#esl in japan
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IRL Japanese 2: Things the kids I teach say all the time
If you're planning to work as an ESL teacher in Japan working with kids, this vocab is gonna be super useful for you! You'll pick up a lot as you go along, but it's good to have an overview from the start.
できた = done, finished (whenever they finish an exercise I've set them. The older kids will use the ます-form, but kids under like age 8 will use this one)
かえる？= is it time to go home? (lit: go home?)
わかった = got it (again, the older kids will use the ます-form)
わからない / わかんない = I don't get it (idk if わかんない is just dialect or if it's common overall, but I hear it more than わからない. Usually from the kids who don't wanna be there and are making zero effort)
ちがう = wrong / different (when they give an answer but realise it's not correct. It's basically like "wait, no")
ばか = idiot (sometimes boys say this to their friends)
全部？（ぜんぶ）= everything?! (asked in disbelief when I ask them to write more than one word)
やめろ = stop it! (used with friends when they're teasing each other)
いたいよ = that actually hurts, you know! (used with friends when they're rough-housing)
よし (more like 'yoshhh') = right then (filler word indicating the start of an activity or a change of activity)
水筒（すいとう）= water bottle (most kids bring one to class and frequently forget to take them with them when they go home)
忘れた（わすれた）= I forgot (usually in reference to the text book they left at home)
トイレに行きたい = I want to go to the bathroom
先生、大好き！（せんせい、だいすき！）= I love you, Sensei!
Other useful classroom/school vocabulary:
サイコロ = dice
トランプ = playing cards
ごろごろ = onomatopeia for the sound for rolling (I found the kids got confused if I just mimed rolling a dice/ball and said "roll!" but if I did the gesture and said "gorogoro", they understood)
ビリビリ = onomatopeia for ripping (useful for when you have tear-apart crafts in class)
ケシケシ = onomatopeia for erasing something (useful when you try to explain to a kid they spelled something wrong. Because it's easier to just say "A kesh-kesh, E" than "Not A, E. Okay great you wrote E, but A needs to go. No no no not the whole word, just A. Oh my God. Okay. Let me write it and you copy.")
ちょっと = a little, soon, wait a little (useful if the kids are getting a bit antsy and ready to go home a bit too early/don't want to wait their turn. Don't use it with parents though!)
がんばれ = do your best / you can do it!
あぶない！= dangerous / look out! (useful if a kid unexpectedly runs in front of me while I'm carrying a table)
せえの！= Altogether now! (When I need the kids to repeat something after me)
だめだよ = Don't do that (for when the kids repeatedly do something I've asked them not to do)
少々お待ちください（しょうしょう おまち ください）= polite form of "please wait a moment". Useful if you have a parent talking to you and you need to go get something (e.g. a communication sheet for them to point at so you know what they're trying to say)
授業参観 (じゅぎょうさんかん) = parent observation (PO). A couple of times a year, parents are invited into the classroom to watch the lesson (absolutely not a thing in the UK, not sure about other countries). The past two months I've had POs at my various schools, and so the parents come to the door and ask me if it's PO week. I don't understand most of the question, but I can pick out this one word and a question particle and figure out what they're asking.
It's also obviously a good idea to learn vocabulary related to stationery (eraser, pencil, crayon, pen, notebook, textbook, pencil case etc) because kids forget/lose their stuff all the time and will inevitably ask you if they can borrow something.
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My local union managed to secure pay raises at a company recently, and without needing a strike (for now).
Good- first pay raise in 30 years!
Bad- it's less than the inflation rate this year
Ugly- they will have to go back to the negotiating table every year to just keep up with inflation.
I encourage people to read the article and understand all the time and work that goes into making this happen.
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So I work as an English teacher in Japan and working with non native speakers has treated me to some absolutely ridiculous realisations about the English language and some absolutely hilarious lines from students, but my favourite has to be the junior high school student I have on Saturdays, I taught her the phrase "be a couch potato" when discussing bad habits and at the end of our lesson, instead of saying "have a good weekend" or "get some rest" like usual, she told me "I hope you'll be a potato" this ll took place last week.
Today she sent me an email that she'd be absent from class, she's just finished her exams and is exhausted, I don't fault her for that, but she ended the very polite email with
"I must be potato today,
Sincerely, (name)"
I'm not sure if I should correct her grammar, teach her email etiquette or just let this wonderful meme stand.
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Engage and Enjoy!
Being serious about developing an English training program and approaching curriculum building and lesson time with 100% buy in doesn't mean that the lessons are going to be no fun.
