Job Discussion Forums

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Do you think they should be allowed?

ntropy · Joined: 11 Oct 2003 Posts: 671 Location: ghurba

yes, you lot are so noisy it's sometimes the only way to block you out and be able to concentrate on tasks such as correcting writing.

seklarwia · Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 9:55 am Post subject:

Are you asking because you don't like that other teachers are wearing them in the staffroom, or because you want to but are not allowed?

It can make it hard to approach people when they have headphones on. I personally think it is quite antisocial to sit in a full staffroom listening to music, etc regardless of whether it is allowed or not.

My school doesn't have rules aginst it and the Japanese staff all know that I listen to audiobooks when I am alone in the staffrooms (some of them have tried listening to them; interested to see if they could understand or not). But as soon as any one enters I always switch off, regardless of whether it is a JTE or not. And I always put them away inbetween lessons when students are in and out of the staffrooms, since they are not allowed to bring mp3s into school at all.

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

I'm asking because I'm curious to know how others feel. They were allowed in our staffroom until today. Many wore them, mostly to shut others out and concentrate on their work. Myself, I sometimes used them to get fired up listening to something on youtube or while watching live sports, for example, the NBA playoffs. I don't know how I feel about it. I believe those who need to shut people out will be most disappointed.

ripslyme · Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 481 Location: Japan

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

This country has enough people who shut themselves out of the rest of society. Socialize or read a book if you have to sit in a social place. Take your headphones to the library or a closet or an LL.

Vince · Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 559 Location: U.S.

I wouldn't automatically consider headphones antisocial. If the teacher is generally sociable, I'd just assume s/he wants to relax to music between lessons. It's not like you can't get the person's attention if you need something.

The problem is, quite simply, that we're talking about Japan. Headphones surely don't fit expectations for the Japanese workplace. Some staff will object to headphones on those grounds, and other staff might be envious. I don't think it's asking too much to save the headphones for lunchtime or the train.

Sweetsee · Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything

Good one, Vince!

seklarwia · Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 9:11 pm Post subject:

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

I agree with seklarwia. That describes better what I meant to say.

You have to admit, today's youth walk around in a haze, with headphones on while riding bikes or buses, while walking in halls or down streets. They are also notorious for shutting themselves off from the world by hiding in their rooms and "playing" with their cell phones. Young teachers are often in this mode, too, during work hours. Even the most sociable person has an air of "do not disturb" when they sit in a public place (staff room, lunch room) wearing headphones.

Vince · Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 559 Location: U.S.

Grasshopper · Joined: 01 Nov 2005 Posts: 62 Location: Japan

I don't think wearing headphones makes someone antisocial. And I think that if people want to be antisocial that is okay too.

I really like people, but when I am trying to work (which is usually the reason I would be in the staffroom), then I need to create my own space even among other people. Some may do this with headphones. I had my own ways.

I think it just depends on preference and style.

Now, if the headphones are so loud that others can hear them...that is another story. I would disagree with that because it interrupts others from doing their work, and clearly that's not okay.

Just my thoughts.

G

wayne432 · Joined: 05 Jun 2008 Posts: 255

seklarwia · Posted: Thu May 21, 2009 11:40 am Post subject:

ripslyme · Joined: 29 Jan 2005 Posts: 481 Location: Japan

Even though I haven't been a JET in ages, I'd like to pull out the old JET mantra: ESID - Every Situation Is Different.

As I posted earlier, in my experience in a Japanese staffroom (at a private elementary school) both Japanese and foreign teachers used headphones for work and non-work related purposes. It was different at other schools I've worked at. The policy, be it written or unwritten, varies from school to school.

Look around the room. If no one is using headphones, then don't. If other teachers are using them, go for it.