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Tomorrow is the last day of the job I`ve been doing for the last 2 years teaching at hundreds of seemingly random elementary schools in Osaka. On Wednesday I start training for the next position teaching at a private elementary school and some evening schools around Osaka.

In the new position they teach using a method where you speak at a normal speed to the kids, “At the speed you speak to your mum”, some of whom are only 5. The people who told me this must be working with Americans and Canadians who with some exceptions all speak at a high volume and clearly in a manner nothing like my mumbling drawl. My mother can`t understand me so how can 5 year old children? When I left for Japan I told my colleagues that I was going to teach “Mumbling for Beginners.” It looks like I`ll finally have the chance.

I watched a demonstration of the method and the first year kids were very proficient at following Adam the teacher`s commands. He would employ a Jedi mind trick where if he wanted them to repeat a word he would wave his hand in the manner of Luke Skywalker and they would all repeat the word in unison. Using the Force is a great way of teaching kids that never occured to me before.

I`m not sure if the reason they are able to follow him is not because of the method they teach but because they`ve spent the last year being taught by him and are accustomed to his requirements and gestures. Children are sponges who can soak up these things far easier than adults can but have they soaked up English or the teacher`s mannerisms? Put another teacher in there in his place and will they be able to react as easily as before?