Quite the contrary. Coming into Japan, most students have studied a lot of English and have interacted with a lot of vocabulary, but they don't know how to use it because there is a heavy leaning towards passing the school tests. A lot of students have never traveled and they have not discovered how satisfying and fun it can be to actually communicate in another language. We need to engage them. Sometimes stray from the path you blazed if a productive conversation springs, but remember to find teaching points as you go.
make your lessons fun. Add games and discussion activities or do meeting simulations.
involve the students. Find out what they hope for and make a point to accommodate.
Mix it up. Have one class that is totally different. Try to avoid making it routine.
Don't lose sight of your target, the textbook still needs to be used, time needs to be controlled but the students don't need to be aware you are thinking of this.
Make sure the students understand the benefits of the activities you are doing or the goal. Sometimes students appear to be having fun but turn around and complain to their HR department. Sell them on what you are doing.
If we teach them how to have fun and how to communicate while growing their skills, they will gain a more natural motivation and interest in your class. You can't win them all. Some students are forced to take the class by their boss or other persons of influence, but you will win over more than you lose if you keep this in mind.
#japan#language#studying#english#english study#teacher#motivation#fun#class#English training#EFL#ESL#Active teacher#classroom
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We're hiring teachers for various locations throughout beautiful Japan. Teach kids and adults, immerse yourself in a new culture and spend one year in the land of the rising sun 🌅. Ongoing arrival dates! 🍣🗾🎎🔗https://lnkd.in/dDV-Mj54
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Assistant Language Teaching
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Producing silk just isn't as easy as appears a little bit. We're going to examine some of what's involved including a look at what typical mass production is in probably the most more productive countries such as Japan, China and Thailand.
Talking about Tokyo subway reminds me to let you know it's the most pleasant, clean, and good smelling subway systems globally. It's a very pleasant experience also included with it, that is as long as essential try to board it during Rush hour, that's crazy in Tokyo.
Learn Vietnamese. If you want to teach them English well, you should know their language first. Optimistic beginning of a good communication. Though you're definitely not required to talk the language before achievable teach, it also helps you large numbers if you know the way. There are several Japanese schools and learning materials you should buy or click here to download.
This tower copies Fire Watching Tower in Asia. In Edo associated with time Tokugawa Shogun Government, volunteer and professional fire fighters were watching fires coming from a Continue reading top on the tower. Once they find a fire, ring the bell inside and alarm residents and signal fire fighters depart inside the base location.
It must be Japan job emphasized be very sure and construction of the vanette truck, quality and safety been recently the priority. It is no wonder how the final product delivers in each front - it provides sufficient versatility, practicality, power, refinement and stellar power.
The vanette truck is proud of the alternative option to avail among the camera for rear-view parking, which is often a breakthrough for vans with this particular segment. May find also numerous compartments, cup holders, pockets, storage spaces and the likes within the cabin. Other features, which can similar individuals installed in cars, are available. Put on pounds . the Nissan Intelligent keys, ESP and power residence.
In most parts belonging to the country, accommodations can be rather expensive. You'd have to cover as much as 100,000 yen for a roof too deep. You can however, reduce this cost considerably one does choose for everyone within the facilities belonging to your owner. Winter resorts in Nagano, Niigata and Gunma provide free accommodations and meals. Summer resorts in Okinawa, Kyushu and Honshu provide subsidized rates for board and lodging.
Make your lessons diverting. Wouldn't you learn much faster if the teachings are engaging and entertaining? It's the same thing with okazaki, japan students. Make use of creativity and ingenuity arrive up with innovative and entertaining associated with introduce English to folks.
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Is #Japanese your first language but you need to present work in #English? Read about our #ESL editing services. https://www.editorworld.com/ESL-editing #writingcommunity #writing #academicsofinstagram #academicchatter #Japan #professor #phdlife #phd #researchpaper #dissertation #dissertationediting #dissertationeditor #fastediting #eslstudents #university #asia #japanlife #japangram #thesis #womeninstem (at Editor World: Proofreading & Editing Services) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cj5Q-BkgORW/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=
#japanese#english#esl#writingcommunity#writing#academicsofinstagram#academicchatter#japan#professor#phdlife#phd#researchpaper#dissertation#dissertationediting#dissertationeditor#fastediting#eslstudents#university#asia#japanlife#japangram#thesis#womeninstem
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Notable ESL Teaching Moments #2
Kids ask where I'm from. "I'm from the UK," I tell them. "Sensei, please go back to the UK," one kid says.
