11.2 Free Talk
9-10 PM 1 Student
We spoke about the student's job, and her interest in English.
I asked about her cardigan, as it has decorative animals on it, and I thought they represented foxes, but she thought they represented cats.
We spoke about the image of the fox in Japanese and western folk tale, as he is depicted to be the Trickster, saying that he deceives people, and I find it interesting that it is a universal trait of foxes character. This brought us to talk about Tanooki, and their image from Japanese folk tales, and I was told about Shigaraki pottery, where many ceramic Tanooki are made, so I intend to visit there some time soon!
We spoke about where the student would like to travel, and I discovered that she wants to see much of Europe, but it's hard due to work. I think it would be a great holiday. She told me about her trip to Singapore, and described to me the feeling of being there, and the food, and how the country serves many public holidays for people of different ethnicities, instead of universal government holidays, which I think is very accommodating. She went there an a school trip for work, so I asked why she became a teacher and she told me that it was due to her family ethos as her parents are teachers.
She told me about her hometown Maibara, and said that there is too much snow there in winter, so I asked where she likes the best in Japan, and she said Kyoto, and recommended me to visit Kibune shrine for autumn, and showed me some pictures (it looks beautiful!)
We spoke about Germany's Christmas market and how it has spread to Japan.
A common topic; we spoke of Japan's preference for baths, and agreed it is a good time to unwind.
Some new words and phrases:
Unwind
to "let one's hair down"
Prone
Ethos
Subtle
Refined
We spoke about the student's job, and her interest in English.
I asked about her cardigan, as it has decorative animals on it, and I thought they represented foxes, but she thought they represented cats.
We spoke about the image of the fox in Japanese and western folk tale, as he is depicted to be the Trickster, saying that he deceives people, and I find it interesting that it is a universal trait of foxes character. This brought us to talk about Tanooki, and their image from Japanese folk tales, and I was told about Shigaraki pottery, where many ceramic Tanooki are made, so I intend to visit there some time soon!
We spoke about where the student would like to travel, and I discovered that she wants to see much of Europe, but it's hard due to work. I think it would be a great holiday. She told me about her trip to Singapore, and described to me the feeling of being there, and the food, and how the country serves many public holidays for people of different ethnicities, instead of universal government holidays, which I think is very accommodating. She went there an a school trip for work, so I asked why she became a teacher and she told me that it was due to her family ethos as her parents are teachers.
She told me about her hometown Maibara, and said that there is too much snow there in winter, so I asked where she likes the best in Japan, and she said Kyoto, and recommended me to visit Kibune shrine for autumn, and showed me some pictures (it looks beautiful!)
We spoke about Germany's Christmas market and how it has spread to Japan.
A common topic; we spoke of Japan's preference for baths, and agreed it is a good time to unwind.
Some new words and phrases:
Unwind
to "let one's hair down"
Prone
Ethos
Subtle
Refined
11.1 Pattern Practice
2-3 PM 3 Students.
We spoke about the weather, as it's getting colder. "Cold, isn't it?"
"What's the weather like today?"
"It's a little chilly, and overcast."
"Will I need an umbrella?"
"No, but you should wear a coat."
We spoke about the various clothes for various weathers, and the difference between US and UK names.
3-4 PM 3 Students
We spoke about need, want, and would like to, and their nuances.
We discussed the word "urgent" to help categorize the words. And we spoke about superlatives, intonation and sarcasm.
Key words
Parasol / umbrella
Drizzling
Spitting
Misty
Pouring
Hammering
Cats and Dogs
Gilet
Vest
Pullover
Jumper
Sweater
Superlative
Urgent
Subdued
We spoke about the weather, as it's getting colder. "Cold, isn't it?"
"What's the weather like today?"
"It's a little chilly, and overcast."
"Will I need an umbrella?"
"No, but you should wear a coat."
We spoke about the various clothes for various weathers, and the difference between US and UK names.
3-4 PM 3 Students
We spoke about need, want, and would like to, and their nuances.
We discussed the word "urgent" to help categorize the words. And we spoke about superlatives, intonation and sarcasm.
