7,000 Voices

"....What does it mean to be human and alive? When asked this question, the peoples of the world respond in 7,000 different voices..." --Wade Davis



(If suddenly my ability to speak Japanese fluently happened over night, this is a message I'd want to bestow to my students in some sort of capacity.Maybe by the time I leave Japan, I can translate this into my goodbye speech.) 




To my dear and wonderful students,

 I tackle with the idea that English is necessary. As this world becomes smaller, an international language doesn't sound like a bad idea. At the same time, I worry what we may lose as globalize. The world has gotten by before, right? But in regards to our English classes, honestly, you're not hurting my feelings if you tell me you don't like English. Learning a different is hard. That's true for everyone. You're not dumb in the slightest if you don't understand a grammar point. And yes, I want you to communicate with more people around the world, but I believe we're tricking you into this idea that English is the only way. It's one way, but not the only. By the time you finish your English education, the number one thing I hope you realize is that you're one of the 7,000 voices. Your language, your culture, your history contribute to the great diversity in being human. All the good and the bad. You're a piece of the beautiful mosaic of Earth and you should strive in every possible way to protect that diversity, the voices giving meaning to the human experience. Find and listen to the stories, share your own. 
Don't bound yourself within the strict, yet strangely comforting boundaries of stereotypes. 


Get out there. The world is waiting for you. It wants to hear your voice. 


Your ALT, 


Jasmine-sensei