I ask the kids what they can see in the picture. The picture is of outer space. One girl raises her hand "Arse!" She yells. It takes me a moment to realise she actually said "Earth".
Kids ask me how old I am. I ask them to guess. "Twelve," says one. "Fifty-six," says the next. I tell them it's somewhere in the middle. "Four," says the third kid. "Sure, whatever," I say.
We have a 'good job!' stamp for when the kids complete their workbook activity. I accidentally drop it on a kid who's lying on the floor. He doesn't let me wash the ink off and I have to deliver him back to his mum with a bright red cartoon cat stamped onto his forehead.
I ask the kids (6-year-olds) "do you like giraffes?" One girl tells us a story about how she saw a giant giraffe dick at the zoo one time
Gap fill activity. First sentence: "I want to make _______ sandwiches." One girl writes her name in the gap. Her older sister can't stop laughing.
The kids have to ask me "may I go home?" before I say "yes you may!" and let them out. Sometimes, I say it first and they repeat. One class I say the question expecting them to repeat. "Yes you may" says the girl closest to me. I wonder how my supervisor would feel about me ditching my last 2 lessons because a 9 y/o told me I could go home.
4 y/o says her hand hurts after one of the boys pushed her over. I take a look at it. There's nothing wrong with it. I give it a little tickle and she grins. Suddenly everyone crowds around. "Sensei, my hand hurts." "Sensei, my finger hurts." "Sensei, my leg hurts." I spend five minutes of lesson time tickling away imaginary aches and pains. I wonder if it's possible to fix my cranky back so easily.
Our term song is the Hokey Pokey. I put it on and start doing the actions. Instead of joining in, the kids sit down and laugh at me.
I go to give a kid a high five. He wipes his nose, covering his hand in snot, before indulging me.
Halloween lessons. One kid arrives wearing a jack-o-lantern on his head.
From my colleague: Term target sentence for 5-6s is "Do you want ______?" and "I want ______." One of the kids in my colleague's class had learned the word "fucking" from somewhere and wasn't afraid to use it to fill in the gaps
Kids have to write the sentence "Laura studies every day." One kid writes "Laura she studies every day". I tell her she doesn't need to write "she" because we already wrote "Laura". She erases 'she' and, for some reason, 'stu'. And thus the sentences reads: "Laura dies every day."
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I'm really sorry to ask and it might seem kind of dumb, but what does EFL and ESL stand for?
Oh, yeah, my bad!
EFL - English Foreign Language
> English taught as a foreign language in school, for example in Japan
ESL - English Second Language
> English taught as a second language in school, for example if you're an immigrant to the UK and you have to learn English, but your FIRST language is something else.
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CLARITY IN THE CLOUDS WC:1944
MDNI 🔞
All the back and forth teasing between you and Bakugou finally reaches an outcome, at 35,000 feet in the air.
You felt like a walking zombie as you waited to board the private jet back to Japan. You were on a team up mission in the US along with Bakugou, Deku and Todoroki. The language barrier was a bit of a hurdle but once you moved past that it was smooth sailing.
Bakugou, never one to cease amazing you, already knew a bit of English. Once getting back to the hotel after your first night you would hear him chiding everyone. "Told you dumbasses to take those ESL classes but nooo."
The mission, although it was pretty easy itself, consisted of late night stakeouts and early morning briefings. Lack of sleep had everyone on edge. Especially Mr. Grumpy who was tired of staying up past his nine pm bedtime.
You would tease him about needing his beauty sleep in which Todoroki chimed in, "Why would Bakugou need beauty rest? He has flawless skin. I bet it's really soft." This prompted Bakugou’s face to turn pink. "Sh-shut up you damn icy hot bastard."
This is why you absolutely adored Shouto. He had no filter, and the poor baby sometimes had no clue. Like him missing the way Izuku looked at him with jealous eyes as he talked about Bakugou’s skin.
You were just happy that you were one step closer to being able to sleep in your own bed finally. A couple more hours, you thought. You just need to survive the plane trip back if possible. You were stuck sitting next to Bakugou. Usually you wouldn't mind but he's been insufferable lately.
"Gods," you grumbled after hearing him bitch about the beef jerky you snacked on mid-flight. Do you know how much sodium those things have? "You need to get laid then sleep for like, I don't know, a week maybe." You finally snapped.
You turned to face out the window but it wasn't long before you heard his raspy voice behind you. "You've really been running that mouth lately." You felt his hot breath under your ear and it made you squirm. You turned back to face him and stuck out your tongue.
