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but class today was a disaster. Here's proof that I'm scheduled to be there, though.
My name is there in the middle, マツユー バ. Matsuyuu Va. (When you are writing a name that incorporates sounds that don't exist in your language, you have to do what you can.) This means I didn't screw up entirely. I did go to the proper room.
About 7 years ago I had a student in a summer class tell me I am an intimidating instructor. I asked for a bit more clarification (which, in immediate hindsight, I realized was probably intimidating for the student). She said something to the effect of "You're eloquent. It's clear you choose almost every word very carefully, but you do it quickly. I never know if I am saying something that you'll think is dumb because I use the wrong words." Since then I've tried to make changes in how I carry and present myself to accommodate the word choice issue. Apparently I'm still seen as an intimidating professor among American students.
Now I'm in a place where the idea that a student would question a grade, even in a "I just want to understand how I could have done it correctly" manner, is so foreign it isn't even laughable. These students do not speak English natively. I'm trying to be careful to adjust phrasings so they have a good chance to understand. Still, I messed up big time. I set the bar way too high. So I've got to come up with modifications to help the students. Step Zero was apologizing to the class for making the mistake. That was done before I let them all go.
---The Shows---
First - I am looking for copies of the shows I want them to see that have Japanese subtitles. In about an hour of looking after class I've turned up almost nothing.
Second - No extant copies with Japanese subtitles? I'll find a transcript and use DeepL to translate it. 30 minutes of searching and no transcripts for these episodes either.
Third - I can watch the episodes with the English subtitles on and make a transcript. It'll take time, but I've got that. I'll need to figure out how to incorporate them, though. Update -- I've figured out how to create closed caption files that can be added to a PowerPoint. What I'll do is record the show into a file, embed that file into a PowerPoint, and add the closed captioning to the recording. It's full of chances for things to go wrong. Exactly as I like to teach. ;-)
---The Assignments---
I will give them the assignments in English, but have a Japanese translation on a separate page. They will be encouraged to read and try to understand the English alone. Sometimes a crutch, net, parachute, or all of the above are needed.
More grist for the Mill of Self-Reflection this program was meant to be for me. I'll be able to make a lot of cakes when I'm done here.
I am going to say it's the Grandpa White gene mixed in with your dad's gene you got the double whammy...I have channeled it and not knowing I had it. A teacher was terrified of me when I first started. I found it out a few years before I retired. I never thought I was that intimidating. As you know, students would go from noisy to quiet when Grandpa walked into class. I had that happen with me several times when I walked into class. It's a curse and a blessing...things will be better the next time. You took the biggest step by apologizing and just go from there. Unfortunately American students sometimes NEED intimidation because of our culture of not listening so the cycle begins in order to teach. Weird?? Hope you understand what I meant.
ReplyDeleteI understand. It's a learning process for me here. And a good one. I know I'm growing in a way that will help me down the line.
DeleteYep and we are so proud of you!!
DeleteWow! That is going to be a lot of work. Yes, I think you have discovered that their English was not as good as you hoped. But you're figuring it out. Good job. I personally wouldn't translate their actual assignment, as they can look those written words up if they need to, but I can see that they can't watch a show and understand what's happening without subtitles. Good luck!
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