たかが挨拶、されど挨拶
先日、オバマ大統領が来日しましたね。
その際、オバマ大統領の天皇陛下に対しての「お辞儀」が米国内で批判されてようです。
その声は、
「米国の大統領として、外国の君主に頭を下げるのは不適切だ」
「米国が弱体化し自国を卑下していることの表れだ」
とか。
それに対し、オバマ大統領側は
「大統領は単に日本の慣習を順守しただけ」と。
批判の声をみると、日本では敬意を表すお辞儀も、アメリカでは、屈辱的行為と見る人もいるようですね。
というものの、この写真をみると、この深々としたお辞儀、日本人の私としても、少々違和感を感じます。最大の敬意を払ったからこそ、お辞儀の角度が一層深まったというのは、重々感じますが、ちょっと深すぎじゃぁないですか・・・。
そこで思うのは、大統領が他国を訪問するに当たって、その国の習慣・文化等の正しい知識を持っていて、もっと適切なアドバイスが出来るスタッフはいなかったのか？または、なぜ、そういう人材を探さなかったのか？と。
これ↓をみると、クリントン元大統領の時は、そういう人材探しは、まるっきりなかったんでしょうね。
笑っちゃうほど、話にならないかと・・・。
でも、笑って終らしてはいけません。
日本では大ハズレなクリントン元大統領の挨拶も、ある国・地方では大正解。
国、宗教によってさまざまな挨拶方法があること。
相手を不快にさせないよう、覚えていると損はしないと思います。
学校の授業でも、外国人と挨拶する際、「握手」または「ハグ」ってだけ済ませず、
この国はこういう挨拶、こっちの国はこういう挨拶など、紹介していくと面白いと思います。
その際、オバマ大統領の天皇陛下に対しての「お辞儀」が米国内で批判されてようです。
その声は、
「米国の大統領として、外国の君主に頭を下げるのは不適切だ」
「米国が弱体化し自国を卑下していることの表れだ」
とか。
それに対し、オバマ大統領側は
「大統領は単に日本の慣習を順守しただけ」と。
批判の声をみると、日本では敬意を表すお辞儀も、アメリカでは、屈辱的行為と見る人もいるようですね。
というものの、この写真をみると、この深々としたお辞儀、日本人の私としても、少々違和感を感じます。最大の敬意を払ったからこそ、お辞儀の角度が一層深まったというのは、重々感じますが、ちょっと深すぎじゃぁないですか・・・。
そこで思うのは、大統領が他国を訪問するに当たって、その国の習慣・文化等の正しい知識を持っていて、もっと適切なアドバイスが出来るスタッフはいなかったのか？または、なぜ、そういう人材を探さなかったのか？と。
これ↓をみると、クリントン元大統領の時は、そういう人材探しは、まるっきりなかったんでしょうね。
笑っちゃうほど、話にならないかと・・・。
でも、笑って終らしてはいけません。
日本では大ハズレなクリントン元大統領の挨拶も、ある国・地方では大正解。
国、宗教によってさまざまな挨拶方法があること。
相手を不快にさせないよう、覚えていると損はしないと思います。
学校の授業でも、外国人と挨拶する際、「握手」または「ハグ」ってだけ済ませず、
この国はこういう挨拶、こっちの国はこういう挨拶など、紹介していくと面白いと思います。
What the ALTs are doing
Recently our ALTs (Assistant Language Teachers) gathered at Fukuroi junior high school for some professional development and a live demonstration by Patrick Hanchar and JTE (Japanese Teacher of English) Itsuro Takai.
Patrick showed how he uses Goal-Directed conversations in his class to give students some authentic second language conversation practice. Patrick uses his own creative version of the Immediate Method to move students into creating their own dialogs to practice.
In Patrick's version the key point is the overall communication of ideas, flow, and body language rather than grammatical correctness or pronunciation. Many of the ALTs that attended were impressed with the overall method developed and level of cooperation between the two teachers.
During the lesson there was time that ALTs were encouraged to get involved and assist students. Both the teachers and the students like the bonus interaction. At Imagination Ink we regularly hold such open class events for our teachers to gather and learn from each other.
Patrick showed how he uses Goal-Directed conversations in his class to give students some authentic second language conversation practice. Patrick uses his own creative version of the Immediate Method to move students into creating their own dialogs to practice.
In Patrick's version the key point is the overall communication of ideas, flow, and body language rather than grammatical correctness or pronunciation. Many of the ALTs that attended were impressed with the overall method developed and level of cooperation between the two teachers.
