Smith’s School of English Soap Box

Isn’t it great that in this job we get to meet so many different people and have so many opportunities to make new friends? This is my fifth year teaching at Smith’s School of English Kyobashi, and teaching here is not just a job any more, it has become a very important part of my life in Japan. We not only have a great team of coaches and receptionists here, but also some really friendly and caring students! Just before Christmas holiday, I received a pocket size Japanese book in a nice patchwork cover from one of my regular Saturday students. It took me by surprise and I really didn’t know what else to say to her except repeating “thanks”. Apparently she noticed the Japanese novel I was trying to read between lessons and got me this short story book written by the same author. I knew she made the cover herself as she mentioned in class patchwork was her hobby, it was just so sweet of her to take the trouble and time! Moments like this make working and living in a foreign country such a good experience, and teaching at Smith’s makes my life here so much more enjoyable!