Super Duper English Time

Strengths & weakness as English teacher

2006-07-25T13:40:00.000+09:00

Last week, JH gave us assigments: think strengths and weakness as Ebglish teachers. I have thought that I want to be an english teacher, but i didn't think that things. So today,I would like to think these things.

[Strengths]
I think as English teacher is strengts itself.When I entered JHS,it was the first time to take an English class. I was deeply moved because teacher spoke in English and talked to ALT in English.Perhaps there were many students who thinks like me.
Besides, English teacher can teach and tell many things using English. If they put their mind to it they can teach and accomplish anything! For example, they can teach science in English even if we live in Japan. They can talk about Japnese culture in English. I think that thinking about Tapan using Engilsh, we can find new things that we didn't notice until now. So I think strengths as English teacher is they can use English and can do it using it.

[Weakness]
If English teacher can't read a sentence well, maybe students doesn't want to study Ebglish from he/she. Also if teacher's pronunce is poor, they may be influenced badly.If teacher doesn't reliable and level-headed,students be influenced quickly. So I think on account of teacher, students changes. For example, if teacher uses katakana when he/she teaches about pronunciation, probably most students learn it with Katakana pronunce. If teacher teach grammar vaguely, perhaps students will be confuse about it when they learn grammar which is more difficult. Now an English teacher doesn't teach English in Japanese like in the past. So if teacher teach it using difficult words, students can't understand. So teachers has to teach it in english, that is good and weakness points comparison with other subjects.Besides, we have to remenber many things about English, so theacher tend to say "Remenber it!!" That is also weakness, I think. Of course we have to input many things, but Ebglish isn't a remenber subject. So these 2 things is weakness points.

However I think English teacher have many strengts because if they put their mind to it they can teach accomplish anythin in English!!

Thinking about pair work

2006-07-19T16:32:00.001+09:00

I have been a student since I was 6 years old and still I'm a student, and I have taken many classes, done many pair work. So today, I would like to tell my experience about pair work& it didn't go well.

When pair work didn't go well, I conceivable 2 problems:one is a partner and the other is teacher doesn't instruct well.
I have taken it for a long time because in Japan, most students were arranged lengthways 2 lines, so it is easy to make and do pair work. And mostly, we made a pair a person who sit the next seat. If we change our seat, partner also change.This story is my experience.
That day was just change the seat and change my partner.When I did a pair work with student A who with sat the next seat was really really entusiastic and did it positively, so I also got enthusiastic. However changed the seat and student B who wasn't really entusiastic and did it negatively, I was discouraged. So if we do pair work,I thought that thinking a partner is important.

These days, I feel a person who try as hard as one can is made fun of another person who doesn't try. So making a partner carefully is very important for teacher and, of course student. Besides, if teacher can't instruct to student what does student do as a paor work, perhaps students get confused and feel disgusted, finally pair work doesn't do well.
Therefore it is important for teacher to arrange students that they can do pair sork well and smoothly, and also in order to do pair work well and successful, teacher should think how to explain simpley to students.

Thinking about pair work

2006-07-19T16:32:00.000+09:00

My observations about U Junior High school

2006-07-11T14:16:00.000+09:00

On July 7th I went to U JHS and I saw Mr.Y's 1st grade class.That day's topic was "Ask a question and answer it using [what]".

First he did warm up and it's called "Dragon Input". Students read sentences independently and read again with their pair.They do this every time,so Mr.Y just instracted "Start!" and counted the time. That reminded me of Mr.M's said that making students work independently is important.So this time I could see it with my own eyes.

Next, he showed some pictures which looks strange and tried to bring out a question "what" from students.When students saw that strange pictures, they said "what?" in Japanese. so he presented today's goal using students said. Now you come to mention it, I remembered Mr.M's said that establishment of the goal of today's study is very important. Mr.Y showed it using student's remark that he brought out. So I thought that is wonderful skill.

Students formed 4groups and they divided into 9groups in order to pradtice for say and check the information each other.After they cheched it, they exchanged their informations. They seemed to report the information collectly is little bit hard. However, Mr.M said that making a rule and bearing the responsibility are important to do an activity, so I thought it is good if activity is difficult little bit.

