When I talked with my students after today's adult lessons, Mari, who is a pharmacist, said to me.
" I am very happy to be here. I have learned not only English, but also "how to communicate well" from you, other teachers, and managers. You are really professional communicators. You are always smiling, open your mind, accept students as the way we are, and are saying pleasant & positive things. Actually, I am always recollecting the way you talk while I am talking with my patients."
What a compliment!! I was tired in this week, but all my exhaustion was "gone" when I heard that.
It's hard to take day offs at my work & I have lots of responsibilities...but what a rewarding job it is!
When I worked at an electric company as a part-time worker, the job was really easy & it was also easy to take day offs... but I had never thought it was "rewarding."
However, Mari thinks so because she is very nice, innocent person.
I want my 5-year-old naughty students to learn this "innocence" from Mari...
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Follow-up Training
One of the reasons I chose my English school is that they provide teachers rewarding training.
When I was looking for a teacher job, I was offered it from another language school. Actually, that school was what in my mind first because the school was focused on "business" English I wanted to do.
However, I chose my school. I thought I could grow through their training. I hadn't worked as an English teacher, so I needed to "be raised."
Just after I decided to join my school, I had two sequential trainings. One is for adult teaching. We ( I and other new teachers) had to stay at the training center in Omiya for one week. We stayed up late, and drank a lot...No! STUDY a lot!!
The other training was for kids teaching. It was held at the headquarters, in Shinjuku. We got tired because we had to "act" kid students, but both of the training were preciously REWARDING.
Today, I went to the training center in Omiya to take the follow-up training.
I took it earlier (I've been teaching just for one and a half month. Other teachers have been teaching almost three months.) so I met "new" peers.
People said our school's teachers have the "same color." Today, I realized it very much because EVERYONE was...VERY cheerful, having always smiling, and pleasant!!!
Recently, I tend to "forget" to smile at work because I just needed to get used to everything... But their smile reminds me of "my smile!"
(Actually, the wedding job on last weekend also reminds me of that...)
Today, I learned "smiling and providing good lessons" are the most important thing!
Maybe...
But the thing I regret is that I was so tired that I couldn't ask many questions to trainers!! This training was a chance to confirm many small details. At school, other teachers were so busy that I don't have time to ask them!!
Uhhh, there are TONS of things to do to become a FANTASTIC teacher, but before that...I need to go to bed!!!
When I was looking for a teacher job, I was offered it from another language school. Actually, that school was what in my mind first because the school was focused on "business" English I wanted to do.
However, I chose my school. I thought I could grow through their training. I hadn't worked as an English teacher, so I needed to "be raised."
Just after I decided to join my school, I had two sequential trainings. One is for adult teaching. We ( I and other new teachers) had to stay at the training center in Omiya for one week. We stayed up late, and drank a lot...No! STUDY a lot!!
The other training was for kids teaching. It was held at the headquarters, in Shinjuku. We got tired because we had to "act" kid students, but both of the training were preciously REWARDING.
Today, I went to the training center in Omiya to take the follow-up training.
I took it earlier (I've been teaching just for one and a half month. Other teachers have been teaching almost three months.) so I met "new" peers.
People said our school's teachers have the "same color." Today, I realized it very much because EVERYONE was...VERY cheerful, having always smiling, and pleasant!!!
Recently, I tend to "forget" to smile at work because I just needed to get used to everything... But their smile reminds me of "my smile!"
(Actually, the wedding job on last weekend also reminds me of that...)
Today, I learned "smiling and providing good lessons" are the most important thing!
Maybe...
But the thing I regret is that I was so tired that I couldn't ask many questions to trainers!! This training was a chance to confirm many small details. At school, other teachers were so busy that I don't have time to ask them!!
Uhhh, there are TONS of things to do to become a FANTASTIC teacher, but before that...I need to go to bed!!!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Time Accumulated
Basically, teachers& managers in my English school are always busy.
But they always try to "accumulate time" to communicate with students.
