14.05.15

Another day, another dollar.  Aaaahh.... isn't it funny how so many days start that way.  I really wonder about this JET gig.  Today I sat through a 2 hour STEP test prep marathon.  STEP is a Japanese proficiency test that most of my students don't write but still they spend most of their "conversation" classes preparing for it.  Drills.  Absurd sentences with a missing word and multiple choice selection.  And to speak to these students, "how are you?" is still something to be mulled over.  I then went on to record a "Listening Test" for the students' mid-terms.  My own English hangs on tatters most days so breaking it down for others is quite a challenge.   I did get to see my "team teacher" take a major wipe out and end up on the floor.  A 40 year-old male ego flat on his arse ;)

My last class of the day was a simple appearance for a photoshoot.  Some promo literature for next year's bad-ass recruits.  Like there's any choice or distinction in ending up at Soka Nishi.  Anyway, all the kids were asked to "stage" a working classroom.  Indeed theatrics for that crew.  All the straggling, shaggy boys putting on ties and jackets which normally sit crunched in the bottom of their bags; the true Soka Nishi uniform being a white dress shirt unbuttoned to half-way down the chest, with some gawdy imitation jewellery showing and torn pants worn below the boxer shorts.  The putting on of the ties was accompanied by much:  "atsui da ke do"  (but it's hot) and much moaning and fussing.  Straightening out the desks.  And finally asking them to open up their textbooks to an imaginary page with pen in hand.  One boy, at the pivotal shutter moment, raised his hand to ask a mock question.

I was then asked by my team-teacher to "start teaching something" all for the sake of the photoshoot.  A moment of stress, until I remembered that all lessons are basically the same anyway.  Back to "how are you"  around the class, stumping them up as usual.  After the "kameramanu" left, I was kindly asked to follow.  A chorus of "nande" (why?) from the students followed me down the stairs.  And that is what the gaijin remains in Japan, a promotional photo giving the appearance of international harmony.

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