English Camp 2007

August 12, 2007

Dear Mom and Dad,

I arrived at camp by bus this morning and things are going great! We are staying at a temple roughly an hour west of the city - one of the first temples on the 88 temple tour! After receiving our room keys and a twenty minute explanation of how to use them ("It is like hotel key"), we got settled in and had some time to meet the other prefectural teachers. A couple of fun ice breakers ensued, including one in which we had to introduce ourselves to the entire group and say something interesting about ourselves. One girl said she drinks too much. She was Irish.


the scenic temple grounds

After a few hours, the students arrived. There were about 40 of them from all over Tokushima and all of them were studying English. What a fun group! After getting settled into our groups, it was time for all sorts of fun English activities, including cooperative craft activities and a game called Robot Wars, in which Japanese students used English commands to control two battling teachers. "Eye poke!"


craft time

After a long day of teaching, we had some time to unwind this evening after the students went to bed. The friendly pilgrims and temple staff on the grounds encouraged us again and again to drink the beer from their vending machines, and there was quite a nice selection of English songs on the karaoke machine. Basically, things have been really good here at English camp! I think I'm really going to like it here.


my group, Mayo Ramen

Love you and miss you lots,
Jeff