Comments on: X in the classroom

By: Alex Case

Alex Case — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 12:53:08 +0000

Actually, I was talking about the lack of male role models in the UK taken as a common reason for boy students doing badly at school- but you are absolutely right and some of the most clingy students in Japan have been ones with absent dads. So why doesn’t that spell the end of civilisation in Japan too?? It could be because the mothers aren’t actually divorced and anyway are used to spending their lives with their female friends and with no men around, so they don’t have the “Mummy’s in a bad mood because she doesn’t have a boyfriend” trauma. Any other suggestions anyone? Maybe one for Auntie Alex…

By: Laurent

Laurent — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 12:08:59 +0000

interesting article, i’ve not been in Japan that long but I’ve found myself in some weird situations involving the X factor a few times.
as for teaching little kids and not having to worry - it’s kinda nice. I’ve never been in a job before where that would be an issue (aka I’ve never dealt with kids professionaly) so i cant say it crosses my mind frequently, however i do think a lot about the lack of male role models and general dads in Japan, as you do tend to have kids who are very touchy-feely (is that even a recognised word??) during lessons and constantly want to be grabbed, play with you, jump on your back, legs etc… which at first is a little disconcerting if you aren’t such a kids person but you soon realise they just don’t ahve it in their life.
I never think about having the door open but every once in a while you do think that it’s nice not to have this demented perception of evil everywhere like you’re starting to do back in Europe.

also lol at that dos comment thing. priceless. I find your picture quite endearing, ha ha.

By: Alex Case

Alex Case — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 11:10:42 +0000

Luckily, in Japan we still live in a more innocent age. It might be that a few dodgy teachers slip through the net because of that, but at least it means everyone does not have to live in an atmosphere of paranoid fear. If a pre-school kid decides to climb onto your lap for storytime, you don’t have to push them away. And there are still male primary school teachers- something they seem to have given up in the UK, probably for insurance reasons. And with boys with a complete lack of meaningful contact with male role models in Britain, what is the result?

The suicide rate in Japan shows that we also have a fair number of fucked up people here too, but at least the way they deal with that doesn’t ruin it for everyone else. If a student got the wrong idea here and felt rejected, I’d be more worried about them doing harm to themselves than I would be about them doing harm to me

By: Bonnie

Bonnie — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 05:01:32 +0000

Just be sure to leave your classroom door open. Keep your desk in view from outside your door. Be VERY careful not to be caught alone with any of your students. A “spurned” student can do a lot of damage- even if nothing is true. Is there another teacher that bops in regularly after class? do that favor for one another. You really have to CYA! Ain’t it the pits!

By: Alex Case

Alex Case — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 13:52:40 +0000

Indeed. Hope I manage it sometimes…

By: Eric Roth

Eric Roth — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 13:39:54 +0000

Balancing truth and tact remains a delicate dance.

By: Alex Case

Alex Case — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 22:58:24 +0000

Not that I know. I don’t think there are any TEFL teaching dynasties yet, are there? Though John and Liz Soars might be spawning a whole new teaching master race…

By: Jean Marson

Jean Marson — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 17:53:34 +0000

Hi, as a long-term ESOL teacher I’d like to ask a totally unrelated question - are you related in any way to the late Doug Case? Hope to hear from you:-)

By: EFL Geek

EFL Geek — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 01:40:52 +0000

Great post, came here via the teflogue

By: Alex Case

Alex Case — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 21:48:13 +0000

PS, please do ask your other “professional colleagues” to comment.