Miyakojima City Taira Junior High School
I forgot that I never posted about our experience at Miyakojima City Taira Junior High School!
They had the most amazing welcome ceremony for us. This included large flower arches that were held by students for us to walk through, which was done with the entire student body clapping in unison while the band played a song they learned especially for us.
After that, some students performed a traditional Okinawa dance, other performed a modern dance to some local music, two girls told the story of the Bamboo Princess (in English), and the principal gave us a lovely welcome speech. Once again, we felt like celebrities.
The students at Taira Jr. High School wear uniforms, but they are not very strict about enforcing the uniform policy and students are allowed to wear any socks they want (which were used to express individuality).
We were also welcomed to visit any class that we wanted and freely take photos. It was surprising to me that several students were talking and sleeping during class and the teachers never told them to stop. During a discussion with teachers at the end of the afternoon we asked them about this. I am beginning to understand that the cultural expectations are different here than what I am used to in the United States. I am used to teachers saying direct commands such as “please stop talking,” “sit down,” or “you need to do your homework.” These types of direct instructions are not as much a part of Japanese culture. Even as adults, our leader is consistently saying things like “maybe they will close at 6pm,” “maybe you will be back on the bus in 10 minutes,” or “I think that you might not want to do that.” Additionally, the teachers do not believe that it is their responsibility to teach manners or ethics, that is the role of the family. Therefore, if the parents have not done a good job the teachers have to deal with the consequences, but they still are not expected to step in. It is also important to understand the emphasis is on the collective instead of the individual, and the feeling is that other students should be responsible for communicating to their classmates that certain behaviors are unacceptable.
It is amazing how many of my stereotypes have been shattered through this experience. I cannot express how wonderful this trip has been and how appreciative of the Japanese Government for affording me this opportunity.
They had the most amazing welcome ceremony for us. This included large flower arches that were held by students for us to walk through, which was done with the entire student body clapping in unison while the band played a song they learned especially for us.
After that, some students performed a traditional Okinawa dance, other performed a modern dance to some local music, two girls told the story of the Bamboo Princess (in English), and the principal gave us a lovely welcome speech. Once again, we felt like celebrities.
The students at Taira Jr. High School wear uniforms, but they are not very strict about enforcing the uniform policy and students are allowed to wear any socks they want (which were used to express individuality).
We were also welcomed to visit any class that we wanted and freely take photos. It was surprising to me that several students were talking and sleeping during class and the teachers never told them to stop. During a discussion with teachers at the end of the afternoon we asked them about this. I am beginning to understand that the cultural expectations are different here than what I am used to in the United States. I am used to teachers saying direct commands such as “please stop talking,” “sit down,” or “you need to do your homework.” These types of direct instructions are not as much a part of Japanese culture. Even as adults, our leader is consistently saying things like “maybe they will close at 6pm,” “maybe you will be back on the bus in 10 minutes,” or “I think that you might not want to do that.” Additionally, the teachers do not believe that it is their responsibility to teach manners or ethics, that is the role of the family. Therefore, if the parents have not done a good job the teachers have to deal with the consequences, but they still are not expected to step in. It is also important to understand the emphasis is on the collective instead of the individual, and the feeling is that other students should be responsible for communicating to their classmates that certain behaviors are unacceptable.
It is amazing how many of my stereotypes have been shattered through this experience. I cannot express how wonderful this trip has been and how appreciative of the Japanese Government for affording me this opportunity.
posted by Dana Specht @ 2:53 AM
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