Even though there are those days that you can't stand some students and they make you question why you do this job at all (I mean, let's be honest here!) there are other times when your students make you feel awesome and feel that you're doing your job right and that extending your contract is a good thing.
I teach 2 grandmas, both in their mid-60s. They are very low-level and one is just terrible. She tries really hard but she's so flustered and disorganized and can't remember what I teach her. She spazzes out and rambles on and I have no idea if she's using English or Japanese. The other one, however, is organized and a little better and tries so much harder to add to the language pattern. I suggested they take lessons with the Japanese teachers but they really like me (obviously ;) and want the experience of speaking with a foreign person. I get that but they have to understand that they need translations so their nervous ramblings are understood and can be answered and corrected in English. But I'm off topic!
Anyway, one day the worse student was on vacation and the other came prepared. I walk in, put my supplies on the table and ask how she's doing. She answers and asks me. I told her I'm a little hungry b/c my breakfast was really small and she asks if I've eaten lunch. I told her no and she pulls out this Starbucks bag! Then she takes out a tea and coffee, hot sandwiches, and a box of chocolates and tells me to choose 2 sandwiches and a drink. Then we ate lunch. She also came prepared with questions to ask me about living in Japan so far and so on. She was worried about me after my anaphylactic attack and asked if I had friends in Japan (hahaha!) so that I had someone to help me - I assured her I did. And we just chatted - or tried to...She did pretty well and gave me the box of chocolates at the end. It was so sweet and I was so touched. The rest of my day was awesome.
Another time we were talking about foods and movies that we liked. I said there was this amazing mochi filled with red bean and different flavours of mousse downstairs beside the grocery story. After class she came back 10 minutes later with a variety pack of them!!! I was ecstatic! And last week, the other student was on vacation again and the other one brought me lunch again!!! Such a sweet lady!
Another day, a baby mama came in and we chatted for about 15 minutes b/c the other was absent before realizing the time. Then we ended talking for the rest of the class (while doing some activities for the kid :). The poor mom was so stressed and just needed some adult talk time and I was more than happy to oblige. Since then we've talked some more and she really enjoys coming to the class b/c her daughter is really improving and we get to talk and she can practice her English. Win-win!
For Christmas I got postcards from some of my kids with their pics or family pics on it. They're pretty popular to give to people around the holidays. I was so happy b/c they all looked so cute in them. Although, I did wonder how the hell the mom got my 2 rowdiest students to sit still for a perfect picture. She said it was a split second shot the photographer got while dangling something from the ceiling. Hahaha!
Today I got a little bag of YUMMY chocohip cookies for Valentine's day from one of my teen students. She gave them to all the girls in the class. I was so happy b/c these are my emo teens! But they do seem to be enjoying themselves more so score!
And yesterday was the BEST!!! I started class for my 5 year olds and one of them came in late. He's been my fave literally since day 1. No lies! He came in, started rummaging in his bag for what I thought were some cards we use and I told him to put the bag down. He persisted and finally pulled out a drawing he made. I was almost certain it was me but didn't want to jump to conclusions. He handed it to me and I asked who it was. "Kalai sensei!" Aaahhhh!!! Love it! Then he chattered away in Japanese and then pointed to my glasses. He wanted me to see he had even drawn my glasses - as if I could miss every detail of that awesome portrait! Later, when I went to high five him he started to then stopped and kissed my palm instead! I LOVE HIM!!! Hahahah!!!! He's so cute!
BUT I think I might have some competition though because one of the little girls seems to have taken a shine to him too. She used to be really quiet and rarely smiled but recently the little boy has been doing funny actions during the drilling and she's been laughing more. Now she looks over to him to see what he'll do next. Uh oh! I better keep my distance ;) Oh, young love...
So yes, sometimes I want to kick something...or someone...but then I think of my adorable kids that are so funny, so unique, so happy, and who try to teach me Japanese and it only makes me wanna kick something a little.
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