This is my own description of my job, pictures are soon to come!
I am employed by the town board of education. They handle my work schedule, my housing, my transportation for work, and probably about a few hundred pieces of paperwork that I never see. This is, for the most part, convenient, although there are still often problems with language and communication. They do a good job at showing concern and trying to take care of me - a difficult task in terms of cultural differences (Americans tend to be more independent and self-reliant than Japanese - especially women).
The main focus of my teaching position is junior high school level. This covers American grades 7, 8, and 9th, which are the first three years of formal English study in Japanese public schools. I go to two junior high schools three or four days a week and work with the official English teachers (who are Japanese) in anywhere from one to four classes. The two junior high schools are very different; one has about 350 students while the other has exactly 39. Simply because of the size of the schools they have very different atmospheres, and the ways in which the teachers work with me differ a lot as well.
Once or twice a week I visit one of the seven elementary schools in the Iwate-machi area. The activities that I do there vary a lot, anywhere from teaching English songs (Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes is definitely a favorite), to playing games to learn names of food, colors and animals. I?ve also had the honor of being a judge of Halloween costumes (Halloween isn?t celebrated in Japan, the students had actually done research online to find out what kind of costume would be popular), participated in "sports day" and various Japanese holidays. Elementary school kids are very adorable and very tiring, I?m never really sure what to expect when I visit these schools. Recently I met 90 first graders (that?s 90 handshakes and 90 "nice to meet you"s) and their questions where both hilarious and odd: "Why are your eyes blue?" "Why is your hair blonde?" "Why is your nose pointy?" One kid came up to tell me the only English phrase he knows "I love you." (The Japanese equivalent of which is almost never spoken aloud) Elementary school visits leave me tired, but happy. I know that the exposure to a foreigner is rare for most the children around here, and at the same time I feel that it?s important for all children in all cultures. Essentially, my job with elementary schools is often to be the token foreigner.
This role as "the foreigner in residence" is a subtle role that is never addressed, but as a part of the job as being a teacher is. Being the token foreigner is a little odd for me. I think it would be for anyone, actually. Sometimes I am scheduled to participate in local events, encouraged to attend festivals and events, and nearly showcased when I do participate/attend. Sometimes people will engage me in conversations about politics and current events. While I am often very opinionated on these topics, I tend to be careful about what I say, for I know that it may easily be assumed that my opinion is the general American opinion. At the same time, I often find myself having to battle stereotypes of the American opinion. In January of 2003 a fifth grader (who is not officially studying English yet) asked me "Are you angry with Iraq?" I was surprised and shocked. Me, personally? "No, I am not," I answered. Then his next question, "How do you feel about Mr. Bush?" Again I was taken by surprise, unsure of how to answer this ten-year-old?s question in either English or Japanese. Afterwards I began to wonder what the adults in the town must think of me and my opinions if their children were asking me about U.S. current events.
Another obligation that comes with my job is to write an article every other month or so in the Iwate-machi local newspaper. The articles can be about anything, just to share my view, my experiences, or American culture with the town. American culture? Sometimes that?s difficult to sum up, but I am sure say that my experience and views do not represent all American experiences and views. I?m not sure if anyone actually reads these articles, but sometimes they?re fun to write.
Finally, I also teach an adult English conversation class that is open to all members of the town, once a week in the evening for two hours. There are two sections, I teach the intermediate level while my co-worker teaches the beginning level. This can be really interesting sometimes, I am fairly certain that the students who come are more interested in cultural exchange than language ? they often help me with my Japanese and explain various events and traditions. The students are, for the most part, much older than I am and their English is at varying levels. Although I have had as many as eight people in class, usually only four students come and the class is relaxed and informal. Because of its small size, sometimes it is difficult to plan activities for the class that will be interesting, but lately I?ve begun to discuss current events and politics (encouraged by those questions from the fifth grader mentioned above). We often discuss the differences between American culture and Japanese culture, not always completely understanding each other, but doing our best nonetheless. My adult students are also some of my only friends here and every now and then we?ll meet up on a weekend to go on excursions to things like onsen, local concerts, festivals, etc.
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