Yet again...

[azuhlLt.]

...I'm clearly the stupid foreigner with no knowledge of how life works. No matter how much I demonstrate how capable I am in situations, there seems to be a default switch with people. I have told people time and time again, the white lines on the road are there for YOUR protection. If a vehicle crosses that line, putting a pedestrian in danger, it is an offense. If a vehicle touches a person, whilst they are within the white-lines, it is an offense. I walked behind three of our girls this morning, they kept wandering out into the middle of the road. They did not look behind them, once, and caused vehicles to stop because of their negligence. Now, I have spoken with them on numerous occasions about the dangers of the road and it has been translated into Japanese. I'm sick and tired of worrying about the safety of my students, because of the stupidity of my students and the non-action of our staff.

I think death is an important factor to remember and I am willing to accept that death is a 'fact of life'. What is unacceptable to me is avoidable death. I'm sure Paul will back me up on this, regarding recent events: what I would like from you guys is input regarding plans we can make and action we can take to reduce the chance of death for our students.

[Otaku]

I think you can chalk that reason up to Japan being a 'community society', everyone thinking everyone else is watching out for them so taking precautions for your own safety isn't quite that high up there on the list.

[jeisensei]

It's a sad fact, but you could probably lecture them about safety until you are blue or purple in the face and it wouldn't change anything. The only thing that will pound the cold hard facts past that think casing around their brains is either one of their friends or them being involved in a traffic accident (hopefully a minor one).
Two or three months ago we had the same situation where I teach. There is a major road that goes right though my town (it starts in Niko and goes all the way down to Tokyo). The kids were going though that at intersections with no traffic lights and really not paying attention to traffic. One of my kids got hit by a car as he was crossing the road and hit is head hard on the windshield of the car as he was crossing the road. As soon as the other students heard of the accident they started crossing where they were suppose to cross and following the traffic rules. The accident also got the teachers to pay attention and make the routs that they students take to school more safe. In the end the student that was hit by the car healed up and is now fine (though out with the flu now) and the kids are just a little bit more safe (though i wonder for how long will the effect last).

[Paul]

The effect will only last as long as their memories allow, in my experience that means a very short time.

azuhl you are preaching to the choir, and it isn't just kids that have this problem but adults, particularly the elderly as well.

It is a top down problem too and there is little if anything anyone can do to change it without changing the mindset of everyone.

[Paul]

I'm sick and tired of worrying about the safety of my students, because of the stupidity of my students and the non-action of our staff.

I feel for you and truly understand your concerns, however if there is one thing I have learned here is to fight the battles that you can control and to most importantly keep your cool, don't get emotional or angry about it, teach by example, and speak with compassion.

But don't expect the listener to care at the same level you do.

Your students are not stupid really, you were raised and educated in a different society and system. You process information differently and categorize it differently as well. What you see as a problem does not register. It doesn't make them stupid (I know that's the rant talking) it just makes them different. They live in ignorant bliss.

[azuhlLt.]

I'm sick and tired of worrying about the safety of my students, because of the stupidity of my students and the non-action of our staff.

I feel for you and truly understand your concerns, however if there is one thing I have learned here is to fight the battles that you can control and to most importantly keep your cool, don't get emotional or angry about it, teach by example, and speak with compassion.

But don't expect the listener to care at the same level you do.

Your students are not stupid really, you were raised and educated in a different society and system. You process information differently and categorize it differently as well. What you see as a problem does not register. It doesn't make them stupid (I know that's the rant talking) it just makes them different. They live in ignorant bliss.

Cheers Paul, you're right, of course I don't think my students are stupid, it was just ranting. I sometimes wish I was ignorant of more things, but here we are.

Otaku and Jei, thanks to you too, you're both correct, my attitude here is to prevent an accident. I know it's society today, but why should it take something as drastic as an accident or fatality to change things? I managed to make road-safety a priority at a school that isn't even mine...you'd think the one I'm at day-in-day-out would be easier :p

[jeisensei]

Maybe you should try to fit road safety into your English classes. Depending on the level it shouldn't be too hard to teach them some vocab and let them go at writing something about road safety or having a debate. Of course these are just ideas off the top of my head.

[Otaku]

Maybe you should try to fit road safety into your English classes. Depending on the level it shouldn't be too hard to teach them some vocab and let them go at writing something about road safety or having a debate. Of course these are just ideas off the top of my head.

LOL! Yeah, they try to fit every other 'moral' into the lessons, why not try to slide some of your own in?

Afterall, Kumi broke her arm when a bike fell on her near the station.

[jeisensei]

Afterall, Kumi broke her arm when a bike fell on her near the station.