2015年06月21日
The Future
Hello!
Last week I wrote about what got me to this point in my life, and some of the factors that went into my making the decision to become a teacher of English in Japan. Today, I want to talk a little about what perhaps my plans for the future are, and explore some possibilities.
It is a well known fact that English teacher positions in schools such as ours are term positions. At the end of these terms, whether they're three months or a year, or what have you, you have to make the decision to stay on again (if it's offered), or try and find another position. The downside to this system is that it is a very nomadic lifestyle, making it very difficult to make relationships that last longer than the terms of your contract. The upside to this is that it makes exploring the world a very real and very possible plan of action. You have to get over your fear of the unknown very quickly, as it is a constant companion. Not knowing where you'll be living in a year, and not being able to plan accordingly is a pretty scary proposition for someone like me, who needs to have at least a little bit of control over those kinds of issues.
However, my lack of control and the anxiety that produces is offset by the amazing adventure that I have every day. Sometimes I have to remember that a year ago, I was living in Canada working two jobs, and now I'm on the opposite side of the world doing exactly what I planned on doing. It's a humbling thought, and I hope I never lose my excitement of it.
I don't know if my future will keep me here in Japan for longer than a year. Certainly there is more of the world to see, and I want to live in as much of it as I can. The amazing thing about this line of work is that there are always people interested in learning and bettering their English, and the longer I am a teacher, the more effective at teaching I will become. It's a reciprocal relationship that I can't wait to build and want to do my very best at no matter where I am. I can't say for certain what I'll be doing this time next year, but I know I'm going to be excited and grateful for every adventure I get to have.
Last week I wrote about what got me to this point in my life, and some of the factors that went into my making the decision to become a teacher of English in Japan. Today, I want to talk a little about what perhaps my plans for the future are, and explore some possibilities.
It is a well known fact that English teacher positions in schools such as ours are term positions. At the end of these terms, whether they're three months or a year, or what have you, you have to make the decision to stay on again (if it's offered), or try and find another position. The downside to this system is that it is a very nomadic lifestyle, making it very difficult to make relationships that last longer than the terms of your contract. The upside to this is that it makes exploring the world a very real and very possible plan of action. You have to get over your fear of the unknown very quickly, as it is a constant companion. Not knowing where you'll be living in a year, and not being able to plan accordingly is a pretty scary proposition for someone like me, who needs to have at least a little bit of control over those kinds of issues.
However, my lack of control and the anxiety that produces is offset by the amazing adventure that I have every day. Sometimes I have to remember that a year ago, I was living in Canada working two jobs, and now I'm on the opposite side of the world doing exactly what I planned on doing. It's a humbling thought, and I hope I never lose my excitement of it.
I don't know if my future will keep me here in Japan for longer than a year. Certainly there is more of the world to see, and I want to live in as much of it as I can. The amazing thing about this line of work is that there are always people interested in learning and bettering their English, and the longer I am a teacher, the more effective at teaching I will become. It's a reciprocal relationship that I can't wait to build and want to do my very best at no matter where I am. I can't say for certain what I'll be doing this time next year, but I know I'm going to be excited and grateful for every adventure I get to have.
