Back to School... Part 1

This time of year has somewhat of a different meaning in Japan than it does in the U.S., since the start of the school year was actually back in April. Not only that, but the students' "summer vacation" was only about three weeks, so it hasn't been that long since I have last seen the students. Statistics-wise, Japanese high school students attend school an average of 243 days a year, compared to 180 in America, but I know for a fact that "my" students come to school much more often than the average Japanese student since there are all kinds of "extra" classes in order to cram all the more knowledge into those students' brains to help them prepare for their university entrance exams. (These classes are "optional" but more than 90% of students attend these.) Then, in the remaining three weeks that were actually class-free, most of the students still came to school every day to practice their club activity, whatever that may be.

Before I get ahead of myself, I should probably give you a little more background information on my main school. (I actually teach at two schools here in Japan, but I will save the other one for a later post.) The name of my school is "Seiseiko" and if you want to get technical, "koko" means high school, so it should actually be "Seisei Koko" but that sounds kind of funny. It is actually the oldest in Kumamoto City, and one of the most prestigious. Everyone knows the name... so much so that when I am asked by any Japanese person (and this happens quite often) where I teach, I am greeted by utter awe when I answer. "Ehhhhhh! Your students must be very smart! "

It is true that the students I teach are very intelligent. It is a VERY academic high school. Students who attend Seiseiko have to pass a pretty rigorous exam just to get in, and it's very competitive. (Quite different from American high schools, because in Japan, it's all about getting into the right high school in order to get into the right university, at which point, they're pretty much set for life.) Needless to say, it's a LOT of pressure for a 15 year old. (The picture here is of the "unveiling" of the list of the 420 students who passed the exam and will be admitted to Seiseiko... as parents and teachers wait with their then-junior high school students. Tears abound, of both joy and defeat.)

My students' ability in speaking English is pretty high (for Japan, at least, where the focus is very much on reading and writing, not speaking.) In that respect, I am very lucky because I can speak at a pretty "natural" speed (which IS slow for me, of course, since most of you know how fast I can speak sometimes... though I also use very clear and simplified English) and students can understand most of what I say. My friends who teach at other high schools are very jealous of the fact that I can carry on "normal" conversations with my students.

In actuality, a good number of these students are going to be doctors and lawyers and teachers someday... the future leaders of Japan. I hardly feel qualified to be teaching them... But right now, I am their teacher and teachers are definitely respected here. It's kind of a nice change... and being bowed at, even outside of school, is really a nice feeling, too... I'll admit!

Seiseiko's students are also quite "active," as in, they seem to have adopted the "work hard, play hard" attitude. I think that about 80% of students are involved in some type of club (sports, music, art, or otherwise.) And they definitely take their clubs seriously, since they are really only involved in one. (Very different attitude from Americans, who value "well-roundedness," the Japanese think it is better to focus on just one skill and really hone it.) I know for a fact that the Boys Baseball team at my school practices something outrageous, like from 7am to 7pm on the weekends, when they are not in class and when they don't have games. That might be the reasons why they fall asleep in class sometimes! (I try not to take it too personally, given the circumstances...)

The stereotypes you might have about high schools in Japan are probably all true, especially at my high school. Yes, the students wear uniforms. Yes, they study ALL the time. They even have classes on Saturdays sometimes (although fortunately, I don't have to come to school then.) The students at my high school even have extra classes in the EARLY morning (at, like, 7:00) and after school (until 5 or 6 at night.) They're not allowed to wear make-up, color their hair, or have their ears pierced (although some of them do; they just hide it well.) They have their uniforms checked as they're coming into the front gate of school every morning. It's a pretty intense three years for the students (which explains why most Japanese students really live it up when they're in university!) If it sounds like a pretty strict and demanding school, you are right. It's pretty intense, for both students AND teachers.

It's also a HUGE school (at least to me, who graduated in a high school class of 19) with more than 1200 students. Japanese high schools have only three "grades" (compared to four in American high schools) but there are ten classes in each grade at Seiseiko, and a whopping 42 students in each class. I remember being shocked at first... How was I supposed to teach a CONVERSATION CLASS with 42 students?! The good thing is that I don't teach alone; we have what is known as "team-teaching," so there are always two teachers (the "native" English teacher and a Japanese English teacher) in the classroom at a time. It makes it a little more manageable. We just do a lot of group and pair work, so students actually get a chance to speak.

In the JET Program (Japan Exchange & Teaching, which is the program I'm here on) my job title is ALT (assistant language teacher.) Acronyms aside, I can tell you that those of us who teach at Senior High Schools are usually not the assistants. We prepare all the lesson plans and pretty much lead the class, with the Japanese English teacher translating and explaining grammar points where is necessary. We also make the tests, particularly listening. We are unofficially in charge of our school's English club, which meets at least one night after school a week. We mark exams and compositions, we help train students for speech contests, university interviews, and anything else that might involve our "expertise" in English.


I'll be honest... I had kind of a hard time when I first came to this school two years ago. I'd never been in such a rigid enviornment before. I certainly didn't have the "superstar welcome mat" rolled out for me, like a lot of ALTs do when they first arrive. In fact, most of the teachers hardly had time to talk to me because they're so busy. (Fortunately, I've since gained a better understanding of things and have come to realize that just about any new teacher who comes to this school has a hard time adjusting at first, even if they're Japanese and used to this education system.) The majority of the teachers at the school are older MEN, who dress every day in a full suit and tie. I sometimes feel very conscious about what to wear to school... meaning nothing that will "stand out" too much or be too "casual"; no bright colors, shirts without collars, capris, or anything showing too much skin (low-cut, short, tight, or remotely "sexy"... after all, I do teach high school boys!) As it is, I think I may be the only teacher on staff who colors their hair. They think it's natural, so I'll just let them believe that. :)

I guess the students have it easy, in a way, since they don't have to decide what to wear in the morning. They actually have two different types of uniforms; Summer and Winter. Seiseiko's girls summer uniforms are a gray sailor suit style (as shown.) The boys wear a white short-sleeved button down shirt with the school emblem on it with black pants as their summer uniforms. Actually, I don't think the students mind wearing uniforms, since they can show their "individuality" in other ways; namely their hairstyles or through their club activity, since it's certainly part of their "identity."

So that's my my main school, where I spend four out of five days a week. Overall, no matter how stressful it is at times, I also have to say that it's also quite an honor to be a part of. Sorry this has turned into such a long post, and it's only part of what I want to say about my school... but since it's where I spend most of my time, it's kind of like the rice in my Bento, so to speak!