Job Discussion Forums

[Sweetsee]

I teach full-time at a private senior high school in Saitama, Japan. I am curious to hear from others doing the same thing. My question is: what is the level of interest among students to speak English?

At my school there is exactly one student. She eagerly meets with me every day at lunch time. I taught her in her first year and she showed little interest. The following year she never spoke to me and in her final year after deciding to attend an international university and major in English, she approached me asking me to help her.

Not only are students not interested but most are unable to greet me around school. In some cases, there are students that I felt I had established rapport with, only to find later that they also were unable to greet me.

I attribute this to some sort of Japanese thing. I often find that some teachers also are okay with passing me without greeting, even in the morning. Although, the other non-Japanese instructor seems to mirror this trait as well, perhaps she is turning Japanese or a when in Rome thing, who knows?

Furthermore, I was more than a little surprised to find the same thing when parents I had previously met during parent/teacher conferences were unable to greet me, though I was seated at the reception table of the school festival and eager to greet them, they seemed to be of the mind that either I didn't exist or they felt no need to at least acknowledge my presence. In fact, there were 2 particular parents that I clearly remember, one flat out ignored me and the other who I tried to get to make eye contact, she sort of said, "domo" under her breath and that was it, no nod or anything. As much as I am okay with that I do find it odd, but I guess not for Japanese. Afterall, I am the co-homeroom teacher of their child.

As much as I accept the situation I do find it difficult. Any comments?

[wintersweet]

I imagine many of the parents, and even the teachers, are terrified that you'll speak to them in English, thus exposing their lack of speaking ability ... and it seems that you often can't expect people to actually believe that you speak Japanese, even if you do, and even if they've seen you do it.

As for the students, I just worked with a large group of French kids who were supposed to be here learning English. Talk about uninterested ... Teens, eh? It's hard to force them to be interested in anything that they are required to do (or pressured by their parents to do).

[Glenski]

[Sweetsee]

Thanks Wintersweet for replying to this thread, so true isn't it? But let me say that their is one teacher in particular that comes to mind. She speaks perfectly and is an English teacher. Though, she is most engaging when I speak to her, she never greets me. Reason I say this is I specifically remember yesterday morning as I entered the school she was walking out and nothing, even though most students at that place at that time are busy cleaning the area and most have a greeting. Odd, but by no means strange, I suppose.

Thanks Glenski, I guess I have all my eggs in one basket for the first time and I am trying to make it out to be something that it is not. But for the sake of conversation or to claim ignorance, either or--what is the answer?

I just read through the "adjusting..." thread and it has helped me to sort out some things. I'm getting it at work and I'm getting it at home.

Ah, it is a tangled web we weave.

At any rate, I am eagerly awaiting more replies.


Enjoy yourselves,
s

[TokyoLiz]

Okay, here's a scenario...

Mrs. Suzuki comes to school to greet her child's homeroom and subject teachers, and she sees you sitting there.

A few things go through her mind. First, why do we need a foreign guy at the school? Are the English teachers so inadequate? Second, she's heard the other mothers gossip about foreign English teachers, and she wonders at the quality of instruction. Third, she hated in English in school, did just enough to scrape through the book-learning, and does not speak a word of the language. Her child has told her that Sweetsee sensei speaks only English in the classroom, so she figures you don't speak Japanese and there would be an awkward moment if she made the effort to talk to you. Finally, you are the underling of the homeroom teacher, and it would be awkward to greet you directly without an introduction from your superior.

Voila, no hello.

No surprise, either.

It's a rare situation in which parents approach the foreign teacher. Parents of foreign educated children have greeted me and talked rather casually. Be thankful the parents don't bother you about little Taro's progress. Parents typically spend hours with homeroom teachers talking about their children's grades and the like.

[Sweetsee]

Hi TL,

Where have you been off to? Really, I have always enjoyed reading you, ever since I first came here, from the start I have felt that I wish I had a friend like you. Thank you so much for that wonderful scenario, truly words of wisdom.

Enjoy yourself,
s

P.S. Wow, I am really starting to feel better, thanks!

[TokyoLiz]

Parents showed up to roast the program head and appeal to me, as if I were in charge. It was a 3 hour bilingual growling match between angry parents, backpeddling head and me. And nobody had told me what 'package' the school's pr people had sold the school. I was embarased and wanted to grit my teeth, smile, and stare hate daggers at the PR/program head.

[Sweetsee]

Wow, sounds like a tough day at the office, or another day at the office in Tokyo. I suppose that post was meant to show me what I could be up against, well done...whoa!

[Glenski]

Sweetsee,
You know darned well that students are not taught to speak English for the most part in JHS/SHS. They are taught to pass college entrance exams. That alone is a major factor in them not being able to speak to you or anyone else. You already know the embarrassment factor, too, of being unable to speak perfectly over here.

As for why students you THOUGHT you had some rapport with don't speak to you now, is it more a matter of being UNABLE to UNWILLING to speak to you? They are gone now and have no reason to curry your favor or use you as a sounding board. Your perception of their friendship with you and THEIR perception might very well be completely different.

Also, knowing your history with that school, with your ups and (mostly) downs concerning student discipline, it shouldn't be so surprising to you that people snub you, whether they are parents, students or teachers. You have been an inflammatory element there, and people probably don't want to be associated with such behavior for fear that it will reflect on them. This may sound harsh, but I think you know what I am referring to.

[Sweetsee]

Hi Glenski,


Thank you for that and you are right, it does sound harsh. I imagine when it comes to snubbing people this is a topic in which you undoubtedly know a lot about.

I might also mention that the same person I hold responsible for last year's fiasco was also the one who spearheaded the most recent attack on me by taking a letter from a parent and presenting it to the principal, who then chewed me out, only to later find it was completely baseless and in their words 'a misunderstanding'. Interesting the way he felt no inclination to ask me about it before going to the principal.

If I have learned anything through all this, it is that I know nothing at all.


Kind regards,
s

[malcoml]

What has always surprised me is that for years in high school we as Australian children were told how lazy we were and how hard the Japanese study. We heard tales of student sucide and children studying 20 hours a day.
Now looking at the foreign students that come to Australia I see nothing but the exact opposite. alL I see is stresed english language teachers having trouble getting trying to keep control of 25 year old students who are acting like 15 year old studnets. And when I looked at the exams they seem to be set so a student definitely passes.

[homersimpson]

I don't know Sweetsee's history in great detail, but, for a parent or fellow teacher to not greet is really bad form. I live in (no offense) the hillbilly part of Japan and ALL teachers and parents greet me. Usually they do this in Japanese, which I expect. There should be no fear that an "Ohayo" will cause some great confusion and GASP, an actual conversation. As for the students, teenagers for the most part are inherently rude, so I do not freak out if they don't greet me ... though they usually do.

[Sweetsee]

I have been thinking about what Glenski said about students not being able to speak English because they are only taught to pass college entrance exams. Well, when I think about that and I think about what I read in another thread about the number of students and the number of slots available in colleges, than I come to the conclusion that the students are not being taught anything at all. I think we can also agree that the exams that are given to the students have become simply a formality, at least that is what the post by a university teacher who writes entrance exams said.

If thats all true than I can also understand why I have a nagging concience, I'm torn between enjoying a well paying, meaningless job and continuing to do something that I feel is wrong. What a dilemna.

[Glenski]

[king kakipi]

Sweetsee

I always enjoy reading your posts, and the replies that they inspire/provoke.

Thank you and good luck.

King K