I get my students to write journals to basically just practice writing paragraphs in English.
And sometimes, I get some very interesting reads.
For example, in one class alone, I had a very wide range of answers for the topic - If I could spend one day with anybody in this world, I would like to meet....
a) I want to meet Anpanman. Because I want to eat his face. His face looks soft and good taste. I want to see his face change. I want to tell him, "You are so cute!". Then, I want to fly away with him.
b) I want to meet Jack the Ripper. He was a murderous fiend in London in the 19th century. I want to meet him because I want to know his true character. When I meet him, I want to ask him, "Why did you slaughter so many people?"
c) I want to meet Galileo Galilei. He was called the Father of Modern Science" and is a famous great person. I want to meet him because I want to know about astronomy. He knows alot of things. I want to know more. When I meet him, I want to tell him "Please teach me Astronomy!" I want to look at constellations with him.
It's very interesting to see all the different types of answers!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Living my dream
I am sorry for giving out this blog url and in the end, I never did update this page much. I had intended this blog, to be an amazing blog because I believed I will be having an amazing time in Japan. And this blog will be filled with photos and quotes and learning points.
Well. In the end, I used facebook more than anything else because it was convenient to upload photos for everyone to see. But I realized that not much reflection was done for all the places/events/things that I saw or did or experienced. Which is kinda bad. I am still now debating what's the best way to retain all these wonderful memories that I have created here. Should I create a photo book? Or something?? Thinking in Progress.
Sometimes it's amazing how time flies. It seemed like it was just yesterday when I was new and ignorant of almost everything. For example, I threw my plastic bottle in the bin beside my table in the office for consecutively 5 days until one day, I found one of the bottles on my table with a small note saying "Recycle bin please." And then I found out that nobody throws plastic bottles in normal garbage bins. *embarrassed!* But that, sometimes, seemed so long ago too.
I have started preparing to send things home as I plan for my return when my contract ends. Also, time has become something difficult to gauge since I have been here. Next August seems so far away but it also seems so near.
As I was walking around the class watching my students attempting to do one of my worksheets diligently in the quiet classroom and noticing the sun shining on the trees that are turning reddish yellow with the mountain range in backdrop, I suddenly had this intense feeling of bliss. How many people really have the chance to do this? To live in Japan, to experience the 4 seasons (well, i come from a place which only has summer!) to teach these students attired in their cool uniform (cool because we used to only see it in comic books and movies and dramas) and interact with them in close proximity although we speak a different language.
I am indeed living my dream. And I need to focus on this fact and remind myself how lucky I am as I stumble along my journey in Japan.
Well. In the end, I used facebook more than anything else because it was convenient to upload photos for everyone to see. But I realized that not much reflection was done for all the places/events/things that I saw or did or experienced. Which is kinda bad. I am still now debating what's the best way to retain all these wonderful memories that I have created here. Should I create a photo book? Or something?? Thinking in Progress.
Sometimes it's amazing how time flies. It seemed like it was just yesterday when I was new and ignorant of almost everything. For example, I threw my plastic bottle in the bin beside my table in the office for consecutively 5 days until one day, I found one of the bottles on my table with a small note saying "Recycle bin please." And then I found out that nobody throws plastic bottles in normal garbage bins. *embarrassed!* But that, sometimes, seemed so long ago too.
I have started preparing to send things home as I plan for my return when my contract ends. Also, time has become something difficult to gauge since I have been here. Next August seems so far away but it also seems so near.
As I was walking around the class watching my students attempting to do one of my worksheets diligently in the quiet classroom and noticing the sun shining on the trees that are turning reddish yellow with the mountain range in backdrop, I suddenly had this intense feeling of bliss. How many people really have the chance to do this? To live in Japan, to experience the 4 seasons (well, i come from a place which only has summer!) to teach these students attired in their cool uniform (cool because we used to only see it in comic books and movies and dramas) and interact with them in close proximity although we speak a different language.
I am indeed living my dream. And I need to focus on this fact and remind myself how lucky I am as I stumble along my journey in Japan.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Bimyo
Interesting Japanese word of the day.
I met some students and I asked them genki? And their reply was Bimyo!
I was utterly confused and went back to check the dictionary.
Bimyo = Delicate / Subtle.
And so I learnt from my Japanese teachers that the world basically means - It's difficult to explain a.k.a It's complicated a.k.a I'm not sure how to answer your question.
Wow. So many meaning in just one phrase.
I met some students and I asked them genki? And their reply was Bimyo!
I was utterly confused and went back to check the dictionary.
Bimyo = Delicate / Subtle.
And so I learnt from my Japanese teachers that the world basically means - It's difficult to explain a.k.a It's complicated a.k.a I'm not sure how to answer your question.
