Really? Why is he jealous?
He is very happy, he is sitting on my shoulder right now!

 @nikoniko: that's fine buddy!

 hahahah Right now Im more of a beer sipper after a long day of teaching! Im beat man!

 @nikoniko: Teaching is not the ultimate thing to do

 Yes, I assume so! However thats my current reality and I have to prepare for many classes everyday. I think my style of teaching it kind of odd maybe, I would like to more about how you taught or not how but who you taught. For example, I usually have 7-8 classes a day that range from 10am to 10pm and within that I have classes ranging from kids who are 3-4 to adults who are 70-80 years old. Then here in Japan we just started the new school year this week so, I have been extra busy with new classes and mixing new students into it. However on the bright side today is Friday so, I have one more busy first day and then from next week things will sort of settle for me as I know who and where all my students are for each particular class. One problem I suffer here in Japan is the culture is very anti-social. So, for new classes and new students everyone becomes apprehensive and very shy, so I usually like to start the classes very light with a lot of jokes to sort of warm the atmosphere. This year has actually be particularly good! hahahaha Sorry to have rambled!

 @nikoniko: I worked for the government and had to follow their orders. In the early years I had more freedom than later on. I was forced to do many things I did not want to do and do them their way, not mine. Teaching English became almost impossible if you really followed their guidelines. Too many contradictions became too hard to bear and I'm talking about 35 years of my life. I don't want to look back and I'm glad I found a new life as a writer. How much supervision do you get from Japanese authorities, if I may ask?

 Im sorry to have brought up a touchy subject brother! Im also happy to hear you have set those days behind you and you are now on a path of freedom and happiness!

I have my own English school where I teach kids to adults after schools and in the evenings.
Then I teach at 9 different schools in the mornings but under my own curriculum. So, in that respect Im very free to teach what I want and how I think is most respectable. However, I do have to teach for the standardized test thats national here in Japan. The test have lots of good English but its not presented in a practical form so its really a waste of time for the students and me in a way. There is good that comes from it if you change how you teach it to be more practical but most parents don't really care about the that, they just want their kids to pass the test as fast as possible and that puts a lot of pressure on me as they are not ready to move up in levels most of the time!
So, in short I have very little pressure from the authorities but I do have pressure to push curriculum on little kids who really just need to play in English and get their verbal and listening comprehension skills up before pushing test on them.

Im just also very curious at how other countries teach ESL as I too see many flaws in the system here.
Now teachers who come here on a contract to work in schools as assistant language teachers are put under tons of pressure from their authorities. Sadly most of them leave Japan hating this country deeply!
I have herd many horrible stories and lots of stress from working within the schools.

I personally just go to the schools, teach my classes then leave. So, I don't have to deal with the internal policies and rules other teaches do.

It would be very educational for many ESL teachers from many different countries to come together and help create a standard base that would unify the teaching material and methods. The biggest problem I see here in Japan is every school is all doing different things and nothing is unified other than the national test.

 @nikoniko: I did not know that you teach at 9 different schools other than your own.That means a lot of driving, too. Well, I was at the Nicolai bike manufacturers today and I've got something for you. Can you wait till Christmas?

 Unfortunately that does mean a lot of driving everyday! But, Im very used to it now! Oh WOW Im very excited!! Yes, I can wait till Christmas but am very intrigued!

 @nikoniko: Good news, the Easter Bunny volunteered for the job! The parcel may arrive a couple of days after Easter, however.

 Ohhhhh thank you greatly!
The kids and I will be ecstatic!
Happy Easter!

 Yes, very sweet! Nice vintage Fox colors, it has that 70's motocross feel to it!

 hhahhahahahahah my Doggy Alfie loves his new little friend too!

 "toque" cool I have a new word to use!!
In California we call this a beanie!

 Thank you dearly! New hats feel funky but once they are worn in they fit perfectly!