Introducing Mr. Sugawara

Cordelia: Why did you decide to become an English Teacher?

Mr. Sugawara: Actually, it might sound a little strange, but I have never thought I wanted to be an English teacher.

Cordelia: Wow, really?

Mr. Sugawara: Yeah, I mean, when I was a university student I didn’t major in English.

Cordelia: Oh, wow!

Mr. Sugawara: Yes, I studied to be an elementary school teacher.

Cordelia: Oh, I see.

Mr. Sugawara: Yes. So, I took the entrance exam to be a teacher for elementary school teachers, and I passed it.

Cordelia: Oh, really?

Mr. Sugawara: Yeah, so I thought that I could be an elementary school teacher.

Cordelia: Uh-huh.

Mr. Sugawara: But I don’t know why I must start my career as a junior high school teacher. So that’s why it was kind of compulsory. I had no choice.

Cordelia: *laughs* I see.

Mr. Sugawara: But, yeah, now I really enjoy my job and I’m proud of my job. So now I can be thankful for my fate or destiny or something.

Cordelia: I see. I think you’re a really good English teacher, so I think this job suits you a lot.

Mr. Sugawara: Oh, thank you so much.

Cordelia: But did you study English in University?

Mr. Sugawara: Yes, I did. But, actually, of course I took some lessons, but as I said I didn’t think that I would be an English teacher. So, to tell you the truth, I didn’t study so hard.

Both: *laugh*

Cordelia: I see.

Mr. Sugawara: But when I was a third-grade student in university, I joined a kind of international volunteer work. And I have been to some countries and I talked with local young people in English. So, yes, that kind of experience is a kind of studying.

Cordelia: Wow, that’s really cool. 

Cordelia: Ok, do you have any interesting stories about English? For example, stories from teaching, or from travels abroad.

Mr. Sugawara: Of course, I really love traveling abroad and if we can speak English, I think that we can go almost anywhere in the world. And also learning and teaching- I love teaching and learning English.

Cordelia: I see. 

Cordelia: I see. Ok, why do you think English is important or useful for us? 

Mr. Sugawara: Maybe I have two opinions. The first one is that speaking English is kind of a communication tool. So as I said, if we can speak English, we can go anywhere.  And we can talk to a lot of people, and I can touch many cultures or something. But, as you know, in Japan maybe we don’t have to speak English to live. But if we can learn another language, we can learn another culture. And we can get new viewpoints to see the world. So I think this is just my opinion, but all Japanese should study English. 

Cordelia: And last, do you have a message for your students and learners of English or other languages?

Mr. Sugawara: So first of all, please enjoy studying, learning, using English. Yeah, English is a tool. So if you want to use the tool well, the only way is to use it. But if it’s possible please enjoy using it. I think that’s the best way to learn English.

Cordelia: I think so too. Okay, thank you for your time!

Mr. Sugawara: Thank you.