English Camp, Debate Finals & JLPT All Back to Back. Whoah!

First published on December 7, 2009


What a crazy 4 days I've had. It seemed like everything I was worried or worked hard for came together in one weekend.

First, let me start with the English Camp I went to.

On Thursday and Friday, I went to an English Camp hosted by one of the top academic schools in Miyazaki. My friend works there as an ALT, so he invited me and 9 other ALTs/ CIRs to work there on both days. The students are high level students in the humanities department of the high school. These are some of the best of the best from the prefecture.

The theme of this year's camp was living in an eco-friendly & sustainable country. The students did activities related to this theme. They even listened to a lecture in English done by a college professor from Miyazaki International College about the topic. It all came together on Friday with their final project, which was to present information on a country they were assigned to in school & give proposals on how to improve that country's sustainability. (Something like that. I have no idea how they did what they did). This was a project that they had been working on in school with the help of their English teachers, ALT, and some college students, so it was probably a relief for them that they were finally able to present their information and get it over with.

Each ALT was assigned to a group, which was divided up by the country presentations that they were working on. My group was the Ghana team. Although we were able to interact with all of the students, we mostly stayed within our group during the activities & meals. For example, on Thursday night, we helped our group create and put on an English Christmas skit revolving around a prop that was given to us. On Friday morning, we helped our group with last minute preparations for their presentation, which meant fixing grammar and pronunciation.

Although it was tiring, since we had to be with the students all the time from morning until night time, it was a really great experience. The students have to always speak English during camp and I was really surprised that most students always spoke English to each other the entire time. When they were finally able to speak Japanese at the end of camp, I still heard one student talk in English to his friend. My mouth dropped. It was really AMAZING!!!

The students were really excited about being there and it created a great mood for the camp.

All of the ALTs and CIRs that worked in the camp were super impressed by all of the students.

JLPT in Kagoshima & Debate Tournament Results

On Saturday, I had to take a train down to Kagoshima to take my JLPT (Japanese Language Proficiency Test). However, it was the same day as the Kyushu/Okinawa debate finals in Kumamoto. I wish I could have been in 2 places at once, but I decided that I should just go to Kagoshima early on Saturday, so that I wouldn't be super tired for the test on Sunday. Of course, I forgot to get the other coaches phone numbers, so I couldn't call them to know what was happening.

I had my thoughts on the debate competition, but I also knew that I had to get focused on the test. However, I knew that whatever I studied that day wouldn't make too much of a difference now. I would be cramming stuff, but it wouldn't be enough time to cram enough information in order to pass. I started regretting not taking more time to study, but since I was in Kagoshima already, I decided to make the best out of the experience.

Kim and I tried to study at night at a Joyful (IHOP type of restaurant), but we were already tired and we called it a night.

The next morning, we went really early to Kagoshima University, which is where we took the test. From there, we split up into our levels.

The test itself had many long breaks, which just made me lazier and sleepier. I would have liked shorter breaks, so that I could just get it done and be finished earlier. I don't think I did that well. However, at least now that I have been through it once, I know better what to expect and what I should focus on when I study for the next time I take it.

During the test's lunch break, I received a great call. One of my JTEs, who is also a debate coach, called me to tell me that my debate team had won 2nd place in the Kyushu/Okinawa debate finals. I was so excited. I almost started crying because I was so happy. I wish I had been in Kumamoto to see the reaction on my debate team's faces when they got 2nd place. It's so amazing. I don't think any of us expected it, but it was so wonderful to know that they had done so well after working so hard.

After the call, I got ready for the 3rd & final part of the test, grammar and reading comprehension. Yes, it's the scariest part of them all. lol

Once the test was finished, Kim and I got on a train back home. I was so happy to be home and relax after those crazy 4 days.

Song I'm Listening To At the Moment: "Man Man Ha Ni" by U-Kiss

Remaining Positive!

First published on November 17, 2009.

Catching up on my life.

On Saturday we had a play meeting. Every year, the JET community puts on a bilingual play in the city's International Center. Last year, we did Jack and the Beanstalk in English, but Monica played the Japanese narrator. This year we are mixing a lot of different languages, English, Japanese, Korean, Chinese and some Portuguese. It's basically about a group of people who work at the International Center and they have to put on a talent show. However, the language barrier causes a lot of misunderstandings and funny scenarios. It's supposed to be mostly physical comedy . Kim and Matt were inspired by the play we watched in Korea, Nanta, and that's how they came up with this idea. I hope we can pull it off.

