Aisatsu shimashou! Today my students did self-introductions, or “aisatsu” in English class. Just another reminder of why I love my students so much. They never cease to make me smile (even if it is sometimes snickering over their slightly “less than typical” use of the English language.) Here are some examples of my 7th grade class (they’ve come a long way for not knowing the alphabet in March!): (quiet, reserved girl) My name is Nozomi Anzai. I got to Segawa Junior high school. I walk to school. My favorite subject is English. I don’t like P.E. I’s very tired. I want a TOKYO Disneyland RESORT ticket. Ms. Holly What kind of food do you like? (VERY loud and obnoxious boy) My name is Sasaki Yusuke. I like math very much. It’s interestingand funny. I like banana. It’s yummy. I like baseball. I play baseball after school. Come to school by bike. I have for breakfast riceandegg. I want TV game. Do you like nature. (shy, but curious boy) I’m Watanabe Misaki. I like P.E. very much. It’s interesting. I play basketball after school. it’s very happy. I don’t play soccer. it’s not easy. I want CD. Holly, wat’s your favorite season? (painfully shy, won’t even look at me in the hall boy) My name is Tomoki Yanai. I like math. very interesting. I like penguins very much. It’s very cute. I want TV game. I come to school by bike. Ms. Holly, What animal do you like? (the class “you can’t make me do my work” boy) I’m Yuma Miura. I like noodles. I play baseball after school. Do you like donuts? Also adding to the day’s enjoyment was observing Madoka, another 7th grade girl, come up to her friend Mari, who looked slightly under the weather. She cradled Mari’s head in her arms, stroked her hair like a concerned mother, and with an urgent but cheerful expression called out (in Japanese, of course), “Teacher! Teacher! Mari’s feeling a little bad. I want to help take her to the nurse’s office,” and proceeded to gently wrap Mari’s arm around her shoulder, slowly leading her out of the classroom to a place where she could feel better. It was such a tender moment amidst the chaos that ensues at the end of class. Sometimes I wonder, “What on earth was I thinking, assuming that I would teach these kids something.” They’ve taught me more than I could have ever imagined already.