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Responses Needed: Teaching in Japan General Survey!
“When love is deep, much can be accomplished.”
– Shinichi Suzuki (1898-1998), Japanese violinist and world famous music educator
What have you found satisfying about teaching English in Japan? How do you select or create EFL materials to help your students learn English? What do you know now that you wish you knew when you started teaching English in Japan?
We would like to include your insights! We are performing a short survey of EFL teachers and TESOL members with experience teaching English in Japan. Can you share your insights and experiences in a brief 12-question survey?
The survey results will be part of an upcoming TESOL 2018 panel discussion on creating and implementing intercultural classroom materials around the world, including Japan. We also hope to use the survey results in a future article on teaching (and tutoring) English in Japan. Survey participants will be given a free ebook with the reproducible collection of the “Search and Share” exercises from Compelling Conversations – Japan: Questions and Quotations for High Intermediate Japanese English Language Learners.
Please access this link in order to share your experiences and contribute to this research by March 11, 2018.
Have you registered for TESOL 2018 yet?
If so, please consider attending the panel session titled Intercultural Insights in Creating and Implementing EFL Content if you attend the TESOL 2018 convention in Chicago. Personally, I find these global gatherings of dedicated English teachers quite informative and a bit inspiring. They allow us to both deepen our knowledge and appreciate the significance of our work in English classrooms. Best of all, you get to have real conversation – face to face – with English teachers and material writers that you have “met” online or read in classrooms.
Cost, of course, remains a real barrier for too many ESL teachers who would like to attend. Money, distance, and time prevent even more EFL teachers from attending TESOL conventions. I do wish these international conferences could be held in a wide range of locations, including some outside of the United States and Canada. Why can’t Tokyo host a TESOL convention? Consider me curious!
Naturally, I hope you choose to participate – even if only vicariously – in the TESOL 2018 by completing this survey. I will be glad to also share the results if you provide information too. Deal?
Thank you for your time, energy, and contribution!
Ask more. Know more. Share more.
Create Compelling Conversations.
Visit www.CompellingConversations.com
About the Author
Eric H. Roth teaches international graduate students the pleasures and perils of academic writing and public speaking in English at the University of Southern California (USC). He also consults English language schools on communicative methods to effectively teach English.Roth co-authored Compelling Conversations: Questions and Quotations on Timeless Topics in 2006 to help English language learners increase their English fluency. Recommended by English Teaching Professional magazine, the advanced ESL textbook has been used in over 50 countries in English classrooms and conversation clubs. Easy English Times, an adult literacy newspaper, has published a monthly column, “Instant Conversation Activities,” based on the book since 2008. The first specific version for a particular country, Vietnam, was published in 2011. Compelling American Conversations came out in 2012, and Compelling Conversations – Japan arrived in 2015. Eric enjoys sharing reflections, resources, and teaching tips on this #ESL #EFL #ELT blog.
Riding Life’s Waves: Confronting Procrastination – The Surfer’s Way
“If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If I am only for myself, what am I? If not now, when?”
– Hillel the Elder (110 BC-10 AD), Jewish religious leader
Why do we procrastinate? Whether the tasks be large or small, it’s all too easy to put off unpleasant tasks – and even easier to keep letting things pile up.
Yet, In ‘The Unexpected Antidote to Procrastination,’ Peter Bregman, writing for the Harvard Business Review, points out that we can’t truly avoid the inevitable. Using surfing as a metaphor, he explains that “No matter how good, how experienced, how graceful they were on the wave, every surfer ended their ride in precisely the same way: By falling.” However, “not all falls were failures,” and the element of surprise, like a force of nature, is the determining factor.
So, if the end outcome is the same – that we forcibly address an issue or complete a task – why not face the challenge head-on? Bregman speculates that this relates back to our fear of feeling, not of failure. Yet the longer we procrastinate, the longer we subject ourselves to the emotional stressors we’re ‘avoiding’ in the first place.
I plead guilty to those charges. How often have I allowed anxiety and false fears of failure to paralzye me? And, as Bregman suggests, some of this paralysis comes from the fear of feeling pain, feeling foolish, and feeling overwhelmed. I’ve also stayed in stressful situations far longer than needed because I didn’t want to acknowledge how uncomfortable I actually felt. I’ve certainly postponed writing lessons, holding difficult conversations, and deepening relationships. Translation: it’s easy to put off important decisions and drift from day to day, postponing both reflection and action.
Feel more, fear less?
How do we avoid avoidance? How do we find the inner resources to confront situations and move forward?
“[F]eeling is what tells you you’re alive,” Bregman explains. By riding out our emotions like waves, we become less intimidated by them – and maybe even enjoy them. It’s like learning a language: the more you ask, the more you know and the more you share. The more you share, the easier conversation flows. In both scenarios, the potential rewards far exceed the risk.
Despite this celebration of feeling, oftentimes taking initiative is still easier said than done. What advice can we offer our peers, our students and – perhaps especially – ourselves when it comes to taking the final plunge?
