Lecturer & Communicator

Even though it was raining Saturday, I was on the train to go to Yotsuya this afternoon.
Today, I participated in the workshop of the EIKEN school.

I also teach how to prepare for the EIKEN, but still, I believe self study is the "royal road" to pass any tests.
However, the reason I went to the school today was...I wanted to learn from the lecturer, how to teach the EIKEN.

The lecturer is a middle-aged guy. He is in his 50's? or might be 60's.
I know I can't criticize him because I am an inexperienced teacher.
However, for my future learning, let me tell you what I learned from him.

His advantages; a nice character, and enough experiences of the EIKEN.
Amazingly, he has passed the first grade of the EIKEN for 26 times!
Of course he took the last EIKEN, as well as us...
He said his field was not English, but he made it because of his hard working.
He was so humble that he was good at encouraging us.

His disadvantages; not using a white board a lot. He mentioned many vocabulary.
They were not easy ones, but he didn't show us the spellings. In my opinion, teachers shouldn't be reluctant to use the white board. As well as vocabulary, it was very hard to know which reading part he was mentioning.
Also, he tried to "interview" us how we felt about the last test.
It was nice, but he just left a talkative woman speaking. She even talked why she started to study English! He asked some people to talk including me, but I think he should have interviewed all students. If he had conducted well the class, he could have done that!

After all, I can say, "He is a good lecturer, but not a great communicator."
Teachers should put in the students' shoes. We have to give them advice & information, but also, we should think about the students' conditions.
What do they want to listen the most? Is it too easy for them? or too difficult?
Aren't they overwhelming? or needing challenging ones? Aren't they tired? or should I inspire them more?
We have to look at their eyes, try to catch their non-verbal language, and read between lines to provide the best service.
If we try it hard, students will catch our passion, and try to give us back their passion.

...But you know, the most important thing is "Am I eligible to teach them? or not."
Now I'm far from getting the first grade of EIKEN, so I can't be impudent!!

On-the-job Training

Recently, some new employees have been around my school branch, as the on-the-job training.
That's because maybe our manager, Rie, and the head teacher, Toshi, are excellent professionals, I guess. The manager-to-bes and new teachers have been holding memos, and trying to learn a lot. That has made me refreshed.

I don't know it's coincidence or not. So far, all of trainees are not new graduates.
Therefore, it's interesting to hear their career background.
One had been involved in the real estate field. Another had worked for a famous English school that almost was bankrupt now.
The most recent one, Maki, was a hotel employee.
That's why? She is a very considerate & amiable girl!
Because my school is an English one, many new employees had lived abroad for awhile. Maki had been in Beijing, as a hotel apprentice. After that, she had traveled Asia for a long time, so she is very familiar with Asian geography and food.

I'm so impressed by her background... Even though, she is 12 years younger than me! Wait a minute... native speakers in my school, Bob and Eric, are also 12 years younger than me! I completely rely on & ask them a lot as a teacher... I almost forgot about it!
Please say to me, "Age is just a "number.""
If you say "Years bring wisdom," it doesn't apply in my case!!

The Effect

When Yuki came to my class today, she whispered to me.
"Keiko sensei! I think I passed the writing test of the EIKEN!!"
She is 15 years old, a 9th grade student. She took the second grade of the EIKEN, which level is about those who have just graduated from high schools... So, it means Yuri is three years ahead of common people!

I know, I shouldn't compare them. But I was reminded of my private student, Kota, who was absent my class today.
Kota is one year old than Yuki. His mother is very enthusiastic about letting her son passed the EIKEN. So, she invested a lot of money to Kota... But, he hasn't been working very hard. I know, passing the second grade is difficult for kids of his age. But Yuki hasn't taken my private lessons,) but she has learned from my group lessons more than him.

I have been wondering... The more invest you does, the more your (or your kid's)English will improve??
...I shouldn't say... But the answer is, "it depends on you, whether you are an independent learner or not."
I gave lots of advice to Yuki about EIKEN, but she has studied by herself.
She said, "I should pass it this time. I have already taken the second grade two times before!" Kota have taken the same test twice as well, but he still thinks he has lots of time.