Today, I was talking with my student, Takahiro, and Hiromi, an assistant manager who is going to quit the school this week. Takahiro often talked with HIromi a lot, so he seemed to miss her.
After he left the school, Hiromi said to me. "You know, at first, he didn't open his mind to us. He is an experienced sales rep, so he stayed cool and tried to negotiate prices with us. I thought we couldn't be friends like this."
I was surprised and asked her, "Wow! How did you become getting along so well each other??"
Hiromi shrugged her shoulders, "Well... I just opened myself to him, and tried to talk with him as possible as I could."
Uhhhh... COMMUNICATION is the key to get things done well with my clients, co-workers, even family, friends, everyone!!
To communicate well with my students, first, maybe I should try to ACCUMULATE time to mingle them.
"Accumulate time" works everything... Even for studying English, and emcee training!! I should study and do some trainings every day to be "what I want to be, " and that makes my dreams come true.
By the way, I should have ACCUMULATED time to do assignments for tomorrow's follow-up training of my school, but I didn't.
Well, I did assignments, but I didn't do homework ( preparations for tomorrow's demo-lessons.) I didn't have time! But I could have ACCUMULATED time to do that!
Will I do IMPROMPTU PERFORMANCE at the training when trainers evaluate me??
Lately, I've been too RELAXED or JADED somewhat...
But they always try to "accumulate time" to communicate with students.
Today, I was talking with my student, Takahiro, and Hiromi, an assistant manager who is going to quit the school this week. Takahiro often talked with HIromi a lot, so he seemed to miss her.
After he left the school, Hiromi said to me. "You know, at first, he didn't open his mind to us. He is an experienced sales rep, so he stayed cool and tried to negotiate prices with us. I thought we couldn't be friends like this."
I was surprised and asked her, "Wow! How did you become getting along so well each other??"
Hiromi shrugged her shoulders, "Well... I just opened myself to him, and tried to talk with him as possible as I could."
Uhhhh... COMMUNICATION is the key to get things done well with my clients, co-workers, even family, friends, everyone!!
To communicate well with my students, first, maybe I should try to ACCUMULATE time to mingle them.
"Accumulate time" works everything... Even for studying English, and emcee training!! I should study and do some trainings every day to be "what I want to be, " and that makes my dreams come true.
By the way, I should have ACCUMULATED time to do assignments for tomorrow's follow-up training of my school, but I didn't.
Well, I did assignments, but I didn't do homework ( preparations for tomorrow's demo-lessons.) I didn't have time! But I could have ACCUMULATED time to do that!
Will I do IMPROMPTU PERFORMANCE at the training when trainers evaluate me??
Lately, I've been too RELAXED or JADED somewhat...
Monday, July 28, 2008
Taking the TOEIC
My BIGGEST resolution in 2008 is "taking a full score of TOEIC."
When I got 950 score last November, I swore myself to take a full score (990) next time. So...was I ready to take a full score! No! Not at all!
Since I took the TOEIC last time, I have been very busy... I prepared to move to Japan, moved again in Japan, searched a job, be trained as a wedding emcee & an English teacher, and tried to get used of teaching, researching self study program of my English school, etc, etc... But everybody is busy!!
I was a CHICKEN, so I didn't apply for TOEIC through my school even though I could get discount. I was afraid to take a lower score and that my shcool gets to know it!!
However, maybe I did a "so-so" job. I heard TOEIC can evaluate examinees' English abilities regardless the test taking circumstances or their physical conditions.
That means, you can't make excuses like "I didn't feel good when I took the TOEIC" or "The listening condition in my test room was not good" etc, etc.
I couldn't study for the TOEIC itself much this time. Also, my physical condition was not good today. But I think I may be get almost same score or a bit higher than last time.
It's because I speak, write, listen, or read English dairy through my work.
I tend to be optimistic, so I'm not sure... But maybe, my score will not be so bad.
By the way, my face was really awful today cause I had the hardest day in a month (not a disease, just a girl's issue!!) I didn't care my appearance when I went out to take the TOEIC. I thought I wouldn't meet anyone I know!
