1. This week I learned about the grammatical forms of まで and ても. I also learned that being sick isn't any good when you get hit with a quiz.
2. No comment. Playing catch-up isn't fun.
3. I didn't really have a success in class this week.
4. My greatest challenge was surviving the quiz that happened on Thursday. I was not at all prepared for it since I was not aware of it.
5. I have no problem studying for a quiz provided I know it's coming up. Perhaps in the future I'll just memorize all the kanji right off the go as a precaution.
And the subject of my presentation will be: Well, I have options.
How to be a boss
How to cook chicken fingers (like a boss)
How to pick up a woman (and horribly fail)
Granted, I don't know if I could do any of these, even though they have a high potential for being fun. Guess I'll have to think about it.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
5th verse, same as the first!
名前：黒岩
広島から来ました。
二十歳です。
色々な音楽が好きです。
Green Dayが好きです。
Now then.
I guess there are three major strategies of learning that I see employed in this class: Textbook, Teacher, and Partner. I'm sure there is something that teachers are taught when it comes to various methods, but I am not an education major and all of these opinions are just that: My opinions, however odd they may be.
Textbook
Pros: Well, this is technically the material we're supposed to be learning and we get the definitions that the authors of the book want us to use.
Cons: Well, if you have a question that the textbook doesn't answer, you're in trouble since you don't have anyone to ask for clarification. Also, I've noticed the authors of the book fail to mention cultural uses of the grammar we're learning. I can't think of a specific example, but I'm pretty sure one situation occurred in the transitive/intransitive section. The book also has this nasty habit of using dated terms (which was probably updated recently) and having confusing language.
Other comment: The book is definitely meant to be used as a study aide and not as a replacement for the teacher.
For me: I can normally understand the book, but as I stated earlier, there are some cultural things that I would never figure out since I'm not Japanese.
Partner
Pros: Combined brain power can help make sense of confusing grammar points. There's also the chance that a struggling student could be paired with a student who excels in the language which would help the struggler. Partner work also strengthens bonds which would lead to conversations which would lead to more Japanese practice in theory.
Cons: Partner work is a double edged sword. There's a chance that the two students who get paired together both have no idea how the grammar works and their combined effort will only serve to frustrate the both of them and make learning more difficult. Even if one student happens to excel, that student could be wrong about a certain grammar point and reinforce the incorrect method on the student who happens to be struggling. And then, of course, you have people who are just happy to remain in their own little cliques and not communicate even when they are paired up.
For me: It's hit and miss. Sometimes the partner work really helps and sometimes it doesn't. I'd say 75% of the time it happens to help me.
Teacher
Pros: The teacher is considered a master in the subject and is able to help the students, regardless of whatever question that happens to come up. This is especially necessary in a language environment since it is very easy to learn grammar incorrectly and without teacher guidance, the mistake would persist through the rest of the student's education if it is never addressed again. The teacher will also normally have a passion for the subject at hand, which helps in the educational process.
Cons: Unless the teacher doesn't care, none. Not the case for this class.
Other comment: I'm biased in that I've always found listening to a teacher to be the best method. When I lack, I don't learn the necessary material.
For me: Best method is best.
Just my two cents on the matter.
広島から来ました。
二十歳です。
色々な音楽が好きです。
Green Dayが好きです。
Now then.
I guess there are three major strategies of learning that I see employed in this class: Textbook, Teacher, and Partner. I'm sure there is something that teachers are taught when it comes to various methods, but I am not an education major and all of these opinions are just that: My opinions, however odd they may be.
Textbook
Pros: Well, this is technically the material we're supposed to be learning and we get the definitions that the authors of the book want us to use.
Cons: Well, if you have a question that the textbook doesn't answer, you're in trouble since you don't have anyone to ask for clarification. Also, I've noticed the authors of the book fail to mention cultural uses of the grammar we're learning. I can't think of a specific example, but I'm pretty sure one situation occurred in the transitive/intransitive section. The book also has this nasty habit of using dated terms (which was probably updated recently) and having confusing language.
