...here at my main school on a Friday afternoon.
I had two classes and English club activities today. One moment in one of my classes made me just about want to jump up and down with glee.
Here's the set-up: my students were doing an interview activity. They were going around the room, collecting answers about holiday activities from other students. One girl was chatting with a couple other kids, and absent-mindedly managed rip her paper in her hands. It was a very clean tear, and the whole thing was more amusing than anything else, but that's not what made me happy.
One of the students she was talking to, a tall boy, had obviously been paying attention to me in the beginning of class. I'd remarked in a sarcastic way, "good job", when another kid had pulled a horrendously crumpled worksheet out of his desk. I didn't think anyone'd noticed.
But when this girl tore her paper, this tall boy turned to her, gave her a thumbs up, and said, "good job!" in the most wonderfully dry tone.
I was so proud.
Often American-style (and I assume British as well) sarcasm sort of goes over Japanese people's heads. It's just not ingrained in the linguistic culture here the way it is state-side. So when a student really applies something like that, especially if I didn't pointedly teach it first, I am absolutely thrilled. It makes me feel like they're not only learning about English, but they're learning about the whole vast array of cultural differences behind it.
Anyway, now I'm chilling for a while before it's time to head out. I can't wait for the weekend. I have plans to go fooding with my friend Miranda. (If you didn't immediately guess we're going for sushi, you haven't been paying attention) I will bring my camera.
Mata kondo ne.
I had two classes and English club activities today. One moment in one of my classes made me just about want to jump up and down with glee.
Here's the set-up: my students were doing an interview activity. They were going around the room, collecting answers about holiday activities from other students. One girl was chatting with a couple other kids, and absent-mindedly managed rip her paper in her hands. It was a very clean tear, and the whole thing was more amusing than anything else, but that's not what made me happy.
One of the students she was talking to, a tall boy, had obviously been paying attention to me in the beginning of class. I'd remarked in a sarcastic way, "good job", when another kid had pulled a horrendously crumpled worksheet out of his desk. I didn't think anyone'd noticed.
But when this girl tore her paper, this tall boy turned to her, gave her a thumbs up, and said, "good job!" in the most wonderfully dry tone.
I was so proud.
Often American-style (and I assume British as well) sarcasm sort of goes over Japanese people's heads. It's just not ingrained in the linguistic culture here the way it is state-side. So when a student really applies something like that, especially if I didn't pointedly teach it first, I am absolutely thrilled. It makes me feel like they're not only learning about English, but they're learning about the whole vast array of cultural differences behind it.
Anyway, now I'm chilling for a while before it's time to head out. I can't wait for the weekend. I have plans to go fooding with my friend Miranda. (If you didn't immediately guess we're going for sushi, you haven't been paying attention) I will bring my camera.
Mata kondo ne.
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