O Canada!

こちらに来て初めての仕事は、学校のスクールサポーターの仕事です。簡単に説明すると、常勤ではなく、常勤の方の休みが出たときのピンチヒッターのようなもので、休みが出た当日の朝、教育委員会から出勤依頼の電話がかかってくるという仕組みです。

My first job here in Canada has been working in local schools as a Teacher's Assistant.  To put it simply, the job itself is not a regular full-time job.  When a regular staff member at any of the schools in this district is unable to work, I basically cover for them...kind of like a pinch hitter.  On any given day, should someone be unable to  work for a day, half of a day, or (as was the case this past week) even for a whole week, I'll get a call from the Board of Education Placement Coordinator (who also happens to be a new fan of this blog!(*^_^*)) in the morning before the school day begins.  

カナダでの初めての仕事ということもありすごく緊張して、2カ月経った今でも学校に行く日の朝は緊張から胃がキュっと痛みます・・。

As this has been my first experience working here in Canada it's been full of exciting challenges but also, I have to admit, a little shaky on the nerves. Even now after doing this for 2 months I still get so nervous in the morning that my stomach is in knots.

さて、私は主に小学校で働くことが多いですが、やっぱり日本の小学校の様子（自分の小学校の記憶）と比べると、違います！

I have been mostly working in Elementary schools, where I've noticed many interesting differences between Canadian schools and elementary schools back in Japan (at least, compared to my memories of my days as an elementary school student).

細かいところを挙げるときりがありませんが、一番の違いはこれ↓です。

Of course there are countless little differences, but here is the number one difference:

ほぼ毎回違う小学校に行きますが、どこの学校でも朝一番にすることは、国歌斉唱です！

上につけた、カナダを代表する映像と共に国歌を歌う学校もあれば、『French Friday』と金曜日だけ国歌をフランス語で歌う学校もありますし、フレンチイマージョンがある学校では英語で月～水曜日、フランス語で木～金曜日は歌うようにしているところもあります。

With the exception of this past week, almost every time I get a call it is for a different school.  Although each school is different, one part of the morning routine is always the same: the singing of the National Anthem!  The clip above is a video which features a string of classic Canadian images that plays to the accompaniment of the Canadian National Anthem.  It has been interesting to see students singing along, sometimes in English and sometimes in French!  At one school, even though the students aren't in a French Immersion program, once a week they will try to sing in French (they call it "French Fridays").  At one of the French Immersion schools, the students sing in English Mondays through Wednesdays, and in French on Thursdays and Fridays. 

上のビデオは、カナダの素晴らしい映像が集められているので、ぜひみなさんにも見てもらおうと付けました。

The video above is a really great collection of some wonderful images of Canada.  Unfortunately, I could only find the musical version (the one usually played at school includes singing).  I hope you enjoy watching it!

日本では、国歌斉唱をしない先生が処罰を受けたり（今も公判中かと思いますが・・）、国歌斉唱に関しては賛否両論です。

愛国心ということにもいろいろな意見があると思います。

In Japan, a school teacher was actually punished for refusing to sing the National Anthem (I think the case is still before the courts).  In Japan, there are pros and cons to singing the National Anthem.  In my country, patriotism and nationalism are contentious issues.

カナダに来てから思うことは、カナダでは愛国心はとても大切なこととして考えられているように思いますし、カナダグッツもたくさん売られていますし、人々も身につけています。

例えば、一番代表的なのはバンクーバーオリンピックで一躍大人気になった手袋

I've found since coming here that in Canada, national pride is seen to be a very important thing.  There is a lot of Canadian merchandise sold in stores and it is very common to see people here wearing something that has a Maple Leaf on it or is in some way Canadian.  A good example of this was the Vancouver Olympic mitts that became a super hot item for kids and adults alike. 

2010年モデル

2011年モデル

他にも、カナダとロゴが入ったTシャツや服
There are various clothing items that have a Canadian logo

などなど、たくさんカナダをモチーフにした商品があります。

日本ではあんまり日本をモチーフにした服が人気になってることはないように思います。

これも文化の違いですね。

今日も学校で "I ♡ Canada"と書かれたTシャツを着ている生徒がいたので、そう言えば・・と思って書きました(^.^)

In Japan, I can't think of anything similar that would compare to what I see here in Canada.

I suppose this is another difference in culture.

Even today at school there was a student wearing an "I ♡ Canada" t-shirt, which prompted me to write this blog entry.(^.^)

国旗や国名がデザインになっている商品が人気、不人気に関わらず、自分の国のことが好きだなぁ、いいなぁと思えることがいいなぁ・・と個人的には思いました(*^_^*)

Regardless of the popularity or appeal of merchandise bearing a country's flag or name, personally speaking I think the idea of liking your own country or being able to say that you like your country is a great thing.  

国旗や国名がデザインになっている商品のことを考えると、他の国はどうなんだろう・・と自然に思考が巡ります。イタリア、フランス、ケニア、アメリカ、フィンランドなどなど・・・それぞれの国に住む友達・家族にに今度話す機会があったら聞いてみたいと思います(^.^)

In writing about all this, I got to thinking: What about other countries?  Italy, France, Kenya, U.S.A., Finland, etc.  The next time I have the opportunity to connect with friends and family living around the world, I  look forward to finding out more about it(^.^)