I love teaching. I always thought this might be my career. But I thought I'd just stay in Japan for a year and then go back to CA and start working as all my buddies were already doing.
Well, I've now been in Japan for a total of 11 years teaching all across the country. I've taught in a kindergarten in Matsuyama, a jr. high school in Okayama on the JET Programme(http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/jet/index.html),
the North Korean High School and a 
senmon gakko (vocational college)
in Tokyo, Keiwa College (http://www.keiwa-c.ac.jp/) in Niigata, an intensive English camp in Sendai and now here in Odawara.
In between, I did manage to get my TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) and my TESOL (Teaching English as a Second Language) Certificates back in California. I also taught there and in Barcelona, Spain. My only non-teaching job was the half a year I spent in Hawaii as a tour guide (oh, how I miss the beach!).
Why do I love teaching? Teaching is a very satisfying job. It brings me joy to see a student read for the first time, learn a new phrase and start to communicate on his/her own. I also learn a lot from my students. They've taught me many things about their cultures and have opened my eyes and my mind to many new things.
I'm going to end this month's BLOG with a list of tips to keep up your English skills.
1. Study a little (30 minutes) every day. Make English a habit and set a goal!
2. SPEAK! Speak English at home - it's OK if no one understands you. :) It's also good
practice speaking English with your Japanese friends too.
3. LISTEN! Have English BGM on all day long. Listen to English music, watch movies in
English, check out some internet sites - one of my favorites: http://www.elllo.org/
4. READ! Reading helps you become a better writer and improves your grammar and
vocabulary. It usually takes seeing a word 10 times before we put it to memory.
5. WRITE! Keep a daily journal. For 10 minutes a day, write what you did, how you felt or
anything interesting that happened that day. It's great writing fluency practice.
6. THINK in English! Whatever you see, say the words in English to yourself. For example, as
you're driving your car or riding in the train, say aloud what you are seeing around you.
7. THINK positively! Say, "I can speak English!" and "My English is improving!"
8. Don't be afraid to make mistakes; this is how we learn.
9. Remember, studying English is a life-long study. Have FUN!
10. If you can, come and study with me. If you can't, start your studying by leaving me a message! :)
6 comments:
Long time no see! It's Mana. Do you remember me? I found your blog.Congradulation! Your business seems succeeding! You told me in Niigata before that you want to job hold the tour to go CA, you carried out it! Grate! Also, you and your wife have lots of fun these years:) Sometimes I do visit this blog and keep studying English again from now:) Well, It's cold! Don't get a cold, and have Merry christmas & Happy new year!! Take care.
Hi Uncle Conrad!! Happy New Year and Happy Birthday!!! We miss you and Auntie Aki. Love you!!! Stephanie, Kristina, Paul and Kimi
Hey Con,
I just noticed that your hand writing hasn't changed since college... the picture of you in front of the chaulk board has to be your hand writing.
Take care,
Darrell
I think tips to keep up your English skills are useful.
I like your class.It is very fun.
What I like the most in your class is trivial quiz.
It is too hard for me.But very fun.
Please do it again after summer vacation.
By the way,
I have a question about this Blog.
Did you like non-teaching English job in Hawaii?
I am very happy to meet you! I like your class :D HJ
Hello teacher Conrad,
I really enjoyed reading this post, always you let me feel positive and I'll try to use your way to improve my English and Japanese language :)
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