4 - Firsts

Late on my first day of work. May as well just fire me now.

I'm kidding, of course. Everyone at Koryo seems to have taken my blatantly gaijin idiocy in their strides, and just this once it looks like I'm off the hook. Won't stop me getting to the station a good 20 minutes ahead of time tomorrow, though.

But first things first, there was a little thing called Summer School to talk about.

Summer School is a voluntary English learning scheme set up by the KBE, and includes every last Kobe JET. Though participation for the kids is optional, we didn't get the luxury of choice. But before I end up sounding too bitter, let's get right to it. Monday was a preparation day, so nothing much to report...

I did it again, didn't I. I haven't told you about Sunday yet.

So Sunday, early start to head off to church in east Kobe. It's a fair ride, even further than the KEC, but a train, a bus and a shuttle later and we've made our way to Kobe Union Church, as far as I'm aware the only English-speaking church in Kobe. It's a fairly small congregation, about double Doshisha Church's, from all walks of life. Fortunately for Steph and I we were accompanied that day by fellow Hanayama JET Alex and his wife Nozomi, who showed us the way. The building needs special mention, it was really something. The main hall was all polished wood and stained glass, including a really cool organ at the stage-end, and underneath was a huge multi-purpose room where we had coffee afterwards. KUC is non-denominational, which set me a little off-ease at first (owing to bad experience with other 'non-denominationals'), but everyone, it became instantly clear, was about as friendly as you could get. We were encouraged to stand up and briefly introduce ourselves at the start of the service (I pride myself a little by being the only Brit in the church) along with the other six or so newcomers. Everyone seemed keen to say hello afterwards, with many adding a sympathetic "Sorry to hear about the trouble in your country". Steph and I have already decided on returning this Sunday, they even took us took a buffet lunch afterwards!

So yeah, finally, Monday. Preparation day meant an opening address followed by assignment of rooms, then decoration of those rooms and a couple of trial runs using the people from the others. Each room involved an English-based activity, and the students, when they arrived the next day, would cycle between all four in the morning and then have presentations in the afternoon. Most exciting was the 'Harry Potter Room', a series of challenges based on the popular English novels, including riddles and a particularly harrowing Dementor battle. You think saying "expecto patronum" in a moment of crisis is difficult for you, try being a 12 year old Japanese student. Next was 'Carnival Games', with challenges such as maze where one student would be blindfolded and the others would have to guide them through to the other side. 'International Mystery' was a murder-mystery style challenge, where the students were told of a theft by an international hyper-thief who was now hiding somewhere in the world. ALTs took on different roles as people from different countries, and in groups the students had to interview them to find the culprit. And finally, the room your's truly was assigned to, the 'Speed Dating Room'. Can you imagine my excitement? But yeah, in the end it was speed dating in name only, borrowing the 3 minute conversation format with students paring of ALTs several times for a quick chat. You may have seen the photo I stuck on Facebook a few days back: that was my desk what I decorated myself. As I'm sure you can imagine, I was many students' first choices.

Both days progressed very smoothly, all things considered. The opening and closing portions were very well executed, getting the students fired up for conversation, and all of the rooms performed excellently. Student bravery and skill was highly variable, with many opting to not say a thing during their three minutes, but you did occasionally get the gem who asked you what your favourite Pokemon was, or laughed at your jokes, or gave interesting answers. Special mention goes out to the 2nd Year who plays Euphonium at her school's Euphonium club. How cool is that? The presentation contest in the afternoon was also good, despite much unenthusiasm on the part of all of us. We had a few serious ones, the natural topic of the year being Tohoku, but some hilarious ones too, the winners of the second day being a particularly skilled group of boys who translated some traditional rakugo into English. Superb stuff. In the end, though, I'm glad it's over and I have a chance to catch my breath. Well, y'know, sort of.

Because today was my first day of school. I'll just say it now, the day's gone pretty well. First off was meeting the few staff who were here during the summer, with extra attention being paid to vice-principal Fukuda and the principal whose name... escapes me... I had a bit of a rifle through my predecessor's monumental amount of teaching resources, and also helped correct a student's English speech for a contest next month. Apparently I'll be giving her some 1-to-1 tuition on that when the term starts properly. As for the students themselves, I didn't see many, most busy with sports training. I did get more than a few curious glances and smiles, which really helped me feel welcome. A couple of times during my tour with the vice-principal he stopped to introduce me to some small groups of the students, who seemed genuinely very excited to see me. This was after he instructed me to feign not knowing Japanese. There was great surprise when I told them my age ("So young!!") which was echoed later during a meeting with my elementary teachers later that day. The teachers were very pleased to hear my Japanese, however, and seemed genuinely relieved that we'd be able to speak more naturally. Little has been said about classes at this point, though I do have my schedule. Most Mondays will be spend at... Tsu... Tsukushigaoka Elementary starting the 12th September with a class on 'I like'. I'll be bringing in big pictures of England and fish and chips for that one. Tuesdays will be Koryo Elementary, with a similar lesson in mind. Most of my lessons will be with 6th years, the highest year in the school, and I have already been warned that they are a very "powerful" year. By which I think they meant they are high-energy and enthusiastic, not that I should be wary of their magical powers as I was tempted to think. That one starts on the 6th. The rest of the week will be spent at Junior High, with different classes to work with each day. Friday is Nakayoshi day, Nakayoshi being the code-name (meaning 'good friends') for the special needs class. A little nervous about that one, not sure what to expect, but the teacher is very friendly, so what's the worst that could happen? Other than that, I'll have an opening ceremony to give a speech at on the 1st, and Sports Day to attend on the 9th. I also have to write a tiny self-introduction for the school newspaper, that's by the 24th.

So yeah, plenty to be getting on with. Steph and I prepared dinner ahead of time tonight, so when she gets back we just have to reheat the stuff and have maximal Terraria time. Having said that, I'll need something for lunch tomorrow, and every day for that matter. Now, where in my bursting schedule am I going to find time for that... and more importantly, what am I gonna make? Urgh, this is what that cookbook was for, I guess.

That's it. Thanks for reading.