Today is my co-worker, Tricia's birthday.
The birthday gift for her I chose was...pantyhose!
When I was in America, I was always asked "Where did you get your pantyhose( or tights?") from my American friends, or many unfamiliar people who just met in a supermarket, department store, hospital, post office, and so on.
Mostly I wore tights (or pantyhose) with glitters or patterns which I brought in Japan. In America, I could find "net" pantyhose, but there were not various "decorated" pantyhose like Japan. I guess they are EXCLUSIVE in Japan!
Tricia, an American girl, also were interested in my pantyhose.
Therefore, I got two pairs for her. A black one with pink ribbon pattern, and a beige one with "glitter" plaid! She was very glad to see those.
By the way, Tuesday is basically my day off. But today, my private student, Reiko, wanted changed the day from Thursday to Tuesday, and she wanted me to teach.
That' why I went to school to teach only one class...
But Reiko forgot about the change, so I didn't have any class today!
It means, "I went to school to celebrate Tricia's birthday today."
That is also EXCLUSIVE!!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Baby English
Since I started teaching English one year and eight month ago, I've noticed a thing about teaching babies( less than 3 year olds.)
"How much the babies can improve their English depends on how much I talk to them, praise them, make eye contact with them, and even call their names."
Today, I had a prospective student, who is 15 month old.
I had a trial lesson with her (& her mom!) Of course the baby didn't talk any English.
However, almost 8 months later or so, I'm sure she can greet me in English, repeat my English(of course short words, ) and sing some songs in English!
Even the babied haven't talked any words for...like about 8 months, they've LISTENED to me with full attention if I talk to them directly, with clear gesture & smile. I always praise them even though they don't talk anything. Then, suddenly, they start to talk!
"The day" is really amazing. Also, I'm always surprised how they've listened to me precisely. Also, I give them much overreaction, widing my eyes and making exaggerated gestures when they speak to me in English. Then, they seem try to make me excited more, so they speak more in English!
Giving full attention to every babies in class, praising them all the time, making overreaction, changing voice pitch depends on characters... Teaching kids (babies) is EXTREMELY tiring.
However, the babies (kids as well, of course!), trying to surprise me in speaking English, are EXTRAORDINARY cute!
I'm far from perfect as a person and a teacher, but as long as the kids (babies) enjoy my classes, I try to keep HIGHER energy than them!
"How much the babies can improve their English depends on how much I talk to them, praise them, make eye contact with them, and even call their names."
Today, I had a prospective student, who is 15 month old.
I had a trial lesson with her (& her mom!) Of course the baby didn't talk any English.
However, almost 8 months later or so, I'm sure she can greet me in English, repeat my English(of course short words, ) and sing some songs in English!
Even the babied haven't talked any words for...like about 8 months, they've LISTENED to me with full attention if I talk to them directly, with clear gesture & smile. I always praise them even though they don't talk anything. Then, suddenly, they start to talk!
"The day" is really amazing. Also, I'm always surprised how they've listened to me precisely. Also, I give them much overreaction, widing my eyes and making exaggerated gestures when they speak to me in English. Then, they seem try to make me excited more, so they speak more in English!
Giving full attention to every babies in class, praising them all the time, making overreaction, changing voice pitch depends on characters... Teaching kids (babies) is EXTREMELY tiring.
However, the babies (kids as well, of course!), trying to surprise me in speaking English, are EXTRAORDINARY cute!
I'm far from perfect as a person and a teacher, but as long as the kids (babies) enjoy my classes, I try to keep HIGHER energy than them!
Monday, January 25, 2010
"Wish for the next luck!" party
I studied for 9 hours yesterday, to prepare for the first grade of EIKEN.
Today was the test day...the result?
Ah... I just don't feel right. Writing test was good, but listening test was...not good.
Of course I don't know the exact result yet, but my gut tells me... probably I still be a "loser" again.
After I got home, my hubby said,
"So...why don't we go eat Yakiniku? Let's have Zannenkai!for you...and me, as well."
My hubby took a promotional test, but he thinks it was not successful.
I wondered, "That's good! But...how do we say "zannenkai" in English?"
He said without a pause, "Sorry festival!"
It sounds POP, but doesn't HIT...maybe, "Loser party?" But it sounds hopeless!
"OK, let me name a "wish for the next luck" party!"
Then, we ate out, talked, and encouraged each other to start over.
By the way, why am I still a loser even I worked hard yesterday?
Maybe I should "keep working hard," not only "for a day!!"
Today was the test day...the result?
Ah... I just don't feel right. Writing test was good, but listening test was...not good.
