最後、かも

if i were to name my favourite class, it would be the one with the junior high students in the language course in one of my schools. they have fantastic english, the JTE has excellent lessons, and the kids are generally eager to learn, genki and intelligent. the year 2s are a lot more talkative than their juniors, but hopefully the younger ones will be more willing to speak next year.

today, we had an impromptu speaking test where we asked the kids about what they did last weekend. we pose this question to them every week at the beginning of class, and they’re usually so reticent – the year 1s – that getting them to answer is like pulling teeth.

surprisingly, the test went extraordinarily well. i think i got the better half of the class too, but i was astounded by the comprehensive ability of some of them. for several, i was speaking at near natural speed, and one of the kids – admittedly one of the best in class – even understood what i meant by “signature dish”. these are 12 to 13 year old students, mind you; i know for a fact that their english is better than many of the senior high kids whom i teach. all of them were able to tell me what they did last weekend – in full sentences - and answer follow up questions on the topic, which makes me wonder what’s so difficult for them to just give one word answers when we do the same activity in class.

i’m fairly certain that we’ll still be in this school next term, though we’re still keeping our fingers crossed, but while waiting for their turn to take the test, the students were told to make thank you cards for the brit and i. this is what i love the most – haha – as it’s such a sweet gesture, never mind that the students don’t really have a choice in the matter. and japanese students unleash their creativity when told to make cards, drawings, etc, so the final products are always a joy to view.

for some reason, some of the kids found me funny. i’m not sure why, especially since i’m the fairly strait-laced one while the brit plays the clown. the year 2s especially, are always amused by his antics. plus i don’t recall the year 1 students ever being particularly amused by anything either of us have done in class, so that came as a surprise. one of them had also drawn a cute picture of me, and another kid apparently likes my smile! :D

~~幸せ~~