Teaching English In Japan Is Awesome and Sometimes Hilarious

08/6/08  Print This Post Print This Post    174 Comments   Popular   Written by Abram Plaut
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You never know what your students are going to write.

This was one of the best essays so far.

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Considering teaching abroad? Check out some of our favorite articles on the subject: Top 10 Places for Teaching English Abroad; How to Become an English Teacher in Mexico; and the Beginner’s Guide to Teaching English in China.


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About the Author

Matador ID: Abram

Abram Plaut is an English teacher in Japan and he frequently posts his student's work on his blog Yo! Japan, along with tons of other cool stuff about life in Tokyo, such as fashion, music and interesting eats.

174 Comments... join the discussion!

  • jeff replied on July 8, 2009

    Is someone feeling a little emo today? TT_TT

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  • fio replied on July 23, 2009

    I like this essays. (笑)

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  • Lin replied on July 29, 2009

    Where Do I Start? I’m obsessed with traveling but where do I start? I want to go to places with culture, but not just one. I don’t have alot of money but I MUST see the WORLD!!! I feel alone. Anyone got any ideas?

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  • primus Nkafu Forifok replied on July 30, 2009

    I am interested in your teach English in Japan program and would wish to have application forms sent to me by my e-mail or by mail through

    primus nkafu
    Box 05
    Soa Yaounde
    Cameroon
    Centre Africa

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  • Japanese Words replied on August 2, 2009

    Wow, that’s very honest. I guess we probably saw (will see?) this guy on the news sometime soon. lol

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  • Travel Japan replied on August 5, 2009

    lol … this type of stuff is what makes me want to go back to Japan I love the culture shock, culture barriers, and language barriers. It makes every day a new adventure and a new challenge

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  • Natasha replied on August 21, 2009

    I teach English in Santiago, Chile and one of the exam questions we have to ask our upper-intermediate students in oral exams is:

    Do you like water sports?

    Do you prefer watching or participating?

    I’ve never yet been able to ask it with a straight face.

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  • ebru replied on September 9, 2009

    so cute!

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  • chi replied on October 2, 2009

    I think this guy wanted to write something funny to make the teacher laugh.
    very cute!

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  • Drey Lake replied on October 12, 2009

    This probably made me laugh harder than anything else this weekend. Thanks!

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  • Dina replied on October 13, 2009

    I loved this! I am actually looking into teaching English as a foreign language myself, and this just gave me more motivation (not that I needed it). I am 33 yrs old and am making a drastic life change by picking up and moving to another country (don’t know where yet) to teach English and see the world. The great part is, I know that while I am teaching them our language, I will learn so much more from them. Thanks for the great post!

    Dina

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  • Ryan replied on October 26, 2009

    AMAZING!!! I used to teach in Tokyo and this is the type of stuff I experienced on a day-to-day basis.

    I kept a book of funny quotes from students. It’s classic.

    Thanks for sharing! It brought me right back to Japan.

    @Lin I have a bunch of great ideas for you and your travel. Get in touch if you are interested.

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  • Teacher Dawn replied on November 24, 2009

    I once taught English to Korean students and like your Japanese students, it’s also hilarious and sweet.

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  • Zee replied on December 29, 2009

    I miss seeing hilarious things like that. I, too, was an English teacher in Japan and the “Engrish” and writing assignments were highlights for me. Loved it!

    By the way, in Japanese “pants” means underwear.

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  • Neil Blonstein replied on December 30, 2009

    Learn the language Esperanto. It will bring much more intimacy to the world than English. I say it as a speaker of both (and several other languages.). There is a dialogue on this at this website.

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