Moreover Mr.Y presented "What is this? Quiz".He prepared many pictures, students answered what is the picture represent with their pair.However it was little bit difficult for students.

Finally, Mr.Y teached new words using textbook, and I thought teaching right pronunciation using IPA is better than teach it with Katakana, so I also want to teach it like him.But unfortunately he couldn't finish it because of time out.
Through the class, I could learn many things, for example what teacher speaks right pronunciation is important.Making students work independently is also important. Ans more than anything else, I could understand that teacher enjoy learning and teaching English him/herselves is most important again.

Finding　through a syntheses seminar

2006-06-29T10:04:00.000+09:00

I have taken a synthesis seminar"Sougou-Ensyuu" since this April. From last week, Mr,JH teaches us and we talked about variious issues yesterday. We chosed issues which the earth have and talked about it. There were 12 issues ,for example "Showing your anger" and we decided whdthed we think it wroug or acceptable.

First in my group, we talkes about "A 5-year-old child sleeping in his parents' bed.". We are Japanese gave it acceptable, but Mr.Tiger gave it wrong. However I had no intention at all that I criticize Mr.Tiger. If anything I had interest that difference of he's way of thinking. I have never thought about independence of children or privacy of children. I thought 5-year-old child is just a child and he/she is still too young, so he/she is mine. But through an exchange views, I could find that there is some truth in what he says.Besides, a issue on "Arranged marriage" differencce of the way of thinking happens depends on a country.

So I was interested in that difference of thinking and I felt that is very interesting to me. Therefore I want to konw many thoughts about various issues more and more.

My advices about about teaching English in a Japanese junior high school

2006-06-27T10:13:00.000+09:00

Last ETM3,we listened Mr.M's lecture. He is a junior high school's English teacher and he taught us many important things.So today, I would like to introduce some things what I learned from his lecture and to think what shoud I prepare for teaching practice in September.

First Mr.M said that a person who can greet everyone is very important.Besides, a person who can speak to everyone,can be respons in word and deed is important. It is natural thing and common sense as an adult,but I think it is difficult to show these things one's attitude actually.

Moreover,he taught us 3 important things.
1)Making a smile
He said students keeps away from a person who doesn't make a smile.I think so too. In the past, I saw a book [90% people judge someone by appearances] once, especially students do it. In my experience, I memorized that I
also judged teacher by it.When I think of it now it was very rude but I memorized that I didn't approach a teacher with a frown grimance.So when I heard it, I thought face, especually expression is very inportant for teacher.

2)A person with common sense
According to one ALT's speaking, many teacher have no common sense because they doesn't go out the school. I think it is sad and shame things. I thought teacher is a model for students and I still think it. If the model has no common sense, he/she is not qualified to teach their students. Now that give a lesson, we have to try not only improve the teaching ability skill, but also try to be a person with common sense.

3)Making efforts as well as I can
After all it is very important thing and I think so too. He said "If you make a mistake, we doesn't scoll you.If anithing but things is not making efforts." I thought that we are student teacher must succeed in teaching practice and teacher daoesn't forgive our mistake. so I was afraid to make a mistake. However when I heard his lecture, I found making a mistake is important to success. So I changed my mind!I don't have nothing to be afraid of making a mistake! BUT!! I try to make efforts as well as I can!! Now you come to mention it, I made a many mistakes until now. But I tried to make efforts, I could be succeed one way or another. [Failure teaches success.] So Let's make efforts! Don' be afraid of making a mistake!!

Finally, I would like to present to reader 2 things.
1:It is important how to make students move. Mr.M said that teacher shoudn't a lot of explain but on the other hand they have to make stuednts move. So it is important to make them do independently. That is difficult for me but I think it is very diificult to teach and educate them.

2:It is also important to have student's outlook. It helps for teacher what they have to do now. Also I think we have to have it to myself.

This time I wrote many things that I heard and I want to write. Actually, I learned a lot of things more ade more. So I'll write anothethings in my another blog.

Thank you…？？？

I forgot!! Finally!! Teacher doesn't have enogh time!! Accorfimg to Mr.M's lifestyle, he wakes up early, goes to school in early time, gives lessons, checks the students HW,attends club activities qnd teaches then, preparets for next class and so on! Teacher can't have time for tnem!!So I thought we have to think and praxtice hoe to use time from now!!!!!

