Back to work

So I had 6 classes today. It felt like I had to get up really early and I didn’t get a good amount of sleep last night, so I felt really tired because of that. I started to fall behind on updating my journals today. I didn’t get a chance to write in my journal at school for my classes. I usually have a little journal at school that details what I did in each class so that when I go back in I know what we covered and what we will cover in all the classes. I’ve only fallen behind a few times and I think that this will count as one of the times.

The first two classes I had today were 11th grade classes. I passed out their test paper that they would have to write in complete sentences and turn into me so I could correct their English. It would be hard work for me because I’m not just reading over a script that is standard, each one is different and original and in their own words, which is something that I like. I think that it really gets them to think about how to use English and why they like certain things. I gave them a lot of time to finish it, but they couldn’t finish in time. I think that they were all working hard on it too, so it’s not because they were just goofing off or something. I think that they know it’s their test so they were doing their best. Well there are a few of them that don’t take it serious and I will have to grade them down if they aren’t able to keep up to par.

3rd period was 7th grade class, so it was only recitation contest. I think that during this class, I was beginning to feel tired because of all the energy that I used in the first two classes.

4th period was loud, but what else could I expect. They will always be loud, but they still understand what is going on in the lesson, which is something quite strange. They were in a world of their own, but still able to comprehend and respond to the questions that we asked them. Since they are able to do the work that we ask them to do, we really can’t punish them for anything, but them being loud is very disruptive to the class, or for the students who can’t learn because it’s so loud.

5th period was good because it was the fun class. I didn’t teach though and I was able to walk around and mingle with the students. I think that it’s a good switch for the students to experience different teachers teaching them so they don’t get too bored. CP made some rice krispie treats for them so they were really excited about that. They really enjoyed it and they felt really special. I think that they should have too because it’s not everyday that a master chef would make them something to eat. We did a lesson that last years’ 12th graders did. I think that it was ok since they will have different lessons next year when they are in the 11th grade. I think it’s interesting how things change from year to year, but it’s not really a big change for them. As long as they are learning, it doesn’t really matter.

6th period was with the 7th graders so we did more practice with the recitation contest. But after the class there was a fire drill. It takes about 3 minutes and 26 seconds to get all the teachers and students out of the school, so no one would die if there was a fire in the home economics room. I stayed at school for a little bit and decided to leave around 6pm around that time, there were a bunch of part-time teachers leaving too. So I caught up with them and it turns out that they were going out for some drinks.

We went to an izakaya around the station and just had some food. The food was actually very delicious and unlike any other izakaya that I’ve been to. I didn’t order any alcohol and once again, I was the only one. It was nice to talk to the part-time teachers because they are so much more relaxed than the people in my office. They seem to be so much closer too. I don’t know why, but it’s very interesting and they really get along with each other. I mean they all work at different places and have many other things to do too. So I think that it was good bonding time with them. I really enjoyed the time there. They invited me to play tennis with them on Thursday of next week and since that’s my day off, I think that I will go. I hope it doesn’t rain, I’d like to start playing more so that I’m ready to play more in competition style and helping the tennis team on days that I’m not teaching with the English club. I’ve really got to start to think about how I use my time in Japan now and I don’t want to be doing too much and not getting compensated for it with cash or great experience. I think that I’ve been focusing too much for my job, but not enough for what I’m planning to do after that. I know that it’s almost a year since I’ve been in Japan and I need to see what progress that I’ve made, and I’m not sure that I can measure up to the goals that I’ve set before I came here. So, it’s a good time to test and to see where I’m at. I didn’t end up leaving that party till around 10pm, which meant I didn’t get home till around 12am. I had work early again, so I didn’t think that I would get enough rest for the next day since I would have more to do.