19 December 2005
I think I'm learning Japanese... I really think so!
by John, onboard the Esperanza
Japanese is not an easy language to learn; or so I thought, but this crew have just eaten it up, learning how to speak quite a bit and read and write 20 characters in just four lessons!We have just finished my 'Introduction to Japanese', clearing the tables in the mess (dining room) for a classroom after the evening meal. I was really surprised at the amount of interest shown by the crew about a third of whom managed to find time to come (dont forget that some are always on duty).
We covered the language basics, but it was the bits about Japanese society and culture that seemed to intrigue most; people came out with questions I'd not anticipated and were especially interested in anecdotes about society, customs and values (not to mention the useful phrase 'Help me Obi-wan, youre my only hope' --'Tasukete Obi-wan, anata dake ga tayori desu')!
I have tried to emphasise the 'not so different', to show that Japanese is not an unsolvable puzzle, and nor are the people: both can be a lot of fun.
I've been asked to continue next week; all credit to an open-minded and curious crew!
Comments
Well done John: our chests visibly swelled with pride as we saw your face on today's weblog!
We Daventry Countryside Rangers have a clear commitment to environmental education and are in partnership with our local primary schools, in which we help extend their classroom based cirriculum to the world on their door steps.
Your expedition website is ideal for the teaching of "endangered species" which falls into year 2's national cirriculum targets( 6-7 yr olds)here in the UK. I have been going into schools and using their internet connected white boards to link to your site. I will be booking myself back into the schools in the new term to further the children's interest in your expedition and maybe planting a little thirst for more knowledge of their environment under threat.
Keep on, keeping on,
Best wishes for all your crews endeavours,
Dewi
Post Script:
We've got an idea for a banner for your actions:
"Never mind keeping it real,
you should be keeping it right."
( Mos Def )
Posted by: Dewi G Jones-Morris ( Silent Jones ) at December 19, 2005 4:29 PM
hey john morris. hope this message is directed at you .. i'm only a simple technophobe and don't understand urls and wotnot .. main thing to say is happy christmas. seems like you might be having a nautical one. good photo: what a handsome and happy sea faring japanese teacher. have you got sea legs? we are all here in n shropshire for christmas and having a party on 28th if perchance you are back on dry uk land. meanwhile have a lovely time on the high seas. lol all the corbles xxx
Posted by: boo at December 20, 2005 1:48 PM
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