"Fuck." You heard Bakugou hiss. "Why don't you follow me to the bathroom and put that tongue to good use yeah?" He said, smirking. Now it was your turn for your face to turn pink. With wide eyes you smacked him on his rock hard chest. "You're awful. Shut up so I can go to sleep."
You turned back towards the window as you heard Bakugou laughing. You both would tease each other like this. Mina and Kaminari would always tell you two to get a room but what you and Bakugou had was nothing more than some playful bantering. Neither one of you ever thought of acting on what the other suggested. Not until tonight anyway.
You finally managed to drift off to slumberland only to be awakened by some rough turbulence. "Relax," Bakugou explained that the captain just announced they were flying through a storm and it should be over soon. "Why aren't you sleeping?" You asked him.
Tsk, "Like I could sleep with that damn nerd mumbling in his sleep." You looked across the aisle to see Midoriya fast asleep in his seat. His lips moving and every so often you'd hear him mumble some analytics. It was cute.
What was even more cute was watching how he seemed to calm down and actually stay quiet when Shouto pulled a blanket over him. Midoriya's head fell to the side and rested on Shouto's shoulder. Shouto would smile and lay his head on top of Midoriya's. Those two were hopelessly in love with each other.
Bakugou watched you shiver. Though he liked seeing the goosebumps raise on your smooth skin he stood up and grabbed a blanket from overhead. "Aww." You teased as he draped the blanket over you. "Quit being a pest." He mumbled.
You could feel the warmth from Bakugou’s hands as he wrapped you like a burrito and you longed for more of it. "You're really warm." You said as you cuddled up closer to him. Bakugou hummed, "You want me to keep you warm huh?"
It was a simple question that had you clenching your thighs. The more Bakugou teased you lately, the more you actually wanted him to act on it. Fuck, maybe you were the one needing to get laid.
You decided to be bold and move even closer as you nodded your head keeping a straight face. Bakugou stilled for a moment, as if trying to read your face. Were you telling him what he thought you were telling him?
His hand slipped under the blanket and you felt it on your thigh. The heat felt blistering. Or maybe it was because you wanted to feel him. He kept his eyes trained on yours waiting for you tell him to stop, but you never did.
In fact, you spread your legs even more, encouraging to let his hand explore. Bakugou squeezed your thigh and you quietly whimpered. It didn't hurt, you were just needy. "This what you want brat?" Bakugou whispered. His nose nudged your jawline.
You didn't answer but Bakugou continued anyway. Except for your breathing getting heavier you both stayed quiet. A million words were being said between both of your eyes as you stared at each other.
Was this something Bakugou’s been wanting too? Had all that teasing gotten him pent up and ready to explode? Your thoughts were interrupted when you felt his finger press against your clothed sex. You gasped as you watched Bakugou’s eyes flicker to your lips.
"Tell me to stop if you don't want this." He said as he started rubbing circles on the outside of your clit. You bit your lip. You knew he was holding back. Bakugou does nothing half ass and that includes sex.
It was driving you insane wanting to know what he was capable of doing. You wanted to touch him, to hear him, to taste him. "Please, I want more." You begged. And that's all it took. Bakugou’s mouth was on yours in a second. His tongue exploring yours, fighting for dominance.
His hand found its way down your pants and now teased your clit through your panties. You were thankful you wore some comfy sweats for the flight back. "You're so fucking wet. You're a needy slut aren't you?" Bakugou's voice sounded like rocks grinding against sandpaper.
You quickly nodded your head, not trusting your voice to stay quiet. He pulled your panties to the side and glided a finger along your soaked slit. "You gonna be my lil slut tonight, hmm?" He asked, then brought his finger to his mouth and tasted you.
You whispered a yes as you watched his eyes roll to the back of his head. You tasted fucking amazing and he wanted more. "Fuck that's right baby." He said immediately, plunging his finger in your tight cunt. "My slut. All mine."
"Ah," You gasped as you felt him quickly adding another finger. "Shhh," He hushed you, "don't want an audience do you?" Your pussy clenched around his fingers tightly at the thought. "You dirty fucking whore." Bakugou rasped as his thumb rubbed along your clit. "You want them to watch don't you? Want them to hear how needy you are?"
You gritted your teeth as you tried keeping your moans silent. Your legs were spread wide giving Bakugou all the room he needed. One hand held onto the armrest by the window. The other hand held onto his shirt as if scared that he'd float away.