Other comment: The book is definitely meant to be used as a study aide and not as a replacement for the teacher.
For me: I can normally understand the book, but as I stated earlier, there are some cultural things that I would never figure out since I'm not Japanese.
Partner
Pros: Combined brain power can help make sense of confusing grammar points. There's also the chance that a struggling student could be paired with a student who excels in the language which would help the struggler. Partner work also strengthens bonds which would lead to conversations which would lead to more Japanese practice in theory.
Cons: Partner work is a double edged sword. There's a chance that the two students who get paired together both have no idea how the grammar works and their combined effort will only serve to frustrate the both of them and make learning more difficult. Even if one student happens to excel, that student could be wrong about a certain grammar point and reinforce the incorrect method on the student who happens to be struggling. And then, of course, you have people who are just happy to remain in their own little cliques and not communicate even when they are paired up.
For me: It's hit and miss. Sometimes the partner work really helps and sometimes it doesn't. I'd say 75% of the time it happens to help me.
Teacher
Pros: The teacher is considered a master in the subject and is able to help the students, regardless of whatever question that happens to come up. This is especially necessary in a language environment since it is very easy to learn grammar incorrectly and without teacher guidance, the mistake would persist through the rest of the student's education if it is never addressed again. The teacher will also normally have a passion for the subject at hand, which helps in the educational process.
Cons: Unless the teacher doesn't care, none. Not the case for this class.
Other comment: I'm biased in that I've always found listening to a teacher to be the best method. When I lack, I don't learn the necessary material.
For me: Best method is best.
Just my two cents on the matter.
Monday, September 26, 2011
The reflection that comes after the third reflection
1. I learned all about the Causative form and how to command people to do something. Or to say that a command was issued. Also, my dislike of drawing was reinforced.
2. I enjoyed the causative activity since it opened up dialogue with other members of the class and it helped to learn about other people which is always nice.
3. I don't think I really had a great success in the class this week. At least, I didn't feel like I succeeded at anything in particular.
4. Listening to anybody speak in Japanese. I'm still no good at listening to people talking. That's definitely my greatest weakness and deterrent when it comes to the language.
5. Other than the practice in class, I have no idea how to go about fixing it. My schedule doesn't permit me to go to the places the Japanese students meet and I can't get past the uncomfortable feeling I get when I speak to natives in the native language. Though, any Asian language causes that feeling in me.
日本の友達：
柿崎慶祐。二十二歳です。北海度から来ました。立教大学の学生です。専門は法学です。雪ボードをしたり魚を捕ったりすろのが好きです。人々と話したいので、英語を勉強します。
2. I enjoyed the causative activity since it opened up dialogue with other members of the class and it helped to learn about other people which is always nice.
3. I don't think I really had a great success in the class this week. At least, I didn't feel like I succeeded at anything in particular.
4. Listening to anybody speak in Japanese. I'm still no good at listening to people talking. That's definitely my greatest weakness and deterrent when it comes to the language.
5. Other than the practice in class, I have no idea how to go about fixing it. My schedule doesn't permit me to go to the places the Japanese students meet and I can't get past the uncomfortable feeling I get when I speak to natives in the native language. Though, any Asian language causes that feeling in me.
日本の友達：
柿崎慶祐。二十二歳です。北海度から来ました。立教大学の学生です。専門は法学です。雪ボードをしたり魚を捕ったりすろのが好きです。人々と話したいので、英語を勉強します。
Monday, September 19, 2011
Reflection 3
1. This week, I learned the grammar points we studied and some details about Japanese students who came in to visit us and let us quiz them. Though, sadly, my question of dental floss seemed to fall on deaf ears. Or made some ears deaf, depending on who you are.
