When I started teaching at Tomari High School, I brought with me a lot of insecurity. I wanted so badly to be liked and accepted. So when I saw students longing for the previous ALT, I only felt more unsure of myself. What I lacked in confidence, I tried to make up in effort. Eventually, I found… [Read more…]
February 28, 2012
Now that I finally have these done, I will NEVER let songs be a reward for students again. Whew! First a girl’s favorite mascot character: And then a rock cover of a classic by special request:
February 23, 2012
One pop song done, and now a request for rap. Today’s tune is for Yumiko, the baseball team manager, though you’d have no idea from the lyrics. Yumiko I know I know I know Yumiko You go You go You go Yumiko She likes them raps Make a song She went and asked Yumiko She… [Read more…]
February 21, 2012
So in my classes, students who collect the right amount of stamps can “buy” an original song off me. I’m like a year behind in making these, but the pressure’s on because they’ll be graduating here in a couple of weeks. So without further ado, here’s the song I made for Mizuka about her cat.… [Read more…]
June 13, 2011
Oh how I do miss Subway… Anyway, classes have been pretty smooth today, and I’m functioning pretty well even though I woke up groggy as hell. So as the day’s winding down, I’m making my rounds around the school talking to the seniors during clean up hour. Despite the custodial staff that is on site,… [Read more…]
June 7, 2011
… Just a freight train coming my waaaaaay ♫ Well, luckily for me, it wasn’t. I could re-organize and focus a bit more once I found out my paper wasn’t due the same day as my presentation. And, I kicked my butt into gear once I decided to finally make and use a powerpoint. After… [Read more…]
November 17, 2010
Have had two pretty interesting conversations with some of my students lately. The first, loosely translated from Japanese: Me: Oh, you working on some English homework? Student: …ugly? Me: Uh… what? You…working… on English? Student: Shut up! I don’t even want to talk to you anymore! Me: What- why? Student: You called me ugly! Me:… [Read more…]
November 4, 2010
Everytime I think back to this story, I feel a little bit like this on the inside. But they’re good ones. At one of my schools, I don’t teach the senior students, which is kind of a bummer. I mean, it seemed like right when I managed to knock down all the barriers and get… [Read more…]
September 9, 2010
Some vocab review: Jon: Hey, Noto-sensei, I need your advice about my date on Saturday. Noto: Wait, you have a date? This Saturday? That’s impressive. Jon: Normally, I like Japanese girls, but she’s not from this continent. Noto: She’s not from Asia? Jon: No, she’s from Europe. This girl is so cute! But… Noto: What?… [Read more…]
August 25, 2010
Can’t believe it’s that time again. A year ago, my high school had an open demo class for potential students to get interested in attending next year. And, other than volunteering at a couple of English camps at other high schools, it’s been awhile since I’ve actually taught a class. I mean, it’s just like… [Read more…]
March 6, 2012
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