"I have other ways to show people that you belong to me." He said then suddenly you felt his mouth on your neck. No doubt leaving marks for everyone to see later. You saw Shouto stir in his sleep and you clenched harder around Bakugou’s fingers. Maybe you do have a bit of an exhibitionist kink.
"Bakugou, I'm so close." You whined softly. "Katsuki." Bakugou growled against your neck. "Call me Katsuki when I'm making you cum." He pushed another finger in you and you started to grind on his hand. You felt the tightness build up. You were so close to letting it snap.
"Cum for me baby." Katsuki said, pulling his head away from your neck to get a good look at you. "I wanna see that beautiful face you make when you cum." He thrust his hand faster and faster. His fingers curling upwards hitting that sweet spot and dragging against your tight pussy walls just right.
Loud squelching noises could be heard throughout the cabin and it's a wonder nobody woke up from the noise. "Katsuki!" You moaned. You had to slap your free hand over your mouth to keep from being too loud. "Mmm, that's it." Katsuki said smiling as he watched you cum around his fingers.
"You're fucking gorgeous you know that?" He continued to slowly fuck you through your orgasm with his fingers till you had to push him away from being too sensitive. You sat trying to catch your breath watching him lick clean everyone of his fingers.
You looked down to see his hard on pushing against his pants. "What about you?" You asked as you eyed his bulge. You knew he was packing just from the outline. Katsuki grabbed your hand and placed it on his throbbing clothed dick. "You're gonna take responsibility for this now aren't ya?"
You desperately needed to taste him. You started to slide out of your seat but he stopped you. "Not here." He said looking back over his shoulder. He looked back at you with a smirk. "Wanna be a part of the mile high club?" You stifled a giggle as Katsuki pulled you out of your seat and towards the bathroom.
"Fuck, I thought they'd never leave." Midoriya said, breathing heavily. "Are you getting close love?" Shouto hummed. Midoriya moaned as he watched Shouto sink to his knees in front of him. His hand steadily pumping Japan's number one hero.
"I wanna taste you when you cum." Shouto said peering up into big emerald orbs.
By the time you had made it back to your seats it looked as if Midoriya and Shouto were just waking up. The captain came over the speaker announcing that you'd be landing soon.
As you walked through the airport terminal Shouto took notice of the purple mark left on your neck. He nonchalantly pulled your jacket up slightly to cover the mark, giving you a soft smile. You couldn't help but notice something as well.
"Shouto um," You tried not to smile but you were quite happy at the info you just deduced. "You have a bit of, um" You whispered as you pointed to the corner of your mouth telling him he has something on his.
Bakugou walked up just in time to see Shouto wipe away what was presumably remnants of Midoriya's cum. "Finally." The blonde said, rolling his eyes. He too has been waiting for the two idiots to finally hook up.
"I could say the same about you Kacchan." Midoriya says waking up beside Shouto. Katsuki blushes then asks if you wanna come over for dinner tonight. "I'm cooking." He says with a grin knowing his cooking is the shit.
At first you are shocked. You thought this was gonna be a one time thing but you're glad it seems to be something else. What it is you don't know yet. But you can tell by the way Katsuki is looking at you that he wants more. Whether it's friends with benefits or an actual relationship, only time will tell. And you're more than happy to divulge in either prospect.
#bnha#bakugou smut#bakugou katsuki#bakugou x reader#bnha bakugou#izuku midoriya#shoto torodoki#midoriya x todoroki#mile high club#Smut in the air
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Can I request a vance x reader that's japanese? Or not fluent in english :D
Vance With Japanese Reader HCs
Pairing: Vance Hopped x GN!Reader (romantic)
Word count: 721
Tags: fluffy, ESL reader, they/them reader, kissing, confession
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The first time Vance saw you was in school
You were a new face in the middle of the year so he noticed you more
He saw you and a teacher go into an empty room and got curious
When he looked inside, he saw that it was an empty classroom and the teacher was talking to you in another language
The teacher saw him in the window and told him to leave, causing you to look up at him
Vance thought you were really pretty so he blushed and ran away
Vance saw you again at lunch that day and sat at an adjacent table
Since you were still pretty new, you didn’t have any friends yet and sat by yourself
Vance didn’t quite know why, but he decided to get up and sit at your table.
”Hi,” he said with a nervous voice. You looked up at him, surprised. You hadn’t seen him sit down. “Hi,” you said with a thick accent Vance couldn’t place. “So did you just move here or something? I really haven’t seen you around before” Vance asked. You looked at him confused, and after a couple moments, Vance realized you couldn’t understand.
