Job Discussion Forums

[johncanada24]

Honestly guys I am really excited to go out and teach in Japan but at the same time I know im going to be so surprised and over whelmed by culture shock. My first day of teaching in front of the students will probably be the most difficult day of my life. Is there any quick suggestions anybody has ? Maybe you have a short story to tell or something. I don't care what it is I'm interested in hearing

Thankyou

[Like a Rolling Stone]

[bornslippy1981]

I wasn't nervous, but my first day "teaching" was at Nova.

I read most of the posts on this, and other forums for a long time before I left. I knew what to expect.

What was difficult was understanding the students. The first day was a little easier because I was in a small town and the students were interested in me because there weren't new teachers every other lesson, as is the case in Tokyo or Osaka.

I'm not sure how the lesson format is at other companies, but I was trying to stick to the Nova format, which I learned after 5 days was useless, and it's best to figure out what works best for you.

One thing I'd caution against is the "truth game." This is where you say 2 false things, and one true thing about yourself. If you've ever been arrested, don't say this. One of the Dave's Japan Forum legends mentioned this on his first day, and was let go soon after. Then again, he was also wearing jeans, and expecting a salary of 86,000 Yen/day.

Wear a shirt and tie, don't tell about your arrest or drug history, and all will be good.

[Like a Rolling Stone]

[johncanada24]

[callmesim]

I'm with ECC and my first day teaching went like this --

First student was an old lady who was the lowest of low levels. Despite my high quality pantomime, I couldn't make her understand that I just wanted her to read a particular page. Which was in Japanese!

Then my second student was the highest of high levels who pretty much said "entertain me, monkey boy". She didn't ask questions, just wanted me to talk to her.

Was I nervous? Not really. Provided you act like you know what you're doing, you'll get by the first few days. Then, obviously, you'll be under control and doing things properly.

[seanmcginty]

I remember my first day of teaching well.

The date: December 15, 1999
The Place: GEOS, Akashi branch
My condition: Scared out of my mind

I only had three lessons scheduled, but I was almost paralyzed with fear. Part of the problem was that GEOS training does not prepare you for the class, mainly because most of it is training on how to sell stuff and fill out paperwork rather than on how to teach. I had one private lesson with a business man, one lesson with three painfully shy high school students and one big group lesson with a mix of individuals. I planned and planned and planned but nothing went right and each class just seemed like it dragged on forever. I didn't present the listenings right, I ran out of activities because I rushed through them too quick, nobody could understand what I was saying because I was speaking to fast.....just an absolute nightmare.

EVERYBODY's first day is something like that. It takes you a little while to get the hang of the job and everybody knows that, so don't be too worried about trying to be perfect because nobody expects you to be. In fact, absolutely bombing your first lessons is probably a good thing because it allows you to learn from your mistakes at an early stage.

[Eva Pilot]

My first day I observed one class then taught one.

I was very nervous, but somehow got through.

The second day I taught 2 and observed none, and it was all go from there, no more problems.

[thelza]

I know it's not Japan, but my first English class I taught was in Russia, and it was horrible. I had observed two classes, but they were at higher levels, so I definitely overestimated the level of the students I got stuck with. The class was three hours long, and I talked waaaayyy too fast. They were bewildered, as it was their first class with a native English speaker, and I felt horrible. I had a good cry at home afterwards, but then moved on. The good thing was that I made all the mistakes at once and learned from them, and the class ended up going really well. So yeah nothing wrong with being nervous the first class! It goes away!

[Inflames]

Everyone's nervous their first day. My trainer said that all we had to do was stay there for 40 minutes, which I did. I didn't feel confident about my ability to teach for another couple days (this was at NOVA btw) and my lessons generally sucked for the first week or so (until I figured out which lessons I liked and which I didn't, and what people wouldn't get in the lessons). I actually got a complaint during OJT from some whiny fox that said I wasn't talking fast enough (and I was talking like I normally do, although I got back at her a few weeks later when I taught her again).

[Yawarakaijin]

Surely everyone is nervous the first time they teach, it's something you will overcome at your own pace and then things will get much easier. I've never taught at any of the chain schools but I will imagine you have a text book to teach from. My advice is to take the book home with you, if you can, and simply get to know it.

When I first taught in Canada a basically followed the text book I was given point by point. I tried to keep the energy levels high using humour when the book got a little dry. For each little point in the book use your own imagination and figure out how you could elaborate if need be.

For example if its a small reading passage on how Billy lost his wallet at the train station don't be afraid to go off on your own a little bit. Ask your students if they have ever lost anything and take 5-10 minutes to let them speak freely. If you have in mind 3 or 4 different ways to expand on each point you won't get so easily freaked out if a 10 minute activity winds up in 4 minutes.

Prep, Prep, Prep and more Prep is always good advice. At first, you may need to prep well in advance but as you get more comfortable you will be able to elaborate on the fly.

