School Life (so far)

The new school term doesn’t start until September, so it’s summer vacation at the moment.  Unlike in New Zealand, Japanese students, and more importantly, teachers, don’t necessarily get the summer off to do what they want.

Teachers still have to come to school unless they take official leave and students still come to school for all or part of the day for their club activities.

Clubs are compulsory – every student must join one club, and that club meets every day after school for two hours (not Wednesdays at my school), and often Saturday and sometimes Sunday too. You can only join one club and you have to stay with that club for all three years of Junior High School.

(Baseball club on the field)

(when the rescue helicopter lands on the baseball field)

 (and it's joined by an ambulance - but it wasn't one of our students)

(Kendo club - the tall one is the vice-principal)

I’ve been here since the beginning of August – which means I’ve had to go to school every week day.  I’m only a part-time teacher, so I’m here from 8am – 4pm.  Yep, in Japan 40 hours a week is part-time.

It’s reasonably flexi-time, although you are expected to work.  What do I do all day?

Hmm…lots, and at the same time, rally not much.

My kōcho-sensei (principal) said my job at the moment is to learn Japanese and become familiar with the textbooks/resources for teaching English.

(a page from a textbook - where Brad Pitt is apparently a great bear actor)

(another textbook)

Last week I realised I needed more structure in my day – 4pm couldn’t come fast enough.  In fact, I’ve been having a competition with myself, starting at 3pm every day.  The goal?  To see how long I can make one Mentos last.  So far my record is 45 minutes.

Now, I spend alternate hours studying Japanese and reading through the textbooks, looking up games, activities etc. The up-side of this is I’m not so bored, I’m actually being productive, and hey – I’m spending four hours every day studying Japanese.

(my desk)

(staffroom)

Is my Japanese improving?  ちょぅと。  But my Mentos-sucking ability?　じょぅずです。