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  • Teaching in Japan – an elementary school visit

    Posted by admin on August 27th, 2009 and filed under elementary schools | 25 Comments »

    **Permission granted by this shogakko for posting on my page**
    Usually I’m mobbed at recess after lunch when I visit elementary schools – the kids are eager to chat or have me draw something or ask me to play a game. But today my kids were busy after lunch rehearsing for their upcoming graduation ceremony, so I took advantage of the uncommon quiet and filmed a vlog talking about teaching at elementary school 小学校 しょうがっこう。

    I enjoy my elementary school visits, but I wouldn’t want to only teach at elementary school. The kids are great, but the lessons are limiting and unless you can teach with them on a very consistent basis, it’s hard to see any real progress. But that will change for me in April, when my daily schedule will include many more visits to shogakko than I’ve had in the previous school year. (more about that in a future vlog)

    If you have questions about teaching at elementary school (grades 1-6, ages 7-12), then leave a comment.

    And maybe if you’re all really good I’ll give you the same quiz I gave my students in a future vlog! :D

    -Jason

    Duration : 0:6:54

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    Teaching in Japan – Elementary School – Part 1

    Posted by admin on August 24th, 2009 and filed under elementary schools | 25 Comments »

    Sitting down outside at the local sports park, I discuss the challenges and rewards of teaching at shogakko (elementary school) in Japan.

    I hope to film one more vlog touching on some other important aspects of teaching at elementary, so if you have any questions related directly to teaching younger kids, then please leave a comment and I’ll address them in the next vlog on this subject.

    小学校 (shougakkou) is grades 1 (1年生) ichi nen sei – thru to grade 6 (6年生) roku nen sei. So usually we’re talking about kids age 6 to 12.
    This term I’m teaching 5th graders and 6th graders exclusively, as my area is trying out the newly introduced English textbook, Eigo Noto 1 and Eigo Noto 2.

    Every week I visit 5 different elementary schools, in addition to my regular teaching at one of my two Jr High Schools.

    I plan on doing a separate vlog about the book being used and possibly I’ll go over some of the lessons I’ve been teaching this first term so you can get an idea of what level of English we’re talking about.

    By way of example, yesterday I taught two classes of 6th graders the names of the months in English.

    OK – hope you enjoy this vlog and more soon.

    -Jason

    Duration : 0:10:57

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    A peek inside my 小学校 (Elementary School) bag

    Posted by admin on August 18th, 2009 and filed under elementary schools | 25 Comments »

    We take a peek inside the bag I tote around when I visit my elementary schools.

    Most of you that end up having shogakko visits will also be teaching at one or more Jr High schools, so it’s a good idea to keep the materials needed for shogakko visits separate from your JH materials.

    I used a bag given to me in my first year, and I add/subtract from it all the time.

    The one thing I didn’t show was SLIPPERS! I also keep a pair of slippers on top of the bag and I take them to each different shogakko so I can wear slippers that actually fit my feet, instead of the smaller slippers on hand for guests at every school.

    Thanks for watching!

    -Jason

    Duration : 0:9:35

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    teaching english in japan part 2 ( how i got my teaching job)

    Posted by admin on August 6th, 2009 and filed under teaching job | 23 Comments »

    Its that time of the year when Japanese schools are looking for English teachers, so now is the time to start applying. I have listed some websites I used to get you started, check em out and see what they are looking for. My advice, start with the companies that have overseas offices in your country and set up interviews and then hit up the other ones.

    *Usually* you need have these requirements to get a work visa

    1.College Degree
    2.Native English speaker
    3.nice personality
    4.hard working and dependable
    5.language skills a plus , but not required
    6.no visible tattoos
    7.passport
    8.no felony

    Other skills that I think are important
    1.think skinned
    2.tough
    3.flexible
    4.be prepared for the unexpected
    5.self resilient
    6.um have fun ( all work and no play makes a very long day)
    7.

    Teaching English
    http://www.gaijinpot.com/
    Jet- set up by japan
    http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/JETProg…
    Gaba – private
    http://careers.gaba.co.jp/index.html
    Geos- private
    http://www.geoscareer.com/
    RCS- private
    http://www.rcs-ed.jp/en/index.htm
    Aeon -private
    http://www.aeonet.com/
    Interac Co., Ltd- private
    http://www.interac.co.jp/recruit/
    W5ss- private
    http://www.w5ss.com/en/alt/alt_home.htm
    Japanese Visa guide
    http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/vi…

    *Usually*
    The monthly Salary is between 240,000 yen and 300,000yen
    $2,642.01 ~ $3,297.03
    Then there are the taxes, Health insurance, Transportation, Rent, Food
    Etc
    So depending on your situation you can have money in the bank or not

    Work visas last about the same length as the contract, so no job, no visa. But there are exceptions to everything.
    Just do the research, ask lots of questions to anybody who might have some info
    Check out your embassy website, ask your school etc.

    Hope this helps , as always im here if you have questions
    Good luck , see you when you get here
    Peace

    Rhyming Gaijin

    Duration : 0:8:10

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    Teaching English in Japan part one( how I got my teaching job)

    Posted by admin on August 3rd, 2009 and filed under teaching job | 25 Comments »

    Whats up
    Its that time of the year when Japanese schools are looking for English teachers, so now is the time to start applying. I have listed some websites I used to get you started, check em out and see what they are looking for. My advice, start with the companies that have overseas offices in your country and set up interviews and then hit up the other ones.

    *Usually* you need have these requirements to get a work visa

    1.College Degree
    2.Native English speaker
    3.nice personality
    4.hard working and dependable
    5.language skills a plus , but not required
    6.no visible tattoos
    7.passport
    8.no felony

    Other skills that I think are important
    1.think skinned
    2.tough
    3.flexible
    4.be prepared for the unexpected
    5.self resilient
    6.um have fun ( all work and no play makes a very long day)
    7.

    Teaching English
    http://www.gaijinpot.com/
    Jet- set up by japan
    http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/JETProgram/homepage.html
    Gaba – private
    http://careers.gaba.co.jp/index.html
    Geos- private
    http://www.geoscareer.com/
    RCS- private
    http://www.rcs-ed.jp/en/index.htm
    Aeon -private
    http://www.aeonet.com/
    Interac Co., Ltd- private
    http://www.interac.co.jp/recruit/
    W5ss- private
    http://www.w5ss.com/en/alt/alt_home.htm
    Japanese Visa guide
    http://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/03.html

    *Usually*
    The monthly Salary is between 240,000 yen and 300,000yen
    $2,642.01 ~ $3,297.03
    Then there are the taxes, Health insurance, Transportation, Rent, Food
    Etc
    So depending on your situation you can have money in the bank or not

    Work visas last about the same length as the contract, so no job, no visa. But there are exceptions to everything.
    Just do the research, ask lots of questions to anybody who might have some info
    Check out your embassy website, ask your school etc.

    Hope this helps , as always im here if you have questions
    Good luck , see you when you get here
    Peace

    Rhyming Gaijin

    Duration : 0:10:0

    Read the rest of this entry »

    Colin Munroe – Piano Lessons feat. Joell Ortiz

    Posted by admin on August 3rd, 2009 and filed under piano lessons | 25 Comments »

    Music video for Colin Munroe’s “Piano Lessons feat. Joell Ortiz”, produced by Black Milk, directed by Philip Sportel.

    From the mixtape “Colin Munroe is the Unsung Hero” available for download today at:

    www.onsmash.com/unsunghero

    For more information on Colin Munroe, visit www.unsunghero.tv or www.myspace.com/colinmunroe

    Duration : 0:4:6

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