I love English. I love hearing it, reading it, talking it... I especially love telling other people how they should use it.
This is not always a wise thing to do. In conversation, anyway. You try telling someone that they've used past perfect tense when they should've stuck with past simple. Go ahead, try it. Friends will drop you, lovers will stop calling, your rock n roll image will wither on the vine. Not that I've ever had a rock n roll image, but this is virtual reality - let's say that I do. In fact, let's say that you do too. You're wearing leather pants right now, aren't you? You naughty, naughty reader of blogs about studying English!
Anyway...so I became an English as a Second Language Teacher. This turned out to be great fun, but as far as an outlet for my language control-freak issues it's been a total waste of time. As I've since discovered, a good ESL teacher (in a Japanese environment, anyway) mainly listens to their students; smiles, nods and encourages them to express themselves without fear of making mistakes.
Hence this blog. I intend to make daily postings about English. And I intend to promote the websites (ie steal the links) that other, better teachers have already posted on the net.
By July 2011, I intend this blog to be THE blog with the best-quality bank of ESL materials in the whole blogging world!
Come and join the ride!
Yay you have a blog! I'm so glad: I've always loved the way you write. It'll be interesting to see how far you stray from the teaching topic, as I'm sure you have a ton of observations about life in japan, as well as other unrelated stuff. Blog on, Bum!
ReplyDeleteYay!!! I got a comment!
ReplyDeleteLara - thanks so much for your support. I'm still figuring blogworld out. Didn't even know that you could 'follow' them. Will now go and follow your lovely blog immediately.
Double Yay!! Am so excited you are blogging! and dammit i will still hold on to that rock'n'roll image!
ReplyDeletePam- Hello. I heard about on a LinkedIn discussion and I'm wondering if you are looking for any English teachers.
ReplyDeleteI am moving to Tokyo with my wife and kids on Oct. 8 and am interested in teaching at a small English school.
I have taught children ranging from 4 to 15 years old. In addition, I have taught effective communication for the last 5 years to business leaders and individuals.
I am very excited about living in Japan. Are you currently looking for teachers? If so, what is the process to apply?
Thank for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.
Warm Regards,
Michael Shell
great Article, Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGetGo Listens