Another semester of Japanese started today: same school, same teacher, same classmates, but a new book. We are starting year two. I looked over today's lesson, a review of course, with apprehension and dread. I had meant to study so much more over “~‹x‚Ý (the winter break). I did study a little every day, but I didn't study as diligently as I'd like, or complete any of the objectives I'd set for myself. I should be happy to have the resources to devote to study, but this morning found me as pouty as any schoolchild. I need more time to absorb this material before moving on. I understand it conceptually, but can barely put what I know into practice.
Still, I don't want to talk about my hobbies, or how many brothers and sisters I have, or whether the pen is to the left or the right of the book. But, as JQS reminded me, think of how the teacher feels, facing this same group, knowing that most of last year's learning has slipped away over the vacation, and having to get everyone enthused about the new material. No, I don't have to imagine it. I've been there myself.
Walking into class, I note the familiar faces. About two-thirds of last semester's class is here. One new guy, from California, joins us. He's taught English in Tokyo for two years and he is more confident in putting his Japanese-speaking skills into practice than the rest of us. And probably he's more skilled. I think he'll find our class a bit frustrating.
Sensei is speaking much faster and I understand much less of what she's saying than I did before. Panic! Then I realize it's not just that she's speaking faster. She's stopped going back and forth between English and Japanese. It's all Japanese now. Wow, good! This is much more challenging and there's nothing like a challenge to spur me on. As long as I'm listening or reading, I do okay in class. But when I have to make up sentences, especially from scratch, rather than in a set dialog, or Q&A, then my mind empties. I actually feel the air whoosh in to fill the space between my ears.
Posted by M Sinclair Stevens
January 12, 2004
Comments
Urayamashii desu! Mata gakko de benkyo shitara ureshii desu. Tandai desuka, daigaku desuka? (Mai no hanashita koto o wasureta...) Merisa wa kanji de dekiru koto wa subarashii. Fuyu yasumi de watashi mo Nihongo o mata benkyo suru koto ni shimashita. Taihen ii CD's kaimashita. Sore kara shigoto ni unten shinagara, NPR o kiku no kawari ni, Nihongo no CD o kikimasu. Takusan wasurete imasu! Zannen demo shigata ga nai. Gambatte Jeanne! Gambatte Merisa!
Comment by: jbl. Posted January 20, 2004 10:52 PM.
Hi this is Gav from Japan Tales. The more you immerse yourself in the language at a native level the stronger it will become. gambatte
Comment by: Gav. Posted January 26, 2004 06:11 PM.
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