How about kids who are too young to be "independent" learners?
I think it depends on whether the are enjoying the lessons or not.
There are some kids who truly enjoy our lessons, and can use intermediate study materials for adults. They love to communicate with us & be praised a lot.

But still... I think it's expensive for kids' lessons to pay a million yen per week...
(I mean, if they take many classes. Like, one or two group lessons and one private lesson per week.)
But the parents invest the children! And we should show the "profit" or their investment. I mean, "the result."

...Scary!!!"

Negotiation

A few days ago, our head teacher, Toshi, asked me.
"Keiko sensei, are there any kids students who might take private lessons in your class?"
I was wondering.
"Well, I don't know... Some junior high students are preparing for the EIKEN, so they might do... But I don't know!"
Basically, I'm too easygoing about the business prospect.
But because he is a head teacher, he is always much more serious about it...

Today, he said, "I'm gonna recommend taking my private lessons to Takuya's mother."
I was surprised. "Takuya!? He has been taking two lessons per week, from me and Bob. Will her mother let him take more lessons??"
I didn't believe his mother would be convinced to let her 4 year old son take private lessons!

...However, she was convinced as Toshi expected.
Takuya, a four-year-old boy, will come to our English school three days per week!
Actually, Toshi is very good at negotiations.
It's not exaggeration if I said, "Almost all students he aims are convinced as he wants."
That's because he is trusted as a good teacher, and he always plans well about the negotiations.

...I admire him, but I can't be like him!!!

Worried Mother

At five o'clock in the evening, the phone rang.
I know who it was, it's definitely...
"Hello, Keiko? How are you?"
Yes! It's my mom! She knows when my day off is, and I usually take a nap during afternoon. So she always calls me in the evening, on my day offs.

"Hi mom, I'm good!" I tried to say in a good voice, but she wasn't convinced.
"How good? Tell me more!"
"Well...My neck still hurts, so I had a hard time while I was taking a test on last Sunday, but once I took an aspirin, I haven't felt the pain."
...Maybe it's my fault that I can't lie to her...

"Oh, your neck still hurts you! That's insane!! What kind of aspirin you have had?
It's not good to take medicine often! What if you have a neck cancer? Have you seen a proper doctor?"
"Well, mom... I don't think there is a kind of "neck cancer" in the world...
And it happens sometimes! You know, Tom also felt pain on his neck while we were in America, but it was gone after...maybe a few month."
"Why did he fell pain? What was the reason??" My mom is a kind of investigator sometimes.
"Well, maybe...the stress??"
"What kind of stress you have now? Is there any mean person in your school?"
"Uh...mom... I'm not a five year old girl anymore... I have been living more than 30 years, so I have learned enough how to pay back "twice" to those people...
Don't worry! I don't stress out. My neck pain will be gone, soon. Oh! I got a very nice pillow! It makes me recovered, soon!!"
"A pillow?? What is it made of?? Isn't it healthy material, are you sure?"
"Well, mom..."

I was like a defendant in front of a prosecutor.
My mom & dad are VERY healthy people, so she just can't understand what happened to me (I think it sometimes happens to common people, and THAT is normal!) and she has worried too much about my health.

Mothers are mothers, and children are still "children" for them...
I appreciate her, but what's your mother like? Is she worried like my mom??
I'm just wondering...

Got to leave

At the end of today's lesson, my private student, Mamoru, said to me.
"Keiko sensei, I will quit this school on March because I will get to be busy with my school work from April."
Usually I try make an effort not to have my students left. However, today, I didn't make questions to him. I just said, "OK. I got it!"
Beucause...it has been clear he doesn't want to study English!

He started to take my private lessons to pass the pre-second grade of EIKEN.
But it's not his aim, but his mother's one. Her mother is really enthusiastic, but also pushy. Contrary to his mother's expectations, he hasn't been working hard.
He didn't do homework, didn't prepare for my tests, and didn't what I asked him to do.
I have tried to use both the carrot and the stick to teach him, but he just seemed not to get my passion.

That's why I didn't stop him. He's got to leave for the school, and I've got to give him up.
...However, after I got home, when I checked his answers of yesterday's EIKEN...
I found he is going to pass it!! I was in a great trouble to teach him how to understand reading comprehension quiz. That was his weak point, but he did a very good job this time!
I can't stop him to leave for the school, but I'm glad he will pass the test!!

