This week I was completely blown away, and quite pleased with one of my high-beginner students here at Smith’s Hashimoto. One of my first questions in most classes is “how was your week, any big news?” Her response: “Last Sunday I went to Disney Sea with an old university friend. We met at Tokyo Station at 11am, got on the train, and arrived 20 minutes later. We had smoked pork for lunch. After lunch we walked around the park. We didn’t ride any amusements because the park was crowded, but we watched a few shows. At 7pm we got back on the train and said goodbye at Tokyo Station. I hadn’t seen Miho for 6 months so it was good to catch-up.” My jaw about dropped to the floor. She has begun, on her own, to keep a journal. And she is creating her own routines, just like we use in the classroom, taking her time, using her dictionary, etc. Just amazing, coming from an “orange-level” student!
Jim
Wow! Jim, that is great! It is certainly a treat when students really take such initiative. You know that this student will succeed because she is taking such great initiative. And her use of the routine format to make her story was also great. It is a tribute to the hard work you and the Smith’s School is doing to motivate students to speak and do all the things that we know will really pay off for them in their mastery of English. Keep up the good work!