Thank you very much!!!!!

Reflecting on my lesson

2006-06-19T14:49:00.000+09:00

Last Thursday, our group took a lesson. We consisted on 6 members, and that topic was "learning about conversation's expressions".

First, we accepted "warm-up"and we practiced "asking other friend's name". So I and eringo presented 2 phrases "what is your name?" and "I'm~.". It was difficult to present to students because these phrases was not releited text books directly. However, we did that as a warming up excercise.

Second,we presented today's dialogue.That day was like a conversation,so we also performed and repeated again and again.That class, we emphasized practice of repeat. First we repeated together. Next, we devised the 3 line, for example the left side is Mike's part and the right side is Sarah's part, repeated.

Finally, we did a mini-game. We used real book,pen and ruler insted of changes in text book, made them practice using today's key words; Excuse me. Pardon? Thank you.-Your welcome. I think it is easy to practice.However, I felt that explain was little bit long and fast.

{Consolidation}
The good points is that we could enjoy the lesson and repeating is good. I think repeat is good and important to learn English,so we adopted many repeat prctice. Also, the game is good, I think. We could use these key words and we practicable using it.

The bad points is warm-up.Probably I was in charge of the warm-up, but I feel the contents of that warm-up wasn't related in that topic.Althogh we thought long and hard, we couldn't proposal contents which fits in today's topic. So I sould like to ask some advice.

Through the activity, I thought it is difficult in cooperate with group member, but also I thought that I would not have succeeded without my member's cooperation. so in group activity, I felt that it is important to contact such as eye contact each other.

Dreams

2006-06-12T15:33:00.000+09:00

One girl said about her dream today, so I also thought about it.

When I was a childhood, I dreamed about the future because I had many dreams what I want to be. For example, I wanted to be a pianist, flower vendor, a confectioner, ambassador of TDR, teacher, DJ of radio like Mr.FM, a trainer of dolphin, a witch like Kiki and so on. When you come to think of it,I was surprised that there were a lot of dream that I dreamed.
However, as time goes on, I think we , include me , have a tendency not to dream than before because there is the hard realities of life and we have to face the facts. It may good things, but I think our dreams become fewer surely. I think it is sad thongs! How sad!!
Human has the highest intelligence of other animals. We have a power which describe one's dreams and chase a dream. I think we shouldn't waste this power.
However when I come to think of my just dream, I can't picture in my mind aout my dream. Only I want to spend a happy life, earn a lot of money, be loved by someone, go to TDR, abroad…. I think these things are realistic in a sense, but it isn't interesting. So now I'm going to think about my dream like my childhood. Maybe the girl's word must be a warning for me.
Why dont' you think about dream this opportunity? What's your dream??

Finding in my changing life

2006-06-12T10:19:00.000+09:00

My life has changed since I entered the university.
First, I came to think a great deal of the ''time'', because I came to use train everyday. In here, it isn't convenient for the train and 1 or 2 trains an hour, so if I miss the train, I'm late for school!! So I think time is important.
Second, I came to find goods points of here that I live. To tel the truth, I didn't like here and this prefecture until quite recently. However, from taking a train and looking at a beautiful view everyday, I found that here is beautiful place and better than I expected. Although this place is hard to get to and almost no amusement park like Tokyo,but there are many beautiful view, delicious foods, good people. So now, I'm looking forward to seeing a beautiful view everyday.
Finally, I came to understand that friend is very important and I found it. I could find nice friends in the university. They are like-minded and they are very interesting girls. So I hold my sides with laughter almost everyday.
I noticed that friendship is the most important in my life, more important than money or love. Of course,these things are very important to live in this world, but I think now,friendship is important for me.
We went to trip sometimes.Thanks to them, I could make a nice memorials. Thanks to them, I could go my second home.
Through my changing life, I got many important things, and I still get important tnings from my changing life.

　Right now, your turn!! Please think and tell me what is things you found in your daily life??

Research Classes

2006-06-05T16:07:00.001+09:00

I went to Diamond Junior high school on June 2nd and I saw 2 classes; 1st and 2nd grade classes.

1) what was the goal of the class?

