Bulletin Board
On Friday, last week, I finished the last of my self introduction lessons. I made it through all 17 lessons and I am glad to be done, although equally glad to have started interacting with my students.
One part of my lesson involved them writing questions for me. Things that they were still interested in and wanted to know after I had introduced myself. As they worked in partners on this assignment, I was able to walk around the room and talk to the students. I would stop and answer one of the questions that they wrote for me, and take time to ask them a question back.
I am proud to say that in each class period I made the effort to engage each student in a brief conversation with me, at least once. I think this effort has made a huge impact upon the students, as many of them now come up to me and speak to me. I think I was able to make myself seem more approachable.
Many of the questions they wrote to me were quite good. Some of them were quite funny. Here are just a few:
More than anything I wanted to create a space where I could answer the questions they had. I talked with my supervisor about it and she was able to clear a bulletin board space in a main corridor for me.
On Tuesday and Wednesday I set about filling the board. Every couple of weeks I will be posting a few more questions and answers that came from the students. The board will give them a chance to learn more about me, and my country, but it will also give them an opportunity to see and read English print in their environment.
There is a box on the bulletin board where students can add additional questions. I have only received one thing in my box so far. It was a piece of candy with a small scrap of paper that said, “secret admire.” I wonder who it is. . .
Can I submit some questions?
1. When was first time kiss husband?
2. Does husband cook?
3. How tall is husband?
4. What is favorite candy?
5. Do you have any children?
6. Are you cuttlefish coin?
Of course you can submit questions.
1. First time kiss husband was after he ate all the homemade macaroni and cheese I made him for.
2. Husband no cook. Husband do dishes (usually).
3. Husband is 185 centimeters.
4. Favorite candy is Rum and Vanilla Fran.
5. NOOOO!! I do not have any children.
6. I am not cuttlefish coin. But I wish I was.
Oh, fun game! Can I play?
1. Do you like Japan?
2. What is favorite Japanese food?
3. Why Americans fat?
4. What is favorite drink?
5. Do you have any children?
6. Why do you wish you were cuttlefish coin?
I just have one question.
1) What is a cuttlefish coin?
Cuttlefish are marine animals that include animals such as octopus and squid. As far as we understand, a cuttlefish coin is a slice of the tentacle of these animals. It makes a small, round shape. But really, that is just a guess.
Thanks for playing Jill-san.
1. Yes, I like Japan. Somethings are still quite frustrating, but I really really like it. In fact, I am already able to see many things that I like better here and things that I will miss when I leave someday.
2. Favorite Japanese food is sushi!! Can’t wait to take you and Ben to kaiten sushi (conveyor belt), no worries, we can find you things that aren’t raw, but I really think you should try some raw.
3. Several reasons why Americans are fat. The biggest one. . . .HFCS (high-fructose corn syrup).
4. Favorite drink in Japan is aquarius, or maybe banana soymilk.
5. NOOOOOO!!! I don’t have any children. 🙂 And, with all this pressure, maybe I never will! (Yikes, I might get flamed for that one)
6. I don’t know why I wish I were a cuttlefish coin. Just seemed like a good thing to say.
Oops. Sorry….I know the pressure. I hate the pressure.
Will you be able to find shoes that fit in a Japanese shoe store?