Is different bad?

Education is of fundamental importance in the development of any civilised society. I feel privileged to have had a decent education, a good grounding in English and Maths, an understanding of science and a wealth of international opportunities allowing me to explore different ways of doing things. Unfortunately in Britain we are often taught that different is bad. I am struggling against many of those feelings right now, but I know my liberal side will win in the end. At least I hope...
I arrived in Osaka last Monday night to be greeted by a small group of AIESECers and my supervisor Kiyoko. This was a sedate affair and the mountain of luggage I referred to in my last update was weighing heavily on my back so two things overjoyed me on arrival. Number one, they understood my accent much better that the Colombians did, don't know whether it has changed significantly since then or not - I will let the rest of you judge. Number two (and all I really cared about at the time,) there were people to carry my luggage. From Shin-Osaka station it was off to the rather neat little appartment that is to be my home for the forseeable future. Osaka is large (millions of people not sure of the exact figure) and I live on the suburbs. The advantages are that it is quiet, the transport is good and the people receptive. The disadvantages are that it is a long way from anywhere, the receptive people speak little or no Engrish and there is nothing much nearby except slot machines, some rather dodgy looking restaurants and a castle. On arrival in my appartment at Izumi Fuchu we visited one of those dodgy restaurants for dinner, it was delicous and I was treated as a celebrity given the fact that I am the token foreigner in the area. My appartment is ok, though there is only one ring on the cooker and a rather uncomfortable looking bed. Appearances though can be deceptive, and what looked uncomfortable was just what I needed. That night I slept for about 15 hours.
My tasks for the first few days were light, I am still waiting for my mobile phone and bank account so to start the process of getting them I was required to register as an alien. Sasai, a local AIESECer took me and did all the translation, I smiled, nodded and swore that the spaceship that dropped me off would not abduct anyone else, at least to the best of my knowledge. Within 20 minutes I was an official alien of Japan. Then it was time to explore. To explore my neighbourhood took all of 5 minutes, I found the local convenience store and stocked up on supplies and yes, en route I did find a McDonalds. I was content.
I did some teaching on Wednesday, first with 2-6 year olds, second with some older girls (around 20 years old) who I explained all about the UK political system too. This was fun and they seemed interested though at times I felt they may have been nodding and smiling rather like I was in the alien registration place. Their word for the day was xenophobic which I thought was a cool word to teach them. Lessons lasted 30 minutes and I worked form 3pm to 9pm without a break. I also received my schedule for the next two months. Basically I live above BIC school which is the HQ of the company I work for and I teach young kids, uni students and elementary school teachers there on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. I have both mornings free but work in the evenings which is good as it allows me time to figure out where I am and how I am going to ever decipher this language. I plan to sign up for classes next week.
Thursday and Friday were... interesting. They involved early starts and I wake at 6am to travel 1 hour 15 minutes (with three train changes) to a different Kindergarten where I teach solidly from 9am (after a meeting at 8am) until 6:30pm. It is both tiring and weird and I think my AIESEC conference time has helped me with this. Basically there are 10 classes of 2-6 year olds and we run 20 minutes of their lessons each day. Each of their English lessons starts with a song with actions.
Welcome Boys,
Welcome Girls,
Clap your hands,
Stamp your feet,
Flap your arms,
Turn Around,
Jump up and down.
(x2)
Siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit Down!
(There are more songs but I can't bear at this time to commit them to writing, maybe the next time I'll tell you about the goodbye song.)
It is weird being called Dean Sensei (teacher) and the kids won't let me leave their classes, they grab onto my legs and I have to hi-five each of them before I go. It was even weirder in the 8am meeting when all the teachers have to chant the school aims in the staff room before lessons (they do this everyday and a different teacher leads it.) In fact it is freaky. I had to do a little introductory speech to about 40 Japanese staff which Kiyoko translated into Japanese for me. I must admit, I am finding all of the happy clappy stuff tough, I almost feel I am a character in Sesame Street and it is most likely to be Groucho at the minute. I know I will adjust but I think I have joined a Butlins Holiday Camp for three year olds and it scares me. I suppose I will live and get used to it. I have no choice. From December I will do this in another Kindergarten as well on Mondays (which is further away so I will wake up at 5:30am). From 2pm to 6pm we do afterschool lessons for kids whose parents work (which is most of them as this is an exclusive kindergarten for the wealthy Osaka businessmen/women families.) These lessons last 30 minutes each and today I taught body parts to 4 year olds and the difference between "this" and "that" to 6 year olds. Round that off with a little crayon colouring in for the rest and a school play rehearsal and that was it. Busy day. The kids eat lunch in their classroom and we sit with them and chat. They are afraid to speak English at first but I am determined to help them improve, it is so rewarding to hear them speak a word that I know I taught them.
So why I am I still doing this? Why did I not run out midway through the first chant of the school aims? Well, BIC is an interesting organisation that was founded by two Japanese Airlines flight stewardesses over 20 years ago (Kiyoko Sensei and Chiaki Sensei) that has truly inspired me. They were grateful that they had seen the world through their airline careers and learnt English along the way and wanted the Japanese people of tomorrow to have the same experiences. They rued the fact that even though many Japanese kids are taught English from Junior High School and upwards, they never speak it because of adolescene and the pressure that Japanese society imposes on them never to make mistakes. They decided to do something about it. "We have to teach them earlier in their lives, if they are to really learn and the goverenment does nothing about it" Kiyoko told me. So, with some personal financial backing (and some external support) BIC was born and they contract teachers out to three fantastic kindergartens (with class sizes of under 25.) This is real social entrepreneurship and I have great admiration for them both even though I have just met them, and despite the silly songs and crazy leg hugging kids I feel it is a worthwhile cause and I am glad their organisation is growing.
I'm here to help Japanese children learn English and I'm going to do it, even though it might be tough and it might be embarrassing (I accidentally let slip I know a dance to Cotton Eyed Joe.) Oh God, they want me to teach it to them! It will be embarrassing. What have I let myself in for? I'm not sure, but by Friday night when I finish up at the local Chamber of Commerce to teach local business men the basics of English in the evening I will know I have earnt my money.
Is different bad? I'm not sure yet, but I'll let you know when (if) I work it out.
Deano