Altering course
In August last year I set out to study Japanese at Wits. At the time I did not realize what an incredible experience it would be for me. The language is fascinating, the course was involved, the students where fun and, most importantly, the teacher passionate. Not often have I looked forward so much to any other class than Japanese and it made an immense difference to the experience of my tour of Japan this year. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the teacher’s teaching style and actively participated in class as she would show us videos, play language games, consistently engage in dialogue and went out of her way to help us get to grips with the material taught. I struggle a lot with – suck at – Japanese as I am used to cruising through most academic studies with minimum effort and this requires a lot of hard work. What I enjoyed the most and thought I was good at was studying the writing systems as I am very visually orientated. After I came back from my travels, I missed half of the classes for the second course and additionally had to review work done 6 months ago in the first despite having some practice in Japan. Fortunately, after studying hard (much harder than I normally would) I passed the second course, even if the mark wasn’t to the best of my ability. I have only done two courses so far and have an incredibly long way to go still. It is a pity that I have to put my study of the language on hold for now.
My company has awarded me with a bursary to continue my studies in Computer Science towards a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Computing and Information Systems through London Metropolitan University (via part-time courses held at CTI). The first year I have to complete an International Advanced Diploma in Computer Studies course and the second will be the final year of the degree. Judging from my previous experience of studying full-time at CTI, it will be tough. The material is not so much difficult as it is a lot for 7 hours a day- part-time study will be even more so 3 hours a night. Being an IT professional already, the job sometimes requires working overtime which will strain studying if I don’t stay ahead. On the other hand, my studies will benefit my company from the start as the course content covered is directly relevant to the work I am doing. This endeavour leaves very little time for any other activities and unfortunately no time for learning a new language, especially one as difficult as Japanese. Of course, there is a bigger picture brewing in the background.
Upon receiving the degree I will be eligible for the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme (JET). JET is an initiative by the Japanese Government that brings graduates to Japan as Assistant Language Teachers, Assistant Cultural Exchange Teachers and Sports Education Advisors in Japanese elementary, junior high and high schools, or as Coordinators for International Relations in local governments and boards of education. After paying my company back for their investment in me, I will apply to become an Assistant Language Teacher for English (and maybe teach some colourful Afrikaans expressions). If I succeed, I will do a Japanese language course part-time in Japan which will provide me with plenty of opportunities to practice.
I’ll be very lucky to find a teacher as excellent as the one I have had and a class as small and vibrant as those I have made friends with here. In fact, it is a bit sad for me and I will miss them all very much. I have had such a phenomenal experience. But I have an incredible opportunity now and my business module classes start in November already. Living in Japan is one of my great dreams and this could be my ticket.
Related posts:
Japanese Lessons
Serendipity
See also:
International Advanced Diploma in Computer Studies
BSc Hons Degree in Computing & Information Systems
CTI
Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme
October 25th, 2006 at 10:32 pm
“Receiving later is spawned from current sacrifice”
There are millions of people on that island, but it remains an island! With your destiny come other destinies, especially those of others!
The chances are ten years from now you will find your self smirking at a paper on your desk that you are marking. A young boy will ask you what you are smiling at (in Japanese), and you will reply to him in his mother tong – “It brings a smile to my face now that I the learner have become the teacher… you did well in this test so keep up the good work, maybe one day you too will be teaching others in this land of the rising sun”!
Your WITS teacher has giving you something that is found in no text book, Care and Passion – remember that when you teach one day! It only makes your sacrifice now so much greater, for you will later receive what is due to you!
October 27th, 2006 at 2:19 pm
Alfling, thanks for the encouragement. Indeed, for me, all those things you mention would be great achievements.
June 11th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
I would like to learn the Japanese language but cannot join a course at Wits with my current job.
Do you have any suggestions where to study in South Africa via mail?
Unisa for example - but they do not hold a course for this unfortunately
June 12th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
Nita, Japanese is not a massively popular language in South Africa. I am always surprised by how few South Africans even know the difference between Chinese and Japanese culture despite all the sushi bars popping up everywhere. This of course does not mean that you should abandon all hope, but rather that you should be prepared to search a bit longer for a solution that is suitable for you.
Before starting at Wits I searched the yellow pages for schools and found at least one that would be able to offer private lessons. However, if you can’t take that route you might have to consider using internet technologies to help you learn. There is a Japanese Language school in Cape Town called Cape Town Nihongo Kai that offer internet lessons via Skype. Lessons are generally provided by a native speaker who is also an experienced translator and interpreter.
You might also want to give JapanesePod101.com a look who offer free audio and video lessons for download (as podcasts) that I have found to be very informative and interesting. Additionally they have paid-for-subscription services that include all kinds of extras.
Finally, the last recommendation I can make is to find Japanese friends who can help you learn. A lot of Japanese people want to learn English too. Because the community in South Africa is very small, you might have to look on the net. There is a language exchange site called Mixxer that allows you to search for people to interact with through Skype. I have found at least one good friend this way.
I really hope that these suggestions are by some means helpful. Let me know what you settle with and if you have found anything else that is useful.