VS
So a few weeks back I started a blog detailing my first day at Jr.High and admintingly it was about %85 on the negative side. Although it was almost finished I never completed it and posted it because during its writing process I decided I wanted to give Jr. High a little more time before posting my thoughts. We'll its almost been a month and I am ready to give my thoughts by matching it against the Japanese Elementary Schools (Those of which I have taught at longer.) in an all out battle to the death. Two schools enter the ring, but only one can leave with my heart. Fight!!
Teachers
In general I would say the teachers in Elementary are a bit more laid back. I attribute this to the fact that the education and study habits of the kids haven’t gotten so insanely hard at this time, and also the kids demeanor is generally lighter making the teachers the same way. I have also generally found Elementary school teachers more helpful willing to talk with me. On the other end Jr. High school has teachers dedicated to teaching English unlike Elementary in which there is one teacher that teaches all subjects. Because Jr.High has a dedicated English teacher he/she is much better overall in speaking English than the teacher at Elementary. Having someone at your job that can speak the same language well is always a plus.
Students (In class)
This is where the biggest difference exist. I’m not sure exactly what causes this, perhaps social pressure or just shyness, but Jr.High school students can be quite difficult to coarse into participating in class. Upon meeting a new class for the first time I always do an introduction followed by question time when the students can ask me anything they would like. This usually is followed with complete silence. Meanwhile during Elementary question time a large abundance of students have their hands in the air awaiting their chance to ask me something. Students actually asking questions during question time obviously makes question time more enjoyable. Jr. High is full of unmotivated uninterested students. It can be hard for me to stay motivated when my class is unmotivated. If they aren’t so interested in learning I am not always so interested in teaching. Every student in Elementary isn’t excited for English class either but there is a much higher percentage and those who do enjoy it make up for anyone who doesn’t. Elementary students are younger and thus enjoy many more various games as well. Elementary students are also more behaved during class than Jr.High school and more likely to listen to the teacher and follow instructions. Elementary students haven’t really developed the “yanki” style which is what the Japanese call students who like to rebel. Traits such as ear piercings, and dyed hair are signs of a “yanki” student. While I don’t agree these things make you a rebel, it has been associated with rebel in Japan so much that I feel those things are exactly signs of a “yanki”. In fact students do these things because they are associated with being a “yanki”. In America they are just personal choices and don’t necessarily have the stigma of a rebel, but I digress.
Students (Outside of class)
During class and outside of it can be completely different. For both Elementary and Jr.High students who say next to nothing during class may talk to me in the hallways or elsewhere on school grounds. In Elementary there have been times at certain schools when I couldn’t walk through the hallway without a crowd of students following me. The younger students even like to hold my hand while walking through the halls. For me I enjoy it because I find it sweet. The 1st and 2nd graders are really adorable and they don’t seem to be too hesitant to come and talk to me. Being different doesn’t matter to them and I can appreciate that. I also do a lot of playing with all of the students especially during recess and for the most part I really enjoy it though I have to say play time with Jr. High students can be a lot less tiring. The Jr.High school students show the biggest change in and out of class. I have found although few will say much of anything during class, many will attempt to make conversation with me outside of class. It seems that during class they are under some sort of social pressure to fall in line with everyone else thus no one wants to be the person who sticks out by actually participating but outside of class they can be a little more free to be themselves. They are much older and so they aren’t into holding hands or doing many adorable things (with the exception of some girls adorable actions.) but they can be quite friendly and because they have studied English for longer at this point it is possible to have a bit of a deeper conversation with them although both Jr. High and Elementary school students generally speak to me in Japanese. You have a lot more rebels in Jr.High but even those I have found in my experience will make conversation outside of class. Jr.High also has many after school activities/clubs that I can visit and even participate in such as basketball, volleyball, dance, kendo, art and more. It gives me something to do as I am usually waiting 2-3 hours after my last class before I can go home.
Conclusion
They both have their pros and cons but much like a highlander, in the end there can only be one mostly because of the competitive nature of the blog’s title. Anyway, when its all said and done I can say with not much hesitance that I prefer teaching at Elementary. The atmosphere wins out and call it vain but it is a really nice feeling to come to school and have students so excited to see you. Keeps a smile on my face.
Winner: Elementary
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