Saizeriya Vlogging 3 - Respect my Authority!

[adakkochan]

Have you ever had difficulty teaching English? When I try to teach Japanese to foreigners, I feel it's hard even I'm Japanese.

[ToLokyo]

Well, I'm actually a trained teacher...and I think I'm kinda natural with teaching. I taught sometimes even when I was really young, so it's not so hard for me.

But teaching is never easy...there are hard times for everyone.

[adakkochan]

I see.. I need to learn how to teach Japanese.. Thanks for answering my question!

[yumyumsesame]

I've been thinking about ethics in teaching recently. I'd like to do eikaiwa + Aussie ryori classes from my home as there are many Japanese ladies here who move over with their husbands but don't speak English and don't have people to practice with. Unfortunately I can't afford to go do something like CELTA and I'm not a professional cook. I think people would enjoy it and of course I'd do my best to make fun and education lessons but is that enough? I don't want to mislead :(

[ToLokyo]

Teaching is NOT about qualifications and certificates - it's about passion, willingness to put in the time/energy needed, and knowledge of the subject matter higher than the students. I'm sure you know English and Aussie cooking better than they do, so you just have to get the other two - passion and willingness to put in the necessary time/energy. If you have those, then do it!

Take pride in what you do and always strive to improve yourself as you do it. You'll be the best teacher in town~

[bloodyrage]

was the food good? lol

[ToLokyo]

Yep ^^

Probably the eleventieth time I've had that same meal there, and I like it every time.

[mhensley81]

Some nice points brought up here. My Japanese tutor is the best! Anyone who takes teaching seriously deserves respect.

[ToLokyo]

That's awesome that you have a teacher you can respect!

[AjikanPanda]

That pasta looks yummy :)

JapanesePod101 is one of the best websites I have come across<3

Although I can never find the torrent files of all the Lessons...they used to have a whole archive of their torrents.

I really want to become a teacher. I want to be a Biology teacher. I think its great to be able to communicate with students, teach them and help make a subject more understandable and fun for them.

[ToLokyo]

Saizeriya is nice. ^^

That whole meal was just over 600yen (about $5.50)

There was a big change at JPod at the beginning of this year where all the backlog became accessible to only premium members...or something like that. It gives people more incentive to become a member and helps support the company to make new stuff (like videos ^^)

That's great that you wanna be a teacher! It's not just a job - it's a calling and a privilege. Sounds like you're on track to becoming a great teacher!

[CakesBomb]

speaking is always easier when you're holding a drink, even if its water.

[ToLokyo]

You're so right! And it's a great excuse to take a pause when someone walks by really close. ^^;;

[MissHannahMinx]

It's funny to see you all super low-key. Trying to film in public on the dl. Compared to when you're like "HEY GUYS IT"S TOLOKYO!" at home. That's rad how you love and take pride in being a sensei. People shall respect your authoritay, cuz you have a wine bottle with your name on it to prove it! Haha.

[ToLokyo]

Haha! You remember the wine bottle. :D

My students are really awesome - there's no lack of respect there. They really drive me to wanna always become a better Exotic Edutainer. ^^

I gotta work up to doing the HEY GUYS! in public. O_o

Baby steps...baby steps... :P

[zerosonico]

Im a jpod subscriber since 2007. It's a small freaking world after all... yet it hurts 2000d to go to JPN...

I've been a trainer for a year, not actually a teacher... But I get this feeling, maybe you get it too... When you spend the whole weekend thinking about how to teach stuff, and then you see how your students actually learn it and enjoy the process... I dont know... proud? maybe? anyway... I want to become an english prof before I get there, probably won't happen. Maybe next year. :(

[ToLokyo]

That's exactly what it is - pround. The best kind!

I grew up with a vague concept that pride was a bad thing. In English, we often say things like "my pride got in the way", etc...