Practice makes progress
Start by starting. In the words of Lao Tzu, ancient Chinese philosopher, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.” Goethe also reminds us that “Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.” Let us dare to create the lives we imagine possible.
I too need to ride more waves, take more risks, and wake up to the many fantastic possibilities of 2018. I need to say “yes” more often and worry less about false fears. I need to answer emails faster, accept more invitations, and keep writing. As the saying goes, practice makes perfect – or at least progress. Let’s make progress, one wave at a time.
What are some of your antidotes to procrastination? How do you take more initiative in your daily life?
What habits are you looking to make – or break – in the new year? For a collection of classroom activities on this topic, check out the Making and Breaking Habits chapter from Compelling American Conversations, available on our Teachers Pay Teachers store!
Ask more. Know more. Share more.
Create Compelling Conversations.
Visit www.CompellingConversations.com
Job Interviews: How to Answer Authentically to the Toughest Questions
“Strong waves make strong sailors.” – English proverb
Why do so many hiring managers ask open-ended questions in job interviews? What possibilities – and perils – do these questions present? How can job-seekers prepare for ten tough, yet common, interview questions?
When answering seemingly broad interview questions, it’s often difficult to know where to begin. “The more open-ended the question, the wider the variation in the answers,” Brian Krueger, author and former VP Global Talent Acquisition at Amazon, notes. While many of these answers are neither right or wrong, they are certainly not equal. But what makes up the best possible answer?
Pointers from A Pro
To that end Krueger, writing for CollegeGrad.com, identifies several key components in the article Ten Tough Interview Questions and Ten Great Answers. Reviewing ten tried, true and thought-provoking interview questions, he examines the intent behind each, providing insight on what employers are really looking for. Example answers are provided afterwards as a framework on which to base your own along with some pointers.
While practical and savvy, it’s important to remember that not all employers or interviewers are identical. Nonetheless, these general guidelines should help young graduates present a clear, strong case for themselves as focused, young professionals. Some of our favorite pieces of wisdom include:
When talking about yourself:
- Be brief.
- Present your weaknesses as challenges to be overcome.
- Focus on achievable goals (relevant to the job.)
- Embrace the diversity of working collaboratively.
- On the subject of conflict, focus on reaction and resolution.
Always use examples with clear evidence to corroborate your statements.
Prepare several more than you’ve planned to talk about in the event they ask for more.
Ask for references
Collect references pre-interview from previous employers or professors. They’ll serve as a readily-accessible perspective for questions asking how others would describe you/your work ethic.
“Fear of the unknown can only exist when there is an unknown,” Krueger states. Knowing how to give good answers to challenging questions requires practice. No answers are one-size-fits-all. Backing up your statements with detailed, behavioral examples is the best way to showcase your unique talents and the value of your experience.
Preparation, in time, brings peace of mind
Your level of preparation, especially when it comes to answering tough questions, can make or break an interview. However, it’s also important to ensure your responses aren’t too rehearsed; the best interviews are, above all, a good conversation. Be open and responsive to new information, and remember to ask questions of your own!
For further reading, it is once again worth mentioning the work of best-selling author and human resources guru Richard Bolles. His 2014 Rethinking Interviews is worth reading if you have two hours. I have frequently assigned this thin, savvy book in my own advanced speaking skills course at USC. Jammed with very detailed tips and some surprising suggestions for tackling interviews, my international students have consistently found it useful for both job search and guide to American work culture.
What tough interview questions have you been asked? How did you handle them? How do these experiences help you prepare your ESL/VESL students for interview questions? Share with us!
Ask more. Know more. Share more.
Create Compelling Conversations.
Visit www.CompellingConversations.com
About the Author
Eric H. Roth teaches international graduate students the pleasures and perils of academic writing and public speaking in English at the University of Southern California (USC). He also consults English language schools on communicative methods to effectively teach English.Roth co-authored Compelling Conversations: Questions and Quotations on Timeless Topics in 2006 to help English language learners increase their English fluency. Recommended by English Teaching Professional magazine, the advanced ESL textbook has been used in over 50 countries in English classrooms and conversation clubs. Easy English Times, an adult literacy newspaper, has published a monthly column, “Instant Conversation Activities,” based on the book since 2008. The first specific version for a particular country, Vietnam, was published in 2011. Compelling American Conversations came out in 2012, and Compelling Conversations – Japan arrived in 2015. Eric enjoys sharing reflections, resources, and teaching tips on this #ESL #EFL #ELT blog.
Job Interviews: Why Authentic Conversation is Key to Success
“Hiring is a manager’s most important job.”
– Peter F. Drucker (1909-2005), American management consultant and author
How do many job seekers self-sabotage during interviews? What qualities often make a successful job interview?
Liz Ryan, founder and CEO of Human Workplace, has conducted many an interview. In ‘The Startling Truth About Hiring Decisions’, she describes her experiences in corporate HR as a career-coach for fellow employees pursuing other work. Of the many candidates she spoke with, the ones that stood out were the ones who spoke with purpose and conviction. “They knew why they wanted the job they were applying for, and they knew that they could make a difference in it,” Ryan notes, “[t]hey weren’t afraid to be themselves.”
