Freedom, Part 2

My older sister just finished writing a thesis about how students respond to freedom in the classroom. You might think that students would work harder if they get to choose what to focus on, but her findings were actually the opposite - students worked harder and better when the teacher made the choices for them. For example, students performed better when a topic for a project or presentation was assigned to them rather than allowing them to choose themselves.

Essentially - giving students structure enhances learning.

I don't think this completely contradicts my previous post, however. I'd like to believe that while structure is beneficial in the classroom, it's okay for one-on-one tutoring to take a different form. I'd like to believe that between the rigid structure of the classroom and my more fluid tutoring sessions, my students are getting a well-rounded education.

TV?

One time when I was chatting with Yosuke and Yuki's mother, I mentioned that watching TV was an easy way to pick up English. Yuki is a fan of Spongebob, so I encouraged her to continue watching.

It seemed like a good idea at the time, but recently I read an article that watching TV is actually detrimental to learning a language. Who would have thought? I regret encouraging it as a learning tool, but I'm also a bit dubious of the article (which I can't find again, or else I'd post it here). According to the author, we learn either through visual stimuli or audible stimuli, but not by both. So you can learn a foreign language by reading or by listening to music or tapes, but watching TV doesn't work.

I'm not sure I completely believe the article, and I plan to keep looking for other opinions. In any case, when studying a foreign language, watching TV shows or movies in that language beats watching them in your native language, right? I hope so.

Acquiring a Tutoring Job

I was lucky when I got this tutoring job. I wasn't even looking for one. During my last semester of college, one of my Japanese teachers asked me if I would be interested in doing some tutoring part-time. Apparently, this teacher is quite active in the Japanese community (which is almost nonexistent here), and she often hooks up new families with tutors. I told her I was interested, and a few months later, I got an email with some contact information.

After tutoring Yosuke and Yuki for about four months, I heard of Miki's situation. Miki's English level was so low that her mother was looking for a tutor who spoke Japanese well. Yosuke's mother asked me if I knew anyone, and I told her I didn't, as all of my Japanese-speaking friends are doing the JET Program this year. My Japanese teacher also asked a student, who declined the job. Finally, I was asked, even though I insisted my Japanese wouldn't be good enough to help this student. I contacted Miki's mother via email and offered to help Miki temporarily until a better student was found. Three months later, here I am still tutoring Miki. It seems to have become permanent.

I enjoy the work and I adore Miki, but I still feel like she needs a tutor with more experience. At least I'm getting better (I think)!

PS- Yosuke is probably taking his English midterm right about now. Ganbatte, Yosuke!!