Also, I checked my answers. My condition was awful, so I thought it will be much worse than last time... But actually, my score was better than last time.
I don't have enough score to pass it, but I was relieved to have taken the better score even though my terrible condition.
I thought I really wanted to pass it next time! ...I've got to leave for this lazy life!!

...Maybe...

Comfort Pillow

I took the first grade of the EIKEN today, but I was terrible.
Because of the continual neck pain, I was leaning forward (almost sleeping position), stretching, or leaning back during the test.
Maybe I was the top one on the black list for examiners...
My weak point is reading comprehension quiz. My neck hurt so much that I could understand them much much less than usual!!

When I got home, I was falling down on the floor because of the pain.
My hubby also lay down besides me, and said...
"I know what you need. Let's go shopping to get the one!"

"The one" is...a Tempur neck pillow!! http://www.tempurpedic.com/pillows/the_neckpillow_by_tempur_pedic/
When we were in the U.S, my hubby got the one because of his neck pain.
I was quite healthy, so I was not interested in. However, recently, once I used my hubby's one as he recommended... I was so fascinated by the comfort!! It can completely support my curve of the neck, so I don't have to massage while I'm lying.

It was expensive as "just a pillow...." But I rely on it so much to bring back to my "normal" life. Please!!!

Stiff, stiff, stiff...

My physical condition has become "almost" normal, but not quite the same as before.
My headache, ear-ringing, and especially...a stiff neck have been bothering me.

I don't know why it is a stiff "neck," not stiff shoulders.
But if work hard?? at the office or home, I feel the stiffness strongly, so I need to rest often.

Tomorrow it the EIKEN day... But since I became sick the day after my birthday, I haven't studied for it. The quiz has caused my headache!!
I know it's just my laziness, but...it's true!!

Passion, Drive, & Flexibility

Among the famous(actors, athletes, etc,) I admire those who have passion, drive, and flexibility. I also think only people who keep them can inspire us, and that's why they can keep their celebrity.
(On the other hand, for normal people like me, the most important natures are compassion and thoughtfulness, in my opinion.)

One of them whom I have admired for a long time is...Jakucho Setouchi.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jakucho_Setouchi
She is a famous writer, a Buddhist nun, and a volunteer who listens to people who have been lost in their ways.
She is 86 years old, but amazingly, she has kept her passion for literature!
Last year, she wrote a novel for cell phone users. The "cell phone novel" is much different from her traditional writing style, but she did! Because she has drive to make young people are familiar with literature.
Also, she has flexibility to adjust young people, so 500 million people have read her cell phone novel!

Now, she just published her new magazine. To make people buy the publishing in the Internet-dominated world, she has been trying to attract people introducing "attractive" ways of lives.

I suppose her mind might be much younger than me...
Right now, I am such a stupid who has been just being lazy using excuses for having headache & ear-ringing. But finally, I want to be a person like her, who has passion, drive, & flexibility!
...Maybe it takes more than 50 years to be so, for a very slow leaner like me...

Yes, "I" can!!

One of my private students, Keizaburo, has talents to improve in English.
He is a wonderful communicator. He is a specific motivation to study English. He can get English sounds sooner than others.
But he always complains, "Keiko sensei, I don't think I my English has been improved!"
Why???because he doesn't study at home!!

Today, I gave him a gift. It was...a magazine, "AERA English!"
The latest issue's main topic is the American new president, Barack Obama's English what many people are interested in right now. However, the most attractive thing for me is...the study organizer, which is called "Yes, I can!!"

The student like Keizaburo needs the "special care." I can't supervise him outside the class, but if he keeps the study organizer at home....like what he did or when he studied...
He will have the sense of achievement! And that makes his English improved, I'm sure!

I have my own the same study organizer. I suggested him to show ours each other at the beginning of the month. It may be dangerous to show my study habits to my students...because I have to tell him,I "haven't" taken the EIKEN first grade & the full score of the TOEIC! But more than my embarrassment, I expected his improvement.

He gets easily motivated. I said to him, "You know what? This year's slogan is "Yes, "I" can!" You can do it!!"
He said smiling, "Yeah, "Change has come!!" Right?"

