My first crush-JET program teacher

I still do remember clearly when I first really conversing in broken English. I was in junior high. I attended the worst public school in my town..it was (hopefully it is not anymore) famous for gangs related activities so teachers were very strict especially with “good” kids.

But we did have an American English teacher who was sent to Japan via the famous JET Program. He was only 23 years old and we still do keep in touch. I was 15 years old and I am pretty sure that I wasn’t the only girl who had a crush on him. He wasn’t particularly attractive or anything but he was very available and nice.

He was nothing like my other Japanese teachers..(of course not!). He talked a lot about American school..and he was shocked to see how this school treated us (students) like prisoners with ridiculous rules basically to take away any sense of individualism. Students were trained to really be part of the group system..but they had an English teacher who was opposed to that.

Anyways, my friend and I started to go to his “free” English lesson sessions and although I knew that he was much older than me (adult!), I started to fantasize a lot about him..and I am pretty sure my friend felt the same way although she never said anything about that. And other girls started to come to his “free” English sessions and it was so funny how this American guy was surrounded by 14-15 years old Japanese students..who just look at him..like…wow.

This was the first time I had any crush on a foreigner (beside movie stars) and now if I see the old picture of us together, I don’t understand what I saw in him..but he was nice and was willing to help us learn English..Just like other JET teacher, he must have enjoyed his “status” as “Gaijin” (excuse me for using this word..nothing personal.).

I don’t think he was the popular kid playing football and all that in American school..and It’s been years since I last talked to him. He is happily married to a Japanese woman with two children. They do live in the U.S. I do fondly remember our Free English lessons…no boys..only girls!

Do you want to teach English in Japan? You can join the JET program but there is no way you can mess with girls in junior high or high school now with the strict policies.

Things have changed a lot in Japan.