Ten Ways I Failed as a Canadian Teaching in Japan (And What I Learned From It)

The Shocking Truth About Teaching Abroad

When I first moved from Canada to Japan to teach English, I thought I was prepared. I grew up chatty, curious, and able to ramble about everything from politics to maple syrup. I assumed that if anyone asked me about Canada, I’d have ten minutes of material ready to go without even thinking.

I was wrong. Very wrong.

Over the past few months, my students have asked me questions that made me freeze, shrug, or confess: “I honestly don’t know.” And let me tell you — there’s nothing more humbling than realizing you don’t actually know your own country as well as you thought.

Here are ten times I completely failed as a Canadian teaching in Japan — and how those awkward moments turned into some of the best lessons of my teaching career.

1. Visa Types in Canada

As a born-and-raised Canadian citizen, I never needed a visa to live in my own country. So when a student asked me to explain the Canadian visa system, my mind went blank. I vaguely knew that Canada welcomed immigrants and students, but beyond that? Nothing.

I quickly Googled the government’s immigration website — only to discover it looked like the fine print on a tax form. Within minutes, the words vanished from my brain. That day, I had to admit in front of my class: “I honestly don’t know.” And you know what? It felt oddly refreshing.

2. Canadian Children’s Songwriters

I grew up singing nursery rhymes and lullabies. But when one student asked me to name Canadian children’s songwriters, I realized I’d never even thought about it. I knew the songs, but not the people behind them.

It was a good reminder: just because we’re familiar with something doesn’t mean we actually understand where it comes from.

3. Canadian Authors

I’ve read more than 2,000 books in my lifetime. I could give you detailed summaries of Jane Eyre, The Kite Runner, or The Hunchback of Notre Dame. But Canadian authors? That was a blind spot.

Sure, I’d heard of Margaret Atwood and Alice Munro, but I never intentionally sought out Canadian literature. That realization made me wonder: how much of our national identity do we ignore just because it’s too close to home?

4. The Naval Industry and Shipping in Canada

One day, a student asked about Canada’s shipping industry. My first thought: Canada has a shipping industry? I redirected the conversation toward military history, which I knew a bit about, but it was clear I had nothing meaningful to add.

That night I learned something new: Canada actually has major shipyards and plays an important role in global trade. Funny how you can live in a country your whole life and never hear about entire industries.

5. Trains in Canada

My train experience in Canada is laughably small: maybe six rides total, plus a few metro trips in Toronto. I got my driver’s license at 16 and never looked back.

So when trains came up in class, I had no stories to share — until I learned about the ongoing discussions of a Canadian high-speed rail project. My students taught me something about my own country that day.

6. Space Research in Canada

If you ask me about aliens or life on Mars, I’ll talk for hours. But when a student asked about Canada’s role in space research, I had no clue.

The Canadian Space Agency exists, sure, but could I name a single mission? Not at all. Later I discovered that Canada is famous for its Canadarm, a robotic arm used in NASA missions. How did I not know this? Probably because it never showed up in my daily life.

7. Sports in Canada

Here’s my embarrassing confession: I am not a sports fan. Yes, I know hockey is big in Canada. Yes, I know the Toronto Maple Leafs exist. And yes, the Blue Jays are a baseball team (I almost called them the “Bluebirds” once). Beyond that, my sports knowledge is basically zero.

When students asked me about Canadian sports culture, I realized just how out of touch I was.

8. The Olympics in Canada

Naturally, if I’m clueless about sports, I’m equally clueless about the Olympics. I had no idea which years Canada hosted or when we performed well. My students were surprised — wasn’t this basic national pride? To me, it was just background noise I’d never paid attention to.

9. Countryside Population

I’ve worked in small towns like Chatham and Leamington, but when asked about the average Canadian countryside population, I froze. What even counts as “countryside” in a country as big as Canada?

It made me realize how huge Canada really is — and how little we notice the details unless they directly affect our lives.

10. Becoming a Firefighter in Canada

One student asked: “How do you become a firefighter in Canada?” And I had no idea. Why would I? It’s not something that comes up in everyday conversation. But my students expected me to know. Their curiosity forced me to look it up later — and I learned it’s actually a long, competitive process.

Lessons Learned From Failing as a Canadian

At first, these moments were embarrassing. How could I be a native Canadian and not know these basic things? But over time, I realized something important: not knowing is okay.

My students got to see that even native speakers don’t know everything about their own country. And instead of ending conversations, my ignorance opened the door to shared curiosity. We researched together, laughed at my cluelessness, and learned side by side.

Teaching abroad isn’t just about explaining your culture. It’s about discovering it all over again — through the eyes of people who are genuinely curious about it.

Final Thoughts: Why Curiosity Beats Knowledge Every Time

Living and teaching in Japan taught me that the real power of education isn’t having all the answers. It’s being willing to admit when you don’t, and then being curious enough to go find them.

So yes, I failed as a Canadian in front of my students. But those failures became the best lessons — not just for them, but for me. They reminded me that curiosity is contagious, humility is powerful, and sometimes the best answer you can give is: “Let’s find out together.”

FAQs About Teaching English in Japan (and Canadian Culture)

Q: Do you need to know everything about your home country to teach abroad?

Not at all. In fact, admitting what you don’t know often makes lessons more engaging. Students love exploring new information alongside their teachers.

Q: What’s the most common Canadian stereotype students ask about?

Hockey, maple syrup, and Mounties usually come up first — but the real surprises are in the smaller details, like visas and local industries.

Q: How can teachers prepare better before teaching abroad?

Brush up on your country’s history, culture, and industries. But more importantly, be open to learning together with your students. That’s where the real magic happens.