INTRODUCTION TO TEACHING
IN TAMURA CITY, JAPAN
Written by Teachers on Staff
TAMURA
The city of Tamura is 200 miles northeast of Tokyo. It is a rural city of about 50,000. Homes and businesses are close together because of the surrounding hills and mountains. There is a small river with cherry trees along the banks that runs through Funehiki (a village within Tamura), and several parks are within walking distance. There are some non-Japanese people in town, but we, the teachers, are the only Westerners. Koriyama, a city of 300,000, is a short 25 minute train ride away and offers many more choices for shopping, international foods, theaters, etc. in an urban setting.
The Funehiki Evangelical Church is a small, but devoted church led by Mr. Maki. Twenty to thirty people attend weekly. The service is traditional with hymns accompanied by organ, and a sermon by Pastor Maki.
Because of the language barrier, friendship evangelism and servant evangelism are the most effective means of sharing the gospel. Our attitudes, our love for one another, and a readiness to serve are our testimony. The Maki household models generosity, selflessness and a peace drawn from trust in the Lord. They have true joy and gratitude in their work and a deep appreciation for God’s creation.
TEACHING
Currently, there are 12 American teachers in various teaching positions, based upon their previous teaching experience and conformability. Four of us teach in Mr. Maki's English School and eight of us teach in the public elementary and junior highs.
The English School
Mr. Maki is the owner and principal of one of the largest privately-owned pre-school and kindergartens in Japan. The school’s name is Wakakusa Gakuen. Attached to the kindergarten is the English school where we teach private classes after the regular school day. Actual teaching time is 2-4 hours per day with additional time in the office for lesson planning, grading papers, and cleaning our classrooms. We are in the office beginning at 1 p.m. We focus on teaching conversational English. The teaching period extends from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. In addition, in the mornings we travel to public elementary schools or share English activities in the kindergarten. At the elementary schools we provide cultural activities: a song, a game and conversation. There are occasional special events on Saturdays, but most of our Saturdays are free. Since the schedule varies, we need to have a flexible attitude.
Wakakusa Gakuen Kindergarten
The Wakakusa English School is equipped with a variety of textbooks, teacher manuals, educational games, activities, visual aids, worksheets, tests, as well as some idea books. Most teaching supplies are available here in Funehiki. It might be good to bring a supply of stickers and prizes for games.
Mr. Maki's English School
The Junior High Schools
Several of us teach in the public junior high schools. There are eight junior highs in Tamura. We are referred to as ALT (assistant language teacher). All of the teaching supplies are provided. We team-teach with the Japanese English teacher. We help him/her to prepare the lesson and do whatever is needed inside and outside of the classroom. A daily schedule is: leave for school at 7:15 a.m. and return at 4:00 p.m. (similar to an American school day). At your discretion you are encouraged to attend appropriate after-school activities to get to know the students in an informal setting. Once a week, there is an opportunity for a few of us to teach an adult conversation class in the evening.
LIVING SITUATION
The Maki home is on the second floor of the English School. The kindergarten building is attached. Our apartment building is next to the kindergarten and a very short walk from the English school. There are five single apartments and three large two-bedroom apartment (shared by 2 teachers each) as well as a small house. The house is our main meeting place when we have team meetings, Bible studies, or community outreaches and parties. Each apartment has a kitchen, bathroom, a small laundry room, and a balcony. We are very well accommodated with TV’s, VCR’s, telephones, refrigerators, microwaves, gas ranges, toaster ovens, rice cookers and washers and dryers.
The apartments are furnished with cupboard, kitchen table and chairs, desk, bed, drying rack, dresser and closet. Kitchens come complete with pots and pans, dishes, silverware, and some American spices. Towels, bedding and pillows are also provided.
Teacher Apartments
THE CONTRACT
Provided by the school:
Roundtrip transportation from U.S. to Funehiki, a furnished apartment, some evening meals, local income taxes, a monthly stipend, and occasional excursions with the Maki family and teachers.
Teachers’ responsibility:
Teaching as required by the school, participation in weekly Bible study, meals, telephone and cable bills, personal expenses, trips in Japan and to the U.S. for private purposes (for example at Christmas). The cost of living in Japan is high, but it is usually possible to save a majority of the salary because many living expenses are provided.