Key words
Parasol / umbrella
Drizzling
Spitting
Misty
Pouring
Hammering
Cats and Dogs
Gilet
Vest
Pullover
Jumper
Sweater
Superlative
Urgent
Subdued
10.29 Free Talk
7-8 PM 1 Student
A common topic; we spoke about the coming winter and the progression of Nano House, and the general maintenance of tatami, and I learned that well-looked-after tatami should hold properties to allow it to help repel insects, and that denim used to be dyed with indigo for the same quality. We spoke of the local house prices, and how the outskirts of Kyoto now has the same prices for house here in Otsu, and we agreed that perhaps that was a threat to Otsu, because I'd thought that Otsu was due a boom of young people buying cheap houses. We spoke about how the draw of Kyoto's famous history drew most tourism away from Shiga, where perhaps the council has given up somewhat due to being so close to somewhere that is regarded the cultural home of Japan. We spoke of the tourists in Kyoto, and I mentioned that I often see buses full of tourists at the temple near Kyoto station, my student revealed that he was born near there, and as his grandfather is a monk, he knew a lot about that area, noting that the station is in a strange place due to being a means to bring pilgrims to the temple, as it is considered by those of it's sect as an important location. We spoke about the other landmarks in Kyoto being more designed toward tourism and perhaps certain places are designed for nobles to show off their money, saying that the golden temple, and the giant statue of Buddha are strange because they seem to lack the modesty that Buddhism usually carries.
He mentioned that Kyoto people will talk about the "last war" and mean a war that happened in the 15th century rather than WWII, as this war directly affected the Kyoto people.
I asked about famous landmarks and/or battle grounds of Shiga and Otsu, and he told me the story of "the Otsu Incident" in which the Russian Tsar visited Japan in 1891, and a local police officer drew a sabre on him as an attempt for his life. this incident did not spoil relations, but rather tested Japan's newly founded court system, as the government wanted to execute the Policeman as an example, but the court was appointed to trial him for attempted murder rather than anything more globally serious.
This site is very close to Otsu School, and I will go to find the site after typing this!
8-9 PM 3 Students
We spoke briefly about being a doctor or a nurse in Japan, and one student's life being taken across Japan and perhaps even to the US or UK to pursue further education in medicine. I recommended my hometown Bristol, as it's university is considered a good one for medicine and science.
I asked each student if they were interested in America, and if so why, and where they liked. I found that one student only really cared for the more historic places, one for California, and one for NBL. He revealed that some states in America do not have an NBA team as their climate does not permit it, but somehow Toronto of Canada does, and he said that Canada is not America so that confused him a little. I explained the best of my knowledge of the Americas, and said that South America, the States, and Canada are all technically "an America" and make up "the Americas" and that is probably how sports associations allow Canadian teams to enter.
One student brought us back to South America -as he and I agreed that South America ruins and pyramids would be interesting to see- and told us about a theory that all of the Pyramids in the world were constructed by Aliens, or more specifically, constructed by us under the reign of aliens. I asked why aliens would come all the way to Earth just to make Pyramids and then leave, and he said that the theory says that there were two races of aliens, and each race created a race on Earth; one Caucasian and one Asian. The aliens started to fight and the human race did too, and so the aliens left. We all remained skeptical of this, even though he revealed that a member of the royal family was given a mirror that had a semi-globe on it that seemed to have a map of the world, as shown from above the North Pole, meaning that only Aliens could have seen this.
I explained that there were many things that seem to be in Japanese legend that doesn't quite seem believable ie, Susanoo retrieving a sword from an 8-headed dragon that can move the wind, and also that dragon is related to the royal family. We agreed that over time these metaphors become written as certainties.
We spoke about the perception of English people being similar in nature to Japanese people, and discussed the pound (which I wish I knew more about, I promise to read up on it) and we spoke about the Queen of England and her role fro England as well as the role of the Japanese Royal family, noting that the current Emperor is a kind one.
