Teachers?

Today I learned...

Many junior high English teachers...
Don’t speak English?
Can’t speak English?
Refuse to speak English?

That’s...
Shocking.
Appalling.
Outrageous.

If they can’t speak English, they shouldn’t be teaching. There are plenty of people in this country, both Japanese and foreign who are fluent in English and can teach. Someone (with board of education connections, but no longer teaching) told me today that many teachers do not want to speak English in class. Don’t want to?!  And I asked him if the teachers ask questions to the students in English. He said “No. Never.” He laughed, as if they would never think to ask a question in English.
And I asked him if the teachers give explanations in English. Again, he said, “No.”

I was thoroughly disgusted. Thankfully my acquaintance is working to improve the situation.These teachers are educators. It is their responsibility to...
＊speak as much English as possible
＊not only teach grammar, but to converse and to question- in English
＊make class interesting and fun
＊insist that the text book they use is actually useful and contains correct, natural, up-to-date English

If they don’t do at least these things, then they are a disgrace to the profession.


hmph.
 
 

But I'm Not Improving!

Student: Why am I not improving?
Teacher: How much do you speak English outside of this class?
Student: Never.
Teacher: Do you review the text or notes you have taken?
Student: No. Never.

This conversation actually takes place occasionally between various students and teachers I know. A lot of the students don't even take notes in class. No notes at all. The students often blame the teacher because their English is not getting any better.

Take notes in class. Do something at home. Something...anything!! If you do not put some effort into it, then you WILL NOT improve.

Good luck.

That's just fabulous!!

They've been at it again....those old guys that write text books and English learning material. More unnatural, weird English.

"Adore. Fabulous." I have heard from several Japanese male friends over the years that these are words for women. Well...women in 2012 do NOT use these words! Maybe they did back in the 40's or 50's but not anymore. These words and others like it should not be included in English books if they are trying to teach up to date, modern, casual English as spoken in America.

I just saw "adore" in an NHK book the other day. And the book explains in Japanese that it is a word women use. I asked my female acquaintance (Canadian girl in her 20's) just to make sure I'm not going crazy. She said "No," she doesn't use it. And she doesn't use "fabulous" either. These are words you hear rich old ladies saying in movies. Or maybe a TV show mocking the rich or British.
"That dress is just fabulous, darling! Fabulous. I adore that color! Absolutely adore it!" You will rarely hear this in a natural, normal setting from a man or woman.

The Japanese language has a bunch of words for men and for women- words which are rarely, if ever spoken by the opposite sex. English is different.  We do not have words for just women or just men- not anymore. Not any that I can think of off hand at least...

It's hard enough to learn a second language without a bunch of out-dated nonsense thrown in. Good luck sorting the trash.

＊注意＊enjoy＊注意＊

Enjoy: Many Japanese people use this word way too much.

For example:
I ask "What did you do last weekend?"
they say "I enjoyed pasta at an Italian restaurant." or "I enjoyed a movie with my friends."

Just say: "I had pasta at an Italian restaurant." or "I saw a movie with my friends."
If you really want to express your enjoyment, you can add:
"The tomato sauce was really good." or "It was really funny."

We don't really use enjoy in natural conversation. It's very "junior high school text book."
Also with hobbies:
"I play soccer." not  "I enjoy soccer."
"I like drawing." not "I enjoy drawing."

We do use enjoy sometimes. For example, if my student is going to France this week, I might say: "Enjoy your trip!" Or if she is going to the movie theater, "Enjoy the movie this weekend!"




...and about that tomato sauce I mentioned. Notice how I didn't say "delicious." Another word we rarely use in conversation. Just say: It was good. (or so good, or great, or wonderful...)

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day! 

 And there's an "s" in there (it's not Valentine Day).

