Sunday, 9 September 2007
A Good Teaching Experience
Teaching English in Japan it's very common to get completely anal negative "feedback" from your students ranging from "The lessons are too hard" to "The teacher is too friendly". Of course to avoid the utterly embarrassing situation of actually telling you in person, the students go straight to the management or Japanese staff and complain which gets the situation on your permanent record and really achieves nothing more than making you frustrated with the student.
Very rarely, if ever, do the students tell your school that they're happy with your work. This can really get you down.
Imagine my surprise then when during my last 30 minutes of a special holiday "Summer School" 14 day program one of the mothers began to cry out of pride as I was showing her and the other mother and father watching what I had been teaching their three sons during the school period.
At the end of the class both mothers and the one father genuinely thanked me and asked if I would be teaching at the school again. Japanese people are famous for lying when it comes to situations like this. For example, they'll thank you after the lesson but then go and file a complaint about the air conditioner not being at the government approved temp of 28 degrees celcius.
These parents were actually really thanking me though and telling me that all three boys had started using English at home now and have been having so much fun in my classes.
The next day at the office a staff member came up to me and told me that one of the mothers (the one that had been crying actually) had called the office to once more thank me for doing such a wonderful job. Just a few days ago I also got a letter which had been sent to the office from one of the other boys in the class thanking me for being such a good teacher and also a photo of the three boys and me which they had taken on the last day.
A lot of customers seem to forget how appreciated positive feedback is with workers in any industry. When I was at Starbucks in Sydney it really made my day when customers would take 10 seconds out of their schedule to come and tell me in person that the coffee I had just made was the best or that they love coming in to see my smiling face. On a hard day and especially on one where you have to deal with anal retentive customers it makes all the difference in the world and in turn gives customers a better experience as we pass the positive attitude back into our jobs.
So today, take the time to thank your language or music teacher, the guy or girl who made your coffee and sympathise with the peeps stuck behind the reg at the convenience store. It'll make their day and they'll go out of their way to make sure you get the best service possible on your next visit.
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Labels: japan, Teaching English in Japan
posted by Brad at
12:28 PM
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Welcome. My name's Brad and I'm about to start my fifth year in Tokyo, Japan though lately I've found that that defines me as badly as saying I'm from Sydney, Australia.
Congratulations!! I've got quite inspired by your story and comment. As my work also deals with such customer service concept, I am a huge believer in recognizing, acknowledging and appreciating those who provide you service and/or help, the charged and free alike. Bravo!
Hi Brad - From Brad (in Sydney). I've just spent the last 5+ hours eading your entire blog!!!! After travelling to Japan last year I have been looking at ways to return for an extended period. I found your blog when doing a little researching and was hooked on reading it completely. Wanted to email you to say thatnks but couldn't find an email link. Anyways, thankyou..... you have answered a lot of questions in your blog and it's spurred me on to pursue a similar path to you. Thanks again......Brad.
Cheers Masato! Don't forget your New Years Resolution!
Brad, that's the best feedback that anyone's ever given me on this blog! Heaps of good karma coming atcha!
Feel free to email me at: shuttlecok@ REMOVE THIS hotmail.com (make sure to remove the "REMOVE THIS" which I added to prevent bots from stealing my email for spam). Would be more than willing to help a fellow Aussie, a fellow Sydneysider and a fellow Brad out. ;)
Brad,
Once upon a time you shared your thoughts on a specific topic with me and I ultimately found out that your opinion was spot on. So thanks for that and the laughs I regularly get from your blog.
I recently had a great teaching experience too. I went back to the inaka where I used to teach, to visit my former students during their Sports Festival. Although I was only there for 3-4 months and I didn't feel that I had made much of an impression, their instant recognition and their warm welcome (and that of the staff), really moved me. As you said, the smallest "thank you" means so much when you are often surrounded with only criticism and negativity.
Yeah, it's scary how they'll be sweet as pie to your face and then turn the knife behind you. Or to the next teacher for that matter.
I've had a few choice opinions fed back to me via other teachers at my school.
There is an award system for teachers who really impress students, but this is used so rarely and the actual reward is so insignificant that it isn't worth going the extra mile to earn it.
Japanese thing "service", I think "working for free" and don't do it.
Oh the spite is so true, I can show you knife wounds in my back as proof - that said I've some great letters, some seriously heartfelt photos and in some cases expensive gifts over the years that prove being a decent human being is sometimes taken note of.
And it is such a wonderful giddy feeling!
Sometimes I wish we could have a "Parents Day" kind of thing but the damn language barrier and bad interpretation by the Japanese staff would just make it a waste of time.
Me: Your son's a little racist shit.
My Assistant translating: He's got so much energy! Keep at it! Don't give up!
Parent: The teacher is too good looking. I want an average looking teacher.
My Assistant translating for parent: She thinks you look just like Tom Cruise!