The Battle for Advancement
I’ve now been studying in Okazaki for nearly two weeks now. So far things are going well. The teachers are very good, the lessons are of a high standard and the other students in my class are generally really nice. However, after a couple of days I felt that the class I was in was a bit easy. In particular, the textbook we were using was one I had used before in another Japanese class. So I spoke to my tutor (who is a very nice lady) and asked if it was possible for me to move up a class. She asked me to wait a few days and see how things went. I did and still felt the same and so my tutor said that I could go to the higher class for a few days and see how things went and then it would be decided if I could stay there permanently. I was really pleased and made sure that I had the schedule for that class and all the materials to prepare.
There was one problem however. The tutor for the higher class seemed reluctant for me to join. When my tutor initially spoke to her she agreed for me to come along as an observer, but she didn’t speak to me herself. On my first day in the higher class I managed to follow things and complete all the tasks. However when teaching us the tutor barely acknowledged me, even when I tried to engage her in conversation. When I met my original tutor at the end of the day I told her that I was happier in the new class. However, she said the tutor in the higher class had serious concerns about me staying there. I insisted on attending the second day of my observation, but I realised I was fighting a losing battle. I did my best the next day, but it was obvious they (or should I say “she”) had made up their minds.
After the second day of observation I again met my tutor and again I insisted I could cope in the higher class. Again she said there were concerns about me remaining there. Eventually a senior teacher came and spoke to me as well. The conversation basically went in the typical Japanese fashion. They would not say directly I could not remain in the higher class and made out I had a choice. However, if I indicated I wanted to stay then they would resist and give reasons why I should not. In the end I admitted defeat and agreed to return to my class on the condition my status would be reviewed after the next test. To be fair both my tutor and the senior teacher spent a lot of time explaining to me their position. Also, to be honest I don’t feel inclined to be in a class with someone who has reservations about teaching me.
The interesting thing is I’m not the only one in this position. I’ve spoken to a few other students who feel the class they’re in is too easy and have wanted to change. However, no one has seen this happen. One guy in particular felt very strongly and spoke to his tutor repeatedly. In the end the tutor said he could do a test and if he got a high enough score he could move up. Then she turned around and said he would not be doing the test, as it was “best for him” not to. Luckily for him he’s planning to study here for a year.
There was one problem however. The tutor for the higher class seemed reluctant for me to join. When my tutor initially spoke to her she agreed for me to come along as an observer, but she didn’t speak to me herself. On my first day in the higher class I managed to follow things and complete all the tasks. However when teaching us the tutor barely acknowledged me, even when I tried to engage her in conversation. When I met my original tutor at the end of the day I told her that I was happier in the new class. However, she said the tutor in the higher class had serious concerns about me staying there. I insisted on attending the second day of my observation, but I realised I was fighting a losing battle. I did my best the next day, but it was obvious they (or should I say “she”) had made up their minds.
After the second day of observation I again met my tutor and again I insisted I could cope in the higher class. Again she said there were concerns about me remaining there. Eventually a senior teacher came and spoke to me as well. The conversation basically went in the typical Japanese fashion. They would not say directly I could not remain in the higher class and made out I had a choice. However, if I indicated I wanted to stay then they would resist and give reasons why I should not. In the end I admitted defeat and agreed to return to my class on the condition my status would be reviewed after the next test. To be fair both my tutor and the senior teacher spent a lot of time explaining to me their position. Also, to be honest I don’t feel inclined to be in a class with someone who has reservations about teaching me.
The interesting thing is I’m not the only one in this position. I’ve spoken to a few other students who feel the class they’re in is too easy and have wanted to change. However, no one has seen this happen. One guy in particular felt very strongly and spoke to his tutor repeatedly. In the end the tutor said he could do a test and if he got a high enough score he could move up. Then she turned around and said he would not be doing the test, as it was “best for him” not to. Luckily for him he’s planning to study here for a year.