... and do the Harlem Shake!

After my "final" entry... I decided to post another one just to advertise my version of the Harlem Shake!

Harlem Shake (Japan ALT Version) - ハーレムシェイク水戸茨城県

No More Blogging

So... yeah... it's safe to say that I've moved on from Blogging, to Vlogging.

Won't be expecting to use this much... unless something random comes up and I feel the need to blog about it.

But, yeah... if you're interested in my vlogs... please check them out.

The first is an ALT Tutorial Vlog for (Elementary School) ALTs teaching in Japan

... and...

The other one is my person vlog

Thanks for all the support!

Anti-Bullying Message

I made this video after reading a story going around Facebook about bullying. The story touched my heart; being a teacher, I feel that it is my job and obligation to help spread the anti-bullying message. I might not be able to stop every bully in the world, but hopefully with every view of this video, someone has realized the harms and damage bullying someone can cause. Maybe with every view, I'll also touch someone's heart and make them feel the need to do something... anything really... to help stop bullying in whatever way they can-- whether that be by sharing this video, making their own versions of this video, taking time to share this info with others, or simply applying it themselves.

So, please watch... if possible, spread this video... but, that's not necessary. I'm okay with reaching out to a few people and hope that they spread this story in their own way!

I do not want to take any credit for this demonstration. I read this story today, and I simply made a quick video reenacting the demonstration. All credits go to that one teacher in New York... I only wish I knew their name. Whoever you are... thank you for opening my eyes!

Less Blogging... More Vlogging

As you can see, I haven't been blogging much.

The main reason for that is that I've recently, in the past 2 months, become very interested in the vlogging world.

It first started with my ALT tutorial vlog where I wanted to help people and share the knowledge I have received in my four years of working as an ALT.

With doing that... I have had some friends who have commented that I have a knack for vlogs and seem comfortable in front of the camera... so, they have encouraged me to continue making vlogs... and some have even suggested that I begin general vlogging.

So, that has completely minimized my blogging potential since any ideas I get... whether work-related or in general... I'm using them as vlog ideas.

I have been spending time doing that... so, I feel there's no need to blog about it in words... when I can demonstrate and share it via video.

Yeah... a part of me wants to achieve fame... and I guess I'm using YouTube as my way into that world. I'm better with actions and visuals... than with my words.

Anyway... that being said... I share with you my latest project... my general vlog, Grim Ramblings!

Please continue to follow up on me through my videos... since basically... what you watch on my videos... are potential things I could've written about... heh heh. And feel free to share my content with others... I'm all about getting more viewers and followers!

Grim Ramblings 1 - Intro and Summer Resolution



Grim Ramblings 2 - Mothers...

So after taking a bit of a break with this vlog/tutorial deal, I come back with the latest episode.

In this episode, I break down how to explain/demonstrate an activity--Simon Says.

I know Simon Says is a pretty easy game and common to most foreigners, but it is a bit difficult trying to explain how to play it to Japanese elementary kids.

I, myself, have had difficulty explaining this game and it usually takes about 20+ minutes for the students to understand, and that with me using Japanese. Luckily, I was able to observe a lesson from my friend and fellow ALT, Benito Tesoriero! He had such an amazing, interactive way of teaching Simon Says, and with his permission, I made this video to show how you can easily and interactively, teach your students Simon Says!

RELAX BITCH... RE-LAX!

So, this is going to be one of the rant-iful blog entries that I have every now and then... I feel like I've been overdue for one... specifically on this subject.

My school... oh man how I like that school.  I know I had a rough transition at first... but, being in this school for a second year has really been a big turn-around.  I'm settled, and all who know me well know that once I'm settled and comfy... let's try and keep shit the way it is.

However, despite the awesome students and awesome teachers and awesome awesomeness... there are some things that get under my skin... or, shall we say... some people.

I'm sure I've ranted about some of them before... but, with the main dude from last year gone at the end of the last school year, I was thinking this school year would just breeze on by without me having crap to complain about.

Well, being the person I am... that's not a possibility.  Things always manage to find a way to really irritate me eventually.  Maybe it's me... maybe it really is the "irritator"... whatever the case... I come across something that really gets to me... and I just focus on that and curse and cuss and whatnot (all in my head of course) and continue until either said "irritator" disappears... or, I myself remove myself from the situation.

Anyway, point being... that this year's "irritator" is an undermining, passive aggressive teacher.

Funny thing is... she was actually a teacher last year.  And though I did notice her undermining, passive aggressive ways... it didn't get to me as much as it does now.

Now, now I'm at the point of giving this bitch a much deserved and needed slap to the face!

Maybe I've been worn down after dealing with it for over a year... maybe she's picked up some new undermining tricks to add to her annoying arsenal... maybe with the past "irritator" gone... I have no other choice but to focus on her now.

Whatever the reason... I just know that she's really trying hard to push me over the edge... as if it's her purpose in life!

So, what does she do exactly?

A typical class for me:

I teach everything!  Homeroom teachers (HRT) always let me take full control... they either ignore me and do their own thing, they act as a student to subtly help students who don't understand, they play a second role/background teacher only to assist with explanation if the students are really really confused (which is rare and usually happens on my bad days), but mostly just pass out materials and papers.

