At JALT National, one of the plenary speakers (I think it was Penny Urr) said something that really struck me. She asked the audience, “Are you a teacher? Or are you a learner?” I thought about this. I am a teacher, but I am constantly learning new things, so I debated and then raised my hand with the learners. Then she went on to talk about what it really means to be a teacher and a learner. I don’t remember what she said about learners, but what she said about teachers seemed to really fit me. She said a teacher was someone who was always trying to share their knowledge and help others. Well, that seems to describe me pretty accurately. I am always trying to learn new things, a better way of doing what I am doing. Then I take whatever I learn and share it with those around me who I think it will benefit.

When it comes to teaching, I am always thinking about my students and what will resonate with them. I also love talking to other teachers about what they are doing in their classes. By talking with other teachers, I get little ideas here and there that improve my classes: ideas about teaching pronunciation, using puppets in class, making lapbooks, using crafts. I usually take this core idea that I pick up and adjust it to fit my students.

Through this blog, I would like to share some of the things I have done (am doing) with my students that have really worked out well. I will also post games and other materials with some of the posts, so that you can try them out with your classes. I hope that you will feel free to use anything you find here and CHANGE IT however you would like to make it fit your students. No two classes are the same, and often what works with one class does not work with another, as I’m sure you know.

If you have questions about anything you find on this blog please send me an email and I would be happy to answer your questions and maybe address it in another blog post.
My email is sam at apricot-plaza dot co dot jp.