Key phrases
Ignorance is bliss
Intangible
-the lyrics of The Kinks' Ape Man and Simon & Garfunkel's Only Living Boy In New York
A common topic; we spoke about the coming winter and the progression of Nano House, and the general maintenance of tatami, and I learned that well-looked-after tatami should hold properties to allow it to help repel insects, and that denim used to be dyed with indigo for the same quality. We spoke of the local house prices, and how the outskirts of Kyoto now has the same prices for house here in Otsu, and we agreed that perhaps that was a threat to Otsu, because I'd thought that Otsu was due a boom of young people buying cheap houses. We spoke about how the draw of Kyoto's famous history drew most tourism away from Shiga, where perhaps the council has given up somewhat due to being so close to somewhere that is regarded the cultural home of Japan. We spoke of the tourists in Kyoto, and I mentioned that I often see buses full of tourists at the temple near Kyoto station, my student revealed that he was born near there, and as his grandfather is a monk, he knew a lot about that area, noting that the station is in a strange place due to being a means to bring pilgrims to the temple, as it is considered by those of it's sect as an important location. We spoke about the other landmarks in Kyoto being more designed toward tourism and perhaps certain places are designed for nobles to show off their money, saying that the golden temple, and the giant statue of Buddha are strange because they seem to lack the modesty that Buddhism usually carries.
He mentioned that Kyoto people will talk about the "last war" and mean a war that happened in the 15th century rather than WWII, as this war directly affected the Kyoto people.
I asked about famous landmarks and/or battle grounds of Shiga and Otsu, and he told me the story of "the Otsu Incident" in which the Russian Tsar visited Japan in 1891, and a local police officer drew a sabre on him as an attempt for his life. this incident did not spoil relations, but rather tested Japan's newly founded court system, as the government wanted to execute the Policeman as an example, but the court was appointed to trial him for attempted murder rather than anything more globally serious.
This site is very close to Otsu School, and I will go to find the site after typing this!
8-9 PM 3 Students
We spoke briefly about being a doctor or a nurse in Japan, and one student's life being taken across Japan and perhaps even to the US or UK to pursue further education in medicine. I recommended my hometown Bristol, as it's university is considered a good one for medicine and science.
I asked each student if they were interested in America, and if so why, and where they liked. I found that one student only really cared for the more historic places, one for California, and one for NBL. He revealed that some states in America do not have an NBA team as their climate does not permit it, but somehow Toronto of Canada does, and he said that Canada is not America so that confused him a little. I explained the best of my knowledge of the Americas, and said that South America, the States, and Canada are all technically "an America" and make up "the Americas" and that is probably how sports associations allow Canadian teams to enter.
One student brought us back to South America -as he and I agreed that South America ruins and pyramids would be interesting to see- and told us about a theory that all of the Pyramids in the world were constructed by Aliens, or more specifically, constructed by us under the reign of aliens. I asked why aliens would come all the way to Earth just to make Pyramids and then leave, and he said that the theory says that there were two races of aliens, and each race created a race on Earth; one Caucasian and one Asian. The aliens started to fight and the human race did too, and so the aliens left. We all remained skeptical of this, even though he revealed that a member of the royal family was given a mirror that had a semi-globe on it that seemed to have a map of the world, as shown from above the North Pole, meaning that only Aliens could have seen this.
I explained that there were many things that seem to be in Japanese legend that doesn't quite seem believable ie, Susanoo retrieving a sword from an 8-headed dragon that can move the wind, and also that dragon is related to the royal family. We agreed that over time these metaphors become written as certainties.
We spoke about the perception of English people being similar in nature to Japanese people, and discussed the pound (which I wish I knew more about, I promise to read up on it) and we spoke about the Queen of England and her role fro England as well as the role of the Japanese Royal family, noting that the current Emperor is a kind one.
Key phrases
Ignorance is bliss
Intangible
-the lyrics of The Kinks' Ape Man and Simon & Garfunkel's Only Living Boy In New York
10.29 Morning Free Talk
10-11 AM 1 Student
"It's cold today" was the first thing said to me, and we discussed why we just say "it" when we talk about weather.
And so we spoke about cold weather and snowboarding, as both the student and I enjoy it (I haven't snowboarded much, but it is something I'd love to do more!) and so we spoke about where is best to go snowboarding and the snow quality.
I asked where he goes, and he also revealed that he sleeps in his car when he is there, and I pictured something like a Honda N-Box kei car, as they seem common in Japan, but he told me it is a station wagon, which is far more comfortable. He picked this car because it's more comfortable to camp.
