Tag: Elementary School
My First Japanese Elementary School Undoukai (Sports Day)
On June 9th, I attended one of my elementary school’s undoukai, or sports day (I’ve seen it translated as “field day” somewhere too). Basically, the kids start practicing for runs and relays a few weeks in advance, and they prepare dances as well. An all around day to promote health and sports I suppose. I…
My First Japanese Elementary School Ensoku
On May 16th, I attended one of my elementary school’s ensoku, or field trip or excursion, as it could be translated. I still had to go to work, but because it ended up on a day I was going to this school, there were no classes for me to teach. Instead of deskwarming all day,…
My First Japanese Elementary School Entrance Ceremony
On Thursday, April 6th, I attended one of my elementary school’s (the same one I went to the graduation ceremony for) entrance ceremony. Ok brief intermission before that. No one actually told me when it was or that it was happening. The new staff introduction ceremony (“taking up a new post” is what the dictionary…
My First Japanese Elementary School Graduation
Last Monday, March 20th, I attended one of my elementary school’s graduation ceremony for the sixth graders. Unfortunately I couldn’t go to my other school’s since that one was on the same day, but I’m glad I was able to experience the vibe at this one. The graduation ceremony took place in the school’s gym,…
Japanese Elementary Schools
Rural Hokkaido public school, as opposed to my experience growing up in an American (more specifcally Southern Californian) public school. In my time working here, I’ve noticed some perculiar small things, and I though I’d collect these thoughts into a post because I found the cultural differences interesting. Of course, this is comparing working in…
An Unexpected Japanese Cultural Difference
I don’t mean to be the priviledged foreigner in a foreign country, but one of the most unexpected things I now certainly believe I took for granted was the keyboard. Yes. The keyboard. Now, you may be wondering, is this really a big deal? In the grand scheme of things, no, not really, but as…
(My) School Life as an Elementary School ALT on the JET Program
The JET Program’s motto is “Every Situation is Different”, or ESID for short. Basically, no one is ever going to have the same experience, so it’s hard to generalize the whole experience to someone. Some of my friends are T1s (Teacher 1, aka primary teacher, doing lesson planning, despite having “Assistant” in our working title),…