Of course I don't know the exact result yet, but my gut tells me... probably I still be a "loser" again.
After I got home, my hubby said,
"So...why don't we go eat Yakiniku? Let's have Zannenkai!for you...and me, as well."
My hubby took a promotional test, but he thinks it was not successful.
I wondered, "That's good! But...how do we say "zannenkai" in English?"
He said without a pause, "Sorry festival!"
It sounds POP, but doesn't HIT...maybe, "Loser party?" But it sounds hopeless!
"OK, let me name a "wish for the next luck" party!"
Then, we ate out, talked, and encouraged each other to start over.
By the way, why am I still a loser even I worked hard yesterday?
Maybe I should "keep working hard," not only "for a day!!"
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Make or Break
EIKEN association has the test three times per year.
The morning of the third time last year, in October, I had some expectation.
My score was just three point short from the passing score the last time(second one, in June,) so I thought I may pass if I did my best.
However, in the morning, I had a quarrel with my hubby.
The reason was not serious at all! He cared "a" house cleaning thing, but I didn't care about it very much. Maybe I could have forgotten about it if it had been a usual day, but it was a special day.
I tried to concentrate on the test, but I couldn't.
I couldn't stop thinking about the quarrel, not the test. EIKEN's questions are very complicated for me, so if I couldn't concentrate on...it was obvious I would be a "loser" again.
I don't think it was all my hubby's fault. We live together, so if he cares for something, I should have cared for it, too. I rarely told my hubby about my dreams or goals usually, that's why the "accident" happened. He didn't know what kind of test I was going to take! If he had known it was my special day, he would have respected me.
What I felt really upset was I couldn't do my best.
After I got home, I didn't talk, just cried a lot. My hubby felt really sorry about it.
Now, this coming Sunday is the first EIKEN in 2010! Getting the first grade is my biggest resolution this year. I have TONS of TONS of things I want to write here, but I temporarily stop publishing the blog, and use my free time for preparing for the test.
If I make it this time (I don't have confidence, though..,) I am VERY happy!
...And you know, if I break it this time...it's apparently, all my fault!!!
The morning of the third time last year, in October, I had some expectation.
My score was just three point short from the passing score the last time(second one, in June,) so I thought I may pass if I did my best.
However, in the morning, I had a quarrel with my hubby.
The reason was not serious at all! He cared "a" house cleaning thing, but I didn't care about it very much. Maybe I could have forgotten about it if it had been a usual day, but it was a special day.
I tried to concentrate on the test, but I couldn't.
I couldn't stop thinking about the quarrel, not the test. EIKEN's questions are very complicated for me, so if I couldn't concentrate on...it was obvious I would be a "loser" again.
I don't think it was all my hubby's fault. We live together, so if he cares for something, I should have cared for it, too. I rarely told my hubby about my dreams or goals usually, that's why the "accident" happened. He didn't know what kind of test I was going to take! If he had known it was my special day, he would have respected me.
What I felt really upset was I couldn't do my best.
After I got home, I didn't talk, just cried a lot. My hubby felt really sorry about it.
Now, this coming Sunday is the first EIKEN in 2010! Getting the first grade is my biggest resolution this year. I have TONS of TONS of things I want to write here, but I temporarily stop publishing the blog, and use my free time for preparing for the test.
If I make it this time (I don't have confidence, though..,) I am VERY happy!
...And you know, if I break it this time...it's apparently, all my fault!!!
Humorous Speaker
Making a speech (or presentation) is much alike MC job.
Before the speech (MC job,) I keep practicing until I become weary. However, even though I practiced a lot, I get really nervous just before I deliver a speech.
I feel very bad, even feel nausea. I also feel really thirsty, so I drink water a lot.
However, once I stand on the podium...I enjoy communicating with audience.
After the speech, I feel like, "I want to make a speech again!"
Today was a typical day that I noticed I really like making a speech at the Toastmasters.
My speech title was "Pursuit of Beauty." As I published the script on this blog, I talked about myself, who try to look better so much that sometimes I feel, "what am I doing?!"
I have been working "Humours Speeches," so I tried to make them laugh. Fortunately, everybody, including many quests, laughed a lot.
My evaluator said, "Now you became our club's best comedian!" I got the "Best Speaker Award" at the meeting, and was entitled to be a contestant of In-house Speech Contest.
On the way to home, I checked today's my speech again. I always record my speech on a voice recorder. I still was in the middle of satisfaction of today's success, but, making a speech would be "self" satisfaction unless I check my speech(MC job as well!) objectively.
