Hi everyone, 皆さん、こんにちは。
My Japanese classes/lessons included practices to develop skills of speaking, reading, listening, writing, interacting and constructing/performing students’ own dialogues by pairs/groups or by oneself. The learning included the language and cultural skills to be used in travelling in Japan and general understanding on Japanese culture. Speaking practice 
sometimes used the pictures, information, concepts/ideas or topics from the brochures of the Japan National Tourism Organizations, Japanese newspapers, its ads, Nichigo Press, another Japanese monthly magazine, Japaralia and Daily Telegraph.
My past groups’ 10 weeks’ courses and Corporate Course in Surry Hills were finished. I had only tutorial sessions of two students. One is the usual student of weekly sessions who is a company executive. He has been working esp. with the Workbook of Japanese for Busy People Bk 2 (apart from its course book) and a preparatory book for the Japanese Language Proficiency Test, N5. He is always keen, consistent and versatile for the study and managing that with his busy schedule. He has a Japanese client, who he communicates/meets for work at times and who is the CEO of a highly known, Japanese multinational. That is helpful for many ways.
My another student of regular and weekly tutorials has been in Japan for a few weeks’ trip. She had a fabulous time/trip with her husband in Japan. She will be back to my lessons in June.
I had a new student (tutorial), who works for a big hotel and who had completed Japanese in the HSC. She was proficient in Japanese and passionate in developing the skills and knowledge. She is planning to take one of the Japanese Proficiency Tests in the near future.
As for the news about Japan, I heard the following from esp. NHK TV news program (on SBS TV) and other media (The Weekend Australian, 28-29.5.16, p. 11).
The 42nd G7 Summit was held in Ise-Shima, Mie Prefecture on 26-27 May. After the Summit, the US President Barack Obama visited Hiroshima and its Peace Memorial Park and the Prime Minister Shinzo Abe too paid the tribute to the 140,00 people died by the world’s first atomic bomb attack. The President is the 1st President of the US who visited there as the incumbent President of the US. – NHK TV showed that the President’s visit to Ise-Shima and Hiroshima brought sensationally positive and happy responses from the public and on the streets. One man said with extreme joy that he had gone from other prefecture to Ise-Shima/Mie Prefecture to see him in sight. There were many others too who expressed so much joy to see the President.
Japanese Teacher, Toshiko Jackson
31.5.16
Thai Lesson at Sydney Language Solutions
Thai Lesson,
Hello there, my Thai classes here we use the SLS material and hand out some other interesting materials that I find outside, in my class I encourage the students to always pronounce the Thai words over and over, this would help them get used to with the tone and rhythm, also make sure they pronounce it right. As some of you know that we have five different tones and the tone is so important in learning Thai. We do a lot of practicing in the class and try to make it fun.
I just finished the beginning 1 and 2 classes last month. They were enjoyable classes everyone cooperated well with the activities in classes and little homework I asked. Some had very interesting questions which is really helpful to me and other students. Questions from students are very important to me and the classes, they always show us another aspect and something that’s not in the materials. I always encourage them to ask any question about Thai even about our culture which I am happy to share. Some of them have Thai partners or friends so they often came up with the variety questions which I found them very interesting. Some of my students were going to travel to Thailand some have been there few times, we shared the information and advice. I guided them what sentences to use some tips in some circumstance. I also encouraged them to find the chance to practice their speaking for example; when they go to Thai restaurant try to order in Thai. The students arranged to continue the next class together and I hope to see them soon.
A new beginning 1 class just started last week they all made it well in the first class, I hope they enjoy the entire of the class and develop the skills get some knowledge from my class.
Apapat Promnee, Thai teacher.
How to conquer the nerves in OET Speaking
In the speaking component of the OET exam, nerves can often impede your best performance on the day. Stress is a natural reaction to a high stakes exam like OET, especially in a situation where you are interacting with an unknown examiner and given only 3 minutes preparation time per scenario. Here a couple tips to increase your confidence and make your interaction much smoother:
- Prepare an opening line: Often students comment how hard it is to start the conversation with their patient. A strong opening can be the key to maintaining strong momentum. Hence, prepare an opening line that can be applied to any scenario: “Good morning, my name is Laura and I’m an ED nurse. I’ll be looking after you today, I hear you have concerns about…”
- Make a conscious effort to speak slower than your normal pace: At times, when we are nervous, we subconsciously speed up our speed of speech, which can impede the patient’s understanding of your questions.
- Practice with as many different simulated scenarios as possible: Before your exam, expose yourself to as many different situations as you can. This can give you the confidence to know, that whatever scenario you are given on the day, you will have the ability to adapt and meet the challenge
(Rashmi Shingde, April 2016)
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