Teaching In Japan

Getting There

At School • Schools are mostly concrete and windows• They are extremely hot in the summer and deathly cold in the winter• The kids have dirt lots that are used to play sports

• Most schools have 2- 3 floors and various wings•Every school has a gym where ceremonies are held•Many of your schools will have pools

The Daily Schedule• At the beginning of the morning the assistant principal and principal hold morning meetings for the staff

• Students generally arrive and go to homeroom before classes begin

• Depending on how your school arranges it there is a 15-30 min period called cleaning time where students clean the school

• Teachers and students eat lunch at the same time and almost everyone eats school lunch

• You could have between 1 – 5 classes a day

• Club and special activities start immediately after school

Office Etiquette• If you happen to be a smoker there is usually a place

outside of the teachers office, or in a separate room in the back where smoking is permitted

• If you need or want to talk on your keitei step out of the office to speak

• There are usually one or two computers with internet access. Be considerate of other teachers • When winter comes be careful not to blow your nose in public. This is considered very rude.

• Anytime you or co-worker go out of town it is customary to bring back a small gift for everyone in the office• ALWAYS greet people as you walk into the office and leave the office for the evening

Did That Just Happen?

Building Relationships With Teachers & Students

• Visit or join other classes (art, science, gym)

• Participate in school concerts, and events like field day

• Do things with the PTA mothers

• Join or create a new club

• Introduce cultural events and activities

•Talk to everyone…all the time…even if they don’t understand you

• Eat lunch with the students and join students during cleaning time

• Go to office parties

Experiencing America Through You• Smile….from day one

• Immerse yourself in the culture and don’t be afraid to try new things

• Trade puri-cura with teachers & students

• Bring in your favorite foods and drinks for them to try

• When possible incorporate your favorite music, movie and TV shows into lessons

• Highlight your differences but show-off your knowledge of Japan and Japanese culture

• Have a strong work ethic

Other Things To Consider• If you are a picky eater you

can’t go wrong with Mos Burger, Hokka Hokka, the rice burgers at AM/PM and curry rice is the absolute best!

Your shoes never have to match your outfit…but if you do want to coordinate you can always ride a bike in heels

Don’t mail a huge box of toilet paper because they do actually have it

When using a Japanese style toilet make sure the door is behind youWear a skirt until you get the hang of using the Japanese style toilet