Language School

Monday was probably one of my busiest days so far. At 8am I met with Keith and we road our bicycles over to the Language School to see if I could sit in on a class. The only concern was the language classes started a month ago. I was hoping when I arrived I could start in a class where it was past the beginning stages but yet not to far so I would have to review my previous Japanese and also learn new Japanese at the same time.

I sat in on the class for 2 hours and I think I understood about 75-80% of it. They had just finished chapter 6 in there book. So the setup of the class is that it goes from 9am to 1pm. You have four 45 minute classes with a 15 minute break after each one and it goes from Monday to Friday. So Keith helped me get signed up for the class, which was at a perfect position to start. We then returned home about 12:45pm and then at 2pm Bryan called me up and we went out and purchased a bicycle, a desk, a chair, a cell phone, and signed up for my alien registration card. We got back about 8:30pm after all of our shopping. I then had to review for todays language class.

So today was officially my first language class. Listening and speaking Japanese for 4 hours straight is extremely tiring and very hard to stay focused but I have a great sensei who is very energetic and helpful. She does not allow any foreign language used during classtime. So I am in a class of about 18 students which most are Chinese, one Thai, one Arabic, and me the tall American. The class is very challenging because nothing is explained in English at all but this is by far the best way to learn.

During Kodomo no Mori Camp, there was the question what one word describes you best? I said Takai, which is High often used for tall. I chose this word because 80% of the BEST Club told me that when I first met them. So now I am in a new class and the same word describes me the most, Takai. I have also had some funny initial questions asked to me from fellow language students. One girl asked me if I was married. Another girl asked me how tall my girlfriend was. I have also been able to see different cultural barriers with these students at Language School because the idea of space is a bit different when talking with different people.

I still have not unpacked or setup anything in my room, so I hope to get some work done during the rest of the day.