So I am at a junior high — equivalent of grades 7, 8 and 9, but they are called first year, second year and third year. Until yesterday I had only done my self introduction to 3rd year classes, who have considerably more English to work with (although their professor still translates a lot of what I say).

For the first years, my team teacher warned me they really only know sentences such as “I like/don’t like” and “I have”… please keep it simple!  She suggested there be a worksheet with questions to help the students focus.

So I did my simplified introduction to two first year classes. It’s so hard to think of simple things, like what I don’t like! I felt bad because the only things I could think of that I don’t like are sports and loud music. A great way to alienate 90% of my students? But as my team teacher said, “First year students are very friendly”  so hopefully this year will be a good one!

Correcting the sheets I was very excited to discover not one but THREE drawings of me by very talented students! The drawing at the top was the first one I saw, in a very light pencil that I have enhanced for internet viewing. It gives a good angle of how my hair was pulled back in the middle.

This drawing with the blue shirt says “Kiley-sensei” and maybe also “cat!” (?) [Edit: “niko” for smile -thanks Jules]. The one below looks so much like what I would have drawn in the same grade it’s eerie!   Even though they are all super cute I think the one at the very top is my fave because it makes me like a boring lecturer :) A cute, cute, cute, boring lecturer ^_^