Etc.
I have been really busy lately because we started penpal letters. All the 1st year students (7th graders) get to exchange letters with some middle school kids in the U.S. It has been a lot of work, but we are almost done! They are in for a surprise!
I hope that this penpal exchange inspires a student or two to research Japan more. It was my foreign language class in 5th grade that really got me interested in Japan. I remember learning a little bit of Japanese, doing a penpal exchange and meeting some exchange students in my class.... it all added up to a life-long fascination with Japan and it's culture. And now I'm here!
I also hope that my Japanese students feel more motivated to learn English seeing as there are real people their age on the other end. It's fun.
I also took my nenkyuu (vacation time) for the Yuki Matsuri (snow festival) in Sapporo. I am really excited about that. That's next friday the 6th. Also, RIGHT after that, my friends will arrive! They are my first long-term visitors. It will be a little cramped in this tiny apartment, but totally worth it!
This past weekend I went to a 3 year old's birthday party at the temple that my ALT friend and I were tutoring at for several weeks last year. We met some new people, including some other foreigners. The one guy we met is the head of a local international school. He more or less offered me a job as an English teacher (they only hire certified teachers). Too bad just 2 days prior... I mailed in my re-contracting form for JET. Not that I would have neccessarily taken it... but at least it would have been an option. What a coincidence, eh? At least the connection is made.
Anyway, I uploaded a ton of photos and videos to my facebook account. I haven't been posting every time I upload photos here... shame on me. But they are there!
I hope that this penpal exchange inspires a student or two to research Japan more. It was my foreign language class in 5th grade that really got me interested in Japan. I remember learning a little bit of Japanese, doing a penpal exchange and meeting some exchange students in my class.... it all added up to a life-long fascination with Japan and it's culture. And now I'm here!
I also hope that my Japanese students feel more motivated to learn English seeing as there are real people their age on the other end. It's fun.
I also took my nenkyuu (vacation time) for the Yuki Matsuri (snow festival) in Sapporo. I am really excited about that. That's next friday the 6th. Also, RIGHT after that, my friends will arrive! They are my first long-term visitors. It will be a little cramped in this tiny apartment, but totally worth it!
This past weekend I went to a 3 year old's birthday party at the temple that my ALT friend and I were tutoring at for several weeks last year. We met some new people, including some other foreigners. The one guy we met is the head of a local international school. He more or less offered me a job as an English teacher (they only hire certified teachers). Too bad just 2 days prior... I mailed in my re-contracting form for JET. Not that I would have neccessarily taken it... but at least it would have been an option. What a coincidence, eh? At least the connection is made.
Anyway, I uploaded a ton of photos and videos to my facebook account. I haven't been posting every time I upload photos here... shame on me. But they are there!