THAT'S how smart I am.

This week was pretty cool. I did some exciting stuff at the office, or at least exciting compared to fun with staplers and envelopes. First, I got to visit one of the local high schools and attend some of the 10th grade English classes. I even got to assist the teachers a little bit. I was surprised at how different the Japanese classroom was. Perhaps it's because it was a foreign language class and students are a little nervous about speaking in English, but it seemed like Japanese high school students are very unwilling to participate in class. They're very well suited to huge lectures where all you do is take notes, or if you're me, sleep through it, or don't attend. Having talked to a few of the JETs who work in Ishikawa, it sounds like most English classes are even worse than the ones I attended, having visited one of the best high schools in Japan. It's odd that the kids are so afraid(?) to speak up in class, ask a question, give an answer when they know it, but then I suppose it's not so surprising in an education system that revolves strictly around passing exams, and not around actual learning.

Also, later in the week, I attended a couple of seminars for elementary school teachers, one on science lab safety, and one on gym class. As far as the science goes, elementary schoolers in Japan are doing way more lab stuff than we do in the states. We're talking lighting bunsen burners, mixing harsh chemicals, the kind of stuff I technically wasn't allowed to do until 8th or 9th grade. But then, I suppose 6th grade isn't so much earlier than that, but it feels like a big difference. And then the gym seminar was hilarious. It was mostly like a normal gym class, except with a lot more bowing, clapping, grinning, and general Japanese ridiculousness. Like before we would play a game, we would bow to the other team and say, "Onegaishimasu!" which could be translated as "I am humbly requesting," or more simply, "Please." And then afterward, of course, another bow and a nice, hearty "Arigatoo gozaimashita!" It was weird, politeness in gym class, but then, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. It is Japan, after all.

This job is great. I'm getting paid to just learn stuff about Japan. I have to pay for that at Princeton. But then, I guess Princeton's going to give me a "diploma" which is "important." Knock on wood.