My objective for today's speech was "speak slowly, and make pauses." I tend to speak fast to keep the time limit. That objective was fulfilled successfully. I made pauses until the audience's laughing stopped, and started to talk. Also, I spoke slowly enough. However, "speaking slowly" can sound "choppy." "Speak slowly, but do not choppy" is another objective...even when I do MC job in Japanese, this is almost "eternal challenge!"
Now, pronunciation & articulation. They get much better maybe because I teach English. My weak sounds, "r, l, and w" sounded better. However, some voiced consonants like "d or z" were sometimes unclear. Articulation is VERY important when I do my job... I should practice tongue-twister or something!
Anyway, now I'm enthusiastic for making next speech. Especially, "making people laugh" makes me feel good!!
Let's aim to be the "best" comedian at the International Speech Contest!
...What am I doing???...
Before the speech (MC job,) I keep practicing until I become weary. However, even though I practiced a lot, I get really nervous just before I deliver a speech.
I feel very bad, even feel nausea. I also feel really thirsty, so I drink water a lot.
However, once I stand on the podium...I enjoy communicating with audience.
After the speech, I feel like, "I want to make a speech again!"
Today was a typical day that I noticed I really like making a speech at the Toastmasters.
My speech title was "Pursuit of Beauty." As I published the script on this blog, I talked about myself, who try to look better so much that sometimes I feel, "what am I doing?!"
I have been working "Humours Speeches," so I tried to make them laugh. Fortunately, everybody, including many quests, laughed a lot.
My evaluator said, "Now you became our club's best comedian!" I got the "Best Speaker Award" at the meeting, and was entitled to be a contestant of In-house Speech Contest.
On the way to home, I checked today's my speech again. I always record my speech on a voice recorder. I still was in the middle of satisfaction of today's success, but, making a speech would be "self" satisfaction unless I check my speech(MC job as well!) objectively.
My objective for today's speech was "speak slowly, and make pauses." I tend to speak fast to keep the time limit. That objective was fulfilled successfully. I made pauses until the audience's laughing stopped, and started to talk. Also, I spoke slowly enough. However, "speaking slowly" can sound "choppy." "Speak slowly, but do not choppy" is another objective...even when I do MC job in Japanese, this is almost "eternal challenge!"
Now, pronunciation & articulation. They get much better maybe because I teach English. My weak sounds, "r, l, and w" sounded better. However, some voiced consonants like "d or z" were sometimes unclear. Articulation is VERY important when I do my job... I should practice tongue-twister or something!
Anyway, now I'm enthusiastic for making next speech. Especially, "making people laugh" makes me feel good!!
Let's aim to be the "best" comedian at the International Speech Contest!
...What am I doing???...
Monday, January 18, 2010
Crypto-Monster Parent
A year and a half ago, I was an English teacher of Sara, Mrs.M's daughter.
Mrs.M is a fashionable& beautiful woman, who is almost the same as my age. Also, she "looks" friendly.
When I met her for the first time, I thought, "I want to be her friend!"
...But the "fantasy" was broken soon.
Two weeks later I started to teach Sara, we had parent observation classes.
After the lesson, Mrs.M called my manager, and said, "Keiko is not experienced. Please change the teacher for Sara."
I had many excuses. Sara turned a certain age when she was easily distracted. I had an "obvious" monster parent after her lesson, so I was busy with making strategies for her... But I couldn't argue against Mrs.M! I was dismissed from Sara's teacher.
After that, I heard Mrs. M often called "our headquarters" not our school branch, when she had complains about my successor. Yes, she was..."crypto"-monster parent!!
10 months later, Mrs. M wanted Sara's younger daughter, Nana, to start taking English lessons. Nana became 15 month-old at that time.
Who was in charge of the baby's class? Me! Mrs.M requested me to give her trial lesson.
Then, a "miracle" happened. Nana was a difficult baby, who always started crying when she met new people... But she kind of "fell in love with" me.
I don't know why, but she always stopped crying when she saw me and smiled.
8 month later I started to teach Nana... Now she tries to repeat everything what I say. Mrs. M is very satisfied with that! Mrs.M told me, "Nana LOVES you very much! When she behaves bad, I always say, "I'm going to tell Keiko sensei about your bad behavior!" Then she says, "Please don't!" and stop doing it!"
...Is that a God's trick?? Anyway, from next semester, I keep teaching Nana, AND I restart teaching Sara, again! It means I will be in charge of all kids of the crypto-monster parent! Can I keep making her satisfied??? I don't know...
Mrs.M is a fashionable& beautiful woman, who is almost the same as my age. Also, she "looks" friendly.
When I met her for the first time, I thought, "I want to be her friend!"
...But the "fantasy" was broken soon.
