One of the things which I really enjoy about working at Smiths School of English in Fuse is being able to get to know about my students lives. There are two particular things which really interest me.
First, I am always curious about how English plays a role in their lives and second, I am interested to find out what they do in their free time. One of the questions which I always ask during a trial lesson is… “What do you do in your free time?” or “What are your hobbies?”
The answer to this question has introduced me to several interesting pastimes in Japan but I also make it a point to remember their reply and then to ask them about it from time to time.
Remembering details about our students lives and interests demonstrates a level of care which they will not receive at larger more corporate type schools.
Some of the students’ answers include shopping, watching movies, bonsai, tea ceremony, ballet, piano and so on and so forth.
Others are a bit more unique like aikido, aido, Japanese archery, and “moto racing”! This is Japanese for motor racing.
I now have 3 students who enjoy moto racing as their hobby so I decided to do some research online about this sport and found that is quite exciting, though a bit scary for me.
My students race both on tarmac and off-road and I learned that there are several courses in the Kansai area where one can go to watch these races. I was also told that there is quite a gambling scene as well, similar to the horse races.
These are some of the most popular courses which are in Kansai:
奈良県 (Nara Prefecture)
大阪府 (Osaka Prefecture)
京都府 (Kyoto Prefecture)
Personally, I prefer “slower-paced” pastimes, such as hiking and enjoying all the beautiful nature which is abundant in Japan but I have always been intrigued by people who choose these high-adrenaline type pastimes!
Speaking of pastimes to be enjoyed here in Japan, here are a few more my fellow franchisees have written about:
Hula Dancing in Japan フラダンス in Japan
Sailing in Japan (Cool video here!)
Ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement)
By the way, that is my student in the pictures and he races a couple times a month on average. His 3 year old son is his biggest fan and I always enjoy listening to the details of his latest race.
Very cool!
Alessandro “Alex” Stanciu
アレッサンドロ“アレックス”スタンシュー
Smith’s School of English Fuse
月謝制 の スミス 英会話 布施 校
http://www.smithweb.co.jp/school/fuse.shtml 英会話 東大阪市