Post juicy PMs - Page 2

From: Manifesto7
Subject: Re: need help with an interview
Date: 2/3/07 13:11


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Original Message:
Teacher Interviewed: Trevor Allen

Date: 2/2/2007

Beginning and concluding times: August 2005 - present

Location: Japan


1. What are some of the challenges and benefits of teaching in Japan?

- The benifits of teaching in Japan come from the school setting, which is far different from that of North America. Schools in Japan play a much greater role in a students life, acting a center for not only their education, but their social development and community services. Being a part of such an important aspect of society allows for greater interaction with the children and community.

- Some challenges of teaching are adjusting to a new philosophy of teaching which oftentimes seems backwards and counter productive to second language learning. The ability to work in a system that seems to be flawed takes a great deal of creativity and patience.

2. Why, in your own opinion that the USA is behind in their Student development in comparison to Japan?

- I dont believe that the US is behind Japan in student development. This is a myth created by stereotypical images of Japanese students going to school everyday, diliently working at tehir desks, and not causing any discipline problems. This image is 100% false. Japanese schools face the same disciplinary problems as other schools.

In addition, the teaching philosophy in Japan revolves around students recieving input, and then having the ability to regurgitate that input in a pressured testing environment. Past elementary school, there is little to no emphisis on student independant learning or thought. The fact that North American schools focus on how to learn, rather than "learn this" is a boon for them.

3. How is your class structure?(examples of daily activities)

- I teach first year high school conversation (equivelent to tenth grade in NA). In addition I teach oral communication as an elective to second and third year students. Because first year is required, I must create activities that are suitable for all skill levels. We practice basic communication patterns, play information gap games, and prepare speeches and dialogues for assessement. As of this year we abandoned our textbook ni an effort to generate more authenticity in the class, and the resuts have been encouraging.

In second and thirsd year, our students are generally more motivated because it is an elective class. Therefore, we challenge more heady topics of discussion, get them involved in letter exchange translation between American and Japanese elementary schools (we are the translating middle men), have them prepare dramas, and other media related projects.

Lastly, we feature an extensive writing program for some students where they write a journal on a weekly basis. As a teacher I read and respond to these journals. Considering the difficulty f one on one comunication in a class of fourty, this project gives an excellent opportunity for output by the student in a much less stressful way that face to face communication.

4. How do you encourage student engagement during class?

- Much of this is out of our control, and depends on how well the class is coming together away from our once a week class. If a class bonds well and quickly, my job is much easier as there is a real comfort amongst each other. If a class has real divides, then my job becomes very difficult to create a motivating environment. Much of my technique for creating comes from a book by Zoltan Dornyei called "motivational strategies in the second language classroom". It is helpful for some practical ideas if you are having trouble.

5. What are some of the difficulty you face when teaching English literacy(reading, writing, speaking, understanding)?

Student motivation should always be the answer in any second language class around the world. Without motivation, all the aptitude in the world will not allow you to learn a second language. Creating that intrinsic motivation in student to make them want to succeed is the most crucial thing. Without it, there is no success.

Hope this helps,
Mani.