Vance halted his conversation but still sat with you, occasionally looking up at you.
After a little while, the same teacher Vance had seen you with came to sit at the table. “Vance, I didn’t expect to you sitting here,” the teacher said, sitting down next to you. He greeted you. “Have you two been introduced?” The teacher asked to which Vance shook his head. “Vance, this is Y/N, they just moved here from Japan.” He said something to you that Vance assumed was an introduction. You perked up and waved to him. Vance smiled and waved back.
“This is great,” the teacher said. “I’m sure Y/N could use a friend around here.” Vance looked between you and the teacher. “I don’t speak Japanese and they don’t really speak English,” Vance pointed out. “Well, Y/N is learning and maybe you could learn some Japanese, Vance. Maybe I could work out a credit agreement,” the teacher said back.
The idea of earning credit was appealing to Vance, but what was more appealing was being able to talk to you, something about you was really interesting to him but he couldn’t put his finger on it
Vance would spend the next part of the school year dutifully learning Japanese in his off time.
Whenever he learned a new phrase, he would show you and you, in turn, would show him something you learned in English. This routine helped strike up a friendship between the two of you.
As time progressed, Vance started to develop feelings for you. Now that he had more methods to communicate with you, he found you were an amazing person. He thought you were funny, you were always nice, and he thought you were really cute.
On the last day of school, Vance asked you out on a date by learning how to ask in Japanese. You smiled widely and agreed, saying you really liked him. This comment made Vance blush.
Your first date was, of course, to go play pinball at the Grab N Go. Vance played a round first and then you played one, alternating turns. Even if it was just something small, it felt like the perfect first date for both of you.
After that, Vance took you on a date every week and a half, sometimes it was something small, like pinball or getting Mcdonald's. Sometimes it was something more romantic, like going stargazing in the park at midnight.
On that stargazing date, Vance propped himself up on his elbows and looked down at you. When you noticed him, you turned your head and looked up at him. “キスしてもいいですか?” He said with a small smile. Your face blushed intensely. After a small second, you nodded. Vance reached out his hand to hold the side of your face and pressed a kiss to your lips. You slowly reached up to rest a hand on his shoulder and deepened the kiss.
After a couple seconds, the both of you pulled away. “I’m glad we’re here,” you said softly with a smile. Vance nodded with a small laugh before leaning forward to kiss you again.
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A/N: Hope you enjoyed! I actually had a pretty fun time writing, this one, I forgot how fun HCs could be!
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Broadening experiences
On a personal note, I really feel that I enjoyed a large growth as a language facilitator over the last 5 years. By taking on new experiences and prodding the English language from different angles and opening up to new experiences, we can grow our awareness and become better teachers, coaches and vessels that help to transport our charges through language acquisition.
The 4 and half years I spent as an instructor working from within a Japanese company helped to give me a more practical experience of how English is experienced in an international company. I could find some areas that English training could be useful that I hadn't considered before and how to prepare my students better for international communication or travel. COVID 19 really shifted that whole scene, which I have touched on before, but business travel is still needed.
One of the most unique experiences I took on in that time frame was developing a curriculum for an English Communication School that wanted to operate in a VR environment using Microsoft's ALT Space. Sadly as my contract finished, Microsoft shuttered their venture into the metaverse and when I offered to adapt my plan to a different platform, the company did not seem interested.
We used the MEXT website as a reference and found the target vocabulary and grammar points and developed a fun program for grade 3 students. One idea was using mini stories to illustrate the targets to kids in a fun way. I was able to record the voices for the characters and it was really fun to develop.
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The best experience helped me to finally collaborate with my sister on something.
For the program we wanted to use songs, but the staff said that due to copyright issues, it was difficult, could you make songs? Sure! I thought up lyrics in each unit as I made the course plan and after that was done, I set out to think up a tune. With my iPhone, I recorded some sketches that fit the rhythm and the lady in the staff actually had some musical skills so helped fix them so they were more technically sound. They wanted to use an AI singer but I suggested using my sister as the singer as she has some experience with singing. I was quite proud of the results. Unfortunately only about half of my songs were recorded.
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The first two songs had a few hits in the first few weeks, but seemed to stop getting interest soon.
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Every program needs a hello song. We used a traditional tune but it still came out alright.
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Sadly, I thought this last song was the best one but it had only 230 hits. I learned a lot about naming. If I named the song Colour and fruit song, it would have 1000 times more hits.
