[Witty Title]

Last week was the last week of class for 3rd years. While they officially graduate late February, 3rd years don't have classes for the last month of their school year. I believe this is to allow them to study up for college entrance exams. However, as my school is a non-academic school, most of my kids are headed to various vocational schools. Accordingly, they have already taken their exams and know where they are headed.

It was very interesting to interact with the 3rd years the last month. In the states, most high schoolers can't wait to graduate. Sure, they'll miss their friends, but the excitement of finally living on your own [ahem, supposedly], as well as the beginning of "real life" is very strong. In Japan, nearly all of my students are very sad to graduate. They're scared to leave their friends, nervous to be on their own, and they don't want their lives to change.

I was sad to see them go, as the 3rd years are by far the bravest of my speakers. Not necessarily the best- 1st years are the only students required to take English grammar lessons; a lot of 3rd and 2nd years only take oral, which doesn't focus on grammar.
I kick myself for forgetting my camera last week- I have no pics of my favorite kids. But the ceremony is yet to come, so I can redeem myself!

3rd years also accounted for 8 of my classes. I am now down to 8 classes a week [4 1st year, 4 2nd year]. I have far too much time on my hands... let's hope this results in amazing lessons, but sometimes given too much time is a bad thing...