But when I lined a long line of a bus stop (with ill-tempered face,) a young girl who was standing in front of me talked to me.
"Keiko sensei! Are you also going to take the TOEIC!?"
She was my student ( correctly not mine, my shcool's student)...what a coincidence!! I shouldn't be tooooo relaxed!!!
When I got 950 score last November, I swore myself to take a full score (990) next time. So...was I ready to take a full score! No! Not at all!
Since I took the TOEIC last time, I have been very busy... I prepared to move to Japan, moved again in Japan, searched a job, be trained as a wedding emcee & an English teacher, and tried to get used of teaching, researching self study program of my English school, etc, etc... But everybody is busy!!
I was a CHICKEN, so I didn't apply for TOEIC through my school even though I could get discount. I was afraid to take a lower score and that my shcool gets to know it!!
However, maybe I did a "so-so" job. I heard TOEIC can evaluate examinees' English abilities regardless the test taking circumstances or their physical conditions.
That means, you can't make excuses like "I didn't feel good when I took the TOEIC" or "The listening condition in my test room was not good" etc, etc.
I couldn't study for the TOEIC itself much this time. Also, my physical condition was not good today. But I think I may be get almost same score or a bit higher than last time.
It's because I speak, write, listen, or read English dairy through my work.
I tend to be optimistic, so I'm not sure... But maybe, my score will not be so bad.
By the way, my face was really awful today cause I had the hardest day in a month (not a disease, just a girl's issue!!) I didn't care my appearance when I went out to take the TOEIC. I thought I wouldn't meet anyone I know!
But when I lined a long line of a bus stop (with ill-tempered face,) a young girl who was standing in front of me talked to me.
"Keiko sensei! Are you also going to take the TOEIC!?"
She was my student ( correctly not mine, my shcool's student)...what a coincidence!! I shouldn't be tooooo relaxed!!!
Sunday, July 27, 2008
My Words
Today's my clients (a bride and groom) are a nurse and an American football player.
Therefore, the guests were TONS of brawny & TOO energetic guys.
The wedding party became UPROARIOUS!!
But I was relieved I could handle those guys & finish the party on time.
In some wedding places, emcees MUST finish parties on time. Of course there are many reasons why the parties last longer. What emcee can shorten is limited, but some wedding places rely on emcees about it too much.
Anyway, it was good I (and of course for other staff's sake, ) could make it.
Since I came back to Japan, I have done just a few jobs as a wedding emcee.
I haden't been working as an emcee while I was being in the U.S, but I think some of my studies and activities made me grow as an emcee.
I think now I can talk in "my words" more than before.
Before I went to the U.S, I worked a lot as an emcee, but I was not good at making my comments immediately. But after studying English, especially English presentations, (like Toastmasters' activities,) I kinda get to know (a little bit ) what an impromptu speech is. I LOVE being involved in weddings, so I'd like to do this job more as a bilingual emcee!!
Speaking of impromptu speech, I HOPE I can be good at impromptu teaching, too!!
Therefore, the guests were TONS of brawny & TOO energetic guys.
The wedding party became UPROARIOUS!!
But I was relieved I could handle those guys & finish the party on time.
In some wedding places, emcees MUST finish parties on time. Of course there are many reasons why the parties last longer. What emcee can shorten is limited, but some wedding places rely on emcees about it too much.
Anyway, it was good I (and of course for other staff's sake, ) could make it.
Since I came back to Japan, I have done just a few jobs as a wedding emcee.
I haden't been working as an emcee while I was being in the U.S, but I think some of my studies and activities made me grow as an emcee.
I think now I can talk in "my words" more than before.
Before I went to the U.S, I worked a lot as an emcee, but I was not good at making my comments immediately. But after studying English, especially English presentations, (like Toastmasters' activities,) I kinda get to know (a little bit ) what an impromptu speech is. I LOVE being involved in weddings, so I'd like to do this job more as a bilingual emcee!!
Speaking of impromptu speech, I HOPE I can be good at impromptu teaching, too!!
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Messiah!!!
Frankly speaking, lately, I've been tired...
