Saturday, October 23, 2010

Kindergarten / Hoikuen 1 - Jaaa oppai misete!



There are two types of preschools here, the yochien and the hoikuen. I have been to both to teach English to the kids. Well, actually, not strictly to teach but to get the children to be accustomed to foreigners. Hoikuens are bigger preschools and they have more teachers because they are like daycares where working parents can leave their children (2-months-old to 5 years old) from 8 in the morning to as late as 7 in the evening.

Last Friday, I went to a hoikuen. It is at the eastern-most part of the city near the port. I was pleasantly surprised when I found that the community "bus" that goes to that are is actually a van which is mostly used by grannies thus one enjoys their chatter as the van cruise along the port with its music playing so that everybody would know that the bus is near.

Anyway, I was welcomed by the Enchou sensei (Principal) who I later learned, is just a year younger than my mom. She gave me a tour of the place and told me that it is a first time for the school to have a visit from an ALT.

The day started with the morning greetings outside the school. And after I have introduced myself, we did the morning exercise to the tune of Totoro's "Arukou!", with about 10 children hanging on me, shouting my name. Oh dear... it is all so cute and heartwarming.


Unchi Watching anyone?

My first class was with the 4 year-olds where we played fruit basket. The teachers had me teach the children how to pronounce the colors right (that is, orange is "orange" and not "orenji" or grapes are "grapes" and not "gure-pu").I had the children close their fists at the last syllable. Even the teachers did it and I can say it effectively removed the hanging "tsu" and "to" in "furutsu basketto".

The second class was with the 3 year-olds where we played "Trip to Jerusalem" and I used my English songs. Then, because there was still time, I had them follow me around just chanting "walk", "sit down","stop", "stand", "turn around" and "clap". Boy they went wild when I suddenly say "sit down" while they were still standing up. Then the classing "head, shoulders, knees and toes". By the end of the 30 minutes, they were already humming the song and doing the gestures.

The third class, where I spent most of my time until it was time to go home was with the 5 year olds. They are more behaved and obedient. We did the color bingo, some more songs, gestures, fooling around and ate lunch together. After lunch, it was a free time for the kids where they can do whatever interest them. Some grabbed their crayons and drew. For a while, I stayed with the drawing groups showing my ABC flashcards and had the ABC song played in the CD.

A budding artist!

Then I went to the more active group who decided to play house which turned into a restaurant and I was their customer. When I told them I don't have money to pay for what I ate, they laughed and went through a lot ruckus. Then I asked if I can just wash the plates instead and they said no, it won't do. Then the 2 boys who are ever so clever told me with naughty twinkles in their eyes, "Jaaaa okane nai kara, oppai misete!" (Well because you have no money, show us your breasts!) My mouth went, "whhhhaat???" And that started a "breast-themed" discussion until it was time for everybody to go out and do some physical activities.

In between the English, fun and excitement are some squabbles, tears and scrapes. Regardless of nationality, children are the same. I had a nice chat with the principal before I went home and we talked about the joys and rigors of parenting and teaching and English education. The more I am with these kids, the more I believe that they are the real "国際人"- kokusaijin or literally translated as "International people" defined as "people whose minds are open to international community". Their innocence and warmth know no color, go beyond any language barrier and discrimination. I think that adults should go back to the basics and learn from the children. And thus I think that English learning should begin at that age too.

And at a different note, the more I visit these preschools, the more I am motivated to build one!

Elementary School 2

My students at one elementary school are going to Tokyo for their year-end school trip next week. And because Tokyo to most of these kids would mean seeing/meeting a lot more foreigners than they are used to, the teachers thought it would be a good practice for them to practice their English conversation skills. So instead of the usual Eigo No-to today, I helped them with their dialogues. If you are in Asakusa in the morning of the 25th and groups of children suddenly approach you and ask what your favorite food or place or how long will you be in Japan, I hope that you will gamely answer their questions. They were so eager to practice their question/conversation with me that I didn`t have the heart to tell them that we don't usually say Hi, what’s your favorite and Bye to a stranger.But well, I hope those unsuspecting foreigners will find humor in the situation.

One of the students asked me last week what my favorite Disney character is. She said she has a lot of money and will buy me an omiyage when they go to Disneyland. It is against policy to accept any gift or favor from the children and I wouldn`t want to not accept her gift when they come back so today, I had a little chat with the teacher-in-charge and warned him about the student's plan. The teacher smiled and understood.

My classes today were pretty good and all of the HRTs (HomeRoom Teachers) were eager to participate in the lessons.The children had fun shouting numbers and just plain fooling around with each new vocabulary that was introduced to them.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Priceless....

The target sentence for today`s lesson was, “When I was two, my sister was born.” And as usual students were told to take down everything that they were able to catch from the conversation. Of course, sino pa ba ang @ag-uusapan kundi buhay ko. I had to bring pictures of my sister and my family too.

Seen in one of the papers:
“When I was 2, my sister was boring.”

– Hehehehe if my memory serves me right, she was indeed!

