What makes Chris Ballard a serious language teacher - an interview with Waikiki2Yanai

On November 11, 2007 in Interviews

Yesterday we kicked off our interview with Chris from Waikiki2Yanai and found out why he likes running a website. Today we’ll take a look at how he got into teaching, what he likes the best about it, and why sometimes a teacher has to cut the fat.

But first let’s meet the class:

Daily J: How did you get into teaching and more importantly how did you start your own school?! That is pretty impressive!

Chris: I first started with a school I will not name for fear of appearing petty. (Eiko School based in Hikari) and a dragon of an owner who’s name escapes me (Michio Muranaga)
She has since divorced and changed her last name. (Gee, divorce? what a surprise!)

So then I went solo because well…I can do it better.

That’s hilarious! She reminds me of an old boss of mine.

Daily J: What is the best part of teaching English for you?

Chris: Second only to the parents, I as a teacher have an enormous chance to shape their future to impart knowledge and confidence and to enhance their lives (more friends and job opportunities abroad) by giving them the ability to command the English language.

Daily J: I noticed your post about the 2007 purge. Can you tell us a little bit about that? Did you have a lot of adult students taking classes just as a passive hobby (I had my share of those in the past…)? It sounds like you enjoy teaching children more. What is the best part of teaching children (their energy)? Btw, I thought what you said in this post about “shaping young lives” was really touching.

Chris: I take my job very very seriously. Adults are filling their free time. I could go on and on but that says it all really. I had a class last May that requested we stop taking monthly tests on idioms/phrasal verbs etc. That we had studied in class.
Um…
I’m a TEACHER!
and your sitting in a CLASSROOM!!

It was an epiphany for me, and they, along with all the others like them are gone.
All of my adults now are Japanese teachers of English. Their
motivation is high for obvious reasons.
Kids?
They ARE the future and my kids will have serious “juice” because of their personal confidence and multi language skills.

I for one think that Chris is an inspiration for all ESL teachers. How many of you wouldn’t love to cut a few of your slacker students?!

If you are going to be a teacher take a cue from Chris and be a SERIOUS teacher and make a REAL difference!

Okay, I’m off of my soapbox now.

Tomorrow will bring more Chris, so be here.

Your Daily J

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