Another thing is to always let your students know why they are studying a particular point. I don't know if these schools focus much on grammar and there are some theories out there that grammar should'nt even be taught. I tend to take the middle road. You might take 5 minutes to explain the the 1st Conditional or what not but then move quickly into the situation in which the students can actually use their newly learned grammar. Just having the students know why they should be listening to you and how then can actually use what you are teaching them should cut down on the hmmms and haaawws and blank stares.That in turn should help you feel more relaxed.

You may also find this intesesting. My school in Canada would, at the end of each month, give students the chance to evaluate us as teachers. I almost always had higher evaluations when I just taught the textbook straight and monkeyed it up for them. When I started "getting serious" and doing some lesson planning my evaluations took somewhat of a nose dive. Keep it light and fun and you will be fine. And NEVER, EVER LET THEM SEE YOU SWEAT

[TK4Lakers]

My first day was as an ALT in a Junior High School (and 3 different Elem. Schools as well).

I admit, I was nervous, but it's not so bad. The first days in each class I just did a short, simple introduction. I told them my name, my age, where I was from, what my hobbies were and what kind of Japanese foods I liked.

Since I am from America, all the students seemed interested and listened attentively, especially the ES students. If you're an ALT and animated, they'll absolutely love you.

Now into the 2nd trimester, that feeling of "new" is gone. The students are more relaxed and laid back now, and the ones who use to cheerfully talk to me don't as much.

I was nervous, but you'll get eased into it as an ALT. You'll get use to it in no time. and communicate with your JTE's, they'll help you out.

Just be cheerful, be positive and be excited. Good luck!

[johncanada24]

[seastarr]

That might work in your favor with Nova sometimes....you wont be the first pick to teach all the kids classes. You do have to perk it up a bit sometimes, the students are paying good money to see you cheery. They dont care (and shouldnt have to) that you are tired or hungover. Mind you, most of them are still interested in your authentic personality (as long as its not too boring or diffucult to understand). Don't stress about your first lesson, or any other lessons for that matter. The only teacher that I ever heard students really complain about was very bossy and never let them get a word in edgewise. He also talked about American politics and Latin words. I taught classes close to him sometimes and my students would comment that all they could hear was him talking. With Nova, you are supposed to keep your talk time down...some say 10-20% should be teacher, the rest student talk time. So you really only have to be cheery and genki for 4-8 mins a class, or less than one hour a day. It's hard to imagine having not done it, but the day flies by most of the time and most students will laugh at all your jokes and take what you say as gospel. My biggest pet peeve was teachers who lied to their students for their own personal amusement. Take the time to speak the truth and make your 10-20% talk time memorable for them, they are the reason you are able to have the experience.

[Big John Stud]

johncanada24 wrote:

Honestly guys I am really excited to go out and teach in Japan but at the same time I know im going to be so surprised and over whelmed by culture shock. My first day of teaching in front of the students will probably be the most difficult day of my life. Is there any quick suggestions anybody has ? Maybe you have a short story to tell or something. I don't care what it is I'm interested in hearing Thankyou

I've been teaching for newly 20 years now, but I will never forget my very first day. When I look back now, I laugh, but then I didn't think the experience was so funny. My first class was a children class. I had bent over, and a child point his two hands together with both index fingers extended and then rammed his index fingers into that part of the body that the sun never shines in!
I instinctively leaped foreword, and my head banged against the wall. The whole class started laughing making me feel more embarrassed.
Later the same class one boy tried to do the same thing to my front side. I had stopped him, but other boy who already got me once got me again and again everyone cracked up.
I then had a returnee class. Being made a fool of by little kids had me going. The returnee kept asking me questions, and the more questions they asked my more my mind would go blank. I was so nervous by then, I actually went in my pants thinking I had to release gas.
Then a girl says, "What smells so bad?" The expression on her face told me she knew as she innocently asked, "Teacher did you go in your pants?"
I didn't know what to do. I couldn't leave in the middle of the class to take my underwear off, and knew they could smell it!
I tried to keep a distance for the rest of the lesson.
My last class was an adult class. The day had been long! I had a dinner break about two hours before the class. I went to the rest room and then entered the class. There was a real hot woman in the class, who kept on glance at me. She would make eye contact and then glance down my body to my private. I was already a nervous wreck, and the thought she might like me was making me more nervous because of the stain on my pants where I sit. I was still trying to keep a distance even though, I had thrown the soiled underwear in the trash in some public restroom.
I sat down, and discuss a topic, when I stood up the class at first tried to suppress the urge to burst out laughing, but the urge was too great. Everyone broke out laughing, and finally one of the male students gestured to me to zip up my zipper.

I didn't just want to quit, I wanted to leave Japan! When I got home, I wanted to break down and cry. If I could of done it over, I wouldn't of taken myself so seriously. Instead of focusing on teaching English, I would focus on having fun and getting to know the students.