Mhy Stories

Today and yesterday were quite different. Instead of going to my usual work,  I went to a public elementary school here where around 80 kids are currently enrolled (the biggest number of Filipino students in a public elementary school in this city, so far).  I joined my co-trainee, Andreia, a school teacher, in observing classes, particularly special classes for foreign students from Brazil and the Philippines. 

Below are few of my notes and impressions, based on the information I've gathered and seen and experienced first hand. The school is a 35-year old infrastructure, so the building and the facilities are quite old, but in terms of discipline and cleanliness, wish ko sana ganito din ang mga pampublikong eskwulehan natin sa Pinas:

1. In addition to regular classes, this school holds special classes for foreign students from the Philippines and Brazil, who cannot understand and speak Japanese language very well or are just beginning to learn Japanese. In a special class composed of 10-12 children, there are two teachers assigned, along with 3-4 school assistants who also serve as interpreter for the kids (Portuguese and Tagalog);

2. The school has its own swimming pool where regular swimming classes are being held every summer season (I've learned that all public elementary and junior high schools here in Japan have swimming pool facilities);

3. Lunch is provided by the school and served inside the classroom by the children themselves - this is for the following reasons:

 * to ensure proper nutrition (menu comes with soup and daily supply of fresh milk). While in school, children do not have access to any junk food (sana ganito sa Pinas!)

  *to teach and train children table manners and discipline and give them sense of duty and responsibility  (kids are trained to clean up after eating, to arrange and stack neatly the used plates and chopsticks and segregate their wastes properly)

NOTE: On my second day, I was informed that I can have lunch with the children inside the classroom but since I'm bringing my own bento (baon) I instead ate at the pantry together with other faculty staff. Hindi pwede na kasalo mo ang mga bata at may dala kang sweets or iba ung kinakain mo. Ehe). 

4. For all teachers and faculty staff who are having lunch inside the pantry and are not joining the kids inside the classrooms, they, too, eat the same meals. After lunch, they (including the principal) clean up and stack their own trays, put back the utensils, segregate wastes properly , etc.

Note: and because I'm bringing my own bento, I was obliged to keep my own trash inside my bag because the waste bins provided at the pantry are only intended for the cover of the fresh milk bottles and other expected wastes generated from the assigned menu that day...ay... Kaloka haha

5. Inside the classroom, all bags are properly arranged in a cabinet at the back portion. (btw, they have standard school bags here) and all water bottles/containers are properly arranged at one side  of the classroom. Children are not allowed to drink every now and then especially while having class (except of course during emergency cases, I think. Ehe)

6. Children are trained to stand up and say the usual lines in Japanese before and after each class (usual lines at the end of the class contain words of thank you for the lesson/learning) 

7. Take off your shoes. This is observed not only in Japanese homes but also in schools. They have shoe rack at the entrance. This is same with school children. They have their separate shoe cabinet and bicycle parking space. 

Without mentioning the quality of education in public schools here, indeed the list reflects the efforts of Japanese schools to uphold discipline, and instill discipline in children. Sugoi desu ne.

In my previous post  (http://www.mhystories.com/2016/06/the-japan-intercultural-academy-of.html), I talked about our Japanese training at the Japan Intercultural Academy or the JIAM and how I feel about the month-long stay at this facility, based on my own experience. As I said, I would write a second part containing my fond memories of this place.

Here is my list of memories,  in no particular order:

JIAM reminds me of newly-found friendships, of the beauty and chaos of putting trainees with different nationalities, cultures, languages and backgrounds altogether in one place;

JIAM reminds me of laughters, long talks and brief conversations at the lounges, in the hallways, over breakfast, lunch and dinner at the dining hall;

JIAM reminds me of group study mostly after dinner, and the independent study hour after lunch which allows me to finish one or two of my daily homework;

JIAM reminds me of the importance of keshi gomu (rubber eraser);

JIAM reminds me of the head chef at the dining hall who exactly knows what fruits I like!

JIAM reminds me that boys can finish up their cash card buying drinks such as sakae and beer from the lounge 😁;

JIAM reminds me of colleagues, Tai and Kim, who are really fun to be with!;

JIAM reminds me of Tami, Priscilla and Jessica;

JIAM reminds me of two Chinese doctors in our group, one of whom belongs to SORA Class;

JIAM reminds me of dinner set and lunch buffet which I would oftentimes skip because I still feel full from eating a lot during breakfast lol! 

JIAM reminds me that dinner starts at 5:30 pm!

JIAM reminds me of Japanese love for miso soup;

JIAM reminds me that it's a difficult thing to do a last minute shopping at the JIAM Store  just to spend some good amount left on the cash card!

JIAM reminds me of all my sensei: sensei Takeuchi, sensei Nakamura, sensei Suzuki and sensei Sawami;

JIAM reminds me of making reservation for weekend meals;

JIAM reminds me of Japan's efforts to keep the waters of Lake Biwa unpolluted by encouraging the use of environment-friendly laundry detergent;

These are the detergent soap sold at JIAM!

JIAM made me think that Japanese don't spend the 15-minute break in between classes staying and hanging around the hallways and corridors; only foreigners like us do 😁;

JIAM reminds me of free use of computers, printers, copiers and of free supply of paper and materials ;

JIAM reminds me of Mr. Moore and his enthusiasm and efforts to ensure that we had a nice stay at JIAM ;

JIAM reminds me of all the nice CLAIR staff! Thank you!!!!

JIAM  reminds me of my SORA CLASS especially my guy classmates !

JIAM reminds me that I am not sporty enough to play sports or do some fitness activities inside the gym; 

JIAM reminds me of the weighing scale inside the ladies shower room where I would always keep track of my weight on a regular basis lol! 

JIAM reminds me of the walks to a nearby supermarket after class or during nighttime, mostly with Tami;

JIAM reminds me of the sufficient and fresh supply of linens at the linen closet and of tissue paper at the storage room;

JIAM reminds me of its house rule to change bed linens and pillow covers every week;

JIAM reminds me of Japan's serious efforts to segregate trash;

JIAM reminds me of the bicycles that I never rode because they are too high for a beginner like me;

JIAM reminds me of the times we laughed at ourselves for our mistakes in class because Nihongo is muzukashi haha!

JIAM reminds me of single occupancy bedrooms;

JIAM reminds me of my cozy bed which makes me forget I (still) had some homework to do;

JIAM reminds me of Maggie, the trainee next to my room, who stayed late at night studying while I was fast asleep 😁 in my own room;

JIAM reminds me of the lounge at the 5th floor lobby which gives a nice view of Biwa-ko and  citylights during night time;

JIAM reminds me of the quiet campus lawn and fields where nobody loiters and hangs around;

JIAM reminds me of the quiet, charming and clean neighborhood;

JIAM reminds me of many other good things which I will not be able to write all in here.

JIAM reminds me of good memories ☺️

And yes, now JIAM reminds me that I still have some homework to do and send to ARC Academy until November!