English Teaching Essay
It’s part of my job to write a brief essay every spring (the start of the Japanese school year), about teaching English in Japan. I have to do it every spring, and I learned years ago that I cannot simply re-submit a previous essay. It might take a few months, but someone actually does read them, and attempts at subterfuge will be discovered. I can write long or short essays, depending on exactly what I am asked to do. Usually, I am asked to write about my “goals for teaching English in Japan.” That is a lot shorter and simpler than if I am asked to write about my “philosophy of education.” The philosophy of education angle seems more precocious, contributing to mediocre writing that sounds like a recent graduate writing his first resume. The goals question sounds more like an experienced veteran reflecting on what he has learned. What I would like to do is to write about ow to do my job badly - just for fun, to see how stupid I can make myself and my job sound.
I am a professional, certified teacher, so there should be no doubt about my belief and competence in my chosen field of work, or my seriousness about it. I like what I do, and I think I am good at it. I have brough t those two features of myself to Japan. I like education because the school is a comfortable and rewarding work environment, and it is important work that contributes to maintaining and advancing civilization. Also, working with and experiencing the company of young people is a great privilege. The Japanese teachers and other staff that I work with are all competent, friendly and patient people. Not just teaching staff, but the schools’ office and custodial staff as well, all of whom I interact with at some time to some degree. So in this work, teaching in schools, I am able to do what I enjoy, what I have become good at and - I hope - help Japanese students enjoy English as well. In other words, be happy and spread joy.
I understand that students often dislike school, and dislike English in particular. English is hard, or they aren’t interested in it, or they have little motivation because they believe they don’t need it for their future goals. I deliberately try to confront those things by 1) simplifying my spoken language and streamlining the language I use in class, always striving for effective language; 2) to make it interesting or them by trying as often as I can to relate my lessons to their own everyday lives; and, 3) deliberately teaching them language and situations that they could honestly encounter in their lives as teenagers in Japan.
I always search for effective language and activities - for things that work. I try to present practical information to students. I try to present myself as a real human being in their eyes, a person who is just as challenged by communicating in a second language as they are.
My lessons change over time, as I am constantly revising language, vocabulary and themes. Sometimes I have to completely abandon a lesson theme that have become obsolete in order to keep up with the times.
I hope my personality and my lessons are memorable. I hope my students will remember my time with them for the rest of their lives.