Working in Japan

I didn't realise I'd actually sent that last post. So more details...

Basically now I'm going to be a Primary School teacher, in an immersion English school where I'm staying in Southern Japan. I start teaching in April, but am already going in every day to make name places and buy new play carpets for my classroom.

It's a good opportunity for several reasons. First, in terms of career, this is really good experience. Many people thinking about and designing government policy have never had to implement or deliver it, whereas after this if I want to work in Education policy, I can actually say I've known what's it's like to face a hoarde of children every morning. Front-line exposure straight away, not having to wait around for another year studying.

Plus I can get fluent in Japanese too. It's like building a house: go half way and there's not much point. I've spent the last year building walls, but unless I get a roof secured, I'm still going to get wet when it rains. My main interest is still foreign policy, and a languages still seem the only thing (other than luck) that really sets you apart in this area.

Oh yeah, I get a big apartment for free and a real wage for once. Small, tiny, tiny, factor. Honest.

At the end of the day though, the actual job itself is going to be really good. A big part of my CV seems to have been taken up children (YMCA, youth work, Barnardos etc) and with two teachers for parents (and one for a sister) it's clearly in the blood. It's going to be challenging (children will have zero English to start with) but satisfying I think. It's a good school and being a private school, they've got the resources to support the staff. It'll be a good job.

I come home for holidays in the Summer, Christmas and Easter. So don't worry Clare! (I miss you too. Really - so much to talk about)