Yes, you can change!! ...Hopefully...

Whiz kids

I taught a special kids' class this evening.
That was a preparation class for the junior EIKEN (Step test.)
My students (not from my regular classes) were three. They are 7-8 year old boys.

The junior EIKEN is consisted of various listening tests.
Because the three boys have been taking our classes for a long time( One boy has been taking a group lesson and a private lesson per a week!), their English is...not less than...some adults' students!!

They were taking a quiz being serious, and asking questions to me.
For example, "Oh, did he said"round?" I thought he said "loud!" or "It sounded "I brought!" She said "I bought," OK...that makes sense from this structure!" etc, etc.

Whenever I said, "How! You are doing great! I'm amazed!!", they said, "Don't look down on us! We have been studying English for four years. It's a piece of cake!
We couldn't learn abroad in the future if we couldn't pass this easy test now!"

Well, well, well, even though they have been studying English for four years, some adults have still been struggling about a basic grammar quiz...
The understanding and flexibility are your strength, kids!

Transition

I have felt much much better than a week ago, but I have still had a headache and a stiff neck. I easily get tired, so I take much time to do anything, like household work or study, etc. I hadn't had a cold for five years, so it is very rare for me!

My aunt said to me, "women in your age (she meant 24-25 years old? What??) has been in a kind of "transition." After passing through it, you will become usual yourself!!" Yeah, maybe it's true...

But there is one good thing. I had done almost all household chores at home. But since I had a bad cold, I couldn't manage to do them. Then, my hubby did them.
Now I can do them, but I'm still saying, "I don't feel good" because it's true!

Yesterday, when I came back home at 10:30 from my work, I found all of dishes were done (after my hubby ate the dinner) and the rooms were clean.
He said, " I also pressed my shirts!"
Even he came home earlier than me, it didn't happen before!

I know he works three times by me, so I should do the household chores...
But I felt good to know he cared me!
...I may pretend I'm feeling bad for awhile...

Too Obedient?

Today, the head teacher was not in my school because of a conference at the head office. So, a part time teacher, Mami, who always works on Saturday, came as a substitute.
On the way home from the office, I was with her.
Then, I was surprised...how she complained a lot!!

She said she has too much extra work, and the manager and the head teacher don't think about other teachers. For example, she didn't want to accept a new private student because her needs sounded complicated. She (Mami) also doesn't want to go to a training because she is busy, but the head teacher asked her to go.

...I didn't say it...but... I thought we shouldn't be particular which student we would take. Because of "the student's" needs and the teachers' schedule, the best teacher should take him or her. Once I was about to have to teach a very creepy guy, but I didn't say "no" to a manager. Because I'm just an employee! Accepting students & making money are very important to contribute my company!
Fortunately, the creepy guy didn't start to take a class at our school.

Also, we should appreciate we have chances to take trainings.
We can get paid learning, even thought it is cheap amount of pay!

I also wonder. Am I too obedient for my company? But I think I should. Because I have worked for just nine months. Having various experiences will become my treasure, surely!!

...Or I am just out of loop, and stupid enough not to care about many things.
But I would rather be a happy damn than a clever person who have lots of complaints!

Sick days, seven nights

Have you ever watched the movie, "Six days, seven nights?"
I like it!

...I have also needed to be rescued for seven nights. I have been sick!
From the next day my birthday, I had had nausea, strong headache, and a stiff neck.
It was very hard for me to stand and walk because once I stood up, I was about to vomit.
My hubby was worried if I had a cerebral infarction. We visited the ER of our nearest hospital. I had a CAT scan taken. Fortunately, I didn't have it.
My mother expected I might be pregnant. Unfortunately, I wasn't. It was embarrassing!!

Anyway, the doctor said "maybe" I had a stomach cold, and the stiff neck "may" have come from the flu that I had at the end of year.
What I could do was just lying in the bed and waiting the time passed...
But the hardest thing was I couldn't eat other than small amount of rice porridge!!
People can get power from various food...especially, me!!

And I had to work. Correction; I wanted to work!
Since it was the beginning of the year, we had many visitors who decided, " I'm going to be able to speak English this year!!"
I had to provide trial lessons for them.

