Tochigi it is!

Hmm. Only my second post and I've already let it slip for a few weeks. Better get on with it.

Back in late May, I received an email from my JET Coordinator letting me know that I’ll be working in Tochigi Prefecture. The take home info from this is: (i) Tochigi is not out in the sticks (kinda) being only about 1 hour train ride from Tokyo; (ii) I’ll be working in a senior high school for the Prefectural Board of Education (BOE).

Without hesitation I researched as much as I could about the prefecture. Impressive mountains, expansive plains, three UNESCO world heritage sites, temples, onsen and gyoza are some of the items that Tochigi-ken boasts. Struck it lucky there! Also I can’t help but have slight feelings of relief that I'm not going to be cast out in the furthest frontiers of Japan (like the Oki Islands or northern Hokkaido).

Given the structure of the Japanese education system, being employed by the Prefectural BOE means that they have yet to assign me to a high school. This leaves me guessing as to which one of the main towns I’ll be spending the next year living in. Following some JET-related forums online, I found that many other JETs who will be working for the city or town BOEs will be working in elementary or junior high schools, and automatically know where they’ll be based. Still I can’t complain. At least now I know what to expect climate-wise (i.e. cold, dry, snowy winters and hot balmy summers).

A lot more detailed information is incoming in the next few weeks. Currently, I'm waiting to hear from my BOE supervisor and then my predecessor. Apparently, they are the ones who bear the most crucial information: what will the ALT duties entail; what’s the JTE (Japanese Teacher of English) like; what’s the accommodation like (and what will they be peddling along with it); what’s the Bavaria equivalent in the local supermarket. You know, vital stuff. 

In the mean time the embassy has posted out a handbook and some Japanese learning materials to supplement my existing study. I'm currently using Textfugu.com to study Japanese and I'm on Unit 4 (of about 8). It's quite good as I've got the kana down, have about 70 kanji under my belt and now I'm exploring the intricacies of Japanese grammar. Fun times. 

I need to pick up the pace though and start into some proper phrases so I can get by on some pidgin Japanese over there. That should pass the time until I start hearing from the BOE and predecessor (they have until 27th June apparently). Ball is in your court guys.