the night at Misawa, a town about 1:30 away by train.
I took the second-to-last train at 9:00 from Aomori to Misawa and arrived at my destination around 10:30. I came out of the station with some directions to a friend-of-a-friend's house where we were meeting up before going out. The directions, though, were a little shady, and I only had an intersection of two streets to go by, which in a medium-sized town like Misawa could take a little while to find. After wondering around a little while, I walked down a street with a sign pointing to one of the two streets that was part of that intersection. After walking for 2 or 3 minutes, a black car with blue neon lights on the bottom pulls up besides me. Theres one 25-ish looking guy in the driver's seat, and he learns over and asks me (in Japanese), "Where are you going?" I told him the directions that I was given, and after a second of thought, he says, "That's not close. Get in."
Here I was on a somewhat dark street in the middle of some town, with a stranger asking me to get in his car. All the alarms in my head back from those old, "Don't accept candy from strangers!" posters in elementary school were screaming in my head. No way...I thought...there could be any number of bad things that could happen if you get in that car. But, instead of politely refusing, my hand reached for the door, opened it, and I plopped myself onto the guy's rather comfortable leather passenger seat.
So we drive. We kept driving until we found the intersection, but it wasn't anywhere near a residential area. So what does this guy do? He doesn't throw me out. He waits in the car as I call my friend, who gives me more detailed directions, and the driver and I go through them step by step until I reach his house. On the way, we talk about music and movies, but I can't remember which ones he said he likes. It was strangely normal, and he was just an ordinary guy. An ordinary guy who took about 30 minutes out of his Saturday night to drive a foreign stranger to some house. And asked nothing in return. The only thing I had on me at the time was a few beers that I had to start myself off once I arrived, but I gladly offered them, and he took them.
If I were anywhere else in the world at that point, I don't think I would have gotten in the car. But its something about Japan... something that made me feel 100% comfortable about getting in.
People will talk about incredible events that restore faith in humanity. It wasn't one of those for me. Everything from opening the car door to get in and opening the car door to get out at my friend's house...just went its course. At that time, my mind said to itself, Everyone in Japan does this, and I went along with it. And in the end, what might seem a scary experience was just...normal. Wouldn't be weird if people everywhere else in the world were like that? And looking back, I have to wonder what the guy was thinking to pick up some random foreigner walking the streets. Was he scared? Or was it a normal thing to him, too?
I'll leave all that difficult thinking to all you people out there. I have a day of insanity at an elementary school tomorrow, so I'm going to go sleep. Bye bye for now.
One night last year, I was juggling two events between two groups of friends. I had gone to karaoke in Aomori and was planning to meet some friends for other shenanigans later in the night at Misawa, a town about 1:30 away by train.
I took the second-to-last train at 9:00 from Aomori to Misawa and arrived at my destination around 10:30. I came out of the station with some directions to a friend-of-a-friend's house where we were meeting up before going out. The directions, though, were a little shady, and I only had an intersection of two streets to go by, which in a medium-sized town like Misawa could take a little while to find. After wondering around a little while, I walked down a street with a sign pointing to one of the two streets that was part of that intersection. After walking for 2 or 3 minutes, a black car with blue neon lights on the bottom pulls up besides me. Theres one 25-ish looking guy in the driver's seat, and he learns over and asks me (in Japanese), "Where are you going?" I told him the directions that I was given, and after a second of thought, he says, "That's not close. Get in."
Here I was on a somewhat dark street in the middle of some town, with a stranger asking me to get in his car. All the alarms in my head back from those old, "Don't accept candy from strangers!" posters in elementary school were screaming in my head. No way...I thought...there could be any number of bad things that could happen if you get in that car. But, instead of politely refusing, my hand reached for the door, opened it, and I plopped myself onto the guy's rather comfortable leather passenger seat.
