Working late

Today was the first day of a new series of English lessons for the culture club at a junior high school. The students said they wanted to learn more English, so their teacher asked me if I would do it. I said of course I would! Like most foreign English teachers in Japan I am under-utilized, and have a lot of time on my hands. So I was happy to be asked to do more. But this commitment goes beyond normal working hours, strictly volunteer. My supervisor even made it very clear to me that if I got injured during that time, I would not be covered by work insurance. That is total bumpkiss, because all the Japanese teachers work late. But that's the crazy system they have here. So long story short I said yes, and gave my first lesson today. The students and I had a blast giving directions in English to blindfolded friends who had to find their way to the "hospital" (a picture on the floor).

ONE GOOD DEED: Stay late to teach more English on a volunteer basis.