IrishOboe

So, oral exams have started for my ichinensei (1^st year students – do you see the 1 in that word?) and I’m pleased as punch. Some are nervous, some didn’t prepare as much as they should have, but most were good, and some were excellent! It was great to look at the grade book and see how those who struggled with the written tests did a great job with the oral exam. Quickly, I had them write a dialogue in Japanese, translate it to English, memorize it, and perform it for me and the JTE (Japanese Teacher of English). Some JTE’s arranged to have the exam video taped and for others I just used my MD recorder. Sadly, it jumped from three bars of battery to none in one 45min session so I missed the best dialogue of one class, but it is etched in my memory! So many kids were creative and acted out the story well. It really helped their intonation to act out the part. I think the fact that they had it memorized also kept them from being very monotone, which is how they tend to read English. The JTE’s were also very pleased, which of course made me pleased. The students were very happy, which made me even happier.

I had time at the end to go around with the JTE and hear the students’ thoughts about the test (JTE translated for me). Many students realized the benefits that I knew would come of the project, and others sited different points, which pleased me as well. I can’t remember them all, but they talked about how it was more fun to work with a friend while studying for the exam than by themselves (which is how they study for written tests); they said it was easier to memorize grammar when they had to speak it (duh! But remember, they’ve had their ways of doing things here that are pretty set); many mentioned they were happy to learn expressions that they could use in their daily life (since I let them choose what they wanted to say and helped them with idioms and correct expressions); a few said they were bored at first (I asked why and discovered that writing the dialogue was too much work) but they had fun in the end (I might add that most of them looked like they were having fun!); some said they were good at speaking English and this gave them a chance to show off that skill; many were glad to learn more about pronunciation; I think all of them were glad to have it over with before official exam week started (I’m giving the test in the last class before exams) – that also means they have a free exam period during exam week when they would otherwise have an OC I test (Oral Communication – the class I’m teaching); a number said studying was fun (imagine that) and they learned a lot from writing the dialogues and practicing for the test; and most said the actual exam was fun! Some preferred a written test, and some were very worried about how they did, but there was an overwhelming positive response. Now, they could just be kissing up to me . . . but there were enough interesting comments that I think most of them were sincere. Besides, you should have seen the look in their eyes – they did it! They felt like they’d accomplished something. I won’t say I think that should be a much more common occurrence at a school . . .

One boy answered in English (I had them speak in Nihongo so I could learn about their feelings better) saying “I’m excited!” Now that’s what a test should do! He was excited because he felt closer to actually speaking English in a real situation. I remember Mrs. Nardy’s English 12 exams being like that. I might not understand a book or some elements in it, but after taking her test I knew more about the book than I did going in. Somehow she used the test to point me in the right direction and draw out ideas from me. Way cool. It makes me so happy to think that this test energized at least a number of students to get excited about English! He wasn’t the only boy to mention this fact.

The most shocking bit of information, though it shouldn’t have surprised me, was that I heard from many students that this was the first time they’d done an exam anything like this so it was interesting! Now this is so hard for me to take! I guess I’m just used to how we do things, but how can you study a language and never have the need to speak it? If you’re a scholar and just need to read some documents, fine, and I guess these students just need to pass the entrance exams, but what a bore! I’m not complaining, however. I am just happy I was given the freedom to arrange for this test and I’m very happy that it is going well and the JTE’s are excited and pleased as well. I just might leave Shirane High School better than I left it. Now that would be a blessing to me.

I shared some of my excitement with Naito sensei and she mentioned that as she passed the classroom where students were waiting before their turn she heard them all practicing. Now that may sound normal, but if you pass a normal Japanese classroom you rarely hear that much English coming from students’ mouths!

Sorry to fill the blog with boring details about my teaching, but this is the stuff that gets me excited (if you couldn’t tell). Now I just have to find a way to keep their confidence and provide good opportunities for next term. A good idea would be welcome any day now . . .

We had an unexpected respite in the weather, though the morning and evenings are cold, the days have been sunny and the sun has been warm.

Wednesday night Nikko was supposed to come over, but she was home ill so I had the night to myself. I was sad she couldn’t make it, but I got to finish my book and my apartment was cleaner for some reason . . .

Thursday was another good day of oral exams and in the evening I went out to an Indian restaurant with Fred. Boy, the food was amazing! I love Indian food and this sure was a great place! The company was, of course, good as well. I stayed up too late but was refreshed in the morning anyway.

Friday (Dec. 2^nd) I was especially proud of my 1-4 class. I could tell they worked hard on the pronunciation instructions I gave them. Highlights included a perfectly pronounced “prowler” (it’s even hard for me to say!), a clear “two orange juices,” and one performance that was slow, clear, and precise in almost every way! Way to go, kids! I came from class bubbling with excitement.

Yuko and I grabbed lunch at Wendy’s, which is always a nice treat. I worked on grades for a bit but then got into a deep discussion with Yuko over appropriate behavior between the sexes and the implication of certain activities. It’s so different here than in America! I’ve mentioned the closeness between boys and between girls and the relative lack of contact between the two, but it’s equally shocking for the Japanese to see us Westerners so comfortable conversing and interacting with the opposite sex. It was a cultural lesson for both of us, and I learned to be a bit careful about what I say since it might imply more to a Japanese person that is actually fact. I actually had a hard time explaining the American dating scene because I find it confusing and inappropriate myself, but I’m not sure I like it any better here. I like the freedom we have between friends of the opposite sex, and I like the freedom in Japan between friends of the same sex, but in both societies dating is pretty messed up. Let me just say that Japan has adapted many things Western and the sexual revolution is one of them. But anyway, I managed to finish the grades for the classes that are done and only left 45min late. Of course, that meant I went home in the dark . . .

I had a wonderful evening to myself. I had spaghetti and salad for dinner then failed marvelously at making chocolate dumplings. I practiced oboe for the first time in two months and the break is doing wonders for me mentally and physically. I tried to make a reed for the first time in at least four months (yes, I’m playing really old reeds . . .) and it wasn’t too bad. I’m just fooling around and getting reacquainted. I’ve not lost so much ability as one might have thought, though my endurance is obviously lacking. However, I’m better at discerning and experimenting with sound and feeling, which has always been most difficult for me. I’m sure the time off helped with that. It’s also fun to play whatever I want with no pressure of upcoming engagements. Now if only I could get a harp . . .

As an update on how I’m keeping my sanity with a full time job and so little time to myself, I’m learning and getting better. The clutter in my apartment is contained and my place is decent, though I have a ways to go before I’m organized. I’m having good, productive mornings before going to work and I usually come home with energy to do what needs to be done. I still haven’t touched emails . . . Ipo ipo (step by step).