What Japanese Actually Think About Foreign English Teachers

[@MidEngine4Life]

Best answer was "I can meet Barrett"

[@barrettish]

haha I thought so too

[@Suzanna-chez-moi]

New to your channel - cool video, I'll definitely be checking out more of your content! Way back in 2003 (omg 20 yrs ago!) my sister spent the year in Korea teaching English. This was in a private school - I don't think they had a general program. I went to visit in September, by which time she could read (good for restaurant menus and small town bus stations) and speak a bit. She was also in a smaller city where there were very few foreigners. One day while she was at work, I went to a local museum. A bunch of little kids, probably 5yrs old, came through the museum - they were much more fascinated by me than the museum exhibits! 😂 There was a giant chorus of kids repeatedly saying hi!

[@barrettish]

Awesome, I like Korea and wondered what it’d be like to actually live there. They’re definitely big on learning English as well, as far as I can tell. I think a lot of foreigners get attention and interest from local kids, especially in smaller areas, but I haven’t had too much of that because I look more Japanese lol. Sometimes it doesn’t register when I say I’m American!

[@etherdog]

If it wasn't edited out, you posed the questions in English and the students seemed to understand completely what you were asking and responded appropriately (although some responded in Japanese). If this is correct, then your efforts as an ALT were extremely beneficial. As I understand it, Japanese who know English can get a higher salary in Japanese companies.

[@barrettish]

Yeah I was happy they were able to understand what I was asking as well. I'm glad I was able to have a positive effect as some level on some of them!

[@HaiTomVlog]

Interesting answers in the interviews… I think the experience of meeting people from other cultures when you’re young is really important for students, even if they never use the language. It helps broaden their perspective I think. 🤙🏼

[@barrettish]

Yeah I definitely agree with that, I think the program is labeled as language education but it’s actually equally a cultural one.

[@sarahm.46]

aww thats so sweet! I love when they replied "soemtimes" to hows their English LOL.! Great Job!!

[@barrettish]

haha yeah... I admit I was crushed a little though when they answered like that since I had taught them before lol

[@blessingsoutlaw]

Excellent! The students really loved you man!

[@barrettish]

Thanks! I hope so lol

[@chrisodell2585]

This was a great interview! Great video! 👍

[@barrettish]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed it! 🙌

[@bluasterisk]

Although I was just an exchange student in college, a lot of my friends were just freshman and just out of high school. Just being in a school setting in Japan is so much more wholesome than I would say in America.

[@barrettish]

Wow that must've been so much fun! I kind of regret not studying abroad in Japan when I was in college or something. Definitely wholesome than the US lol

[@ro-yp9zf]

This was enjoyable. My nephew teaches English at Fukuoka. He seems to love it.

[@barrettish]

Thanks! I’m sure he does, I’m so glad I was placed there to teach as well. I visited last year if you want to see a little more of Fukuoka: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGXHgX6libeJiq8

[@silverbeachcurry]

Barret, were you an ALT anywhere near Hita-Shi? Back in the day. I have a ALT friend there now.

[@barrettish]

I know Hita but I don’t think I’ve ever been. I was in a small city in Fukuoka prefecture, so not too far away!

[@TimFromLA]

I would like to go to Motherland and teach English. Your video is helpful. By the way, did you learn Japanese in J-School in the U.S. or live in Japan, immersing sufficient? I never attended any Gakuen.

[@barrettish]

I studied Japanese in school but I was really bad at it. It was pretty much immersion in Japan for me, which is why my grammar is not really correct and I'm more conversational than business-level. Also, I was in the countryside for my first 5 years so I was immersed in local Japanese.

[@TimFromLA]

@@barrettish Then comes the dialect.

[@lilym9671]

懐かしい❗Barrwtt - welxome bk from a fellow Nikkei who would be your senpai! haha. So many parellels..but didnt get married and came bk to the U.S. to get a grad degree and career going then came bk..so, u can return and reverse culture shock will aleays linger..i went bk to Japan this spring..i wantes to reach out but figured u have no time..thx u for awesome videos during the pandemic

[@barrettish]

Oh interesting, you went back and then back again! I bet there will always be reverse culture shock and a sense of not fitting in completely at some level. Ah yeah, from spring on it was pretty busy for me, that's unfortunate! I hope you're settling in again ok though! Thanks for watching!!

[@lilym9671]

We came bk for Hanami and enjoyed our time bk and fortunate to be able to come in..we could've made a video on our experiences and or stress..felt like a Marathon and when arrived and past customs we wanted to let out a huge cry of relief!! BEST and im using my Moms account as i viewed your video thru my Moms phone w my battery being charged..Hawaii too was great visiting last Nov..but not this yr w elevated airfares for thanksgiving..more than years past years..anyways, would be nice to have a get together in Hawaii or if were in Tokyo again for Hanami and u are there..try and meet up w others..not like a support session haha but some ways like one..Best - AM

[@kageyamareijikun]

You are leaving?! D:

[@barrettish]

Yeah I talked about it a lot here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n2iQZKWogMeFaac

[@wavejockey]

to be followed up/reviewed in ten years orso

[@barrettish]

lol good idea!

[@020untitled]

It's interesting that the actress do not want to show her face on camera…doesn't that give her more exposure 😂

[@barrettish]

That’s not it at all, it’s not up to her. Japanese agencies are extremely controlling about who talent works with, where they appear, how they’re presented, fees, etc.

[@020untitled]

@@barrettish oh I see…thanks…