A typical class when this bitch is involved:

Every three minutes, she interrupts me.  Not politely... full on interrupts me.  Sometimes it's to ask students what I said and check for understanding (which I can tolerate), but mostly it's just to input her two cents.  I explain how a game/activity is going to go... the same way I did for the other 3 second grade classes... and she feels the need to "suggest a better way" to do it.  Nevermind the fact that I've already taught that specific lesson 3 times already without a hitch.  I say something... and she, in front of students, changes everything around and I'm left there standing like an idiot. 

Most of the times I take it... other times I try to kindly explain why I'm doing something.  It doesn't matter either/or... she always ends up getting it her way since under contract and under the ministry of education I'm  not supposed to tell me her what to do at all.  The same also applies with her not being able to tell her what to do... but, she obviously didn't get that memo ripped, burned, and destroyed that memo.

So, you see... while she totally bosses me around unnecessarily... I, actually don't say anything since I know I'm not supposed to say anything.  Not to mention... how awkward would it be if I called her out in front of her students.  I know, for a fact, that my company would get a call about it and it would not end well.

Man... she just annoys me.  Like, this all sounds bad in writing... but, it's much much worse in person.  If you guys could see how she is... acting all "nice" and all and having a kind voice... but, she's actually being passive aggressive and I can't do crap about it.

One support teacher actually noticed once... and that made me so happy.  I was like... "YES!  SOMEONE ELSE IS WITNESSING THIS!!!!!"

She was their helping out a student... and we both just kept making eye contact as this teacher interrupted me constantly and made me change my rules/instructions/activities... pretty much the whole class.

After the class finished... she came up to me, smiled, and whispered in my ear, "Bikutaa, otsukaresama deshita..." making a subtle, understanding gesture.

Oh man... I was like... "Thank you... really really... thank you!"  Cause teaching this lady's class is no easy task.

I never get to do everything I have planned... well, with the constant interrupting at all.  Not only that... it's like my class is a joke to her. 

I mean, yeah English is technically not a real class... the kids don't get homework, nor do they get graded... I don't quiz/test them on the content... but, that doesn't mean she has to treat me the way she does.

Her students always come about 15 minutes after class was SUPPOSED to have started, and she doesn't even apologize... NEVER!!!!! 

So, there I am trying to rush the class to get everything covered... and so begins the constant interruptions... BLARGH!!!!!

And today!  Man, today she really pushed smashed  my buttons.

Yesterday I was a judge for my region's Interactive Forum, making me work later than my contracted time. So, under my contract, when that happens, I'm given "make-up" time off... which resulted in my company calling the school to inform them that I would be coming in later tomorrow. This meant that I wouldn't be able to teach this chick's class. Well... not my issue really... that's a problem between the school and my company... I just take the orders.

However, being the nice person that I am (and going against my instincts to just let it be), I decided to let the teacher know that I won't be teaching her class tomorrow. Yup, I should've known better. She stood up from her seat and started like attacking me... in her annoyingly passive aggressive, undermining scheming ways.

"What do you mean you can't teach my class tomorrow. I had that scheduled long in advance. What am I supposed to do now... I told the kids that we're having English tomorrow..."

"Uh, I know... but, I just found out about this this morning, so I just wanted to let you know..."

"Well, that's too late, I had my class scheduled before."

"Yeah, but yesterday I worked longer than I'm supposed to, so my company gives me time to make up..."

"So, when is my class going to have English? The poor children, they love your English class so much! They have so much fun!"

This is the point that I'm really pissed because I'm thinking, "IMPOSSIBLE! You suck the fun out of every single class I have and make it impossible for me to teach... always interrupting me every 3 minutes... FUN-SUCKER!!!!!"

She kept rambling expecting me to budge or make something happen... but, bitch... it's not my doing. I understand you got an issue... take it up with the scheduler and my company... SHIET! 

Oh, and remember that I mentioned that she's only an ELEMENTARY SECOND GRADE TEACHER!!!!! She's making a big deal about a second grade class... a grade level that I'm supposed to teach 15 times a year... I've already had like 5 of those classes... and we're only in the first semester.

RELAX BITCH... RE-LAX!  

I'm stuck here at a standstill... I can't do anything on the matter!  I can complain to my company... but, I don't want to do that because then she's going to know I complained... who else would it be?!?  I wouldn't want to deal with her nor see her if it ever came to that.  I mean, this is how she treats me when we're on "good terms"... imagine how things would be after I complained about her?

It just sucks that I have to take her crap... I'm not good with taking shit from people.  But, I have no other alternative.

I'm just gonna keep my mouth shut and avoid her at all costs... I hate this chick so much!

/end rant

"What subject do you like?"

Here's the latest vlog I made focusing on chants. 

Chants are an effective technique to use to make it easier for students to learn key expressions.  When you apply a rhythm and possible gestures/movements to it, the students focus on the rhythm rather than the actual expressions... thus, it's easier for them to replicate the expression during activities and communication.

Anyway... here's the video demonstrating how I use chants:



Thanks for the continual support and please share the video with others!