Just a quick note: the student presentations (6 in all) from the last Mayflower Presentation Party (MPP6) are now being uploaded over on the Mayflower Student Blog. Each and every one of the presentations were amazing and special, and I hope you enjoy reading and commenting on them!
By the way, our next MPP — featuring a debate match and drama — will be on Saturday, December 26th (opening at 14:30, and starting at 15PM). More info soon…
ありがとう！Thanks for your support!
=== I believe in having only a few English pupils at one time, as it requires constant alert observation from each individual in order to establish a direct relationship. A good English teacher can never be fixed in a routine…each moment requires a sensitive mind that is constantly changing and constantly adapting.
An English teacher must never force his student into the mold of the teacher’s favourite pattern; a good teacher functions as a pointer, exposing his student’s vulnerabilities (and) causing him to explore both internally and finally integrating himself with his being. English education should not be passed out indiscriminately.
Everybody knows that Obama was in Japan this week (for a total of about 22 hours, probably mostly getting asked sheepish questions about U.S. military bases in Okinawa — he spent way more than that in China). And everybody also know that during his visit, he met the Emperor of Japan. During that meeting, Obama gave what has become (in America, where they said it was too deep and deferential) a rather controversial bow to the Emperor. Here is a video of the bow, in case you haven’t seen it:
I personally think that the important thing to remember is that Obama was TRYING to show respect to a fellow dignitary. Did he get the form right? Nope. But his HEART was in the right place.
And now, just for a degree of balance (and what, somehow, I wish Obama had been shown by his ideally Japan-savvy speech coaches before coming to Japan), here is my #1 favorite video on “proper Japanese bowing” (note to non-Japanese, this is totally tongue-in-cheek bit, done by a famous comedy team from Japan.
The funny thing about comedy (even when it is related to bowing) is the element of stark truth always present…
Of course, this time Masa have selected a KILLER song: London Calling by The Clash!
If you don’t know who The Clash are, be sure and read up on their Rolling Stone magazine bio (and feel free to print it out and bring it with you) before you come to class.
I’m sure you’ll love studying this great song together with me and all your music loving friends!
Everyone is invited to attend! The more the merrier, so why not bring a friend with you?
If you can’t come, please SPREAD THE WORD to music-loving people you think might be interested, so they can share in the fun!
Keep on rockin’
Robert
P.S. I am posting the video and the lyric (prepared by Masa) below, so that anybody who wants to can pre-study. (No fair peeking at the answers anywhere one the internet!) Good luck!
London Calling/The Clash (1979)
London calling to the (1) towns
Now war is declared – and battle come down
London calling to the underworld
Come out of the (2), all you boys and girls
London calling, now don’t look to us
All that (3) Beatlemania has bitten the dust
London calling, see we ain’t got no (4)
‘Cept for the (5) of that truncheon thing
CHORUS
The ice age is coming, the sun’s zooming in
Meltdown expected, the (6) is growing thin
Engines stop running, but I have no fear
Cause London is drowning and I, live by the river
London calling to the (7) zone
Forget it, brother, you can go at it alone
London calling to the (8) of death
Quit holding out – and draw another (9)
London calling – and I don’t wanna shout
But while we were talking I saw you (10) out
London calling, see we ain’t got no high
Except for that one with the yellowy (11)
CHORUS
Now get this
London calling, yes, I was there, too
An’ you know what they said? Well, some of it was true!
London calling at the top of the (12)
And after all this, won’t you give me a (13)?
London Calling
ありがとう！Thanks for your support!
===
Just a reminder. Mayflower will be holding one of its legendary “English only” presentation parties (MPP6) on November 21st from 6PM.
This is a great chance to listen to some great presentations in English by Mayflower students and friends, and share your comments and opinions with us is a relaxed atmosphere.
And after the presentations, we shift into “party mode” (again, in English) for some drinks and fun! Practice your conversation skills and also do some networking! You can learn a lot by attending, so I’d like to invite everyone to come! See you there!
Here is a flier with updated information:
Mayflower Presentation Party #6 (MPP6) is on 11/21 (Sat.) opening at 6PM! (Click on the image for a full sized, printable version.)
ありがとう！Thanks for your support!
===
To reach the masses of Japanese students of the English language, some sort of big, bloated, anachronistic school organization, whether it is domestic, or a foreign branch affiliation, is not necessary. For such organizations to reach the growing number of students, some sort of pre-conformed set must be established as standards for the branch to follow. As a result, all members will be conditioned according to the same prescribed system. Many will probably end up as a prisoner of a systematized English drill.
Styles of studying English tend to not only separate men – because they have their own doctrines, and then the doctrine became the gospel truth that you cannot change. But if you do not have a style of studying, if you just say: Well, here I am as a human being, how can I express myself in English totally and completely? Now, that way you won’t create a style of studying English, because style is a crystallization. That way, it’s a process of continuing growth.
To me totality is very important in expressing yourself and giving presentations. Many styles of studying English claim this totality. They say that they can cope with all types of replies/responses/questions, etc.; that their structures cover all the possible lines and angles of expression, and are capable of defense against counter argument from all angles and lines.
If this is true, then how did all the different styles of English studying and expression come about? If they are in totality, why do some overspecialize, and use only the straight lines of argument, and others overspecialize by using the indirect ones, some only simple, strong, aggressive attacks, and why do still others who want to be different just flap their lips rhetorically and say nothing? To me a system that clings to one small aspect of English is actually in bondage. It is my mission to free English students in bondage.
This statement expresses my feelings perfectly: ‘In memory of a once fluid man of English self-expression, crammed and distorted by the classical mess of “legitimate” styles of English study.’
