Mike Kleindl
(1980-81)
Living and working at LIOJ was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Coming to Japan was a new experience, and becoming a teacher was even newer. Japan in 1981 was in its "bubble age" when steel companies and construction companies were sending engineers and managers all over the world. LIOJ was in its "golden years." The school was a very exciting place for a newly graduated "teacher." Language teaching techniques that I had only read about in graduate school were actually used in classroom! Total Physical Response, The Silent Way, Counseling Learning! English through Drama with Richard Via! It was an amazing experience. Lance Knowles was a powerhouse of ideas. He encouraged experimentation in the classroom, and challenged us to do our best. The atmosphere of cooperation and teamwork at the school was thrilling. And Lance's farewell speeches at the end of every month's class were always moving. We could forgive the cold chicken dinners, and endless pork ginger dishes, because we knew, for a fact, that we were really making a difference in those students' lives, helping them prepare for a life in another culture and making them better communicators.
Most of what I know about teaching, I learned in my five years at LIOJ. Eventually, I became the Community Program director, and taught students of all ages-from elementary school to high school, business students and night school students. Everything I do now in the classroom has been influenced by those early experiences.
I consider myself extremely lucky to have worked at LIOJ from 1981 to 1986 with Lance Knowles, Mr. Shibusawa, the office staff, and all the different teachers that passed through LIOJ, some of whom are still my closest friends. And it was a special honor to work, month after month, so closely with some of Japan's best and brightest engineers and managers, helping them to communicate in English.
I did hundreds of magic shows at LIOJ. And I know I left a little magic there, but LIOJ also has left an indelible bit of its own magic in my heart.
May 2003
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