Kobe Conference
Well, there’s not much to write about. NOT. The Kobe Conference is over, and I’m back in the swing of things here on Hakata. The content of the conference was pretty predictable. Anybody who remembered the mind-numbing hazy sensation from the Matsuyama (regional) Orientation, or the Tokyo Orientation pretty much knew what to expect. If you’re curious, and even if you’re not but you just really want to see the quick video at the end of the post, click the more link and follow along.
I’m going to pass along my criticism of and commentary on each segment. I had to think about it quite a bit, considering I turned in a 2 page survey at the end, a 3 page report to my contracting organization and a 6 page report to my base school. Nice. You can see why it’s on my brain. Here’s my monstrous list of thoughts. Skip it if it bores you. (I’m gonna skip it, so you know…no hard feelings.)
神戸・平成１９年度・再契約予定者研修会
2007 Conference for Re-contracting JETs５月２８日（月）Monday, May 28
文部科学省講演 MEXT General Session (14:30-15:30)
内容 Content: We were given an introduction to the Japanese Education System and MEXT’s “action plan” to cultivate Japanese people who can use English language constructively in more than just an academic setting.
感想（職務との関わりについて）Impression: This presentation was very repetitive. We have lived and worked in positions inside the Japanese education system for almost one year at this point. Introducing it at this late date is not particularly helpful for us. This seminar felt more ceremonial and official than others, but it lacked meaning and lasting impact.ALT分科会１ ALT Workshop 1 (15:45-16:45)
講師 Presenter: Holly Bettencourt
内容 Content: The title of this seminar was “Music in the Classroom.” It dealt with integrating English songs into English language courses. The songs recommended were pulled primarily from heavy rotation on Japanese charts, or from Japanese commercials, etc. We received lists of suggested music and possible games to try. This was a great session.
感想（職務との関わりについて）Impression: I can really use these ideas for my classes at Yuge, Oshima, and Omishima. The island schools frequently request musical lessons, so I was quite glad to receive these ideas. [Excuse the cheese. This was a report. Ok? So sue me.]ALT分科会２ ALT Workshop 2 (17:00-18:00)
講師 Presenter: Rachel Allen
内容 Content: This workshop was ostensibly about an ALT’s 2nd year experience with the JET Programme. The presentation was broken down into core components of mental, physical, educational, professional, financial, travel, and community goals. There was a lack of concrete help. I feel that these experiences are rather individual-based, so group advice is not as helpful as individual advice would have been.
感想（職務との関わりについて）Impression: I was deeply disappointed by this presentation. This session felt more like life-coaching or a high school guidance session than it did a professional look at an average 2nd year. I also felt like I was deceived into watching a lengthy slideshow soliciting my aid for every charity program for which the presenter works. I wish they had dealt more with opportunities and less with community service. I learned more about helping orphans in India than I did about my 2nd year as a JET. (I’m not saying that this is bad. It’s just a misleading seminar.) [Also, did a pub quiz later, just to prove I don't need guidance in charity works...hahaha.]５月２９日（火） Tuesday, May 29
文部科学省講演 MEXT ALT Presentation (9:30-10:40)
内容 Content: We were given fascinating definitions and cultural disparities with which to analyze Japan-specific working conditions for a Western person. Then we were given strategies that ALTs and JTEs can use for conflict resolution. The conceptual dichotomies and advice given really help with communication issues that occur in the workplace. This was probably my favorite portion of the entire conference.
感想（職務との関わりについて）How I can apply this to my work: I can attempt to craft a process for dealing with awkward situations in each of my schools with each of my JTEs paying careful attention to the cultural mismatches that may be the root of a misunderstanding. Through this awareness, I should be able to contribute to a solution. This presentation was marvelous.ALT分科会 Group Discussion (11:00-12:30)
内容 Content: We had discussions with other ALTs about various broad problems. The topics I chose to converse about were “discipline,” “game time,” and “grading papers” of the available 8 choices. This was incredibly poorly organized. Next to no guidance was given for the timing or point of the session.