・1st: Introducing your family and your friends
・2nd: Making a report which introduce about moai

2) What activities did the students do to accomplish the goal?

・1st
Answered the teacher's questions in English, did pairworks and practice the asking a person with he/she), had a talk, introduced their family and friends to classmates more than 3. Finally, they evaluated themselves using a handout.

・2nd
Practiced the expression, wrote the introduction composition(long time), rewrited it,announced it. Finally they evaluated themselves using a handouts.

3) What was the role of the teacher in this class?

Both of teachers were the master of this class. Also, they were the master of bringing out the thinking in students.

4) From watching the teacher and students, did you receive any hints or clues as to how to have a successfil English class?

I thought that if students answer which we didn't expect, teacher doesn't deny it from begining. Perhaps it is hard to give lessons, but I think teachres should have respect to student's thinking at first. In Diamond high school, teacheres didn't deny students's answers. So I want to teach like that.

An analysis of my language learning experience

2006-05-08T16:16:00.000+09:00

I analyzed about my language learning experience　following 6 points.

1: My most enjoyable language learning experience has been listening English and I like it very much. So I listned to western music such as The Carpenters, Peter Paul & Marie and so on. Also I learn through listening activity mainly like a NHK's radio English Program. I like it very much because the contents is interesting for me and I like the master of the program(Mr.Tooyama). Once I heard that some people doesn't like to listening English, in my case,I think little nothing of it. And now I have been listening English.

2:My least enjoyable language learning activity has been grammer rules and studing for exam. Gammer is universal and logical but I can't feel interested in it. Besides, I have an experiment that I scolded about grammer over and over so I can't enjoy learning grammer.

3:My most valuable language learning activity has been join the English club (ESS) when I was a high school student. In the activity, we spoke someting in English with members, listened the western music and gave own impressions of it, played many games, made a Englishboard and so on. We had a good time to do it and I think learn English with joy is important and valuable.

4:My least valuable language learning experience has been a class of high school. It is important to understand Englih gramatically to enter the university of choice but I can't bring myself to like it. I think there is a only scolding when we made a mistake. So in my experience, I think high school's class is least valuable.

5:In general my language learning experience has been listening and speaking. That's a shorter way to learn English. Listen&listen&listen!! Speak&speak&speak!!!

6.If I teach stuents to English, I have them listen many times and have them speak many times. To repeat the same thing, they can get the English rhythm. I think it is easy to understand English with the rhythm. It takes long time to get the rhythm, but I want stuents to do it patiently.

The Story of how I learned English

2006-04-25T13:23:00.000+09:00

Let me tell the story about how I learned English.

I didn't learn English from my childhood. Since I was 1st junior high school student, I learned it in my classroom. When I became 2nd JHS, one English teacher recommend that NHK English radio program is good to learn English, so I started to use it and learn English. Unexpectedly it was so interesting, I was addicted to it and learn English, and also I knew that learning Emglish is so interesting.

When I became a high school student and took a first class of English, I thought English is difficult and not so interesting for the first time. Because this class was for the University Exam Center test. There was nothing for enter university but to learn such a style, but I didn't want to forget the interests of English. So I joined English club called ''ESS'' and enjoied using, reading, listning, writing and speaking English.

And now, I have learned English. It is difficult for me to understand and express something in English. However I still like to learn English. So I'll keep it up!!

My Introduction

2006-04-20T15:33:00.001+09:00

★Welocome to my blog ''Super Duper English Time''.★

Hello!! My name is napoti, I'm a student of Iwate University.
I'm belong to Junior high school's English course.

Three years have paseed since I comuted from Mi…awa to here. 　These days, I get used to take a train, ride on a bicycle with wear a mask to shut pollen my noes.

I like Disney very much, so I like to go to TDR. If you interested Disney (except Winnie-the-Pooh!), let's talk about it!!

Thank you.

Super Duper English Time

Strengths & weakness as English teacher

Thinking about pair work

Thinking about pair work

My observations about U Junior High school

Finding through a syntheses seminar

My advices about about teaching English in a Japanese junior high school

Reflecting on my lesson

Dreams

Finding in my changing life

Research Classes

An analysis of my language learning experience

The Story of how I learned English

My Introduction

Finding　through a syntheses seminar