Today, it was my PRECIOUS day off. Tomorrow, I have a wedding emcee job, and I will take TOEIC on Sunday. On Monday, I have many classes to teach, and Tuesday, I have a follow-up meeting in Omiya, so I have lots of assignments!!
I had many things to do, but I couldn't wake up in the morning, neither fell asleep...
But, now HE comes!!!
He means, new air conditioner! I am supposed to get "comfortable sleeping" finally, and be active again!! Yeah!!!
However...isn't it cold right now??? I want to try my new air conditioner!!!
Today, it was my PRECIOUS day off. Tomorrow, I have a wedding emcee job, and I will take TOEIC on Sunday. On Monday, I have many classes to teach, and Tuesday, I have a follow-up meeting in Omiya, so I have lots of assignments!!
I had many things to do, but I couldn't wake up in the morning, neither fell asleep...
But, now HE comes!!!
He means, new air conditioner! I am supposed to get "comfortable sleeping" finally, and be active again!! Yeah!!!
However...isn't it cold right now??? I want to try my new air conditioner!!!
Friday, July 25, 2008
Impromptu Performance
I have been getting used to teaching English to students in many generations lately.
However, sometimes I am offered to be a substitute teacher. While I am teaching those classes, I feel like that " I am wrestling with other wrestler's loincloth(Fundoshi!)"
I mean, it is REALLY uncomfortable to me...
Yesterday, I was asked to teach a high school student's grammar class. It was a private lesson on every Thursday by our head teacher, Toshi. I overlapped with Toshi quickly, and he said, "Homework is this page, and tomorrow, please teach these two sections." I prepared for the lesson this morning, and I had the class this afternoon.
However... The homework parts and today's parts were totally different!!
The student, Miki, said, "Today, we are supposed to do this section!!"
I said, "OK, that's fine" trying not to show my shock.
I did "impromptu performance" through the class. I guess it was a poor lesson...
I might have taught her wrong answers...
Why did it happen? Full time teachers in our school are very busy & very experienced teachers. So, sometimes they don't understand exactly which part they did in the last lessons, especially, seasonal special private lessons like Miki.
However, it doesn't matter for them. They can do "impromptu performances" anytime because they are really PROFESSIONAL English teachers!
But I can't do the same thing for now... I'm embarrassed to think back about today's substitute lesson.
However, I should do these lessons as long as I am offered. And also, I can't grow if I teach just "comfortable lessons."
After the lesson, Toshi said to me... "Thank you VERY much, Keiko sensei! You never refuse my offers, so I appreciate it!!"
What?? CAN I refuse these?? I didn't know that...
However, sometimes I am offered to be a substitute teacher. While I am teaching those classes, I feel like that " I am wrestling with other wrestler's loincloth(Fundoshi!)"
I mean, it is REALLY uncomfortable to me...
Yesterday, I was asked to teach a high school student's grammar class. It was a private lesson on every Thursday by our head teacher, Toshi. I overlapped with Toshi quickly, and he said, "Homework is this page, and tomorrow, please teach these two sections." I prepared for the lesson this morning, and I had the class this afternoon.
However... The homework parts and today's parts were totally different!!
The student, Miki, said, "Today, we are supposed to do this section!!"
I said, "OK, that's fine" trying not to show my shock.
I did "impromptu performance" through the class. I guess it was a poor lesson...
I might have taught her wrong answers...
Why did it happen? Full time teachers in our school are very busy & very experienced teachers. So, sometimes they don't understand exactly which part they did in the last lessons, especially, seasonal special private lessons like Miki.
However, it doesn't matter for them. They can do "impromptu performances" anytime because they are really PROFESSIONAL English teachers!
But I can't do the same thing for now... I'm embarrassed to think back about today's substitute lesson.
However, I should do these lessons as long as I am offered. And also, I can't grow if I teach just "comfortable lessons."
After the lesson, Toshi said to me... "Thank you VERY much, Keiko sensei! You never refuse my offers, so I appreciate it!!"
What?? CAN I refuse these?? I didn't know that...
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