Graduation Ceremony in Japan

Hello and good afternoon to you all,

This is my second to last day of teaching for the current academic year with no idea of whether I will still be teaching at my schools next year.

For dispatch companies, such as Interac, they have to compete with all the other companies, including the JET program in order to convince the local Board of Education (BoE) that they are the company that should be chosen. Each year the decision is made later and later.

So for those who have been told they are coming to Japan you may or may not already know your location and schools. For most this is still being decided. This can also change because occasionally Interac are confident they will get the contract, they offer a placement to someone oversea, but then the BoE change their minds and go with another company…this is very frustrating, the companies can do nothing and of course the BoE are more concerned with money then the students (or at least the is the impression that comes across)

So even though tomorrow I will be teaching for what could be the last time I have no idea if I’m suppose to be saying goodbye forever or see you next month.

Even my students are asking me if I will be here next month – my answer “I don't know”…which leaves me looking at sad faces with the sound of “Stay! We want you to stay!”

Over the time I’ve spent here, my students have grown with confidence, I challenge them and push them to use English – previous teachers had used their time at school to practice Japanese and improve their skills…granted, they don't always realize they are doing this BUT if your using Japanese you should only use it if its absolutely necessary to progress the class further – this is something many Japanese Teachers of English (JTE) need to learn, they need to have confidence in their English and confidence in their students.

With some students they regularly seek me out to have a conversation, some just to have a go on my ipad – which is a good way to find a common interest and talk about…in class I will admit I have my favorite students, ones who try hard, ones who accept challenges etc

And so if I am to leave, I want to be able to say good bye… but of course the BoE don't quite understand this…

The only thing I have been sure of about leaving is about my 3^rd grade students. Every March the 3^rd grades graduate. Class for them finished back at the start of February but the graduation for most students is the last time at school, the last time seeing their teachers and the last time seeing a lot of their friends and class mates.

For me, I have 2 schools – both high schools.  Unfortunately they chose to have their graduation on the same day so I could only attend one (this is another reason why I want to be here another year, that way I can attend the other schools graduation next year to be fair). Anyway, I was asked to attend my Technical high school that had 3 girls and 88 boys graduating.

The graduation ceremony was not too different from my University graduation – it lasted 2 hours, compared to my uni one lasting 3hours.

It was held in the gym, with heaters that kept is warmish – whereas at uni it was in a cathedral that was cold.

My school opened with the national anthem and closed with the school song – at uni is was a hymn and then a song playing whilst we walked out.

There was the handing out of the certificates (same at both school and uni) – the only difference is that the students bowed but we shook hands.

Both had guest speakers, the principal made a speak – the only difference is at school it was in Japanese, at uni it was in English.

And then all the students left – the only difference here is as the students left they said good bye to all the teachers one by one, bowing or shaking their hand…some 2^nd grade and 3^rd grade students came running over to give flowers, gifts, cards, pictures etc and even teachers have gifts etc to the students.

And yes, it was all very emotional…I struggled to hold back tears – im not one for crying in front of people BUT when 18 year old boys are crying in front of you, shaking your hand you cant help but get a little emotional…especially when you’ve taught them for 8months and not only have you been their mentor but also friend.

Next year it will hopefully be my regular high school – which is mixed boys and girls. Most of the students are much closer because theyre all from the same town. This means they get even more motional. Also next year I will definitely be moving on, so not only will I be saying goodbye to the 3^rd grades but to every students and teacher.

My advice, just go with the flow…show your students you have a heart…cry with them because they will be crying…have tissues with you…if youre leaving then have little parting gifts for your teachers and principal etc. prepare a goodbye speech in Japanese and English to both students and teachers

 

For those leaving this year – I hope you had an awesome time, your students will miss you very much. I hope you have a bright future wherever you go.

To those staying – Good for you…your students will love you more but it will make it harder to leave. I hope the year ahead is even better then the last

To new comers – relax, breath and enjoy it. Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Get to know your students and if possible get to know their names.  Be the fun teacher and remember, stickers are cheap and the students will love them…trust me, even high school students love stickers and it's a great way to reward them and encourage them to work harder.

To my students who have just left and wont even read this – Good luck with your future, study hard, work hard but have time to relax, take it easy and enjoy life – I hope I see you around

• Japan
• teaching
• TEFL
• graduation
• High School
• Asia
• interac