Posts Tagged Teaching English in Japan
June 15, 2005 – Breaking up fights, round 2
Posted by Barniferous in Teaching English on June 15, 2015
A few weeks ago I had a kids class where I had to physically restrain one of the students to keep him from beating up another student. I often have some issues with my kids classes, so I don’t think people really understood how crazy the situation was when I tried to explain it.
It happened again today, in full view of parents and staff. The student was upset for some reason, and totally flipped out, trying to attack another student (again). The staff and parents couldn’t get him to calm down or leave the classroom. I ended up doing my best to work with the other kids on the other side of the room.
I would have preferred if nothing like that would ever happen again, but at least this way other people witnessed the situation and hopefully something can be done.
I love teaching English in Japan, but would probably enjoy the job more if I could just teach adults. Teaching kids is a great learning experience, but not always in a good way!
June 10, 2005 – Entertaining the kids with no glasses
Posted by Barniferous in Teaching English on June 10, 2015
Today’s schedule was pretty light on students, however I didn’t have any empty lessons.
During my kids class I discovered a new way to entertain the students. I wear glasses to help me see distances better, but can still see pretty well without them. However, if I take off my glasses and pretend that I can’t see anything, the kids think this is hilarious. I don’t completely understand it, but whatever keeps them enjoying the class (hopefully while speaking English) is a good thing.
The other major news today was that my holidays were approved for July!! Hooray!
June 9, 2005 – Early shift rules!
Posted by Barniferous in Shizuoka, Teaching English on June 9, 2015
Today I got to work an early shift at Fujinomiya school.
Fujinomiya is a “small” city of 131,000 just north of Fuji city. Despite having the population to make it a city in Canada, it has a small town feel in Japan. The NOVA branch is located in the Jusco department store, which is the central shopping mall for the city. There are a huge number of kids classes at Fujinomiya NOVA, likely because they provide 40 minutes of child free shopping time for parents.
It’s always nice to interact with some different students. In addition to meeting some different people, it allows me to recycle some of my lesson openers and voice class topics, which makes for an easier day.
Early shift is great because I have my entire evening available, as opposed to my usual shift which ends at 9:00pm. The only downside to an early shift is working one right after a late shift. Otherwise, early shift rules!
June 5, 2005 – Problem Child (not the movie)
Posted by Barniferous in Teaching English on June 5, 2015
I got to teach the ‘problem’ kids class again at work today. I will be teaching them for the remainder of the month as usual, and will finish the month with a team teaching seminar with an experienced kids teacher. I have been told that after the team teach, I will have the option of dropping the class.
At this point in my English teaching career, I feel that I am a good or very good teacher for everyone other than children. My students seem to enjoy themselves and I get my fair share of level checks and demo lessons. I just wish I could get better at controlling my kids classes. I would also be happy not having to teach kids anymore, but I don’t think that’s an option 🙂
May 11, 2005 – Return to Fuji city
Posted by Barniferous in Teaching English on May 11, 2015
Today I had another shift at Fuji school. Like every other day of the week, I have a group kids class here as well. Fortunately this class only has 2 students, and they were pretty good.
It’s much easier to keep the interest of 2 kids that don’t really want to study English than 8 kids who don’t really want to study English.
Memorable Student – Mr. Three Times Marriage
Posted by Barniferous in Memorable people on April 2, 2015
During my three years in Japan, I met many memorable people. Today’s post is about Mr. Three Times Marriage.
Mr. TTM was one of my most memorable students from the Kawasaki area. He was a middle aged businessman who was in the second lowest level. In a group class he would always introduce himself as “Mr. Three Times Marriage”. On one occasion another student of equally low English level said that she didn’t understand the name. Mr. TTM asked me to help with the explanation. I explained it like this:
“He wasn’t married one time. He wasn’t married two times. He was married THREE times!”. I did this while counting on my fingers, Booker T style.
On another occasion, Mr. TTM gave some further explanation to one of my female coworkers. He explained in English that his first two wives had “escaped”, but his third wife was very strong. I sincerely hope he was just making an unfortunate choice of words from a limited vocabulary, and that none of his wives actually needed to escape.
All the best Mr. Three Times Marriage!
March 30, 2005 – A cluster of Canucks
Posted by Barniferous in Shizuoka, Teaching English on March 30, 2015
Today I repaid a shift swap by working at Fuji school. It seems that all the Canadians in the area work in Fuji school, except me.
March 25, 2005 – The empty lesson king
Posted by Barniferous in Teaching English on March 25, 2015
Another 2 empty lessons today. I am the empty lesson KING!
March 24, 2005 – 4 empty lessons!
Posted by Barniferous in Teaching English on March 24, 2015
I tied a personal record today with 4 empty lessons. Not only that, but they were all in a row! Thankfully NOVA pays us even when there are no students.
March 12, 2005 – Bad kids
Posted by Barniferous in Teaching English on March 12, 2015
Today was not so busy at work, but the kids in my kids class were BAD.
Drinking in Japan 
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