parasitegirl | The Pep-Talk (Reply)

I am trying to access the part of brain where I am happy.

Teachers are coming to see me later today, because they want feedback on a lesson plan they’ve constructed. I am valued.

As I spend more time at schools all day, and teaching with regular homeroom teachers, my pre-lesson pep-talk to the students has evolved.

All of my lesson plans start with the homeroom teacher announcing (in Japanese) that today’s lesson is going to be all in English. That this is something he/she is going to be trying to do along with me, no translations!…but that students shouldn’t worry. They can participate by any means needed, even Japanese. They shouldn’t worry about having the answers perfect, or raising their hands, just say it as it comes and try!

This set the stage and made sure the homeroom teacher and the students KNEW the ground rules…but it was more for the teacher.

I usually followed that up with my own (Japanese, so that everyone understand that I don’t translate by choice, not because I can’t) talk about how the only rule I have is…no whining. I don’t want to hear the screams of “I don’t understaaaand!...because when you don’t understand then it’s time to look, listen, think…or even ask the person next to you.”

Nowadays, in part because of research done on how hearing positive or negative things about one’s race/ethnicity/sex/whatever prior to tests can change performance scores in positive/negative ways, my current speech goes something like this, but in Japanese.

“Yes. We’re reallllly going to do this in English. ALL ENGLISH and I have a veeeeeeeerrry important rule when I teach…no crying.” (the next part is done in a high-pitched wail with a scrunched up face and clenched fists)”’ IIiiii doooooon’t understand! Use Jaaaapanese! English is haaaaaaaaaaard!’ (pause for laugher) is not allowed here. (look a little worried) You’re all X graders…right? (look relieved when they confirm their grade) Ok. I know that Xgraders can do this lesson. Y graders couldn’t, it’s too hard, but X graders definitely can handle it. There will be parts that are hard. When you study math, there are parts that are hard, right? But you can’t cry ‘Seeeensei, this is tooo hard, giiiive me the annnnswer’ can you?....(pause for laughter and understanding) English is the same. When you don’t understand, watch me, watch the gestures, see what the other students are doing, take the time to ask extra questions in Japanese…Ok? GREAT! English tiiiiime!”

When I teach I do use Japanese, but it’s never to translate. I mix some Japanese words into my English sentences when I think they need an extra clue to release confusion/tension. I use Japanese to help students think through what they don’t understand, but without giving them the answer…and I use it for praising.

And, when class is over, if the teacher has tried…I make sure her whole class applauds her for the great job she did.

This all makes my job easier. For the students and teachers, it makes the medicine go down.