Carolyn Quarterman
(1992-94)
I came to teach in the Business Communication Program at LIOJ in the summer of 1992 and stayed for a year and a half. It was my second teaching job in Japan, actually my second full-time teaching job in my career. The BCP provided a very unique and special teaching experience; the atmosphere there was like none other I've encountered. With the students actually living at the school, teachers really got to know them both inside and outside of class. The teachers at LIOJ were a motivated, creative group who really cared about each other and the students. We often shared or came up with ideas for activities together, many of which I still use in some form in my current teaching. The students-removed from their work environment and conscious of their need to use English in the near future-were also quite motivated and focused on learning. In many ways, it was an ideal teaching environment. And speaking of environment, the view from the top of the school and living near Hakone were also wonderful benefits of working at LIOJ. And where else do you have the opportunity to walk up a mountain every day and occasionally cross paths with a wild monkey?
In short, LIOJ was one of my best teaching experiences ever. Never have I again encountered a group of teachers that worked so well together and enjoyed each other's company so much. I learned a great deal about Japanese culture from the students, and working with such a talented staff helped me become a better teacher.
[Carolyn Quarterman is currently a lecturer in ESL for North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina.]
June 2002
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