The Language Teacher
04 - 2003

Recychology




Teachers are sometimes in danger of burnout and fatigue. We may feel trapped in our careers even while fearing retrenchment. Often we're so busy just getting on with daily routines that we forget where we're going and why.

When that happens, it can be worth biting the bullet and simply opting out for while. I got a job collecting garbage for 3 months. My colleagues were very surprised and encouraged me to write about it.

One morning I took out the rubbish, met the truck, and after a short chat I had a job, two days a week, 8 to 5. I'd stand on the back of the truck, get off and on every ten meters, and sort recyclables for three hours at a stretch. I slept very well the first night! After a few weeks I was fit enough to get through a day without physical complaints.

It was quite a change socially, of course. In an all male, working class milieu, I had to rely heavily on my scant, overly-formal Japanese. The experience brought back schoolyard memories of fun...and a few fears, too. But none of the other workers used my disadvantage to test me, and I appreciated that. It was interesting to see what happens to all that junk, too! After a few months, however, my legs got the worse for wear and I quit.

Nevertheless, I developed a different kind of strength from the knowledge that even at 42 years of age there are many things you can do to get by. It was a real break from the mental demands of a master's course and teaching: no planning, no timing nightmares, just a simple, whole-body physical experience in a social, neighborly environment. I felt very free for a while there, and when I got back into classes, I had new ideas and a fresh approach that is much more flexible and effective.

I'm very lucky to have a supportive partner who didn't mind our bank balance going down. If you can, I thoroughly recommend taking the plunge--at least for a while. How those guys bear the monotony of their working life...I can only assume their friendship sustains them.

Simon Cole



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