●●❾●❼―Could you introduce yourself?―Please send messages to foreign readers learning Japanese.―I heard that you visited Hokkaido with your students in October last year.―How does the experience you got from living in Japan help you in your work?―After that, you returned to the U.S.A., moved to Hawaii, and began to work at the Waipahu High School, right?es, that's right. When I returned in 2004, I still wanted to work as a music teacher. Waipahu High School was looking for a music class teacher right at that time, so I went to the job interview. And as I went there the vice principal said “I am sorry. We already decided on someone as a music teacher right this morning. Maybe there is something else you'd be able to teach?” So I answered “I lived in Japan for 3 years, and I can speak Japanese a little.” When he heard that, he told me “I see. We are looking for a Japanese language teacher as well.” and that's how I became a Japanese teacher by chance. Since then I grew to love teaching Japanese, and now it has been 16 years already.―Could you tell me some episodes while you taught English in Japan?❷❼IATYMTMIIntroductionInformation■Ⅰ▶■Ⅲ❸・❽・❾Education■Ⅰ▶■ⅢStatusofResidence❹・❺・❻INDEXURL▶http://daigakushinbun.com/ E-mail▶info@daigakushinbun.com［Shodo］［Sado］［Kado］［Ms. Marisa Asato］INCORPORATING Saturday, February 1, 2020 [Winter Special Issue] After graduation ― Job Search in JapanMr. William Smith (at the center of the photo) and 4 of his students visited Hokkaido Noboribetsu Akebi Secondary School last October.Mr. William Smith is a Japanese language teacher in Waipahu High School located in Hawaii, the U.S.A. When he was a university student, he joined in the “JET (The Japan Exchange and Teaching) Program” and worked as ALT (Assistant Language Teacher) in elementary and secondary school in Kyonan-town, Chiba prefecture. We interviewed him to hear his experience in Japan and got message to the youths in Hawaii who are thinking of studying in Japan.was born in Ohio state, the U.S.A. When I was a senior in high school, I stayed in Germany with my friends for 2 months. This was the first time I felt like studying other country's culture was interesting, and I got interested in traveling to other places at that time. fter the stay in German, I entered Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio to be a music teacher. One day, when I stopped by the International Center of my university, I found the flyer of recruitment of “JET Program.” This program encourages the youth all over the world to work as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) in Japan. Since I'd like to see other countries to widen my sights before being a teacher, I applied to the program. Luckily, I passed the interview of the program, and I got an opportunity to teach English in an elementary and secondary school in Kyonan-town, Chiba prefecture in Japan.o tell the truth, I couldn't speak Japanese at all when I went to Japan. Actually, while on the flight to Japan, I began learning some common phrases in Japanese like “sumimasen (sorry)” and “wakarimasen (I'm not sure).” In Kyonan-town, there were few locals who could speak English, and also, there was almost no signs or information written in English. Therefore, I had a hard time getting accustomed to life in Japan. So, I tried to understand necessary phrases that are often used in everyday life in Japan. In order to get accustomed to life in Japan quickly, I focused on developing my “speaking” and “listening” skills, so I made a lot of Japanese friends and spoke with them as much as possible. Students I taught English in my school were also great Japanese teachers. They were very kind to teach me easy Japanese phrases.y teaching style of Japanese mainly focuses on communication. Based on my own experience ●ProfileBorn in Ohio, the U.S.A. Aiming to become a music teacher entered Wright State University in Dayton Ohio. To broaden his horizons, applied for the JET Program before graduating from university. From 2000 to 2003, worked as a foreign language teacher assistant at elementary and junior high schools in Kyonan-town, Chiba Prefecture. After returning to the U.S.A., moved to Hawaii, started working as a Japanese language teacher at Waipahu High School and continues to the present.I can say that even if your grammar or your vocabulary are not absolutely correct, the most important is to be understood by the other person. I am trying to teach my students to convey their thoughts and feelings to their others by using simple words and gestures.he state of Hawaii and Hokkaido, Japan, signed an agreement to enter into a sister-state relationship in 2017. As part of it, we worked with Hokkaido Government Board of Education in the end of March last year. The result was that Waipahu High School would host 4 high school students from Hokkaido for a week, and I visited Hokkaido Noboribetsu Akebi Secondary School (Noboribetsu, Hokkaido) with 4 students of Waipahu high school.y students joined school sports festival, stayed with local Japanese host families, and went to Jigokudani for Onsen. They were great opportunities to experience Japan's life and feel Japanese spirits. I also visited Yu Language Academy Sapporo (Sapporo), a Japanese language school, while I was there. I went to a dorm next to the school and spoke with some international students. I was surprised that they all spoke Japanese Mr. William Smith (on the left) with his familywell. From the experience, I strongly hope my Waipahu students would go to Japan. Actually going to Japan is much better than any class I can teach in Hawaii.think communication is the most important to learn Japanese. Textbooks are also good, however, please go to Japan, make many friends, and talk a lot with them. You can draw pictures and make gestures to have communication. Making mistakes is important. If you do so, you become more motivated to study Japanese after returning home. I wish you all the best for studying in Japan.vol.7Japanese cultureSpecial InterviewMr. William SmithALL THE NEWS & TOPICS FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTSDon't be afraid to make mistakes ― Communication is the most important key for success in studying abroad to Japan進路新聞Hawaii EditionThe Shinro Shimbun
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