Teaching Asian Schoolmates English

[Kagerou]

Re: Teaching Asian Schoolmates English

Since English wasn't my first language, I can say from my experience that engaging in conversations were a lot more helpful than reading textbooks on grammar. Some aspects of the English language (or any language for that matter) is way too hard to explain verbally and it's more time-efficient to absorb some of those subjects by just using them in casual conversations.

Ur doing the right thing in terms of ur "conversation partner" program. Its incredibly important to put into words what u want to say. That's some of the problem in Japan right now. Too many of the students there have excellent skill in terms of sentence structure, yet horrible when it comes to voicing them.

[Caspian]

Re: Teaching Asian Schoolmates English

Oh, and I had an in-depth 20minute lecture on the usages of the word "fu**" and how it is a verb, noun and adjective.

Good times.

Thats hilarious. If you can find it, there's a sound byte of either George Carlin or Dennis Leary (cant remember which) talking about the different uses of it and such. Its damn funny.

As far as conversational being more helpful than a textbook, I'd have to agree. My second semester of spanish in college, as part of the final the professor would have one on one conversations with us in Spanish. Mostly just talking about whatever: family, hobbies, etc. but when we worked on it in class and then at the end of the semester, it really made it a lot easier.

[WishMaster3K]

Re: Teaching Asian Schoolmates English

yeah i sampled a japanese class with my senior friend, and all they did was talk in japanese. . . . i cant wait ^^

[bside]

Re: Teaching Asian Schoolmates English

That's some of the problem in Japan right now. Too many of the students there have excellent skill in terms of sentence structure, yet horrible when it comes to voicing them.

unfortunately, even that is optimistic...

the problem w/ japan's english education heavily lies w/ the fact that most of the time r spent on reading/writing. this is largely to due the history, back in 60's when the current english-teaching systems were established, that we tried hard to absorb as many things as possible from western countries, mostly US, in which reading skills were more important than anything. (and this is also the reason why they teach american english at schools.) although educators nowadays realize the problem, not so much has been done to resolve it.

now, while the fact "most of the time r spent on reading/writing" also applies to some of other countries, if not many, they usually have better communication skills than japanese ppl, and what's more, the better overall english proficiency. while there's no definite answer as to the reason why, here's one thing that might as well explain it.

according to Neurophysiology, japanese is a "left-brain-only" language, and naturally, we're more used to using it when it comes to languages. now, english uses both sides of the brain; left for the grammar, words, meanings of, and right for the pronounciation. just like most of u'd agree, in spoken english the "sound" plays an important role. but since ppl in japan r more used to using the left brain, they try to "process" everything using it. that makes it very difficult for us to understand the sopken english, whereas it's comparably easier for ppl from the countries where western-european languages r spoken.

in addition to this, the fact that we use more of the left brain leads to another thing; we tend to "treat" english like it was math. although some say "students there have excellent skill in terms of sentence structure," in reality, it's like 1+1=2 to them. but as the sentences get more complicated, in other words as they become 1+1+6*7-4+5/2+6, they go "waaaait a min." the longer the sentence, or the more complicated it becomes, the more "calculations" they have to go thru, thus hell a lot slower.

obviously, this kind of learning results in ppl not thinking flexibly. one example is how we learn phrases; at high schools, they teach us "~am (be) surprised" is ALWAYS followed by "at." not quite right, but acceptable, if the proceeding word is a noun or present participle. but when i was asked for translation and came up w/ the sentense "i'm surprised to hear that you go to Harvard," they told me "hey, isn't it 'at' that u need to use after 'surprised?'" sadly, this is how things go in japan. but what's even more sad is that they do teach a use of infinitive at schools, but they just don't know how to use them together.


i'm not saying written english is less important, but they gotta do something... not to mention japan is ranked 20th out of 23 east asian countries as far as the average TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score goes.

[Kagerou]

Re: Teaching Asian Schoolmates English

bside:
I don't know anything in neurophysiology, so I can't say anything about that (I guess I have to trust u that the info is mostly accurate)

There are couple of major flaws in the way education is handled in Japan. Some of them are
-The pipeline structure
-lack of developing communication skills (like debate)
-The utori kyoiku side-effects (ゆとり教育）

There are much more but the list might get confusing. I have Attended both Japanese and American schools and its very easy to understand the contrast in terms of the education structure of the two countries.

[WishMaster3K]

Re: Teaching Asian Schoolmates English

Does Teacher/Student interaction have a lot to do with it? From the earlier posts when I first started, I understand that the teacher/student relationship in america is starkly different from in Asian countries.

[Kagerou]

Re: Teaching Asian Schoolmates English

Well, since u are teaching mostly Thailand, Morocco, Taiwan, and Turkey, my above posts probably would not apply to them. -_-

From this post down, it only covers one part of the spectrum, so u don't really need to read. Just covers some stuff.

Japanese education deals more with textbook teaching. One of the main emphasis is 'study so u can get into a good highschool/college'. One of the most efficient way to learn a language is to speak in them, and Japanese education doesn't cover that effectively. Not enough projects, oral tests, and presentations that truly makes a language "stick"

[Takemura-san]

Re: Teaching Asian Schoolmates English

i have to say its great that you're doing this i might want to have joined in >.> (american an doesnt even understand his own language) i'm not stupid just moved around too much an couldnt adapt enough ;sigh; life is rough but we all have to deaal eh?

[WishMaster3K]

Re: Teaching Asian Schoolmates English

As I said, I was impressed with my own knowledge. I never thought of myself as smart, but when I'm sitting there at the table and everyone has their eyes on me as I explain the finer points of the differences between what Americans say and do, I realized that I just helped 7 people in ways that no teacher or text book could do. And the sad thing is, I learned much of this from television and news channels that I can't stand.

It also helped that I knew a lot about my country, while holding an objective perspective. I don't agree with many of the foreign policies of the country, but I was able to explain how it worked after WW2 with Germany and Japan.

I also listen to many types of music, so I was able to explain the motivation and drive behind the way people act.

Suprisingly, I didnt do good in psych and other classes cause I hate homework. (not like I dont have 6 hours of nothing to do in the lull between sleep and partying, but its do as I say, not as I do, lol)