School meetings.

[jakezecake]

Didn't think that I would waste my first post on something as boring as this. But here it goes.

I've been teaching at a school for 3 months now, and for some reason they always have a meeting every Wednesday. Since I speak almost no Japanese I just sit around and watch people have a meeting for about 1h. Do you think it is reasonable to hang around just because it is during your schedule or do you sneak away and read a book in one of the classrooms? I find it very difficult to prepare materials when I know that every person in the staffroom will hear me use the computer.

So question would be, what do you do during meetings when you understand next to nothing about what they are talking about?

[pakalikaPakalika]

We have all been through them. I have just sat my desk and looked busy. ask if it would bother them if you were preparing things on the computer. Other wise you just have to bare through it.

[Otaku]

First of all, welcome to the forum!

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Now, down to business...

I would have handled this months ago before things got into a routine.

Sneaking probably wouldn't be your best bet. I would simply go ask your JTE if it's okay to work on the computer during the meeting. He/She will ask the kyoto sensei. They say 'yes', you got the green light. They say 'no', you know you've got a bick of a kyoto.

Doesn't mean you still couldn't sit at your desk and prep some non-computer materials during the meeting...

[jakezecake]

Well to be honest, I haven't really made any routine yet, I've asked the Kyoto and JTE what I can and cannot do during the meetings. But I was just wondering since everyone I talk to seem to handle the meetings differently, some never have to attend and get to go home early, some go to another part of the school and some just idle and pretend to be listening.

[azuhlLt.]

I would just sit and try to soak up some language, issue is, meetings are the most-least important aspect of teacher's life, not the kids. Our lot have a bit of flu, I've offered them a way to control infection, using steam-cleaners and issuing masks and other PPE..but stupid foreigner over here knows MEXT-all. Anyway, regarding this issue, they have had six meetings. Three large ones and three small meetings. It's a simple issue really...but requires numerous meetings, because the brass don't want to take responsibility for their actions and it should be a group blame, or win.

I think you should sit down, shut up, do what you're told and make noise at the right time, fact is, you're in a cushty job and you'll never change the system as an ALT. You need to 'appear' part of the team, if you stay at the same school, next year may be different, but for now, just nod and agree.

EDIT: I meant to welcome you, but I got caught up in my own rhetoric...WELCOME TO THE FORUM.

[jeisensei]

Welcome jakezecake

Back in the day when I first came to Japan I knew nothing about Japanese as well. I just happened to get shipped to a school that loved its meetings as well. There would be a major meeting at least once every two weeks that would last an hour and a half to two hours.

I took that time to get my Japanese listening and reading down. I would take out my big old electric dictionary and look up some of the kanji on the handouts before hand and then listen for when they come up during the meeting and how they were used in context. It works well because most of the time the teachers just read the handouts to everyone any way (not like the other teachers can't read or anything...)

Any way, that's just one idea. Hope it helps.

[Paul]

Welcome, first off in all the years I have been doing this I can literally count on one hand how many times I attended any staff meetings while in the public schools here, 1, the first one, and that was because the Principal wanted to introduce me to the staff. After that, zero, now then I may do a number of things during the meeting times, I often just call it a day and head home.

If you are not comfortable with doing that, talk to your teachers, or just dont go to the meeting itself. If it's held in the staff room, head to the library or computer room, where ever, just disappear is one option. If your JTE's or Kyoto dont understand they are plicks.

However if you want to attend, use the time judiciously, read a book, study something, pick your nose, belch, or fart. They will eventually get the idea.

(Suggestion; don't copy my suggestions, I am and near so the teachers just leave me alone)

[Otaku]

I would say that only in Japan is ignorance better played than asking for permission.

Like I said before, 'sneaking' wouldn't be your best bet but a 'timely exit' out of the teacher's room (assuming that's where the meeting is held) before the meeting begins could test to see if they really missed you or needed/wanted you there to begin with.

[Paul]

Like I said before, 'sneaking' wouldn't be your best bet but a 'timely exit' out of the teacher's room

[himitsu]

can't you just read a book?
luckily I never had to attend.

[peet]

I only remember having to join meetings when I did SHS for a bit. This year is the best because my school just lets me go home early!

When I do have to attend those sort of functions though, like others, I just practice listening and remembering new words.

[wingbanditHyrule's #1 Mascot]

Listening can get really boring, really fast. I tried the first few times, but after a while I just would politely duck out. As soon as they would start gathering together, I would excuse myself to the restroom or something. Talking to your JTE before hand is usually the best thing to do if you don't want them to worry after you, but I wouldn't feel bad at all about skipping out.

[azuhlLt.]

Bring a kindle, if they ask you what it is, just say you're trying to translate what they're saying and you can't understand a thing...instant release.

[jeisensei]

Don't get me wrong, I can be a lazy mofo at times, but I can't understand people running away from an opportunity like this to learn the language of the country in which they are currently living. Sure it can be boring and confusing, but that what learning is at times. If the teachers are running away from learning the system is screwed (not that it wasn't in the first place, but you know...)

[himitsu]

well, I can understand though, especially as a beginner it's very difficult to do that (struggling to catch a word you think you know and check the dictionary, not to speak about fighting kanji..), even more to keep yourself motivated..
It's something else when you're in a normal course. And we had this topic before, but some are more talented with self-study, others less.

[Kanashibari]

As a F/T teacher, I have to go to these.
They can be anywhere from 15 minutes to four hours long, and there's been times I didn't even get a day's notice.
Quite frankly, they're a pain in the ass.

Usually, I just sit through them and try to look awake. I basically just skim through the sheets they give me, highlight the stuff with my name on it, and give feedback when it involves me directly. Usually, I just ask the HRT what it was all about afterwards. I make a point of shutting down my PC and leaving directly afterwards, to avoid any "aftershock" discussions.

[wingbanditHyrule's #1 Mascot]

Don't get me wrong, I can be a lazy mofo at times, but I can't understand people running away from an opportunity like this to learn the language of the country in which they are currently living. Sure it can be boring and confusing, but that what learning is at times. If the teachers are running away from learning the system is screwed (not that it wasn't in the first place, but you know...)

Well, I would argue that there are far better opportunities to learn the language that don't require you sitting through a meeting that usually has nothing to do with anything you come into contact with anyway. It's hard to learn much of anything if you don't even really have a frame of reference or anyone to help you figure it out. And I mean, to be honest, I wouldn't want to sit through one of those meets in ENGLISH, even. I appreciate it when they do give me notice, as I think that's just common courtesy. But not having to go is really nice.

[Richard_BenoitEnglipedia Drone]

Every situation is different of course. But generally things improve with time.

First my meetings sounded much like Kanashibari's

After about a year's time, I liked to doodle. (Teacher next to me also enjoyed watching me doodle, those were good times)

And now the continuing trend for about 2-3 years is not attending. And a consensus amongst all, that I don't really need to be there, as I have little responsibility.