Comments on: 何故日本で英語を教える事が面白い。Why teaching English in Japan is so interesting! http://www.sse-franchise.com/soapbox/200803/23/my-take-on-english-in-japan-2/ About teaching english and living in Japan Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:41:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Gideon http://www.sse-franchise.com/soapbox/200803/23/my-take-on-english-in-japan-2/#comment-15 Gideon Sat, 29 Mar 2008 08:34:03 +0000 http://sse-franchise.com/soapbox/200803/23/my-take-on-english-in-japan-2/#comment-15 The role of a teacher/coach/instructor/tutor is a many and varied one. It's very true that students and pupils of any subject come with their own 'baggage' and many of them require the gentle coaching that only a skilled teacher can offer. I know that for many of us the idea of taking up a maths class or a algebra classa again would strike fear into the hearts of most adults. But the ablilty of the coach to be able to allay the students' fears and to put them at ease is the sign of a really capable teacher. But thankfully the most difficult part of this process is already over by the time they walk into the classroom, that being plucking up the courage to actually take the plunge and come to the school. As for the T- shirts, I've been here 15 years and I haven't seen any improvement in them......now there's a niche market, English T - Shirt consultant! The role of a teacher/coach/instructor/tutor is a many and varied one. It’s very true that students and pupils of any subject come with their own ‘baggage’ and many of them require the gentle coaching that only a skilled teacher can offer. I know that for many of us the idea of taking up a maths class or a algebra classa again would strike fear into the hearts of most adults. But the ablilty of the coach to be able to allay the students’ fears and to put them at ease is the sign of a really capable teacher. But thankfully the most difficult part of this process is already over by the time they walk into the classroom, that being plucking up the courage to actually take the plunge and come to the school.

As for the T- shirts, I’ve been here 15 years and I haven’t seen any improvement in them……now there’s a niche market, English T - Shirt consultant!

]]> By: Tim http://www.sse-franchise.com/soapbox/200803/23/my-take-on-english-in-japan-2/#comment-10 Tim Tue, 25 Mar 2008 12:54:10 +0000 http://sse-franchise.com/soapbox/200803/23/my-take-on-english-in-japan-2/#comment-10 It's great to read about someone enjoying their work so much. I'm sure your students appreciate it too! Nevermind the financial advantages of teaching English here, I think what has brought me the most happiness is forming good relationships with all my students and having genuine cultural exchanges with them. I can't put a price on what they have taught me about Japan and Japanese culture. It’s great to read about someone enjoying their work so much. I’m sure your students appreciate it too!

Nevermind the financial advantages of teaching English here, I think what has brought me the most happiness is forming good relationships with all my students and having genuine cultural exchanges with them. I can’t put a price on what they have taught me about Japan and Japanese culture.

]]> By: SJ http://www.sse-franchise.com/soapbox/200803/23/my-take-on-english-in-japan-2/#comment-9 SJ Tue, 25 Mar 2008 09:30:03 +0000 http://sse-franchise.com/soapbox/200803/23/my-take-on-english-in-japan-2/#comment-9 Your mentioning of T-shirts reminds me of some pretty 'aggressive' ones that I've had the pleasure (?) of seeing a couple of times on the train. I've asked a couple of people if they actually understood what was printed on their clothing. They all answered, "No". Not only are a lot of the English phrases, advertisements, commercials, and newspapers floating around Japan that are filled with spelling and grammatical mistakes, but many of them don't make any sense or would be considered offensive to an English speaker. It's such a shame because most Japanese people honestly want to learn how to use English correctly, especially spoken English, but only have rigid textbook lessons to base their comprehension on. Eikaiwa schools give the Japanese people an opportunity to correctly learn the English language with an actual native English speaker, which is what is generally preferred. This also gives the students the chance to learn about different cultures, countries, and accents. And, as English teachers, we also get to learn more about Japan and the Japanese culture through the students who are only too eager to share their ideas and opinions with us. Your mentioning of T-shirts reminds me of some pretty ‘aggressive’ ones that I’ve had the pleasure (?) of seeing a couple of times on the train. I’ve asked a couple of people if they actually understood what was printed on their clothing. They all answered, “No”. Not only are a lot of the English phrases, advertisements, commercials, and newspapers floating around Japan that are filled with spelling and grammatical mistakes, but many of them don’t make any sense or would be considered offensive to an English speaker. It’s such a shame because most Japanese people honestly want to learn how to use English correctly, especially spoken English, but only have rigid textbook lessons to base their comprehension on.

Eikaiwa schools give the Japanese people an opportunity to correctly learn the English language with an actual native English speaker, which is what is generally preferred. This also gives the students the chance to learn about different cultures, countries, and accents. And, as English teachers, we also get to learn more about Japan and the Japanese culture through the students who are only too eager to share their ideas and opinions with us.

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