Monday, January 22, 2007
A Japanese Teacher になりました。
Last week was very busy. I wanted to post exciting news at the end of every day, but I was always too tired!
Most importantly, I passed the Japanese language test and was offered the job at Berlitz Language Center! Unfortunately this is only a part-time job and there aren't really any permanent hours. I have accepted the position and did two quick training sessions Thursday and Friday mornings.
I teach my first class (an intensive 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. one-on-one class) on Tuesday to a near-beginner. This guy will be studying abroad in Japan in a few months and wants a total immersion experience. I will do an evaluation (actually, I have to make the evaluation myself since they couldn't find the Japanese evaluation questionnaire) and then place him in an appropriate level and begin teaching.
Out of 10 levels total I told them I felt comfortable teaching 1-4. Anything higher than that and I would be fearful of teaching something incorrectly. I might be placed at around level seven or eight grammatically, but conversationally I am even higher. It's interesting having my Japanese evaluated because so many people have asked me, "So can you speak Japanese?" and I have no idea what to answer. I usually settle with, "Yes, but I am not fluent." I have a very high standard for fluency. I am upper-level conversational.
I am just elated to be teaching Japanese! Ha ha!!!
The office is great, too! There are three new teachers training together and it's my ideal workplace environment. I am the only American and surrounded by an Iranian, Russian, Peruvian, a French woman and a Japanese man. It's funny how "typical American" it feels (when chatting around the water cooler) despite the lack of Americans. We all have unique backgrounds and we are bringing those experiences together to learn from one another. It's awesome.
Most importantly, I passed the Japanese language test and was offered the job at Berlitz Language Center! Unfortunately this is only a part-time job and there aren't really any permanent hours. I have accepted the position and did two quick training sessions Thursday and Friday mornings.
I teach my first class (an intensive 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. one-on-one class) on Tuesday to a near-beginner. This guy will be studying abroad in Japan in a few months and wants a total immersion experience. I will do an evaluation (actually, I have to make the evaluation myself since they couldn't find the Japanese evaluation questionnaire) and then place him in an appropriate level and begin teaching.
Out of 10 levels total I told them I felt comfortable teaching 1-4. Anything higher than that and I would be fearful of teaching something incorrectly. I might be placed at around level seven or eight grammatically, but conversationally I am even higher. It's interesting having my Japanese evaluated because so many people have asked me, "So can you speak Japanese?" and I have no idea what to answer. I usually settle with, "Yes, but I am not fluent." I have a very high standard for fluency. I am upper-level conversational.
I am just elated to be teaching Japanese! Ha ha!!!
The office is great, too! There are three new teachers training together and it's my ideal workplace environment. I am the only American and surrounded by an Iranian, Russian, Peruvian, a French woman and a Japanese man. It's funny how "typical American" it feels (when chatting around the water cooler) despite the lack of Americans. We all have unique backgrounds and we are bringing those experiences together to learn from one another. It's awesome.
