In my last job who-taught-who was just sorted in a random way but in my present job I teach the same students at the same time each week. This can lead to good relationships being built up. It was therefore a sad occasion yesterday for me as one of my kids had her last lesson. Despite the communication problem you would expect between a 12 year old and myself we managed to strike up a good rapport. When she gave me a farewell card I wasn’t expecting it to say too much as kids tend to mostly just learn ‘parrot fashion’ without knowing what they’re always saying.

However, on reading it I was overcome with emotion and came close to shedding a tear but thankfully I regained my composure. Of course I have seen hundreds of students come in and out of my life while I have been in Japan but most of them happen without realisation but this girls words (though in broken English) affected me more than any other students words ever have.