So we drive. We kept driving until we found the intersection, but it wasn't anywhere near a residential area. So what does this guy do? He doesn't throw me out. He waits in the car as I call my friend, who gives me more detailed directions, and the driver and I go through them step by step until I reach his house. On the way, we talk about music and movies, but I can't remember which ones he said he likes. It was strangely normal, and he was just an ordinary guy. An ordinary guy who took about 30 minutes out of his Saturday night to drive a foreign stranger to some house. And asked nothing in return. The only thing I had on me at the time was a few beers that I had to start myself off once I arrived, but I gladly offered them, and he took them.
If I were anywhere else in the world at that point, I don't think I would have gotten in the car. But its something about Japan... something that made me feel 100% comfortable about getting in.
People will talk about incredible events that restore faith in humanity. It wasn't one of those for me. Everything from opening the car door to get in and opening the car door to get out at my friend's house...just went its course. At that time, my mind said to itself, Everyone in Japan does this, and I went along with it. And in the end, what might seem a scary experience was just...normal. Wouldn't be weird if people everywhere else in the world were like that? And looking back, I have to wonder what the guy was thinking to pick up some random foreigner walking the streets. Was he scared? Or was it a normal thing to him, too?
I'll leave all that difficult thinking to all you people out there. I have a day of insanity at an elementary school tomorrow, so I'm going to go sleep. Bye bye for now.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Hello again
Well, I knew it was going to happen, but I didn't realize it would be so long. I feel like I've been in a sort of stasis lately. Nothing much has been happening since the last post, and it's not like I haven't had the time to post, but this place seems to have a way of draining any writing that I want to do.
I left off last time at schools and school sizes, eh... to sum it up, big classes are tough, small classes are better. This is the general rule, but of course, there are exceptions.
The way that Japan runs class is that for main classes (English, math, history, Japanese), teachers go to students, rather than vice-versa. I think they do that because it's convenient for the students to have everything in one room, and it also encourages them to not forget anything and to be on time. At most schools, if the students have something they forgot (wasuremono 忘れ物）, they have to skip recess and clean the halls with rags on their knees (which is pretty exhausting AND embarrassing).
In other news, I joined the town hall's baseball team this year. Its great to be out playing again, especially because I had once though that my baseball-playing would end with the end of high school before I came here. I practice every weekday with the team, but its been an interesting experience thus far trying to fit in with the team. On the outside, everyone is friendly, and encourages me to play different spots, and is amazed (and I mean like "Whoa!") that I can field a ground ball... but on the inside, besides not being able to speak with them real well (they speak in very thick Tsugaru dialect...more on that later), I'm not part of their group from work, so I'm 2x the foreigner. I still don't know my role on the team, but its fun, so I do it. It especially helps to play after a day at an elementary school, which is usually insanity.
I'll continue with elementary school vs. middle school next time. Also, be on the lookout for another screenname in IM shortly, if you read this. I need to get rid of the old one. Until then, peace.
I left off last time at schools and school sizes, eh... to sum it up, big classes are tough, small classes are better. This is the general rule, but of course, there are exceptions.
The way that Japan runs class is that for main classes (English, math, history, Japanese), teachers go to students, rather than vice-versa. I think they do that because it's convenient for the students to have everything in one room, and it also encourages them to not forget anything and to be on time. At most schools, if the students have something they forgot (wasuremono 忘れ物）, they have to skip recess and clean the halls with rags on their knees (which is pretty exhausting AND embarrassing).
In other news, I joined the town hall's baseball team this year. Its great to be out playing again, especially because I had once though that my baseball-playing would end with the end of high school before I came here. I practice every weekday with the team, but its been an interesting experience thus far trying to fit in with the team. On the outside, everyone is friendly, and encourages me to play different spots, and is amazed (and I mean like "Whoa!") that I can field a ground ball... but on the inside, besides not being able to speak with them real well (they speak in very thick Tsugaru dialect...more on that later), I'm not part of their group from work, so I'm 2x the foreigner. I still don't know my role on the team, but its fun, so I do it. It especially helps to play after a day at an elementary school, which is usually insanity.
I'll continue with elementary school vs. middle school next time. Also, be on the lookout for another screenname in IM shortly, if you read this. I need to get rid of the old one. Until then, peace.
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