Teaching in Japan
Mood:  chatty
The more i teach in Japanese junior highs the more i feel like they are more an extended family rather than just a school. A few days ago i watched kids planting watermelon, sweet potato, tomato and cucumber plants with their teachers after school. There are little garden plots all over the outside of the building now. Over and over again i wonder if these teachers don't spend more time with these kids than the kid's own parents. I also wonder if these teachers don't spend more time with these kids than they spend with their own families. I see classes being structured around the "whole child" rather than an individual subject. As much as the tests are stressed for success, i see so much more energy and emphasis placed on sports, and overall experiences than i do the basics. I know that i can't see the whole picture because of my poor Japanese language skills. I have to observe the actions and behaviors of students and teachers and draw my rough conclusions. I try not to analyze too much, but it is amazing to me that a school trip or activity takes precedence over an English class over and over again. Each class has a tradition of going on a longer and longer trip as the kids get older. First graders only a day trip. Third graders take a 4-day 3-night trip with their teachers (no parents attend this excursion!) Teachers place kids on jobs for an entire week in their 2nd year at junior high. No wonder teachers are at school at 7:30 am and stay to 7pm most evenings. Too much for me but i see that this job is more than a job - it's their life!