During the lesson there was time that ALTs were encouraged to get involved and assist students. Both the teachers and the students like the bonus interaction. At Imagination Ink we regularly hold such open class events for our teachers to gather and learn from each other.
CAUGHT!
Some good news regarding an unresolved terrible, terrible act...
In April, we told you about the case of Lindsay Ann Hawker, the British English teacher who was brutally murdered and whose body was left in a sand-filled bathtub on the balcony of a Chiba apartment.
After two years on the run, the only suspect in the case, Tatsuya Ichihashi, has finally been caught while trying to board a ferry from Osaka to Okinawa. Japanese television broke into regular program this evening with the news.
Some relief for the Hawker family. Now let's see how the wheels of justice turn from here on in.
In April, we told you about the case of Lindsay Ann Hawker, the British English teacher who was brutally murdered and whose body was left in a sand-filled bathtub on the balcony of a Chiba apartment.
After two years on the run, the only suspect in the case, Tatsuya Ichihashi, has finally been caught while trying to board a ferry from Osaka to Okinawa. Japanese television broke into regular program this evening with the news.
Some relief for the Hawker family. Now let's see how the wheels of justice turn from here on in.
ACTJ mini conference 2009
On November 2nd, the Association of Canadian Teachers in Japan (ACTJ) held their annual conference at the Canadian embassy in Tokyo.
The event brought together Canadian teachers (and a few foreigners
) together with several great presentations including keynote speaker Gregory Strong and a presentation by yours truly.
For those of you who attended my presentation, I thank you again. As promised here are links to the references used:
Find reference list used in the presentation HERE
Find the TED "Sir Ken Robinson"presentation on Education HERE
More on David Kolb and "experiential learning / learning styles" HERE
To order the Kolb learning styles inventory visit HERE
The event brought together Canadian teachers (and a few foreigners
) together with several great presentations including keynote speaker Gregory Strong and a presentation by yours truly.For those of you who attended my presentation, I thank you again. As promised here are links to the references used:
Find reference list used in the presentation HERE
Find the TED "Sir Ken Robinson"presentation on Education HERE
More on David Kolb and "experiential learning / learning styles" HERE
To order the Kolb learning styles inventory visit HERE
Halloween Bowling Party
Our Annual Imagination Ink Studio & Study Halloween Bowling Party was held on Saturday October 31st afternoon. Usually a well attended event, this year was no exception with every kids class represented at the party.
毎年恒例の、ハロウィン ボーリング パーティーを今年も開催いたしました。
年に一日、大人も子供も、なにかになりきって（コスチュームを着て）、外を歩いても、冷たい視線を感じない日ですっ！
楽しいですね、なりきるのって！ ちなみに、私はドクターでした。ERに登場しそうなくらい、結構しっくりきてました（自称）。後ろ姿は、「作業員」ともいわれましたが・・・(笑)
子供のころに、こういうイベントを体験したかったなぁって思います。
All the children came in costume, some of their siblings, and parents too! Recently Halloween has been gaining popularity in Japan with many parties being held by schools, restaurants, and other businesses.
Bowling is a lot of fun under normal circumstances, but throw on a costume and its double the fun! Following the games we gathered in a meeting room for pizza and soft drinks. Then, the children from each class prepared something special for their parents demonstrating their English abilities. We had book readings, songs, speeches, and even a dance.
ボーリングで汗を流し、ピザで腹ごしらえをしたら、次は発表会です。
クラスごとに、歌を歌ったり、本を朗読したり、みんな上手にでしました。
Finally, what would Halloween be without the chance to trick or treat? We had a few parents take places throughout the bowling alley and let the children experience trick or treating, some for the very first time. It was such a pleasure to see their happy faces. Even when we said goodbye at the end, the kids were all so happy to have had such a great time. We are all looking forward to next year!
And on a final note... a special "thank you" to Mr. Halloween himself, Maykon, our Fukuroi city elementary school ALT who went to classes all week in various costumes. Maykon would have been at the bowling party also, but had a family event to attend. We'll see him next year, meanwhile here he is in full glory...
こちらは、袋井市でALTをしているMaykon先生のハロウィンコスチュームです。
か な り、 凝ってます。本格的です。
一見、子供たちには怖すぎるかな？とも思いますが、さすがMaykon。彼の明るくて親しみやすい性格で、子供たちにも楽しんでもらえたようです。
