I have been doing a lot of reminiscing (see Glossary below) recently because I am celebrating my 25th anniversary of becoming a TESOL teacher. Way back in May 2000, I was offered a position to work as an EFL teacher in Japan. I remember being filled with excitement, with just a touch of trepidation, at the prospect of beginning a new chapter of my life in a foreign country.

I had lots of wonderful experiences in Japan and quite a number of firsts. One of these firsts happened when my parents came over for a visit. We were treated to a fancy meal at Motoyu Jinya, a well-known restaurant in Hadano, Kanagawa, and I had the opportunity to join in a mochi-making activity. Restaurant diners were invited to help beat the cooked rice to a pulp. I remember the mallet being extremely heavy, so I was very pleased when I managed to swing it, and make contact with the mochi (rice), a couple of times.

Being able to participate in a Japanese tea ceremony was another first and another great experience. When one of my students heard I was interested in attending this traditional activity she went out of her way to ensure I was able to do so before I returned to Australia. As part of the ceremony, I remember that the bowl of matcha tea needed to be drunk in three swallows. I’d been a bit nervous about this as my students had warned me that matcha tea was very bitter, and I didn’t like bitter things. Fortunately, I was able to drink the tea, and then I wiped the bowl with three strokes, remembering to fold the paper after each time, as this was another important part of the ceremony. I have very fond memories of this experience, and still have the folding fan I’d been given to use during it.

Yet another first was having the opportunity of being dressed by a professional kimono dresser in a beautiful kimono from her own collection. The kimono dresser was one of my many lovely students and when she kindly offered to dress me in a kimono I jumped at the chance as I thought it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I can’t recall exactly how long it took for her to dress me, but I do remember how comfortable I felt wearing the kimono and this had surprised me. I felt so comfy that I went for a little walk to a nearby shrine. Unfortunately, the traditional Japanese wooden sandals my student had were much too small for me, so she lent me a pair of blue thongs/flip flops to use instead. Luckily, these can’t be seen in the photos.

I had been looking forward to seeing the most famous Japanese landmark up close for a long time, but, unfortunately, on the day we travelled to Yamanashi Prefecture Mt. Fuji was nowhere to be seen. Despite being a bit disappointed, I still posed for a photo in front of where it was meant to be [see below]. Later in the day, as we were driving away, I caught a glimpse of the great Fuji-san as I was looking out of the car window and I managed to take a quick shot.

Before going to Japan twenty-five years ago, I’d never experienced snowboarding. While I was there, though, I thought it was a good opportunity to try it as Japan is a popular destination for lots of Aussie snowboarders. The first time I gave it a go, I was excited and keen to do it again. However, by the third time, I’d decided that it probably wasn’t the sport for me. I do have very clear memories of the exhilarating feeling of snowboarding on powder snow early in the morning and I’m so happy I had the opportunity to experience that.

Although I had many wonderful experiences while I was in Japan, my happiest memories are those of the students I had the privilege to teach during my time there. I discovered that I had a real affinity for the people and, as my students got to know me, they would recognise some of my habits as being similar to their own. This is why students would often remark, “Cathy, you are Japanese!”

If you have studied with me in the past, use the code CATHYSTU when you get in contact to get 50% off any Price Plan for Regular Students*. Click here for the Prices page.

Have regular lessons with Cathy. Check out the current prices, then get in touch to organise your free trial lesson.

Subscribe to the newsletter for news and special offers.

Glossary

reminisce [formal] – to talk or write about past experiences that you remember with pleasure

TESOL [abbreviation for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages] – the teaching of English to people whose first language is not English, especially in an English-speaking country

way back – a long time, or a long time ago

EFL [abbreviation for English as a Foreign Language] – the teaching of English to students whose first language is not English

touch – a small amount

trepidation – fear or worry about what is going to happen

prospect – the possibility that something good might happen in the future

first – something that has never happened or been done before

treat – to buy or pay for something for another person

fancy [informal] – expensive

mochi – a soft Japanese cake made from mochi rice

beat – to hit repeatedly

pulp – a soft, wet mass

mallet – a tool like a hammer with a large, flat end made of wood or rubber

mochi (rice) – a type of rice used in Japanese cooking, which is sweet with short, rounded seeds that stick together when cooked

go out of your way [idiom] – to try very hard to do something, especially for someone else

swallow – an act of using the muscles of your throat, or the amount of something you move into your stomach from your mouth by using the muscles of your throat

bitter – with an unpleasantly sharp taste

wipe – to slide something, especially a piece of cloth, over the surface of something else, in order to remove dirt, food, or liquid

fond – happy and loving

jump at something – to quickly accept something

comfy [informal] – comfortable

landmark – a building or place that is easily recognised, especially one that you can use to judge where you are

shot – a photograph

Aussie – Australian, or an Australian person

exhilarating – making you feel very excited and happy

affinity – a liking or sympathy for someone or something, especially because of shared characteristics

remark – to give a spoken statement of an opinion or thought

* This offer can be used once.