Just a quick posting about a special moment I shared with a couple of students last night in class.
All of us teachers at Smiths School of English use a basic format in our lessons called The Loop.
It basically consists of a predictable 4 step process which allows our students to understand where exactly we are in the lesson.
The last step in this process is called the One Point.
Depending on the level of the student this may consist of a… simple phrase which they can memorize and use naturally right away, a sentence pattern in which they have to provide their own information to complete the sentence, or a sentence starter where they have to make a longer sentence or I encourage them to oftentimes write out a short story relative to their own lives using the sentence starter and share it with their classmates at the beginning of their next lesson.
I like these One Points because I give them as “homework” to my students.
At one of my lessons last night our “Homework” sentence from the previous lesson was:
“If I had to choose between A and B, I would choose (A/B) because (C)”
Here is what my student had prepared:
“If I had to choose between Smiths School of English and another English school, I would choose Smiths School of English because Smiths School of English is reliable, the teachers are wonderful and diligent, and Smiths School of English has a monthly tuition system.”
We all had a laugh after he finished his sentence and I asked him if I could use his sentence on my next flyer!
I informed him that he could also become a member of the “self-appointed advertising managers” club if he so desired!
He laughed and said yes.
Joking aside though, I really enjoyed hearing this from my student.
It affirmed to me that what we are doing here in Japan teaching English at Smiths School of English is making a positive impact in our student’s lives.
Numerous students have commented to me that they see a huge difference between Smiths School of English and other schools because at Smiths School of English the teachers really care about their students.
I am fortunate to be working with such a great team of teacher-owners at Smiths School of English and I am convinced beyond a doubt that for English students in Japan, our system is the best.
I am even more thrilled when our students affirm this conviction.
I appreciate it greatly when my students feel that they are receiving the best service and it is very encouraging.
To them, in this case, it may only be a “homework sentence” but to me it is a great encouragement!
Thank you,
Alessandro “Alex” Stanciu
アレッサンドロ“アレックス”スタンシュー
Smith’s School of English Horie/Yotsubashi
月謝制のスミス英会話 堀江校 / 四ツ橋校
http://www.smithweb.co.jp/school/horie.shtml 大阪市 英会話
Smith’s School of English Fuse
月謝制のスミス英会話 布施校
http://www.smithweb.co.jp/school/fuse.shtml 英会話 東大阪市
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