Farewell to my favourites

Yesterday I had my last classes of this school year (Japanese school year is april – april). I was pleased that my last classes were also my favourite classes, as I was able to finish the school year on a real high, and still loving my job! In all 3 classes the teachers decided to scrap the text book today (which is quite a big thing for an academic school!). We sang 2 songs, we had a prize-giving time, where the students with the most stickers from the year won prizes ranging from chocolate to stickers to a Mr Men book (thanks heaps Mum!), and then I presented every student with a small certificate that I had made for them. I told the class it had been a pleasure to teach them, and wished them luck for their next 2 years at high school. The rest of the class was free-talking time, where the students were allowed to ask me any question they wanted (favourite Japanese food, do you have a boyfriend, do you like Japan…that kind of thing!). Loads of the kids also wrote little thank you / goodbye / I love you notes for me! I have a big pile of little notes. Here are some of my favourite ones :

“I will never forget your smile.” (sounds like I’ve died or something!)

“On the first sight I saw you, I thought you look elegant.” (from a girl who is obviously blind….thought I’d say it before someone else did!)

And of course…my biggest fan…Mr Ito
“I will give you a few words. First, I want you. Second, I need you. Third, I love you forever. I have really enjoyed your class. I will keep waiting that you are my wife. Thank you, thank you..again…I love you forever. Goodbye, a little time…I’m not cry!” (That’s quite good English for him!! I'm impressed!)

At the end of my final class, Mr Tanigawa, came over with his gang of mates egging him on…and spent about 20 minutes speaking whatever English he could think of ;

“My father is not a dog. But I am a dog. That boy there (he points) is a frog. He is frog man. (I ask why) Because he is always turning green!.”

Just when I thought he had finished, he would start a new topic! I was starving! It was 12.45! I was relieved when he said ;

“Very finally. I didn’t like English. When I met you, my eyes turned yellow like Madame Hooch (who?), and now I like English. I also like your hair!”

And so ends my first school year as an ALT!