Number 18

 There are 18 holes on a standard golf course. Over the course of those 18 holes confidence builds, wavers, or crumbles.  Hope is repeatedly crushed and then born again. Pride is hurt and sometimes never restored.  Drama unfolds and comes to an end in the course of 18 holes. 

Here at English Island we have reached the 18th year. Although the last couple of years have not been about growth in the number of students we teach, I have personally felt a change for the better in my teaching styles.  Prepare yourself for the YouTube posts that will support the weekly lesson. It will take a  week or so for the segments to be posted but for those who take the time to check them out, THANK YOU!

Mobile

It's a beautiful Sunday in Hokkaido. It's still cold, especially when the wind brings that cold air from the mountains down into the city. It's just cold enough to bring back memories of winter. But winter is a thing of the future now. Cherry blossoms are beginning to show more leaf than pink recently but there are a few places that are peaking. Another busy week at English Island. I'm preparing by recharging at a hot spring near Otaru. ガンバ

Refreshingly,
Pat

Progress

Dangerous

The kids in Kitano were great today. They are SOOOO cute!! We previewed the Millionaire Quiz Show material and I have a pretty good idea where each class is at and what I should have them do to get the most out of the exercise. I spent the evening chatting about TESOL. One of the people who attend lessons here is a JHS English teacher and we invariably talk about work. I always worry about boring my students as any self-centered, slightly conscious of the world around him, middle-aged foreigner living in Sapporo would and should be. I am aware that the 英会話 business topic is O.B., but it seems O.K. to bring it out in our musings about education. Hope I didn't overdo it...

In other news, the new website might be up in the next week or so!!! I'm rolling along and if there aren't any major snags I can imagine changing over the top page as early as Sunday.

Optimistically,

Pat

July Project UPDATE!

So pretty much all the kids have finished writing and having their projects videoed. In the end, none if the kids rejected the idea of having their project recorded although a few didn't exactly seem enthusiastic. I imagine the reason may have been a case of stagefright. One last group today and then I have to put the last videos together. I admit I'm getting a little better, but my editin skills and sense leave a lot to be desired. 新琴似中学校の三年生プロジェクトも気になります。 Was everyone able to become travel agents?

I mentioned to the Saturday class that posting the video on Youtube was an option. They gave me looks that told me that if I did I would have to start locking my door at night. I wonder if anyone would mind if I posted a short clip here... I better play it safe and not go public. If my editing skills do, in fact, improve I'll give a copy of the projects to each student! That way, they can choose how to share it or not share it with others...

Cautiously,

Pat

July Project

We are now in our seventh year as an 英会話 school here in 札幌北区新琴似.

Right now there are a bunch of things going on!!!

In this unusually warm summer, there are five students who have decided to try the 英検 test! They are struggling through marginally interesting material made by yours truly... I have to admit grammar is probably not my favorite way to introduce the English language or any foreign language for that matter.　　However, I think the kids are going to be able to make out just fine. We have started early enough and once they get the vocab and the patterns for regular verbs and "to be" mastered they will be unstoppable!

In other news we have started a project!! The famous people project is meant to get the kids involved in writing and talking about their favorite celebrities. Thirty-six famous athletes, movie stars, singers, animation characters, and politiicans from Japan and abroad are going to be presented next week. The presentations will be recorded (if the kid's allow it!!) and hopefully, I'll be able to get a bit of an amusing movie out of it. Maybe after watching themselves they will feel more motivated for the next project. I wonder what it will be...