In the 8th grade classes we have been working on a pen pal project. All of the 8th graders get a pen pal from a middle school in Nebraska. We have been working on writing letters and making photo I.D. cards. Some students started getting their pen pal's I.D. cards from Nebraska and letters. Some classes do well when they get the I.D. cards which basically has a photo of their pen pal and information about their pen pal on it. Some classes, students get very excited. All you hear is uncontrollable laughter and kids shouting, your pen pal is so cute!
Since I can understand most Japanese, it makes it difficult sometimes to hear what the kids say. There is still an image of the U.S. here that everyone has blond hair and blue eyes. With this stereotype comes the comments that come along with. We try to explain before we had out the cards that not everyone is blond hair and blue eyed and some may have a different skin color or hair color. It is hard for the students who have pen pals with Asian features. I hear some students say, I don't want a pen pal from ___ country! Or maybe my pen pal is an exchange student from a different country. I try to explain to the students that like me, these kids were born in the U.S. most likely and are not from these other countries they mention. I am glad they are doing this project as it gives them a chance to learn more about the U.S. since they will visit next year and we can crush the stereotypes beforehand.
During the weekend, we had out first "Setsumei Kai" which basically means Explanation Meeting. It is where parents and prospective students come to learn more about the school as well as get a tour. I wore a blazer to school and we went to the auditorium. I helped hand out drinks to incoming parents and teachers along with 3rd year students who handed out pamphlets and towels. There was a presentation about the school and accompanying speeches. Afterwards, we went back to Ambition Hall where the English classes are held and had tours for all of the parents and students that came for the meeting. Some of the children are shy to say hi, but it is interesting that all of the students that go to the school get over than quick with all the foreign teachers and interns that come here.
(One of the English conversation classrooms)
Since I can understand most Japanese, it makes it difficult sometimes to hear what the kids say. There is still an image of the U.S. here that everyone has blond hair and blue eyes. With this stereotype comes the comments that come along with. We try to explain before we had out the cards that not everyone is blond hair and blue eyed and some may have a different skin color or hair color. It is hard for the students who have pen pals with Asian features. I hear some students say, I don't want a pen pal from ___ country! Or maybe my pen pal is an exchange student from a different country. I try to explain to the students that like me, these kids were born in the U.S. most likely and are not from these other countries they mention. I am glad they are doing this project as it gives them a chance to learn more about the U.S. since they will visit next year and we can crush the stereotypes beforehand.
During the weekend, we had out first "Setsumei Kai" which basically means Explanation Meeting. It is where parents and prospective students come to learn more about the school as well as get a tour. I wore a blazer to school and we went to the auditorium. I helped hand out drinks to incoming parents and teachers along with 3rd year students who handed out pamphlets and towels. There was a presentation about the school and accompanying speeches. Afterwards, we went back to Ambition Hall where the English classes are held and had tours for all of the parents and students that came for the meeting. Some of the children are shy to say hi, but it is interesting that all of the students that go to the school get over than quick with all the foreign teachers and interns that come here.
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