As I have taught English as a second language for four long years here in Japan I have come to a few conclusions that I would like to share with you. These observations have come from countless lessons of a good cross section of Japanese society. I have taught educators, housewives, students, professional "engineers" (yeah right!), jobless bums living in their parent's houses, and even the occasional Brazilian living in Japan.

I could see as many as 24 students a day, but usually I see about 10 to 13. I have come to the conclusion that people, far and wide are generally stupid. Well, maybe I should say ignorant and stupid.

Firstly they are ignorant of everything, which is why teachers, like myself, have to explain to students what every little word means over and over. Many concepts/words that we take for granted in English are just not present in Japanese. Or when the concept or word is present, the Japanese have bastardized it by slurring the pronunciation and often times the entire meaning too. Since when does "smart" mean "slim"? And I'd really like to know how the word "consent" came to mean "electrical outlet" to a Japanese person.

Secondly Japanese are so ignorant of the world outside of Japan. Not just housewives either, I'm talking about professionals. Basic geography and earth science skills are just not present. Many students like to say: "I like Japan because Japan has four seasons." News to them that most of the world has four seasons. A lot of the younger high school students that I teach have no idea where penguins come from. No clue at all.

Okay so they're ignorant, give them a break right? Well, I thought that too at first. I thought maybe they just need some exposure and that I'm the one to give it to them. Boy was I wasting my time. We have this tool with which I can draw pictures. So I draw a nice map of the world and then draw Antarctica too. I swear over half of the students have no idea wtf Antarctica even is.

But I guess that it's good that most of our students aren't so bright. They just keep emptying their wallets into English conversation fees. They'll never understand the old saying "A fool and his money are soon parted." They won't get it not because it's English, but because they're idiots.