Two weeks later I started to teach Sara, we had parent observation classes.
After the lesson, Mrs.M called my manager, and said, "Keiko is not experienced. Please change the teacher for Sara."
I had many excuses. Sara turned a certain age when she was easily distracted. I had an "obvious" monster parent after her lesson, so I was busy with making strategies for her... But I couldn't argue against Mrs.M! I was dismissed from Sara's teacher.
After that, I heard Mrs. M often called "our headquarters" not our school branch, when she had complains about my successor. Yes, she was..."crypto"-monster parent!!
10 months later, Mrs. M wanted Sara's younger daughter, Nana, to start taking English lessons. Nana became 15 month-old at that time.
Who was in charge of the baby's class? Me! Mrs.M requested me to give her trial lesson.
Then, a "miracle" happened. Nana was a difficult baby, who always started crying when she met new people... But she kind of "fell in love with" me.
I don't know why, but she always stopped crying when she saw me and smiled.
8 month later I started to teach Nana... Now she tries to repeat everything what I say. Mrs. M is very satisfied with that! Mrs.M told me, "Nana LOVES you very much! When she behaves bad, I always say, "I'm going to tell Keiko sensei about your bad behavior!" Then she says, "Please don't!" and stop doing it!"
...Is that a God's trick?? Anyway, from next semester, I keep teaching Nana, AND I restart teaching Sara, again! It means I will be in charge of all kids of the crypto-monster parent! Can I keep making her satisfied??? I don't know...
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Buiding up your Vocabulary
How do you build up your vocabulary?
In may case, there are three versions depends on how much time I have.
1.Intensive version.
Use word cards fully. I write the word's explanation on the front of the word card, and on the back side, write the sentence using the vocabulary, and make the vocab bold.
2. Medium version
Use a vocabulary notebook. I always put a thick notebook on my side. When I hear unfamiliar word which I want to acquire, I write the word, and the explanation on the notebook, casually.
3. Quick version
Use only dictionary. I look the word up by the dictionary, repeat the word... That's it!
This morning, I took a "vocabulary class for EIKEN first grade" by Skype.
The teacher gave us the vocabulary list. The words are "likely" appear on EIKEN. He told us to memorize every word on the list..there are 1,300!!!
The first quiz of the EIKEN is a vocabulary quiz. There are 25 questions, in the case of first grade. We have to choose the most suitable word for the sentence, which has a blank. For example, refute, rebuke,deter, relinquish, defer... There are many "confusing" words!!!
I have tried to take the "intense" version to memorize. However, 1,300 words to 1,300 word cards!!! I found it's almost impossible...
Then, I decided to take the mixed version of "medium" and "quick" version.
I mean, write the translation under the sentence, and "dictate" many times!
I hope I'm on the right truck...
By the way, at the end of the "intense" Skype class, the teacher encouraged us.
"Good job! If you REALLY work hard to acquire those vocabulary, I guarantee you can get at least 15 on the vocabulary quiz!!"
...Wait a minute!!! Only 15 out of 1,300!!!???
Now I wonder I'm on the right truck or not...
In may case, there are three versions depends on how much time I have.
1.Intensive version.
Use word cards fully. I write the word's explanation on the front of the word card, and on the back side, write the sentence using the vocabulary, and make the vocab bold.
2. Medium version
Use a vocabulary notebook. I always put a thick notebook on my side. When I hear unfamiliar word which I want to acquire, I write the word, and the explanation on the notebook, casually.
3. Quick version
Use only dictionary. I look the word up by the dictionary, repeat the word... That's it!
This morning, I took a "vocabulary class for EIKEN first grade" by Skype.
The teacher gave us the vocabulary list. The words are "likely" appear on EIKEN. He told us to memorize every word on the list..there are 1,300!!!
The first quiz of the EIKEN is a vocabulary quiz. There are 25 questions, in the case of first grade. We have to choose the most suitable word for the sentence, which has a blank. For example, refute, rebuke,deter, relinquish, defer... There are many "confusing" words!!!
I have tried to take the "intense" version to memorize. However, 1,300 words to 1,300 word cards!!! I found it's almost impossible...
Then, I decided to take the mixed version of "medium" and "quick" version.
I mean, write the translation under the sentence, and "dictate" many times!
I hope I'm on the right truck...
By the way, at the end of the "intense" Skype class, the teacher encouraged us.
"Good job! If you REALLY work hard to acquire those vocabulary, I guarantee you can get at least 15 on the vocabulary quiz!!"
...Wait a minute!!! Only 15 out of 1,300!!!???
Now I wonder I'm on the right truck or not...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)