感想（職務との関わりについて）How I can apply this to my work: I became slightly more aware of problems surrounding the abovementioned topics and maybe I can use what I learned with my JTEs. [Yes, that's generic boiler plate fluff, there. Sorry.] Other than that, I was disappointed with this part.ALTセミナー ALT Seminar (14:00-17:00)
講師 Presenter: Peter J. Collins
内容 Content: Mr. Collins explained advanced Activity Theory (Engestrom’s work adapted for the JET program specifically) and practical applications in JTE / ALT / class dynamics. This especially dealt with power relationships and classroom management through different scenarios.
感想（職務との関わりについて）How I can apply this to my work: It is hard for me to understand the idea of “English as knowledge” because, as a native speaker, English is a tool that I use everyday. This is a gigantic difference in English education in Japan. Far too often English is treated solely as knowledge, and almost never as something useful. Students learn word lists and set sentences, but they cannot adapt them impromptu to suit a new situation. Team teaching roles are also drastically different here. I felt emboldened and enlightened by Mr. Collins’ comments. He challenged us with 2 sentences in particular. “What are you doing in your class that could not be done by a bilingual Japanese teacher?” and “What do you do that your JTE cannot?” Great.５月３０日（水） Wednesday, May 30
ＣＬＡＩＲ分科会１ CLAIR Presentation 1
講師 Presenter: Will Jasprizza
内容 Content: Mr. Jasprizza, a former Ehime ALT and self-taught freelance translator, presented various humorous hints for studying the Japanese language. They mostly dealt with moments and opportunities that pass by everyday without much notice. Most of them are already used by me, but I suppose it was helpful for other people.
感想（職務との関わりについて）How I can apply this to my work: This Japanese presentation was meant for people who have not studied Japanese very much before, so I felt as though it was far too simplistic. However, having said that, I did take away some powerful goal-setting techniques with clear results. Improving my Japanese will help me deal with coworkers and my language skills will become an invaluable asset to my developing career.ＣＬＡＩＲ分科会２ CLAIR Presentation 2
講師 Presenter: Jim McRae
内容 Content: This was a psychological seminar mostly aimed at relieving stresses and recognizing benefits. We made lists about likes, dislikes, surprises, things gained and lost in Japan. We analyzed how Japan has changed us fundamentally. The key word would be “coping.”
感想（職務との関わりについて）How I can apply this to my work: This is not as applicable to my work as it is to my private life. It served as motivational counseling and as a vent session where my fears and worries were alleviated by other people. It is nice to know that I am not alone in this situation. Sometimes I feel that way. In my professional life, I can prioritize goals and attempt to work toward them. In my private life, I can find ways to maintain a kind of Japan stamina and my interest in the culture and language here. Disinterest or ennui are the biggest internal, self-inflicted enemies of a foreigner living in Japan.
One of the most controversial (not for me, but for other people) things that started at this conference was the attendance enforcement. Apparently, it’s a pretty widespread problem, so they decided to create cards and collect them. (They were colored differently and randomly distributed, so they were freakin’ difficult to fake, I imagine.) They also collected name tags at the end of the last seminar. I hold no malice toward them for these actions. After all, it is my JOB to attend these sessions when they are mandatory. I cannot fathom doing otherwise. I’m a straight-laced nerd, I guess. I dunno. But I still partied. Just not so badly that I needed to recover the next day. 
If you did, don’t out yourself here – my lips are sealed, so your secrets are safe with me. Glad to be back. Busy as anything for the next few weeks, though, so blogging may be spotty. Not from over partying, though. Ha ha.
Anyway, here are the video clips. They’re short and sweet. The first one is the pub quiz. The second is a quick video of the hotel room for the curious. Enjoy.
Customary Drivel, Media, Photos, Trips, Unsolicited Commentary, Video