I asked how long he'd been snowboarding, and he said since 30, but prior he'd been skiing, but had to change due to an accident in which he tore a ligament in his knee, and so we spoke about the pains of operations and rehabilitation. I asked if it hurt in cold weather -keeping in mind that he enjoys snow-sports- and he said that he uses a heat-patch to look after it, and we spoke about whether or not heat patches are available in the UK, and their cold-patch counterpart.
We talked about the appreciation of nature vs the throbbing city life, agreeing that suburbs are comfortable because there is often a nice balance of nature and city.
11-12 AM 2 Students
We spoke a little more about the concept of suburbs, but quickly found ourselves talking about hospitals as I mentioned that I live fairly close to Red Cross. We spoke of the business hours held by Japanese hospitals vs the system in the UK in which hospitals function 24/7. It was mentioned that Japanese nurses and doctors care a lot for their patients, maybe too much for some people but in England some hospital staff don't care as much because they work very long for very little money. I mentioned that my mother is a midwife -now retired- and that her work hours often had her work all day and then come home to stay up all night "on call" waiting to be called in to help.
It was mentioned that you have to pay extra to be treated at night in Japan. I asked if being a nurse is a popular job for Japanese women, as I have met many women my age that are nurses or studying to become a nurse, I was told that it's maybe not so popular to actually become a nurse, but very popular to study it.
I asked what a typical job for a Japanese woman was, and I was told that the jobs were often teachers, nurses, or some job role that involved care. I said that this is likely because people view women to take greater care over others, and I was asked if there is a phrase for that, I said that women are Maternal, while men are Paternal; noting that midwives work in the maternity ward of the hospital and women are given maternity leave when pregnant.
We spoke about gender roles, and I mentioned that I had read about PM Abe's plans to bring in more foreigners to do housework so that women can pursue other careers, but the students seemed skeptical because many people do not like to let others in to look after their house.
We spoke about my past cleaning job, and one student mentioned her Roomba, which I am surprised to find out works very well. We talked about thick carpet, and mentioned the words fluffy, shaggy, and puffy, and I explained the difference for all. We spoke about waking up from a comfy bed when it is cold, and one student expressed concern for her son to wake up for uni during the cold months.
I said that in hindsight, I'd like to study harder in highschool and uni, because now I like the idea of learning more than I did at the time, which was the general consensus.
Key words:
"Cold, isn't it?"
Ligament
Suburbs
Midwife
Maternal / Maternity
Paternal
On call
Shaggy
Fluffy
Puffy
Firm
Hindsight
"It's cold today" was the first thing said to me, and we discussed why we just say "it" when we talk about weather.
And so we spoke about cold weather and snowboarding, as both the student and I enjoy it (I haven't snowboarded much, but it is something I'd love to do more!) and so we spoke about where is best to go snowboarding and the snow quality.
I asked where he goes, and he also revealed that he sleeps in his car when he is there, and I pictured something like a Honda N-Box kei car, as they seem common in Japan, but he told me it is a station wagon, which is far more comfortable. He picked this car because it's more comfortable to camp.
I asked how long he'd been snowboarding, and he said since 30, but prior he'd been skiing, but had to change due to an accident in which he tore a ligament in his knee, and so we spoke about the pains of operations and rehabilitation. I asked if it hurt in cold weather -keeping in mind that he enjoys snow-sports- and he said that he uses a heat-patch to look after it, and we spoke about whether or not heat patches are available in the UK, and their cold-patch counterpart.
We talked about the appreciation of nature vs the throbbing city life, agreeing that suburbs are comfortable because there is often a nice balance of nature and city.
11-12 AM 2 Students
We spoke a little more about the concept of suburbs, but quickly found ourselves talking about hospitals as I mentioned that I live fairly close to Red Cross. We spoke of the business hours held by Japanese hospitals vs the system in the UK in which hospitals function 24/7. It was mentioned that Japanese nurses and doctors care a lot for their patients, maybe too much for some people but in England some hospital staff don't care as much because they work very long for very little money. I mentioned that my mother is a midwife -now retired- and that her work hours often had her work all day and then come home to stay up all night "on call" waiting to be called in to help.
