It’s coming on a week now since we were supposed to be paid and fewer and fewer people have been showing up to work. In fact, this morning there were four of us on the 7:30 shift out of what’s usually at least twenty people. It’s a sad state of affairs. I can’t say I’m overly optimistic, but the reason I keep going is if anything for the students. It ain’t their fault that this is happening and despite popular belief by some of the other instructors I’ve met, there’s more to them than their English ability. Sorry, I guess that’s some bitterness leakin’ out.
Anyway, I’ve had some really interesting responses lately. A few weeks ago, from Mitsuko, and recently from a few students yesterday and today. Mitsuho spent the first ten minutes of her lesson telling me that she has called the government office on behalf of the Nova teachers and how she enjoys her lessons and really wants to continue; and today, Saori thanked me for showing up. I guess she tried to book a lesson and she hasn’t been able to because there are no instructors to fill them.
“Gladly would he learn and teach” — I may get a lot of crap for this from other people, but it’s what got me through the last two days. Maybe it makes me a bit pretentious, and I know that were I back home in the States, the teacher’s union would have definitely gone on strike…but where I am and what I’m doing just feels different. For some reason, this doesn’t quite feel the same.
I’ve been “volunteering” if anything for the students. After all, I’m not a real teacher.
I think, “if anything”, this proves that you *are* a “real” teacher (is your point that you don’t have the degree/certificate?). You’re not in this for the money, you’re in it for what you can impart to the students.
I agree with VoW. I was also curious if you went to the NOVA protest in Osaka Square.
Hats off to you! I agree, it’s not the students’ fault that Nova’s in the mess it’s in, so I’ve agreed to come in this week (no OT though), but I’m undecided yet about next week. We’ll see how it goes. I hope financially you have a back-up plan, though. Good luck!
Well, I got me the fancy certificate, but it ain’t the kind of teachin’ I was trained for, ya know?
And no, I didn’t go to the protest.