Ampachi Branch
...written on 2000-10-20, @ 11:20:54
Fri October 20
Last night I went to the Ampachi branch. I was told to prepare a lesson practicing adjective clauses. Ick. Well, I made up a sheet with sentences for constructing adjective sentences and included a section on the use of "how to". I was very nervous about this lesson.
Well, Fred and I get to the branch and show the boss there the lesson and he freaks saying it will be too hard for two of the classes to do.
I'm at a bit of a loss here. I used their book. I used the words and sentences in the book. I was trying to understand what the boss meant by me making a fun class using adjective clauses.
WHAT IS FUN ABOUT ADJECTIVE CLAUSES?!!
Can you say IMPOSSIBLE?
Of course, now in the calm light of my day off, I have some ideas, but last night they failed me.
I am so glad I brought my computer with me. I had Fred print out the "Getting to know you" questions which we would go over to practice speaking and reading and I would use the flash cards to reinforce what is a person, what is a thing, when do you use "who" and when do you use "which". All things considered, I think it went ok.
Each branch that I have been to has been different. They vary in English ability level and in participation. Which is not a direct correlation I might add. A class may have a high level in English ability, but they remain silent as stones.
Last night there were at least 20 students in each class. The physical set up was such that it would be too labor intensive to get them in groups of any kind to practice among themselves.
For many of them, this was their first time with a native English speaking teacher. I radiated energy, enthusiasm and encouragement (as always). I did as Fred suggested and picked on them individually to answer questions. They whispered, they stuttered, they remained silent. Just going around the room asking their names and having them ask each other's names was difficult. And I was supposed to review adjective clauses? Ha!
However, at break time in between classes, these same students called me over to talk with them in English. One 14 year old boy said he loved me! Not liked,but LOVED! Some of them had a very good command of English which they chose not to exhibit in class.
The power of the group identity in Japan is very strong. One must remain humble and not stick out. One must not show his ability to shine above the others. I need to find a compatible technique for teaching English. As I have said before, I also need to be patient. We're all new at this.