Anyway during the meeting, we found out that it was the birthday of one of the new ALTs. We all celebrated it at the Mexican restaurant. We were also surprised to learn that the restaurant was hosting a salsa night, so after dinner, we danced some salsa. It was so much fun. Wow Miyazaki has salsa nights. We might not be a well known prefecture and our city might be small, but we still have a lot of cool things happening here. lol.

I've also reduced my stress a bit this week.

The mid-year seminar is on Friday, but I think that Valerie, my presentation partner, and I will do fine. Valerie is awesome and made the worksheet. After seeing it written down, it doesn't look as scary as I first thought it was. I think we can pull it off. At least I remain positive.

I've been studying for the JLPT. That test is still worrying me because the more I study, the more I realize how much I don't know. Whenever I do practice tests, my high percentage of errors brings me down. However, I know that the only way to solve this is to just study harder. Can I pull this off? Probably not, but I will try. Time is ticking away and I still have to cram my brain with lots of vocabulary, kanji & grammar points. I usually have Japanese lessons on Mondays (1 hour a week) but next Monday is a holiday here, so I'm paying for an extra lesson, which will be held tomorrow. I NEED IT! lol.

Tomorrow is also the annual teacher's volleyball game at our school. Last year my team came in last, but it was a lot of fun. (^_^)

Today is Matt's birthday. We surprised him by sending him balloons to his school and the biggest one even played the birthday song when he tapped it. He seemed to enjoy his present. Yay!

This weekend, we are celebrating Matt and Yoshi's birthday on Friday, after the mid-year seminar. Then, Saturday morning, Kim, Asha, and I have to take a 7 AM bus to Fukuoka, which is the biggest city in the island of Kyushu. We are going there to watch a Sumo Tournament. I haven't seen sumo live, so I'm really excited. We also have really good seats. I think it will be a really interesting experience. I hope everything goes well. (^_-)

Music Listening to at the Moment: "Wedding Dress" by Taeyang

Disorganized, Busy & Nervous

First published on November 12, 2009.

First, let me begin with the good news. My debate team won 2nd place in the All Miyazaki Prefecture English Debate Competition. My students were a year younger than all of the other teams, but they did well. I was so proud of them. They definitely made me really happy yesterday. The top 2 teams will go to Kumamoto for the Kyushu & Okinawa Debate Competition. I think that the girls are really excited. The chance that they will win is very low. The winners tend to always be from Okinawa because there are so many native English speakers there. However, whatever happens, I think that it will be a good experience for them.

がんばって 南高校!

I would love to join my team, but I have the JLPT (Japanese Level Proficiency Test) the day after.
I can either go to support my team and then take a night bus to the city that I have to take the test at or I don't go, which would allow me to do last minute studying and much needed resting before the test. Hmmm...I have to wait for the letter that tells me where to go for the test because it can be either Oita, Fukuoka, or Kagoshima. Then, I'll figure something out.


Ok, so I mentioned the JLPT. Ahhhh...I think I will fail badly. I've been leaving work late because of debate practice, so I have little to no energy by the time I get home. This has effected my studying. I have to find a way to balance my studying & stay focused while also doing everything else that needs to get done by the end of this month. November is such a hectic time in school.

Oh and have I mentioned that I have an English camp right before the debate competition & JLPT. Oh dear...I can see my bad JLPT scores now. The English camp is on December 3 & 4, the debate competition is on the 5th, and the JLPT is on the 6th. I'm a bit worried.

Next week, I also have the ALT Mid-Year Seminar. This year I have to present. Yesterday I got my topic "classroom management" and I have to present with another ALT who lives pretty far from me. Well, we have about a week to get our ideas in order, create a worksheet & put on a good presentation for the 1st year ALTs. I'm a bit nervous about this as well. The topic is a bit difficult for me and it's always hard to present in front of your peers. Sigh! I'll do my best.

So, anyway...long story short, I'm just a bit stressed lately. I have to calm down, focus and get everything I need to do in order.

Music Listening to at the Moment- G-Dragon (feat. Kush)- "She's Gone"