I exchanged e-mails to my co-workers. They said, "We want you to take a rest, but it would be VERY helpful if you can come. The most importantly, YOUR STUDENTS want to see you!!"
....They know how to control me!!

Eventually, I wasn't absent my work because I've decided "I won't miss my classes unless I got sick which is contagious."
Maybe that's just self-satisfaction... But seriously, some students need lessons for important tests!

I went to my school, vomiting a few times during commuting. Because I didn't eat, sometimes I was dizzy. But no students noticed my sickness!
As a result, I got a pair of my new students.
They are a mother and a son. The mother said, "Would you please be my private teacher? I'd like to take your classes!"
That is one of the most fantastic moments as a teacher !

On Thursday night, after I finished all of my classes, my co-workers got together and applauded to me.
They said, "Thank you very much for your hard work! And....happy birthday!!"
Then, they gave me a bouquet, birthday cards, and some presents!!

Just before that, what I thought was "how to get home without vomiting."
However, the nice surprise swept my nausea away.
That day, I could get home without vomiting!!

People say, "Take care of yourself! Get a rest!" when we are sick.
This time, I really pondered whether I went to work or called in sick.
It's very difficult to know when we should bear up or take it easy!!
But at least this time, I thought going work "forced" me to recover the sick.
Meeting people & having conversations were good remedies for me! ( I guess...)

Now I can eat anything & keep talking for ages.
Friends, I'm looking forward to seeing you soon!!


...By the way, my resolutions in 2009 were about improving my English.
However, now I think, that should be "fitting!!"
I should exercise to stay healthy! even though I am not sure I can keep the resolution, already...

Happy Birthday! to...

This morning, my husband's face looked different from usual.
He said impatiently, "I have implied to divorce. Why didn't you notice? PLEASE DIVORCE ME!!"
I was panicked and tried to think about what I should say, and then...

I woke up. Oh gosh, it was a dream!!
I woke my hubby up, and told about the nightmare.
He said, "Well, that's a nice dream on your birthday!"

After we got up, we went to Jindai temple which is near my house.
We wished our families health, and went to Shinjuku.

I got "congratulations!" messages from my friends (thank you!) I was very happy, but I thought I must say..."thank you!" to my parents instead of being said, "congratulations" from them. I know my happiness owes my hubby, my parents, and my parents-in-law. That's why I was very upset in today's dream!

Thank you for giving me a life. Thank you for staying healthy, and thank you for being with me all the time... That's what I want to say to my dearest people.

The Last Day

Whenever I have my birthday, I care about "the day before birthday" more.
The birthday is the first day of the new age, but the day before is the last day of old age!
So, on the last day of "34-year-old" myself, I did...renewed my driver's license!
Yes, it's a very practical thing...

I visited the Tokyo government office building in Shinjuku. Because there are many people in Tokyo, the renewing a driver's license was a kind of an "assembly line."
I finished all processes for an hour. Then, I headed for Takashimaya, which is one of my favorite department stores. While I was walking in front of the Tokyo government office building, I felt the weird atmosphere... There are many homeless people in front of the building! They "lived" in the underpass, lying in a sleeping bag in a row... There were...maybe 100 people??? It was like a community!

I just felt appreciation for my safe & happy living circumstance.
When the clock turned the midnight, my hubby said, "Congratulations! You have SURVIVED at least for the whole 34years! It's amazing!"
Yap...sure! I should say thank you to my parents who gave me a "life" on my birthday. And then...actually, my birthday is also my father's birthday!

When my heart filled the deep emotion, my hubby was muttering without looking my eyes.
"Yeah, congratulations! Even you look much older in the photo of a new driver's license!"
...He doesn't have to say it!!!

Thoughtfulness

At the today's business meeting, we discussed about how to increase new students.
One of our school characteristics is that many students were recommended by our old students. Actually, students can get credits if they introduce their friends or family. We need to promote it more, but how to promote?

I thought the most important thing is thoughtfulness for the students. If I think about my students and care them a lot, they will notice that no matter how old they are.
If they feel my thoughtfulness, they will recommend our school to their friends!