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Top of the World

I don’t know what is in Carpenters but it seems that the students find their songs easy to follow. I was informed that our 3rd year class began singing their song since April and they are already on their third song. That being, Top of the World. They now dance and sway to Mr. Postman and Thank you for the Music. It is just so good to see them singing English songs which they really understand and find fun in doing so too. This school is so musical that it seems as if all of the students are gifted with beautiful voices…

The answer of the day during our crossfire:
Me:
If today was the last day here on earth, what will you do?
Answer: “I will play soccer!”


----There goes one die-hard soccer fan!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Priceless....

Crossfire answer of the day:
If the last money that you have is only 500yen, what will you buy?
“I will buy orange juice!”

---Either he didn’t get the question (or I wasn't clear too) or he just loves orange juice so much!

Saturday, October 16, 2010

Priceless....

After doing a mini dialogue with the JTE, the students were asked to write down any and all of the Englsh phrases that they can make out of our conversation. Seen in more than one of the students' memos:

“I have chocolates. Are you hungry? Please have yourself!


- Now that would be very filling indeed!

Friday, October 15, 2010

Elementary School 1

Today, I was off early to school because the elementary school I am scheduled to visit today has an English time at 8 AM. It was just a 10- minute live video broadcast in school but they asked me to be featured on English time. The in-charge told me to do another jikoushoukai or self-introduction but as the whole school already knows who I am, I thought that that would be a boring topic. Besides after two months of talking about myself, I am already sick of saying the same things over and over again that I have also come to the point of questioning whether my hobby is really such and is mango really my favorite fruit? Oh well…

So anyway, to be different I thought it would be interesting if I wear the Igorot costume that my sister lent me. It would be another good opportunity to introduce culture to the children. But as the video is also being broadcasted to the first-graders, I had to use really simple English. Surely they wouldn’t be able to understand if I explained the meaning of each line, design or the fiber it was made of. So to make things easy, it became a study of colors (red, green, yellow, black and white) and instead of me wearing it, I asked for a volunteer to join me and model the tapis and vest. Needless to say, everybody had fun and it was also a great lesson for me. I didn’t know till today the symbolism of the Igorot tapis.

Today was full of fun. The teacher-in-charge of the English program joined me in my first 4 classes and he was the main teacher. I practically don’t prepare anything everytime I visit this school as everything has been photocopied and prepared and all I do is talk and follow the prepared lesson plan. But there are also times when I think the prepared lesson was so boring and lacking. Like today. I couldn’t help but suggest a game so that the children would at least be more active in class. How to suggest? The following is a crude direct translation of what was said in Japanese:

Sensei: I think today’s lesson was great and effective. You really have a great connection with the kids especially when you play that guitar. It really drove them wild.
Sense: Really? Thank you…
Me: Yeah,. But I noticed that we have about 5 minutes left in the class, do you mind if I let the children play a game in the next class? It will not take up too much time plus, we would be using the target conversation that we learned today. But we don’t have to do this today, only if we have some time left.”
(which of course he understood that yes, the lesson was good but boring and please please let me do the game!)

Of course, I don’t always get my way but I think they appreciate it that the request was worded in a way they would do it. Anyhow, after the main lesson, I let the children play the “typhoon” game again. They had a blast last time and they asked for an encore plus it is applicable in today’s lesson. I love going to this school because you can just feel their enthusiasm for English- from the pupils to the teachers.
And because it is Friday, there is no last period so the children went home early. I joined the principal at the gate and we bid our bye-byes to each of the children. It ,of course, included some high-fives, and last minute storytelling by the children, which was, all in all, fun!

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

The Printing Room/ Insatsushitsu

If there is one thing I would like for the schools back home to have, it is the Printing Room, with all the gadgets and accessories.

On my first week, I was printing my own handouts but as I reflect on it, that could create a big hole in my already pockmarked pocket so I gathered my courage to ask for permission to use from the vice principal. They’ve got all sorts of printers. One that is used for less than 30 copies, one for bulk copies, another for colored, and all sorts of punchers and cutters and binders and oh my goodness, they all work too!

Now, if only schools in the Philippines have all these, I think it would lessen complaints (and even rallies) from the teachers who are paying for their teaching materials out of their already meager salaries.

I remember the ordeal one has to go through before one can get her exams or posters printed. They’d look at you as if you have been squandering the government’s nonexistent millions. I had experience teaching at two state universities both for college and high school students and if I only needed like 30 copies, I’d rather have them photocopied at my own expense. And yes, no colored realia then! Just the old Manila paper technology.

I think that the insatsushitsu would be like a taste of heaven for public school teachers in the Philippines!

Note to self: Really have to buy a small digicam so I can take pics wherever I go.

Friday, October 8, 2010

Ohhh like a model!!!

One thing I noticed about my JHS now is that most of the teachers are “oshare” or fashionable. To be fair with the other school, it was sports festival preparation when I was going there so all I saw them wear were tracksuits, which, of course, were also as fashionable as one would expect. Today, I wore a suit because I saw that they have some sort of closing ceremony in the afternoon. I generally wear the usual blouse and slacks or skirt and sometimes with a coat depending on the weather but only because all the teachers dress so well that I thought I need to keep up. We were advised to be a notch higher when it comes to dressing but if I go another notch higher than these teachers, I’d look like I’m going to my child’s graduation ceremony so I just wear what is decent and available. As I sat on my desk today, my two neighbors told me that I always dress well, like a model! Normally, I’d be red with pleasure and embarrassment over the compliment but perhaps 6 years in Japan have made me immune to such compliments especially if I can't distinguish whether they are “tatemae” or not.

