日本とアメリカの学校の相違点ーーーエマ先生

21 October 2016

Differences between American and Japanese schools

While settling into my job at Fujimura, I have been taking note of some differences between schools in America and schools in Japan. In some ways American and Japanese schools are quite similar, and in other ways they are very different. Here are a few of the biggest differences that I have noticed so far:

·         In American schools, the teachers stay in one classroom, and the students move around from classroom to classroom. Because of this, there is no teacher’s room in American schools. Personally, I like the community aspect of the teacher’s room. But, I would have liked to have my own classroom, just so that I could decorate it!

·         There are no school chores for students in America -all of the cleaning is done by janitors. I think it’s great that Japanese students take ownership in their school and help clean.

·         Clubs are more serious and time-intensive in Japan, compared to school clubs in America. All the clubs that I was in in high school only met once a week. I’m very impressed with students who have club practice every single day!

·         Most schools in America use whiteboards instead of blackboards.

·         Students at Fujimura are responsible for getting to school by themselves, but in America most students get to school by school bus.

·         In America, High School is required for everyone, and there are no entrance exams.

·         There is no Bunkasai at schools in America! I think this is a shame, because I thought that Bunkasai was very fun.  

It is very interesting to work in a school system that is so different from what I’m used to. I think that there are pluses and minuses to each system. I am excited to learn more about the Japanese school system, and hopefully take some good ideas back to America with me.

パフォーマンスーーーマーレン先生

These past two weeks I landed (and performed) a role in the premier performance of the Tokyo Perfect Liars Club. It was absolutely amazing! The performance was in Setagaya and there were almost 100 people in attendance. The show is made up of four people telling a story, with three people telling real stories and one person telling a fake story. The audience then gets to interrogate the performers and try to figure out who is telling the lie. After the performance I was offered a few auditions for other Tokyo based theater things and have seen a lot of positive reviews. I love the Tokyo audience and am excited to be able to have the opportunity to perform here. It really is a treat!

Marlene

文化祭 ---エマ先生

A couple weekends ago, I was able to attend bunkasai, or School Festival. It was very fun and I was very impressed! All of the students and teachers put a ton of work into preparing for the Festival, and all their hard work really showed. We don’t have anything like bunkasai at schools in America, so it was very special for me to see. I ate curry and rice, which was delicious. I watched the Choir Club performance, and I went to a tea ceremony. It was my first tea ceremony in Japan. I really enjoyed it, and the tea was delicious, but it was difficult for me to sit seiza the whole time. I walked around to each of the homeroom classes. My favorite ones were the haunted house and the rollercoaster – I rode it! Then I saw the Dance Team and the Rhythmic Gymnastics club preform. They were both very impressive. I’m happy that I get to work with such talented girls!

-          Emma Sletteland

文化祭 ---マーレン先生

It has officially been one month of teaching here at Fujimura and I am learning just as much as I am teaching. Last week was the culture festival, bunkasai, and it was absolutely amazing. In the United States we do not have anything like it! I couldn’t believe that one class had built a rollercoaster inside the classroom. This past weekend was also the first time I attended a traditional Japanese tea ceremony and was very impressed! It was fun to see all the different food, games, and events that my students put on. I am very lucky to be teaching at a school with such talented girls!

 

Outside of school I am getting involved more in the local Japanese community. I have been acting with a local improv troupe as well as performing stand-up comedy with an all American group in Shibuya. I love performing so it is really cool to be involved in shows here in Tokyo. I get to meet local residents who attend the shows as well. I also have joined a Calvary Chapel church in Fuchu and love how welcoming the other people who go there are. I love that the service and worship is in both Japanese and English!

 

~Marlene

Trip to the Izu Penninsula （伊豆半島への旅)

This weekend was a 3-day weekend because of Respect for the Elders day, so I took a trip to the Izu Peninsula. It was fantastic! I took the Shinkansen down to Atami Station on Sunday afternoon and met up with my friend. We stayed in a traditional ryokan with tatami mat floors. It was very beautiful and we had a view of the ocean from our room. On Monday, we got up early and took the train down to Shimoda. We took a boat tour, and then took the cable car to the top of Mt. Nesugata. There was a beautiful garden and a shrine at the top, and amazing views of the city and the ocean. Then we went to the beach. It was cloudy because there was a typhoon about to come in, but the water was warm, so we swam and enjoyed it very much. We had the beach all to ourselves! It was a great trip. I was happy to find such a nice little paradise so close to Tokyo. I would love to go back in the summertime when it is nice and sunny!

-          Emma

Japanese food and amazing experiences （日本食と素晴らしい体験)

I have been living in Japan for just over a month and a half now and I am loving the Tokyo life! There are so many things to explore and try. The food is also very good! While some I know from home like sushi and ramen, there is a lot of cuisine I have never heard of while living in the states. Before moving here I had never tried udon or takoyaki, but now udon is my new favorite food. I love the soy broth with an egg and shrimp tempura!

 

In addition to trying a wide variety of Japanese food, I’ve also been going to events and exhibits around the city. My favorite was an art show called DMM Planets. The creators used light to make amazing displays that I couldn’t believe were real! In one room, you are standing in water up to your knees and there are koi fish and flowers being projected on the surface. It was like magic! There was also a room with a string of lights from the floor to the ceiling that lit up in time with music. I felt like I was in a storybook. Already Japan has proven to be full of fascinating events and good food, so I can’t wait to see what this year has in store!

 

~Marlene

 

自己紹介

新しいALTの先生方の自己紹介です。

マーリン先生

Hello! My name is Marlene Pierce and I am from Seattle in Washington state. I graduated from Northwest University in Kirkland, WA with a degree in English literature and writing. This will be my fourth year working with ESL students and my first time teaching in a private school. I have been to over twenty countries, but this is my first visit to Japan and I am loving everything. Everyone is very welcoming and I can’t wait to experience as much Japanese culture as possible!

 

エマ先生

Hello! My name is Emma, and I am very happy to be working at Fujimura. I’m American, and I am 23 years old. I am originally from Santa Fe, New Mexico, and I have lived for the past five years in Denver, Colorado. At university, I studied International Affairs and French. Before moving to Tokyo, I worked as an Academic Advisor. My hobbies are skiing, hiking, yoga, and writing. I love to travel. This is my first time in Japan, and I am very excited to explore and learn more about Japanese culture! The first week of school has been great. I have enjoyed meeting the other teachers and all of my students. Everyone is very kind and helpful. I’m looking forward to the year ahead.