Today, I slept over, so I had just a little time to prepare for lessons. I had six lessons today, and one is a private class of a very new student. I was worried whether my teaching is going to be good or not, but I tried to be confident.
I was concentrating on making effective approaches depends on the student, and trying to know what they are struggling. Especially, in a class of a new student, I was trying to understand her nervousness.

Then, I found...my job is REALLY fun!
I saw a TV commercial of a correspondence courses. An office girl (Kanno Miho is acting) said, "I want to do a job which is exclusive for me!"
...I don't want to brag it, but I think my job is exclusive. I have wanted to get it.
"The exclusive job." I know we have "substitutes." Maybe my students will not be so bothered even if I quit the job. However, I am very happy when some students say, "I want to take Keiko's private lessons!" and so on.

...I have been thinking what the punch line is in this article, but I'm too sleepy to make it... Sorry, I think this is not an interesting reading for you!
...Good night!!

Acknowledgement

After winter holidays, kids has been back to our school.
The cute thing is...some kids wrote new year cards to each staff of the school, and some bought souvenirs from vacation trip to each teachers!

I appreciate the kids thought of me! At the same time, frankly speaking, I also felt "Well, that makes sense! I have been working hard to entertain them & endure their naughty behaviors!" ...However, I know that is my job! So, I appreciate that they acknowledge me.

...If you have a child & have them learn something, or if YOU learn something... It's good to give some acknowledgements to the teachers! It doesn't matter what it is, but teachers try to think about you or your kids more if you do some actions to them...right!

Something to warm

The dress code of my office (school) is...basically, I should wear a suit. I like to wear a skirt, so my legs are supposed to be "exposed"...in the severely cold weather. In winter, boots and tights would protest girls' legs, but I shouldn't wear them at work.
So, I go out with natural-colored pantyhose and pumps usually. Then, I always feel chilly outside and even my classroom!

However, today, I got "something to warm" my legs!
I got cute leg warmers at a sale! Maybe, wearing leg warmers with a suit is not "cool" ( I mean, fashionable) but it's clearly "warmer" than before!!

Of course I shouldn't wear them with my students...but I will be with them when I commute, and prepare for classes in my classroom.
It will be the warmer winter this year, but still, it's cold.
Take care!!

First Day

I suppose most of you had the first business day in 2009, today. So did I!

Last night, I went to bed at 3:00am.
I had visited my in-law's house since December 30, and came back to Tokyo last night. We got home at 12:30 am, and then I put away my stuff...
I was so relaxed & did nothing at my in-law's house that I couldn't believe I was going to teach seven classes the next day!

However, today, three of my private lessons were canceled because the students just "forgot" classes! Isn't it common at the first day of the year??? I didn't know it!! One student who lives near my school run to class after I called him, so the private lesson became "half." Eventually, "the first day" was very slow day even though I tried to be spirited!

By the way, on the first day, there were two good things.
One is that my reticent junior high student bought me a souvenir!
He rarely "talks" usually even though he comes to the English conversation school... But today, he gave me a specialty sweet from his grandparents' hometown, saying nothing. I was very glad for his consideration!

The other thing is a memo from my manager.
I found a pay roll in my drawer of the office, and the memo was on it.
It said, "Keiko sensei, thank you always for helping me. I really appreciate it! Please stay with us this year as well as the last year!"
Actually, I felt sorry that I had been absent from work because of the flu. I will also reduce the amount of my work, and I knew that caused inconvenience for her.
But, look at her message! It's because her generosity. I know!
But I was happy to feel it.

My first business day of the year...not bad! Wasn't it???

Perfect Year Declaration

A happy new year in 2009! How have you been at the first day of the year?
I have been at my parent's-in-law's house, and spent whole day being relaxed...

By the way, last night, when I watched TV, I heard EXILE, which was the most active singing group in 2008, said "we will make 2008 "the perfect year!!"" at the beginning of 2008.
Actually, they did!
Then I imagined, if I declared the same, 2009 would be "my" year...!??

I won't say what I'm going to do because the more I did, the less I couldn't achieve them last year. I really need the better luck this year... So, I bought the magazine, "AERA English" and filled in the study organizer, which is called,"Yes, I can!!"

I wish you have the perfect year as you wish!!!