And they went on to rave over my “figure” and the fact that I just gave birth 4 months ago. (I think they just ignored my bulges or that my blouse was really a good fit that it hid them). Anyhow, I chose to have a good day and thus, I chose to bask on their compliments whether true or not, I don’t care. I feel good…

First class, the JTE suddenly asked me to do a crossfire while she runs back to the faculty room to get something. (that’s another one to get ready for everyday!)

English for the day:

Me: If you have one wish, what would it be?
Student: I wish for a good dinner!


---- My guess, the kid is already fed up with yoshinoya LOL.

And today is also one of those days. Yesterday, the JTE (Japanese Teacher of English) asked me if I could prepare something for the next lesson as she herself has no idea what to do. The next lesson was just reading and there was no new grammar or vocabulary to be introduced but the story is about gestures. I thought it would be a perfect time to introduce culture so I prepared different pictures of gestures used around the world. Well, I only prepared 6 and I explained the meanings in simple English. My mistake... I should have made it into a game or something. Don't explain! Demonstrate! Of course, it flopped hehhhe. The kids were bored.

The consequence? The JTE cancelled my class with the same subject next week. Well, whether that was the cause or not, I don't really know but I won't even waste my time assuming hehehhe. Today, we are doing a back to back class on the same section and she asked me to prepare another activity. Ahh! Second chance! Well, win some, lose some.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Observation class Part 1

Be prepared…
Today, my schedule is to visit JHS#2 which is fastly becoming my number 1 JHS. I was supposed to have 3 classes today but my first period was cancelled. I saw from the schedule that I was supposed to play games with the students and help with the activity, what that exactly meant, I really don’t know so to be on the safe side, I prepared several activities in order not to be put on the spot should the JTE suddenly ask for an activity. From our orientation, we were told that we are also activity traders thus we must have a plethora of activities prepared for all kinds of lessons.

It pays to have a husband who is a graphic designer and who takes interest in what I do. Rad, as usual, made my activity handouts.

As it turned out, it was not used but the JTE graciously said she will use it in our next class. She has everything planned and prepared for today so all I did was to read and help the students in making their sentences.

A hundred visitors….

At the morning uchiawase, we were told that about a hundred of teachers coming all the way from Kyushu and Hokkaido, will come and observe the classes. About 15 or so dropped by our 4th period class to observe. You gotta hand it to the Japanese. Never in my life have I seen an event in school visited by a hundred people and yet life in school is as usual and the visitors tried hard to be as conspicuous as possible so as not to disturb the classes. In the Philippines, I just bet, it would have been a festival with just about everybody scurrying to make sure things go well and talking in excitement.

Now, (as I am writing this on the piano at the hall), some 30 teachers are observing a class in Japanese. Imagine 30 students and about 30 teachers (each armed with a clipboard and a camera or a videocam), all cramped inside the classroom and yet, the class is as normal as it is on a normal day. If I were a student, it would have felt as if I was under a microscope being dissected and had I been the teacher, that would have been an unnerving experience. But no, everything and everybody is cool and comfy. Or at least, they looked cool and comfy.

Friday, October 1, 2010

The meeting with the BOE

August 31 - I met with the BOE today. It seems that even if I have already been hired by the company and moved to our new apartment, there is still a chance of being rejected if the BOE doesn’t like the ALT. My supervisor thus warned me that he might be asking some mundane questions just to let the BOE hear how I speak. I was also informed that the BOE has rejected a Pinoy ALT before because of his “strong” accent.

I would like to describe how the meeting went and the Japanese way of negotiating but it is a thing best experienced first hand. Suffice it to say that we were not made to go and pack up our things again.

Some bits and pieces from the interview.
BOE: Since you have been speaking English since you were a child, do you think you want to be like an American or other native English speakers?
----- or at least that’s what I understood from the translation… and duhhh???

BOE: Since you speak several languages, what comes to your mind when say, you see a thing that needs translation?
------ I told them that when I was learning Japanese and the Sensei would show a picture of a flower, my mind would go “flower”, then “sabong” then “bulaklak” then “hana”. They were quite satisfied, I think as I heard several “Naruhodo”.

BOE: Did you write your dissertation in Japanese?
------ I think that if I answered “yes” to this question, I would not be in my work now.

Other questions were on how should I make the lessons fun and interesting and if I would be able to anticipate the needs of the JTE in every lesson. Of course they stressed on the importance of being an “assistant” to the main teacher.

I was not nervous during the interview but looking at their faces, and gestures, I have to admit that the thought that they’d reject me crossed my mind. They were, as our Japanese liaison put it, “poker-faced”. And that is very normal in a meeting. It helped though that my supervisor was looking at me encouragingly.

I can do interviews anytime but that is one interview I’d be happy not to do again.