My visit school JTE asked me to say a farewell greeting to the teachers and staff and prepare a presentation about my Japan memories for the students. I told her that it would be very difficult for me to do so…it would be hard for me to say any goodbyes and I told her not to say anything to anyone. I want it to just be a normal lesson day as usual. She was ok with it, but I feel bad for vetoing her idea. Did I make a poor decision in asking to do it this way? I don’t think I could deal with how everyone would treat me as if I were leaving forever. I kind of just want to leave quietly.
13 comments
Of course it’s entirely up to you. BUT I have talked to a few Japanese people about their experience with ALTs in school and a surprising amount remember them.
Despite what some people may say you may have left a lasting impression on those kids. I think Japanese culture seems to make a fuss over these things and it could be nice to share how much this time meant to you or not.
Of course at the end of the day it’s your decision, but even if you’ve been here a short time (I have no idea how long you’ve been here) it’s true that there will indeed be some people who remember you for one reason or another.
It also could be unfair to your students if they do wish to say goodbye or say thank you for anything and don’t get the chance. Same goes for co-workers.
When all is said and done I do understand why you would want to do it this way, but personally I don’t think it’s the best course of action.
You need to create goodbye bravado to reinforce the stereotype that all foreigners in Japan are temporary visitors.
[deleted]
Maybe it’s okay not to do a whole special lesson, although I think you should probably take 5 or 10 minutes at the end to reflect on your time in Japan.
Refusing to say goodbye to the staff on the whole is incredibly rude, and if you’re that kind of person then it’s good you’re leaving. In reality all of the teachers already know that you’re leaving, so it’s out of the JTE’s hands.
It’s up to you but I think you’ll be hurting the feelings of a lot of your students and coworkers by simply disappearing.
Don’t cry.
Don’t cry.
It’s ok to cry.
It’s ok to cry a little.
It’s ok to cry a lot.
Whether it’s tears of joy or sadness is up to you though 🙃
How is your relationship with this visit school if you don’t mind me asking? How were the teachers and students? Did you like them?
I think it’s only polite to do so…don’t ghost them🥺
No. As a teacher, there are many last lessons without goodbyes. It’s OK. Don’t feel bad. Do what you need to do. As a teacher both in the US and Japan for nearly 20 years there are way too many times that I wanted to say goodbye and other times I didn’t want to. It’s a personal decision. Some students you feel more connected to than others. You do what makes you feel good.
Ideally you tell the kids early and often.
Don’t reminisce in your final classes. Just play high energy, fun games and have a good time. Just before Aisetsu, give a few minutes speech. Say why you’re going, where you’re going, and what you want your next job to be and that you’ll do your best. If you know your successor, you can tell their name and country, and ask the kids to look after them because they’ll be new and shy.
What you wanna avoid is the big gym farewell party. Ask if you can give an address via the announcement PA system on your final day instead.
Honestly though, if it’s your first time leaving a school, you may not be able to keep it together. It’s a unique problem to teaching, and it takes several heartbreaks to develop a resistance to.
You’re leaving and might never see them again, so what does it matter?
My base school has been taking pictures of me in classes all week, and I’m really getting worried about what they’re planning for my farewell… If I could choose to just ghost out of there, I would 100% choose that 😅
You need to at least say goodbye to people you were close to and announce your departure. Otherwise they will feel as if they did something to run you off.