2. I'm not 100% done with this newspaper yet, but I absolutely love it. That's just because I love writing since I'm not very good with the whole speaking aspect of Japanese. Listening to the Japanese students talk was also fun, even if I got lost at some points.
3. My great success? Definitely getting to write. When I get to be creative, I'm happy.
4. My greatest challenge was trying to understand everything the Japanese students were saying. Compared to the class, I feel I have a much more limited vocabulary. That, and I'm not any good at listening, even in my language and I would have felt rude if I said "Huh?" everytime I didn't understand something.
5. I mean, for the vocabulary, I could probably peruse my dictionary and learn new words on a daily basis and that would help in the long run. But I have no idea how to improve my listening skills. I'm at a loss there.
2. I'm not 100% done with this newspaper yet, but I absolutely love it. That's just because I love writing since I'm not very good with the whole speaking aspect of Japanese. Listening to the Japanese students talk was also fun, even if I got lost at some points.
3. My great success? Definitely getting to write. When I get to be creative, I'm happy.
4. My greatest challenge was trying to understand everything the Japanese students were saying. Compared to the class, I feel I have a much more limited vocabulary. That, and I'm not any good at listening, even in my language and I would have felt rude if I said "Huh?" everytime I didn't understand something.
5. I mean, for the vocabulary, I could probably peruse my dictionary and learn new words on a daily basis and that would help in the long run. But I have no idea how to improve my listening skills. I'm at a loss there.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Reflection 2: In which I don't make an Inception joke
1. This week, in Japanese, I learned all about the joy and wonder of talking about mysterious strangers doing activities for a definite reason and I learned how to describe a situation in which an action takes place during another action. (I feel this is where I would use an Inception joke, but I'll spare it. No promises for the future though.)
2. The most fun thing I did? I can't really remember. Going to class was fun. Telling people to kick customers in the face is also a fun thing.
3. I remembered the kanji for two mechanical objects. I wasn't really expecting that.
4. The greatest challenge? Not thinking about puppies because of the dog kanji. I kid, of course. The greatest challenge for me was rembering the kanji for experience.
5. Well, I studied it. And I used a kanji bank that I made myself on the quiz. I'm seriously going to be using those a lot more now. They're very helpful.
2. The most fun thing I did? I can't really remember. Going to class was fun. Telling people to kick customers in the face is also a fun thing.
3. I remembered the kanji for two mechanical objects. I wasn't really expecting that.
4. The greatest challenge? Not thinking about puppies because of the dog kanji. I kid, of course. The greatest challenge for me was rembering the kanji for experience.
5. Well, I studied it. And I used a kanji bank that I made myself on the quiz. I'm seriously going to be using those a lot more now. They're very helpful.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Reflection of the first week
1. This week I learned a lot of people's names, which will probably take me forever and a half to memorize, and I learned how to use the passive voice and the various situations it can be used in. I also learned how to say, "Somebody put something in my drink." Whether this will be useful to me in the future or not is yet to be determined.
2. I really liked doing the four panel comic strip. It was an interesting way to learn the grammar point and make some nonsensical sentences. Although, I would have preferred to write a short story, but that's just because I'm not a fan of drawing.
3. Success? I survived drawing a comic strip. I think I could count that as a success.
4. It's related to number three. I can't draw. That was my challenge. And I could probably count figuring out the context of passive voice as well.
5. I'll study the passive voice to get a better grasp of it. But, I'm not going to work on my drawing skills since I don't really see how they'll help me later in life.
2. I really liked doing the four panel comic strip. It was an interesting way to learn the grammar point and make some nonsensical sentences. Although, I would have preferred to write a short story, but that's just because I'm not a fan of drawing.
3. Success? I survived drawing a comic strip. I think I could count that as a success.
4. It's related to number three. I can't draw. That was my challenge. And I could probably count figuring out the context of passive voice as well.
5. I'll study the passive voice to get a better grasp of it. But, I'm not going to work on my drawing skills since I don't really see how they'll help me later in life.
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