Miyakonojo

Yesterday was my first day teaching. It went well. Ish.

I taught at an elementary school yesterday. The first class I taught, a combined class of 3rd & 4th graders, the teachers knew no English. Which is not uncommon for Elementary schools. English is not a required curriculum for elementary school students yet. The Japanese government will be implementing that in.. 2 years I think. It was a little nerve racking though being up in front of a class for the first time ever, and having the 2 teachers stare at me with more confusion than the 8yo kids. The vice principle there is AWESOME though. The next class, she came up with me and did team teaching with me. So we took turns and introduced some English and games and what not. She saved me. The teacher from the last class of the day, spoke good English and was Super Genki(uhm..type in "define:genki" into google without the quotes. There is no good translation into English.) so the class was really fun, and the kids were motivated.

The kids thought I was a Giant. No ass poking happened, but I did turn into a jungle gym for a small amount of time. My neck/shoulders are killing me. Played with them at lunch also, kick-baseball and dodge ball. I behaved myself and restrained from kicking the ball into next month(It'll reappear next week...), and did not really throw the ball during dodge ball... The kids were super cute. They got into like an argument over which team I should be on and what not.

I have pictures that the Vice principle snapped of me while teaching. I'll upload them tomorrow maybe. I said that about the monkey pics too didn't I....


Today I went to teach at Jr. High. The kids there are a little more shy, and don't want to stick out as much. In class. Outside of class they were really happy when I even walked by and made eye contact with them. heh.

I was told to get there early today so I could give a little self introduction to the office and staff in Japanese. No problem, I didn't bother to prepare a speech like they asked, as I have given this to everybody 90000 times now. Self introductions are big here. Evidently I miss understood something, because after I did that they said "ok, now lets go to the auditorium so you can give a speech to the students". I thought that was odd, since I would be giving my introduction in class to them as my lesson. I walked in and there were 250 students waiting for me to give them a prepared speech in Japanese. I'm not one to panic or get stressed.. but pretty much I thought "oh @*&!#, this is gonna be interesting". Then the principle gave a simple intro of my name, and where I came from. He did that from the side of the auditorium, and not from the gigantic stage set up in front. I felt relieved, as I thought I wouldn't have to stand up high having everybody stare up at me. I was handed the mic, and then shoved up the huge ass stage. Great. I believe the first thing I said in Japanese probably translates to this "holy crap there are a ton of you, I'm freaking out a little" Then from there I attempted to make a speech in Japanese. I learned something. I can not BS a speech in Japanese yet. I'm not ever sure I said anything comprehensible. After half a minute I gave up and gave a speech in English. One of the teachers translated for me. Afterwords some of the teachers came up and said "great speech". I think I just taught Japanese how to use Sarcasm.

The rest of the day went smooth.

I gotta go assemble a bicycle now. Catch you all later.

Ps. Oh. I was just about to post a photo of me in the class room. I just remembered that I can't do that. I am not allowed to post photos of students in class. Illegal or something like that. Because they are minors. I'm not really clear on the details, but I was specifically warned about posting photos of students on blogs and stuff. Sorrrrrrrry.