Go Straight

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16

I was actually pretty nervous for class this morning. This is the first lesson I've planned myself and, as you've well heard, it's been a rush-job. I've heard the horror stories from all of the other JETs about lessons gone wrong and was quite worried this could be mine.

After the morning meeting, I handed off my lesson plan (the typed, formal version) to my JTE and we quickly went over the information in there. I begged for advice or changes, but didn't get any. We headed off to the copy room to make a gazillion copies of my worksheets then rushed off to a first hour class.

The lesson started with me reviewing the Wisconsin vocabulary sheet. Having now been charged with making a 30 point (approximately 10 minute) listening text, I'm much keener to make sure the students know about Wisconsin as it's going to end up on the test. (They only have that lesson and this one before the review class, so there's not much material.) I got to explain how to make maple syrup. I think the question I'll eventually have will probably be about dairy: what is and isn't “dairy.” And I need to figure out how to get the Packers in there somehow. And perhaps Bucky Badger. He made an impression after all.

Anyway, back to the lesson. After that, we delved into the actual new material – Directions. I explained first about how I have just moved here and how much trouble I have if I get lost. Students actually listened to my little sob story with rapt attention, which I found quite impressive. I could be wrong, but I wonder if this helped them see the importance of the lesson as I was explaining the difficulties I was having.

We started with relative directions: forward, backward, up, down, left and right. After introducing the words (spatially located on the chalkboard and having students raise hands with the Japanese equivalent) I had all of the students get up and point in the direction that I said. Two of my three classes were good sports about it. They actually did very well, leading me to believe that they've had some previous experience with these words.

We then reviewed turns (“Turn right. Turn left.”) and a bit more complex sentences like “At the school, turn left.” This was harder stuff and I'm not 100% sure they got it. But I did go over it in good detail, so perhaps they just need more time to review. We'll be starting the next class with a direction review before reviewing for the exam.

I tried to do a game where I gave everyone a map and had them follow along to my directions, but they couldn't handle that. I eventually just had people pair off with a partner and ask for direction “Where is the ____?” and giving any direction they wanted. For the other four classes, I'll probably make up a new map for this section so there is a proper answer and they don't always say, “turn right” as they were doing today.

I had some common locations (hotel, restroom, airport, etc.) that they might need to ask directions to on the reverse of the turning paper. I went over them all briefly and had at least half the class frantically waving to have me pick them when I asked them to identify each location in Japanese. It was great to see that much enthusiasm. My poor JTE was running laps around the room trying to keep up with distributing the stamps to everyone.

I like Kogyo students. They may be boisterous, but they're fun. I'm a bit odd, but they seem to enjoy it, compared to Koko, where they're just confused by my antics and Nishi where they don't even notice that I'm there making myself hoarse in front of the class. But, perhaps my views will change as the semester continues.

I forgot to mention yesterday that the microwave at Nishi plays a little tune rather than just beeping when it's done. Neither Kogyo nor Koko's microwaves does that.

Last week, I had to go and assign homework to my students which mean that I've been getting it back this week. When I was in high school, I was one of those students who reminded my teachers (politely) that if they they didn't assign homework they wouldn't have to grade it so they have no right to complain.

I was a brilliant kid.

I don't plan to hand out homework at Kogyo and probably not at Nishi (I'm not optimistic about what I'll get back there) again. I spent HOURS today proofing these fill-in-the-blanks self-introduction sheets. I had a few really good ones, but many had little errors and lots of empty blanks. It does give me a better idea of my students' level. Half my students claim to love English and half claim to hate it. I had one student say he doesn't like The (political) Left. A huge number claim to play the guitar. There were a few who play the drums, one who plays the piano.

The most interesting question, which many students skipped was “After high school, I want to ____.” Some had joke answers, many put “drive” which I found intriguing. But the most common answer was “work” which I found a bit depressing. It could just be their level of English – they can't express better what kind of work they want – but it was so blunt. One or two students wrote that they want to go to college and I just wanted to hug those students.

I had a student do two card tricks for me in the teachers' room after school while I was grading papers. I then turned around and did one for him. It had been years since I'd done it, so I was quite nervous the whole time that it wouldn't work. But it did, so I was quite happy. I worked late enough that I had a teacher come by and remind me that I could leave. I waited until I finished the papers, just after five, then left. By the way, at 5pm, the loud speakers play this little bell charm tune. It always startles me.

Dinner was a delicious grilled cheese on “rye” bread. I put rye in quotes because it's basically white bread with large grains of rye scattered for color. Kind of like how raisin bread has raisins scattered in it. But it was nice to chew my bread for a change. Otherwise, bread here is like Wonderbread – white, white, white. There's even a brand that packages their bread in white-tinted plastic to make it look whiter. Even the CRUST of that bread is white. And there's a HUGE section of de-crusted bread for sale. I find it.... odd.