However, she also notes this is easier said than done. So, how do job-seekers attain this level of confidence?
Acknowledging failure
They learn by confronting the fear of failure. Oftentimes, as Ryan points out, nervous candidates play the role of people-pleaser – a persona rather than a personality. In the absence of authenticity, the memory of the interview fades into obscurity. You won’t make an impression on anyone by phoning it in. Realizing the value in self-expression is the key to more natural – and compelling – conversations in job interviews.
“They just sat in the chair and had a conversation”
Ryan backs up her observations and advice with valuable context from her own interviewing experiences. However, no advice on reducing nerves or increasing interviewees’ confidence is given. How can we appear poised when we’re shaking inside?
An important thing to remember is that hiring managers are people too – just because they represent a successful organization in an important industry doesn’t mean your responses should be manufactured. In his classic What Color is Your Parachute?, best-selling advice author Richard Bolles emphasizes job interviews as both a two-way conversation and a learning experience. Building a rapport and engaging interviewers as individuals creates a less intimidating, more informative experience for both parties.
Connections before contracts
Trusting that the right fit will come along, Ryan insists, also goes a long way. Bolles also shares this very optimistic, very American point of view that there is a perfect job for everyone. Consider me a bit skeptical on that claim. We do, however, have much more choice and freedom than many job seekers seem to realize.
Remembering your strengths, giving yourself the credit you deserve for your achievements, and focusing on your advantages creates more possibilities.
It’s also okay to be rejected and “fail” an interview. It’s absurd to expect yourself to be a perfect fit for all potential employers – even in your niche career. Sometimes remembering that the quality of our professional lives matter gives us the courage to speak more openly and candidly about ourselves and our expectations.
May I suggest that you allow yourself to be stumped by hard questions and tailor your answers for the actual job you seek to fill? How would you perform in this particular work environment? Would you fit in? How do you know? Risking being authentic in your responses and evaluations. If you do so, you will also create more meaningful and insightful interviews for both you and the potential employer.
How have you prepared for past job interviews? How do you help your English students prepare for job interviews? What advice do you pass onto them?
For further reading, check out our chapter on Practicing Interviews from Compelling American Conversations, available for $3.99 on Teachers Pay Teachers! Featuring a number of fluency-focused activities to strengthen English speaking skills – plus expansions from the Teacher Edition – we hope this savvy resource will make a great addition to your English classroom!
Ask more. Know more. Share more.
Create Compelling Conversations.
Visit www.CompellingConversations.com
Now available: Compelling Conversations Vietnam bilingual supplement comes to Amazon Kindle!
“The mind is not a vessel that needs filling but wood that needs igniting.”
—Plutarch (45-120), ancient Greek biographer and essayist
Learn, work and dream in English!
We are proud to release Compelling Conversations – Vietnam: Supplementary Bilingual English-Vietnamese Conversation Questions for Vietnamese Learners of English. A bilingual companion to last year’s second edition of Compelling Conversations – Vietnam, this book provides new context and easier access to conversational English for Vietnamese learners.
Intended for American immigrants and intermediate Vietnamese ESL students, these 420 conversation questions help learners share personal experiences and express opinions – in English.
Learn through translation with focused, thematic questions
Inspired by her long-time stateside relatives – who are still most comfortable speaking in their native tongue – co-author Teresa Nguyen strengthens English fluency through association in this complementary course book. The first set of 15 questions (Sharing Experiences) introduces each topic, asking short, clear questions. Afterwards, another set (The Conversation Continues) follows up with more in-depth conversation topics. All are open-ended to encourage reflection and in-class discussion.
Native English speakers learning Vietnamese may also find this supplemental material useful; travelers, entrepreneurs, and professionals alike can ask questions and create closer relationships in both languages. Simply asking “how do you say” goes a long way!
Get your copy today!
Supplementary Bilingual English-Vietnamese Conversation Questions is available now as an ebook through Amazon Kindle.
For additional bilingual conversation materials and study aids, also check out Teresa’s ESL Garage channel on YouTube. Here’s one of our favorite videos!
Furthermore, we are currently looking for a dedicated, market-savvy co-publisher in Vietnam to expand our reach and create even more compelling conversations. Please refer all interest/inquiries to Eric Roth at eric@compellingconversations.com or 1-855-ESL-Book (310-390-0131 outside the U.S. and Canada).
Compelling Conversations – Vietnam: Supplementary Bilingual English-Vietnamese Conversation Questions for Vietnamese Learners of English: $2.99
(Kindle Edition): $9.98
Chimayo Press (www.ChimayoPress.com) is a Los Angeles-based publisher of niche books that create compelling conversations, deepen relationships, and celebrate the human spirit. The original Compelling Conversations ESL series has found audiences across the world in over 50 countries and established a niche for English teachers, online tutors, and conversational clubs.
