I have a new sensei
9 Jul
Right now I’m kind of sulking over the loss of my previous sensei — she injured her back and can’t teach any more so the Japanese language school gave me a replacement.
I’m not sure if I like her.
She enunciated her words as if I was deaf and crazy. She couldn’t understand me much (maybe she pretended not to!) when I lapsed back into English sometimes. She asked me hard questions but I won’t hold that against her because I s’pose it was good for me.
But I really enjoyed Thursdays with my ex-teacher, Kammatsuse-san. She was very well-read and had an interest in current affairs. Not only that but I think we had a very good rapport and sensed that she was genuinely interested in me. We would chat in Japanese about our lives and interests, which occasionally ate into time for grammar but my purpose of taking lessons was not to mug endlessly. She was also very kind and helped me when I had trouble with calling customer service over various government or household matters.
I will miss her because she was probably the only Japanese whom I could communicate with the most deeply. I think meeting every week for the last 18 months helped us to get to know each other better, which feels the same as how I struck up unexpected friendships with my ex-students. During language lessons, you are bound to talk about your routine, habits, beliefs and lifestyle.
The kangaroo has a great friendship with his sensei — they play tennis and go for nomihodai (all you can drink) at an izakaya whenever the kangaroo is back in town.
Anyway, “change” is the theme of every expat’s life. People come and go in your life quite quickly. It’s a bit sad but part and parcel of the experience.
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Oh my gosh, I’m going exactly thru the same thing as you! My portuguese teacher of 9mths whom I adored suddenly had to relocate. She was the best teacher ever. On Monday, the school gave me a new teacher who I hated. It took every ounce of me to stay seated and not walk out during our 2 hrs together. Immediately after, I told the school I wouldnt be continuing classes with her and wanted a new one. I am even thinking to go so far as to have them waive the fee for that lesson! I didnt learn anything and was so exasperated with her!
Yup, I was pretty pissed off too during the lesson so I asked for a new teacher. In fact I’m meeting her today. Unfortunately they wouldn’t waive the fee though it is really a trial lesson. What if I hate this one too? :p