Personal Soapbox

Learning another language is not simply a matter of knowing words and grammatical patterns. One may be able to communicate basic ideas with simple words and facial expression (a look of panic and the word, "bathroom," for example, may convey what is necessary). However, to truly develop ability with another language requires understanding that there are other factors to consider.

- What is important to you for your students to experience in your class?

I want students to develop an appreciation in their communication for awareness of the needs and position of those with whom they communicate.

- What issue, topic, trend, or aspect of teaching are you passionate about and how does that passion manifest itself in your teaching practice?

I want students to be able to use metrics beyond simple grades to be able to demonstrate to me, their peers, and themselves what they are capable of doing. Having students create videos, for example, allows a sharing of creativity that can give me something new to reference as I seek to pull the best out of them.

- What images could you create or find that could be useful to convey your message?

Perhaps I will use people in different settings to illustrate how we choose different words based on the position of the other. One picture can be of a relaxed teenager, juxtaposed against another of a formally-dressed businessperson in his or her fifties or sixties.

- Write some lines of script (voice-over or interview) that might be useful.

"Whassup?" and "How are you, Ms. Fenwick?" are both greetings, but not especially interchangeable. I will try to come up with more examples, especially those that might involve choosing different verbs for the same action.

- What music could you find that would enhance your message?

When preparing for a visitor, one would likely (if not thoroughly self-absorbed) choose different music based on how one perceives the likes, mood, and concerns of the one visiting. This, too, can help prepare students for the kind of verbal changes that happen when using Japanese.