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That was a great, fun experience and I learned a lot about thinking about an entire language training program, even if it was just for 3rd graders.
#japan#language#songs#ESL#EFL#curriculum#kids english#growth#english teacher#teaching english#Youtube
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Visual kei, Anime & Arlecchino: a (light-hearted) design analysis.
While I haven’t talked much about it, Arlecchino has driven me crazy since the trailer for A Winter Night’s Lazzo dropped. Not only is she a welcome breath of fresh air to Genshin’s female cast, but her entire design and every single element of it speaks to one of my greater joys in life, that joy being Visual Kei. And so with the Fontaine trailer out I thought I’d do an attempt at going through what aspects of Arlecchino can be compared to common styling elements within visual kei, but also how they can be potentially attributed to the influence visual kei has had on manga/anime as a whole.
‼️ I want to proceed with the disclaimer that this whole post is only intended to point out elements of Arlecchino’s design which are common style elements in visual kei. I’m someone who has been into visual kei and its other related branches for about two decades, wore the style myself (among other japanese street styles) for a very long time, but ultimately I am also just one nerd raving about why this character design brings me joy. Visual kei as a style is by definition very hard to define as being any singular thing, and so my only intent is to compare for fun’s sake!
(I also want to point out that any potential errors, be they spelling or just wording, might escape my notice as an ESL-speaker with eye problems.)
➻ With all that out of the way, let’s start with a brief rundown for anyone who might not be familiar with the heart of this entire analysis: What is visual kei?
‘Visual kei’ as a term encompasses many things. While there are disagreements regarding the validity of calling it a musical genre, visual kei can nonetheless be summarized as an alternative musical genre and movement from Japan dating its origins back to the 80s. Influenced by contemporary glam rock, visual kei has since grown into its own distinct thing over the years with many various sub branches flourishing alongside it.
The ‘visual’ part of its name is the simple concept which defines it: The style is all about conveying the utmost possible of theatrics and extravagance, and it’s in fact just as important as the music itself. Combined these two things turn into the ultimate visual performance, an experience never to forget.
The factor which makes visual kei stand out from many other subcultures and genres is the way it deals with gender presentation. Given its theatrical nature, many looking in from the outside might be shocked by just how chaotically gender and expression is displayed.
Back in the old internet days you would occasionally stumble into memes poking fun at how you could never guess the gender of a performer at first glance; If it looks like a man it’s a woman, if it looks like a man it’s a woman and any other variety of that kind of notion. And it’s true! In fact, some of the most famous artists within the genre are also known for effortlessly turning gender expression on its head (Mana, Hizaki to name but two).
➻ So how does this relate to Arlecchino?
Not only has manga and anime sought inspiration from visual kei bands and artists for a very long time (and thereby influencing a lot of stylistic choices we typically associate with those forms of media), Arlecchino is also designed with that exact type of gender nonconformity all over her!
Let’s start with her hair:
Her hair is THE most obvious example to trace to visual kei. Not only is it one main color together with separated black sections (a very common dye combination), it’s also asymmetrically styled with typical spray straightened spikes and V-shaped/spiked bangs covering only half of her forehead.
Some were discontent to find out that she has a long ponytail, describing it as “feminine”. To me this only further strengthened her visual kei vibes, as it’s pulled back and down the back, separated from the shorter parts like a mullet. It’s not uncommon to see artists wearing hair extensions (both matching and mistmatching to the main hair color) in this exact manner, and the few but dramatic accessories she wears around the knot tying the hair on itself only serve to further enhance it.
Moving onto her face, Arlecchino might at first glance look just like any other anime styled character. However, I want to note that there’s a lot to the details here worth highlighting!
First off, she wears eyeshadow with very dark and sharp lashes and thin, upturned eyebrows. While there isn’t any one specific way of doing visual kei makeup, the fact remains that her eyes does resemble the typical key features that’s become commonly associated with the style since 00s. Her cross shaped irises also resemble the types of contact lenses some artists use.
As for her outfit, there are clear and obvious similarities to bands of the late 90s/early 00s: Ornate outer coat with ruffled sleeves, long pants with similar ruffle gathered around the shoes, waistcoat and fancy collar, as well as the highly decorated heels and claw-like nails on her gloves + rings.
While I couldn’t locate a specific picture unfortunately at the time of writing, gloves with metal claws or outright clawed gauntlets aren’t an unknown sight among very flashy visual kei bands.