Anyway, a lot of people don't seem to understand what Valentine's Day actually means outside of Japan. I'm not too sure about England or European countries, so I'll stick with America. But first- the history. The name "Valentine" comes from a couple of Christian martyrs who lived way back in about 200AD. Both are called Saint Valentine. It was Chaucer in the middle ages who associated St. Valentine's Day with love (he mentioned it in a poem in the 1300's). In the 1600's Shakespeare also mentioned Valentine's Day. By the time the 1900's arrived Valentines Day was the day to give cards (often handmade). By this time Valentine's Day had become a day for lovers. And by 2000, Valentine's Day had become: cards, candy, roses, balloons, jewelry, underwear, and other gifts. Those couple of poor martyrs are forgotten...

In America, Valentine's Day is not just for lovers. And certainly not just for women giving to men (or male co-workers they don't even like). Many of the cards bought in the US are from parents to their children. My parents always gave me chocolates and sometimes balloons or flowers for Valentine's Day. And I made cards or drew pictures for them. Elementary kids in America give little cards and sometimes candies to each other, and of course their teacher. There's not a lot of home-made stuff going on. People rarely make their own chocolate or cakes. Usually chocolate is store-bought. Some people spend a lot of money- jewelry, expensive dinners, etc. Adult women might give chocolate, but usually buy a gift or something he actually likes. Men are more often then not expected to do something (anything) romantic. Many women are not looking for expensive gifts, but they definitely want something- even if it's a rose or card with something nice written in it. 

Card and candy companies make a lot of money, and a lot of Americans complain about "greed" and "commercialism." And a lot of people who are single complain that they "hate Valentine's Day," because they are lonely and bitter. Personally, I think it's nice to celebrate my feelings for loved ones and to let them know that they are important to me. So now I'm going to e-mail my Mom and tell her "Happy Valentine's Day."
                              　　　～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～
                                        

*nicest Valentine's Day gift I've received: In the 3rd grade, the boy that liked me came to my house with a big heart-shaped box of chocolate. Very sweet, especially for a 9-year old boy.

*worst gift: My college boyfriend gave me an old dirty doorknob from the boy's dormitory. And he actually thought I would like it...so I guess in a way, it was kind of sweet of him.

“Idioms and Slang- Why I don’t teach them”

Down in the dumps, pull your leg, nincompoop, hit the sack...These are all idioms found in my American idiom book. None of them are used anymore (at least by young people). If you use them, people will either laugh, look at your strangely, or be reminded of their mother. Idioms become outdated. Fast. Same with slang, but faster.

Japanese text books love to throw in some idioms. They’re fun, colorful ways to make a natural conversation, right? Probably not...
I don’t teach idioms and slang for three reasons:
#1. As mentioned above, they come and go out of style really fast. Example: The party was a blast. This is no longer used. The party was da bomb. Used in the 90’s. The party was sick. Used currently. Avoid problems and just stick with: The party was fun. Fun is always in. Cool is also pretty safe.
#2. Unfortunately, they often sound awkward coming from a lower level English speaker. You may want to sound “natural,” but end up sounding like you’ve been...studying an idiom book. Native speakers hear them from friends, on TV, and read them in books all our lives, so we know how to use them properly. If you try too hard to insert them into your sentences, it will sound forced and unnatural.
#3. They should not be “taught.” If you go to school abroad or watch foreign TV shows, you will pick them up yourself. Really, it’s better that way. 



Of course if you have any questions about slang or idioms, I would love to answer them and give some examples (if I can). But you won’t see me teaching any “Slang Lessons” anytime soon.

My students are creative!

As I have noted before, it is important to do something (anything!) English related outside of your English classroom. Some of my students are wonderful examples of this. One young lady keeps a diary and asks me to check it for her. Another has written a few essays on her thoughts related to her job. And one gentleman, despite his full-time work schedule, writes short stories and poetry when he gets a chance. One student wrote something- but kept it a secret! All in English. These creative works, although sometimes simple or including some mistakes, are wonderful. I cannot praise these students enough. They take the initiative to put their brains to use and make something- something beautiful or witty or thought-provoking. I hope others will follow their example, even if it's just a few sentences. It really helps improve not only your writing skills, but also conversation.