Wow. So many meaning in just one phrase.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Tweet Tweet
And so I got a twitter account! Add me if you are bored. =p
http://twitter.com/sheryna1234
http://twitter.com/sheryna1234
Friday, January 8, 2010
Cold
Many people have said that I am lucky to be posted to kyushu which is known for its warm winters.
Well, it's kinda true that temp has never dipped below 0 but it's still very COLD!
I happen to stay on top of a hill with no obstructions. Basically, it's a mountain range behind me and from my living room, I look down at a valley of houses. So, that also means, the cold wind hits the building 24 hrs a day. Old japanese buildings have no insulation and it is always said that the inside and outside temp are the same. Thus, even when I turn on the air conditioner heater and with my electrical blanket on top of me, I still have to sleep with all winter gear on. Sounds ridiculous but true! If the air is still, I find the weather perfectly bearable. But the strong gusts of wind always kill whatever strength I have in dealing with the wind. =x
In school, going to the toilet is a torture. Haha.. because my school has no heating in the washrooms nor heated toilet seats like some places so it is really cold. In the teachers' room, we have no central heating but heating from a big kerosene heater placed in a corner for every 3 tables. Seriously, I hardly feel it. And whenever cleaning period comes, all the teachers will shiver because we have to open all the windows and switch off the heater for 15 mins to change the air. (for your info, breathing in too much kerosene is bad for health).
Today was also my school's opening ceremony after the winter break and the gym was so cold. I was literally chattering in my seat while holding on to heat packs. I wonder how the students can endure when they are not wearing anything to cover their legs nor hands or neck?!
But I know this is just for a couple of months more before the lovely spring arrives. I will and must endure!
I was excited to see snowfall but the snowfall is not as heavy as places up in the north. Hopefully next month when I visit Sendai and Tokyo, I can have the opportunity to throw some snowballs! =)
Well, it's kinda true that temp has never dipped below 0 but it's still very COLD!
I happen to stay on top of a hill with no obstructions. Basically, it's a mountain range behind me and from my living room, I look down at a valley of houses. So, that also means, the cold wind hits the building 24 hrs a day. Old japanese buildings have no insulation and it is always said that the inside and outside temp are the same. Thus, even when I turn on the air conditioner heater and with my electrical blanket on top of me, I still have to sleep with all winter gear on. Sounds ridiculous but true! If the air is still, I find the weather perfectly bearable. But the strong gusts of wind always kill whatever strength I have in dealing with the wind. =x
In school, going to the toilet is a torture. Haha.. because my school has no heating in the washrooms nor heated toilet seats like some places so it is really cold. In the teachers' room, we have no central heating but heating from a big kerosene heater placed in a corner for every 3 tables. Seriously, I hardly feel it. And whenever cleaning period comes, all the teachers will shiver because we have to open all the windows and switch off the heater for 15 mins to change the air. (for your info, breathing in too much kerosene is bad for health).
Today was also my school's opening ceremony after the winter break and the gym was so cold. I was literally chattering in my seat while holding on to heat packs. I wonder how the students can endure when they are not wearing anything to cover their legs nor hands or neck?!
But I know this is just for a couple of months more before the lovely spring arrives. I will and must endure!
I was excited to see snowfall but the snowfall is not as heavy as places up in the north. Hopefully next month when I visit Sendai and Tokyo, I can have the opportunity to throw some snowballs! =)
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Making a difference in someone's life...
I think, that is the main thought that keeps a teacher going.
Although I do not teach the 3rd year students officially, I had some 3rd year students approach me to help them with writing or speaking outside classes. 2 particular students whom I had helped last month to prepare them for their university entrance examinations, both passed their exams and got a place in the universities that they wanted to go! Imaike whom I helped with writing and Yaida whom I helped with preparing for a interview with the university. Although I only gave some advice and seen them like 3 times only, both of them (and their form teachers) came to look for me, bowed and thanked me so sincerely that I am so touched. I doubt any of my students in Singapore will do such things!
Although I do not teach the 3rd year students officially, I had some 3rd year students approach me to help them with writing or speaking outside classes. 2 particular students whom I had helped last month to prepare them for their university entrance examinations, both passed their exams and got a place in the universities that they wanted to go! Imaike whom I helped with writing and Yaida whom I helped with preparing for a interview with the university. Although I only gave some advice and seen them like 3 times only, both of them (and their form teachers) came to look for me, bowed and thanked me so sincerely that I am so touched. I doubt any of my students in Singapore will do such things!
Sunday, November 29, 2009
It's autumn!
I love how the leaves turn yellow and then red... such beautiful colours!!!
Life has been great and I am most probably going to extend my contract to stay 1 more year!
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