One thing I have observed in my time here is that Student`s don`t always feel comfortable expressing their negative opinions the way they do their positive opinions.
This became especially clear to me in one JA class on Tuesday, a group of six now, they will laugh and joke along when it`s activities and topics they like, but if it is something they don`t like, they will usually just clam up and exchange looks, becoming reluctant.
For the longest time I worried this was because they didn`t like my classes or didn`t trust me enough to tell me what was wrong. It seems this week the energy changed, as soon as the least beloved game came up, they piped up "Teacher I don`t like this, Please skip it!" and "This one is too stressful". Before this, I had no Idea the activity was stressful for them, I`m glad they found the confidence to let me know.
They managed to take their concerns and form them into grammatically correct and polite sentences very quickly, so of course we readjusted into a way that was better for them. Being able to speak a language is not only about knowing what the words mean, but most importantly it is about being able to communicate your feelings and your needs to others, so students, I hope you will always feel safe to Speak your Mind to us!
-Jordan Sensei
Sleep is such an important part of our lives that many of us, students included, take for granted.
Many of students are always tired and even falling asleep in class. It is important to take some time out and get some rest!
Some of my students know, I suffer from chronic insomnia. It is a sickness that makes it difficult to sleep.
Being able to sleep is such a gift! Use it well!
I advise students to get as much rest as they can! No sleep or bad sleep can make it difficult
to study or even concentrate at school! Even doing club activities gets hard! Being able to do so many different things during the week
also means being able to rest and give your body time to recover! Never forget the importance of a good night's rest!
I wish I could sleep more!
- Khanya (Kay) Sensei
It’s always a shame when a student leaves, particularly when they want to continue.
But sometimes, events in life mean that it’s simply not possible to continue.
Recently an adult student who I had the pleasure of teaching over a couple of years, finished her contract.
With adult learners – especially those who began as complete beginners – there is a very special relationship that builds between the teacher and student because so much of the class depends on trust. Learning a language is incredibly difficult and an adult learner often has to struggle with schedules and age along with all the grammar, vocabulary and pronunciation challenges.
I wish her well and will truly miss the humor, warmth and friendship we experienced in our lessons.
- Michael.
It`s finally time folks, our yearly Writing Challenge will be starting this week!
We`ll be handing out the first page so students can start showing off their writing skills!
We will be displaying their work up around the Lobby and the front of the school, so I hope everyone will do their absolute best now that this has started!
-Jordan Sensei
🍠学習の秋🍠、アミティーで英語学習を始めませんか？
10月の入会キャンペーンは、、、
🎃入学金全額免除（11,000円）
🎃10月or11月 スタート月の授業料無料！
（プライベートレッスンは半額）
早い日程で体験に来ていただき、早めにスタートをしていただくのがおすすめです！
気になっていた方、今がチャンス♪
お気軽にお問い合わせください。
Recently I was tasked with putting together our new Drill Report Posters, looking over all of the books that our students have finished so we can hang their picture up and celebrate.
As I did this I was struck by just how many students had finished so many, each and every one has worked so hard week after week and I think it is Important to remember that that effort is worth it, every little step we take is still a step forward!
-Jordan Sensei
皆さんこんにちは！
今日は年少クラスのお話をいたします。
年少さんの女の子3人組。
お話がとっても大好きで、いつもいろんなお話を聞かせてくれます。
孫入精が多いこのクラスですが、最近のレッスンでは、天気や感情を単語単位でなく、文章でスムーズに言えるようになりました！
そして、今は"〇〇 is bigger."という文章を練習しているのですが、みんな自分の力で文章を言えるようになっています。
レッスン中はなるべく英語を使わずに、受け答えもYes/Noで答えてくれることがほとんどです！
まだ早いかなと思われている皆さん、言語は早ければ早いほど、発音がとてもよかったり、耳が良くなります。
迷われている方も一緒に英語をお話ししましょう！
福田
Many of our students will be writing their Eiken tests this Sunday!
I know a lot of my students expressed how nervous they were, and I have been trying hard to calm them down.
My student "Y" and I came up with a song for good luck to sing for such things...
It was a fun and silly moment in our lesson last week but I hope, maybe it can help!
"gambatte, gambatte, you can do it, you can do it! gambatte, gambatte, you are awesome, you are awesome!"
Even though the words may be simple, doing your best is the most important thing!
The result is the bonus, the effort is the prize!
I am proud of all the students who are writing and I wish them the best of luck!
You can do it!
- Khanya (kay) Sensei
One of the fun things about teaching children again is entertaining them with magic tricks. Of course this doesn’t happen in the lesson, but as a lobby activity to generate conversation.
I’ve been doing magic since I was a young boy. For sure, magic is entertaining and surprising but some magic tricks have an educational value too.
Here’s one which is good for numbers and addition.
Think of a number, multiply it by 2, add ten, divide by two and subtract the original number.
The number you are left with will always be 5!
By doing this trick, the children are not only having a fun time but learning vocabulary such as “multiply” and “divide” and “subtract” - Michael
It`s finally Fall, or Autumn, now and the weather is cooling down a little.
Many students have expressed relief at the end of the heat, and I must say I agree.
The change in season brings with it a change in feelings too, In summer people love fruits, sweets and light noodles like soba, but in fall and winter its better to eat heartier, heavier foods like vegetables and stews.
Fall also brings with it the changing of the leaves, Japan is almost as famous for the beautiful golds and reds of the Japanese Maple leaves as it is for the soft pink Cherry Blossoms in spring! so make sure you take time to enjoy the beautiful world around you!
-Jordan Sensei