This type of overall outfit silhouette displayed is, within the genre, obviously related to Elegant Gothic Aristocrat and western style Romantic Goth. Bands with this type of look might choose (but not always) to incorporate classical instruments and opera like vocals into their sound, as well as put a lot of emphasis on stage performances through the use of props, dancers and choirs. The first major bands to come to mind are Malice Mizer and Versailles, but I’m also reminded of ones such as Megaromania, Art Cube, Phantasmagoria etc.
However, in the case of Arlecchino there’s a somewhat “rugged” air to her overall look, which brings to mind bands during the mid 00s who would opt for a slightly trashier look, as well as a more chaotic heavier, sceamier sound. Leather and latex, shredded sleeves, chains, you get the picture. Bands coming to mind are the GazettE, (Old school) Dir en Grey, D’espairsRay, Born, Saruin, Exist Trace etc. If you combine the two types of flavours mentioned, I also want to mention UnsraW.
We also gain a peek of her ears between the spiked sections of her hair. While she has very simple style earrings, this of course is another common deliberate choice when styling the hair, particularly for artists whose ears are quite literally fully covered in jewelry.
While no particular look has any bearing on someone’s role in a band, this specific type of look is one I personally associate a lot with singers and front men. Highly fitting for Arlecchino whose presence demands your attention!
➻ Conclusion
Arlecchino mostly reminds me of bands that emerged and flourished during the mid 00s, but with strong 90s vibes as a cherry on the top. It’s also worth mentioning how aesthetically similar she is to the band Exist Trace, aka the arguably most famous female band in the genre.
It’s an extremely good mesh with the Fatui as the Tsaritsa’s theatre troupe, and its only more than fitting that Arlecchino debuts alongside Fontaine!
Obviously I cannot say for certain whether or not any of these points I made where deliberate design choices on Hoyoverse’s side (not just for Arlecchino but also other characters in Genshin who all have various degrees of the same influences) or if they’re simply a result of unknown influence. The influences visual kei has had on manga and anime cannot be understated, with many mangaka having drawn inspiration from visual kei bands and artists throughout the years (as well as other related but technically not visual bands such as BUCK-TICK and Guniw Tools) .
Many people assume that visual kei and other alternative japanese fashion subcultures drew inspiration from manga and anime, but it’s rather these styles that have served as the influence instead! Numerous bands have even lended their talents to create opening and ending songs to anime series. Kuroshitsuji/Black Butler is an obvious example of a series inspired by visual kei/ouji/lolita/aristocrat fashion and with visual kei bands performing for it.
All in all, this entire analysis is once again only meant to point out the various elements which makes Arlecchino so enjoyable to me personally as a character. Her look with the large coat in the trailer for A Winter Night’s Lasso made me super nostalgic to when I myself dressed that way on the daily, and when I styled it with a very similar jacket I had at the time. I don’t think people realize just how much contact they may have had with visual kei at first, and I tend to point this out often to people I meet when the topic comes up. I guess this was the essay format of that HAHAHA.
All in all, Arlecchino really speaks to me, both from a fashion but also (bi)gender point of view, and I literally cannot WAIT to finally meet her ingame once and for all!
#arlecchino#sharan talks#i wrote this in one sitting in like 4 hours i need to eat HELP#this is the most self indulgent ill be here for a while#this is a continuation of me getting my highest school grade ever from writing about when i went to gackts concert#and how his perfume is still burnt into my nostrils 12 years later#rare irl sharan lore#anyway#i might make a second post about this but going over others in the genshin cast#cause trust me there are quite a few that share these things design wise
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Wait actually just made a break in the Poptropica translation case!
Put “ポップトロピカ” in the search bar, dug through some stuff and found the Japanese version of the Poptropica English page on Pearson.
It’s mostly a translation of its English counterpart, but what I found noteworthy is that sample requests first offer Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.
So I can safely conclude Poptropica English is used to teach ESL (specifically American English) to kids! They definitely offer it in other languages, but between Spanish and Japanese translations it’s easier to find the latter. (Also I’m a lot more knowledgeable in Japanese over Arabic, even by a little 😭)
Previewing the sample stuff they offer in both this video they have up and the English site, what makes this essentially simple Poptropica is that they use easy-to-follow Island stories to teach lessons. No heavy plot beats since it is an educational program first
The JP site also says Poptropica English is a “sister site” to Our Discovery Island, which isn’t available on the site interestingly.
Sorry for the long dump but I think you might find this info valuable
The translation you found is pretty cool, even though I knew about Poptropica English.
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