But the pride I take as a teacher is something really valuable to me. It illuminates my experiences and guides my future. Let that pride drive you to be come a better trainer/teacher/prof! :D

Thanks for subbing to JPod! ^_^/

[sakuraga0ka]

Some people should not be teachers... only those who truly assume responsibility and enjoy teaching truly deserve to be teachers. I think that students can easily sense that a teacher is not enjoying his job or if he is. Oh wait, I should have said she/her too... well, yeah. BTW. Nobody is perfect at their native language, let alone second languages. My Native language was Japanese, and I suck at it! :p

[ToLokyo]

I try not to be too harsh against people because in fact the systems set in place out here in Asia really encourage non-teachers to teach, so they've been kinda pulled into it... But you're totally right. Let's all support the *real* teachers around us. ^^

Your English is really good - exchange student in the US maybe? Thanks a lot for watching/commenting!

[citizenzombie]

I couldn't find the post this was in response to, so I apologize if this comes off arrogantly. I am having an extremely hard time finding work in Japan as a "real" teacher. I am a licensed teacher and, so, as you can imagine... I pretty much dread my job as an ALT. I didn't spend 5 years in college, get a license, and teach in at-risk schools, to work as an assistant to a Japanese teacher. Any suggestions on how I can "improve my situation" in Japan?

[ToLokyo]

That really sucks. :(

Not sure if this is fortunate or unfortunate in the long run, but unfortunately for you, everything in Japan is like a snowball rolling downhill - has to start slow, but picks up like mad if you stick with it. For someone educated/experienced like yourself, it can be hard to start at the bottom, but the ball starts rolling quickly once you're here. I started as an Eikaiwa teacher too - with a teaching license and experience...

BTW, have you tried jobsinjapan (dot) com?

[citizenzombie]

I appreciate your comment. Sometimes, its hard to stay focused. I only arrived in Japan 2 years ago. I guess, in many ways, I'm still new to this experience. One of the biggest problems is that I live in a rural area in Ibaraki... with little-to-no chance of upward movement. I know I have to be patient. And I shouldn't make it sound like I don't enjoy life here, in Japan. Thanks for the encouragement. I will check the site.

[ToLokyo]

One other thing - teaching is like everything.

The good jobs don't go to people who necessarily deserve them. They go to people who actively seek them or create them (or get lucky with connections).

I joke on that last bit, but getting lucky with connections is usually not an accident. Getting out and networking with successful professionals is the best way to advance yourself in any career, I think.

Ever read the book "Rich Dad, Poor Dad"? You might enjoy it.

Hope that helps~ ^^

[citizenzombie]

I've never read it and, as you can imagine, have a hard time getting books in English here in Ibaraki. I'll see if I can get it on Amazon. I appreciate your advice and won't give up.

Thanks again.

Good luck with your Japanese.

[citizenzombie]

By the way, I agree with your video 100%. And I guess that's my problem. I don't feel respected/ honored... by the staff of my school, by (some of) the students I teach, and by the 90-something percent of non-teachers who work here. I actually had a non-teacher tell me that there was no important difference between licensed and unlicensed teachers in Japan, because we all speak English. He couldn't, however, tell me anything about classroom management or learning styles. HEEEELLLLPPPP!

[ToLokyo]

Oooo - you need to slap that person. :-/

But seriously - it's all a snowball thing. Just give it a little time. Don't let it get you down. Just keep your eyes open and searching for something better and move on whenever the chance arises. Once the ball starts rolling, you'll have to sprint on top to avoid getting sucked in and devoured.

Japanese people really value commitment...simply staying for a while shows that to them. A new person is an unknown variable - their worst enemy.

[Degenskonto]

You havent studied japanese in a school or something like that?

[ToLokyo]

Nope~

I had a private teacher that came to my place once a week for about a month and a half, but beyond that, I've learned everything from friends, TV, random strangers on the train, etc...

[Degenskonto]

Ah, irai desu ne ~~

Or something like that :)

Hopefully ill get into Japanese this spring, its pretty hard tho since theres so many people applying

[ToLokyo]

Maybe Erai 偉い...but more likely just yasagari 安上がり (improving the cheap way :P)

[Degenskonto]

Haha , soo desu, Erai!.. buy maybe yasagari would be somewhat correct (if its cheap as in cash-wise) lol