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PAULH
Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan
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Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2004 8:13 am Post subject: |
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Tonester wrote: |
What really surprised me was when I told a friend(local Japanese) in Japan about it the reply was "You needn't concern yourself because the calibre of those people is that most of them are either drop-outs from university or high school or just trying to get away from their parents who have tried talking some sense into them."
Note: I live in a very rural area of Niigata Prefecture where the old values still are prevalent.
Tell me Paul, am I just ranting over nothing or have you experienced anything similar? |
Tonester
you have touched a nerve here. Can't really say that Ive had it too much myself. Most of the Japanese people I hang out with are not interested in speaking English or meeting foreigners so they accept me for me. Its Japanese or nothing.
I avoid the NOVA crowds (teachers and students) like the plague.
There is an interesting thread going on on gaijinpot over all these language nerds fighting over who can reach Level 1 of the Japanese language proficiency exam first and what they will do when they become fluent in Japanese. Next thing they will want to get Japanese nationality. If only they knew that after all those years of study Japanese arent interested in talking to them and may even avoid them.
I think the hilarious thing is though that most Japanese dont want us to speak japanese with them, they are not interested in speaking with foreigners unless we can invite them on homestay or ask if if we can use chopsticks. The number of deep and meaningful conversations I have had with Japanese in Japanese i can count on one hand. Even conversation with the wife is pretty mundane these days.
I can do what I need to do in Japanese, but dont tie myself in knots just for the hell of it. Like you say many Japanese want to learn English but they are scared s___tless they may have to speak English on the phone at their jobs or actually use it to speak with some one. |
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Sweetsee

Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything
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Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2004 10:03 am Post subject: |
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Hey tonester,
What part of Gold Coast?
My topic is lame. Everybody knows the problem and I don't have any solutions so I will think of something else, I guess.
Any suggestions? What else have you written about? |
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Sweetsee

Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything
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Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2004 11:22 pm Post subject: |
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Tonester, gday mate,
I am changing my topic. Too much doom and gloom. I want to be more upbeat and positive with words of encouragement for the students.
I will attempt to outline the importance of communication and my class in particular. A class that is probably not very popular yet can be very useful to students in life.
Obviously, I teach English conversation or Oral Communication 1. Its a tough sell as most students fail to communicate with eachother in their native language from what I am able to see.
You have been doing this long enough to know what I am talking about, students who don't know what to say and look around at their friends bewildered when asked, how are you?
Anyway, my mate is from Gold Coast, Broadbeach specifically and I hope to get down there at the end of the year. But before that I want to get in the water tomorrow and take advantage of that typhoon blowing through. Checked a couple sites this morning and it is going off!
Where do you like to go to the beach here?
Allright, then. I am going to pound something out and hope to be coherent. |
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Tonester
Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 145 Location: Ojiya, Niigata Pref
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Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2004 11:23 pm Post subject: |
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Certainly is interesting to see your perspective, Paul. One thing I like about where I live is that people are quite friendly and they find a kind of novelty talking to me. But then again it may be a subtle form of alienation.......
I have also found that they use the word"Gaijin" to my face and although I know its connotations it doesn't really offend me because I just think to myself "Well, it's just their mentality". Back in Australia I met a 27 year old Japanese person and he is one of the few that actually has tried to mix in with locals and speak english and he was one of my best mates! I spoke to him about those other shallow people I mentioned and he said to me "Those people have no brains whatsoever and I hate hanging around such meaningless, shallow people." I must say; there are at least a few that seem to give a damn and have overcome their ethnocentrism successfully and try to make friends with locals. People like him, I do admire!
Sweetsee:
Are you an Aussie? Do you know the Gold Coast? If so, I'm from Runaway Bay! 20 mins from Surfers Paradise. |
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Tonester
Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 145 Location: Ojiya, Niigata Pref
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Posted: Wed Jul 28, 2004 11:27 pm Post subject: Other suggestions |
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Sweetsee:
Have you been to any other countries? If so, talk about the value of travel.
What about other things like talking about your own culture.........
Or the value of communication in english... |
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Sweetsee

Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything
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Posted: Thu Jul 29, 2004 12:15 am Post subject: |
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Tonester,
I am not Australian. I did visit Gold Coast once for 3 weeks staying at my mate's in Miami Key, 2 minutes from Jupiter.
Went bodywomping at Surfer's, got caught in a rip and nearly dragged to PNG. Never been so frightened in my life, didn't go in the water for 3 days. Rescue came out after a while but I managed to make it in on my own. Wasn't really a rip but more of a sweep. You know the type, yank, drinking, no fins, outside the flags, bluebottle bait kook!
When you say writing about the value of communicating in English, the points I want to mention are:
1. foreign travel
2. work (more money for English speakers)
3. personal enrichment |
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PAULH
Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan
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Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2004 12:06 am Post subject: |
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Glenski wrote: |
Moderators: Please consider locking this thread and/or deleting the last couple of posts (including mine, if you like). |
Sorry, I didnt see this until after I posted. |
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Tonester
Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 145 Location: Ojiya, Niigata Pref
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Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2004 12:13 am Post subject: |
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Paul, It wasn't me that suggested blocking this thread. I was just making a little comment to Glenski! |
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PAULH
Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan
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Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2004 12:15 am Post subject: |
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Tonester wrote: |
Paul, It wasn't me that suggested blocking this thread. I was just making a little comment to Glenski! |
No ones blaming you Tonester. I have removed the name-calling posts and would ask everyone to stop acting like 6-year olds. |
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Sweetsee

Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything
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Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2004 12:25 am Post subject: |
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Glen,
With some exceptions, this entire forum is one big smugathon.
Look at yourself: Don't help sweetsee, don't listen to Capper, Moderator, moderator, help!!! Delete all this!
And I see Tonester is paddling the same canoe: Glenski!!!! Tell Paul!!!
Give me a break.
Smug? Is that the first time anyone called you that because my mate called you that and doesn't even know this site. Never been on a forum.
You and others like you sit in front of your monitors dispensing knowledge beyond reproach.
Is there anything you know nothing about. Well, I would bet my last penny that if there were you wouldn't have the cojones to admit it.
That is smug.
And Paul, what kind of moderator is that. First he takes a shot at me, jeans and waders, then he starts telling me about Surfer's Paradise and how he got his PADI there and talks of the dangers present in the water. Who asked him? And since when does a moderator jump in and start talking about himself anyway?
Is this a joke or what?
I know a thing or two about a thing or two. Yet, I come here and open myself up to you. I am here admitting I know nothing and wanting to learn.
My little paper will be written and with no help from you. I don't even think you can help. What you can do is sit there offensively satisfied with yourself and self-rightously complacent.
Could you possibly admit that there are many things that you suck at. I'm guessing those things would include getting along with others, sports and making friends.
Yes, going back to your post it is suddenly clear what you are. You told me to go back to my audience. I imagine that this is the only audience that you play to. I have never for on second considered this an audience. I came here with the hope of helping myself. But you sit there with with illusions of grandeur as you type out what you consider to be prophecy. No one has ever been able to find any fault in your posting, at the same time, how often do you bring up something you know nothing about, oh, that's right, that isn't possible is it?
P.S. Now that I think about it and you said it yourself, after I heaped praise on you more than once...did you ever respond by thanking me? No, you didn't. But then how could you? It is obviously not in your nature.
Last edited by Sweetsee on Fri Jul 30, 2004 1:04 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Sweetsee

Joined: 11 Jun 2004 Posts: 2302 Location: ) is everything
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Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2004 12:32 am Post subject: |
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Paul,
Can you please explain what in the heck is going on here.
If you are the moderator than why are you dissing me and telling me about you and things I already know. Boredom? Do I need to know your personal acheivements and such?
And Glen? Did you delete his post? Why?
I called him smug. Something wrong with that?
In your infinite wisdom perhaps you could re-cap for me what has transpired here because I am the first to admit that I am slow among my many other shortcomings, humility not being one of them.
Please! |
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Synne

Joined: 06 Apr 2004 Posts: 269 Location: Tohoku
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Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2004 12:41 am Post subject: |
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Sweetsee
Going back to your essay for a sec here. I thought it was well written and I enjoyed it. Touch up what you think should be touched up but dont lose sight of what you are trying to say with it.
If you want to keep it short and simple, keep it short and simple, if you dont, then dont. If you want to link crime, cell phones, death, kids, technology and the internet together, then do it.
Remember, this is your essay, say it the way you want to say. |
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Tonester
Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 145 Location: Ojiya, Niigata Pref
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Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2004 12:44 am Post subject: |
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Sweetsee, have you finished your rant? I don't remember calling you any names at all or showing any contempt towards you and yet you have started to insult me like you have done to others here. Paddling the same canoe? Why do you say that?
I just made a comment in jest to Glenski and you decide that the whole world is against you. Why are you acting so immature when we would like to help you? You asked us for help now you are ranting about how bad we are. Before I even posted my first post to help you I lurked in other threads where you and others have had dialogue and I've read exactly the way you post to others here after they have helped you. I by no means feel I have the right to lord it over anyone so do not tar me with the same brush because I do not appreciate it. |
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PAULH
Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 4672 Location: Western Japan
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Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2004 12:53 am Post subject: |
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This thread has been referred to the Moderators forum before the name calling gets ugly.
As to my posting about Surfers, I was half speaking in jest and being mildly sarcastic- not making personal insults to people. One should not be so thin-skinned. I think your last posting says it all. |
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Tonester
Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 145 Location: Ojiya, Niigata Pref
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Posted: Fri Jul 30, 2004 12:57 am Post subject: |
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I guess I have to accept part of the blame here. I didn't really call anyone names but I feel a sense of responsibility. |
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