Last week I went on a walk with my students (17km around the hills above our school). It was a great day because I actually felt like I was doing my job for a change. I spent the whole day with the students as opposed to in the staff room or on a stage in front of them (got to love Japanese classrooms). So we could actually speak English together in a normal and sincere environment. I was surprised by the breadth of their knowledge and felt a little guilty for perhaps having underestimated their ability over the past few months. But, it can be difficult when they'd rather play dumb and remain silent in class as opposed to making mistakes and talking.

Yet I guess it's not their fault. After all, the students are never tested on their speaking skills in high school (and sometimes even at University-madness) and consequently, their is no incentive whatsoever for the students to actually speak English. Very frustrating!

All in all though, it was a great day walking around the lovely Yamaguchi-ken which made up for the excrutiating leg pain that followed...peace out!

So, this is Tokuyama...finally.

Had a few technical difficulties!!!

So this is Tokuyama...known locally and affectionately as Smokuyama. I think this photo sums it up quite well; it's not beautiful but there is something endearing about it. So endearing that, as most of you know, I have decided to re-contract for another year. I've decided to start "blogging"( as I believe this new-fangled thingeymajig is called) because everyone else has one and I was feeling left out. The blog is to the Yamaguchi JET, what Polly Pockets were to thousands of primary school girls in 1993. I just hope it's as entertaining as that pesky plastic-coin footed lady!