teaching

This is my first teaching post. I will write in red when I am talking aout teaching. Some background... I am teaching at a university near Osaka. I have been at this university for the past 3 and a half years and I have a year and a half to go on my contract. Most contracts for foreigners here are short term, from 2 to 5 years. I have been teaching in Japan off and on for about 13 years starting at a language school for three years, moving to a high school for 6 and a half and lastly to this university

. In the teaching section of the blog I want to just reflect on things that are happening in my teaching and maybe talk a little bit about what it is like to teach here.

I am teaching 5 classes at the moment, 2 reading and writing classes, one oral communication class and one writing class in the junior college that is connected to this university. So far the start to this semester has been a little rough. I always find it an adjustment getting used to new classes. It always takes time and work to create the right atmosphere and to train the students to do what you want in class. Of course you also have to re-establish yourself to new studetns. It is kind of a pain to get them to the point where they belive you are a good teacher and will follow you in the direction you are taking the class. Thankfully today went better. My classes were more organized and things went more smoothly than they have recently so I am happy.