It was mentioned that you have to pay extra to be treated at night in Japan. I asked if being a nurse is a popular job for Japanese women, as I have met many women my age that are nurses or studying to become a nurse, I was told that it's maybe not so popular to actually become a nurse, but very popular to study it.
I asked what a typical job for a Japanese woman was, and I was told that the jobs were often teachers, nurses, or some job role that involved care. I said that this is likely because people view women to take greater care over others, and I was asked if there is a phrase for that, I said that women are Maternal, while men are Paternal; noting that midwives work in the maternity ward of the hospital and women are given maternity leave when pregnant.
We spoke about gender roles, and I mentioned that I had read about PM Abe's plans to bring in more foreigners to do housework so that women can pursue other careers, but the students seemed skeptical because many people do not like to let others in to look after their house.
We spoke about my past cleaning job, and one student mentioned her Roomba, which I am surprised to find out works very well. We talked about thick carpet, and mentioned the words fluffy, shaggy, and puffy, and I explained the difference for all. We spoke about waking up from a comfy bed when it is cold, and one student expressed concern for her son to wake up for uni during the cold months.
I said that in hindsight, I'd like to study harder in highschool and uni, because now I like the idea of learning more than I did at the time, which was the general consensus.
Key words:
"Cold, isn't it?"
Ligament
Suburbs
Midwife
Maternal / Maternity
Paternal
On call
Shaggy
Fluffy
Puffy
Firm
Hindsight
10.28 BF Class
7-8 PM 4 Students
We had a trial student, so we spoke about what interested her in English, we discovered that she wants to travel to California to study fashion.
We spoke about the different places in America, and the student's experiences and opinions on the different parts of the country, we also spoke about the fashion capitals briefly; Paris, New York, London, Milan, Tokyo.
We spoke about meeting the owner of Velco, and I was asked what his job was. I explained that he is the founder, and we would likely call him an "entrepreneur" meaning that he creates a lot of business.
We spoke a little bit about the different genres of movies, noting that Japan is famous for horror, though only one student and I actually like the genre.
8-9 PM 3 Students
I was asked if England has "debate class" and I said that it does, but we called it "critical thinking" in my school. We discussed the meaning of the words critical, critic, criticize. This brought us to talk about getting a critical hit in archery -which would be a bull's eye- and being a food critic or movie critic.
Because I used Star Wars as an example for movie critics, a student asked if we could talk about Star Wars, and so we discussed the history, and why episode 4 came out before episode 1. We spoke about the idea of a blockbuster, and how the movies Jaws and Star Wars defined it. During this class I realised that I know a lot about Star Wars, and movies in general, so if you have any questions about either thing, please feel free to come to class to talk to me about it!
Keywords:
Entrepreneur
Critic
Critical
"Critical Hit"
Criticize
Theory
Blockbuster
We had a trial student, so we spoke about what interested her in English, we discovered that she wants to travel to California to study fashion.
We spoke about the different places in America, and the student's experiences and opinions on the different parts of the country, we also spoke about the fashion capitals briefly; Paris, New York, London, Milan, Tokyo.
We spoke about meeting the owner of Velco, and I was asked what his job was. I explained that he is the founder, and we would likely call him an "entrepreneur" meaning that he creates a lot of business.
We spoke a little bit about the different genres of movies, noting that Japan is famous for horror, though only one student and I actually like the genre.
8-9 PM 3 Students
I was asked if England has "debate class" and I said that it does, but we called it "critical thinking" in my school. We discussed the meaning of the words critical, critic, criticize. This brought us to talk about getting a critical hit in archery -which would be a bull's eye- and being a food critic or movie critic.
Because I used Star Wars as an example for movie critics, a student asked if we could talk about Star Wars, and so we discussed the history, and why episode 4 came out before episode 1. We spoke about the idea of a blockbuster, and how the movies Jaws and Star Wars defined it. During this class I realised that I know a lot about Star Wars, and movies in general, so if you have any questions about either thing, please feel free to come to class to talk to me about it!
Keywords:
Entrepreneur
Critic
Critical
"Critical Hit"
Criticize
Theory
Blockbuster
