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nomadder
Joined: 15 Feb 2003
Posts: 709
Location: Somewherebetweenhereandthere
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 Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2003 11:04 pm Post subject: A Topic About Nothing |
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| In the spirit of Seinfeld here is a topic about nothing. But really it refers back to Leeroy's topic about learner centeredness and the students deciding the lesson. So let's see if it works. What would You like to talk about? |
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Seth
Joined: 05 Feb 2003
Posts: 575
Location: in exile
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| Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2003 12:01 am Post subject: |
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| Once I taught a 19 year old Chinese friend to say 'wha'chu talkin' bout, douchebag?' like a New Yorker. It was the funniest thing ever. Whenever I said something he didn't understand he would say that to me. If he ever goes to New York he'll fit right in. |
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Wolf
Joined: 10 May 2003
Posts: 1245
Location: Middle Earth
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| Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2003 12:58 am Post subject: |
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| Seth wrote: |
| Once I taught a 19 year old Chinese friend to say 'wha'chu talkin' bout, douchebag?' like a New Yorker. It was the funniest thing ever. Whenever I said something he didn't understand he would say that to me. If he ever goes to New York he'll fit right in. |
Does this friend of yours understand the, shall I say, politeness level of this phrase? And situations where using it would be problematic?
Just wondering. |
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nomadder
Joined: 15 Feb 2003
Posts: 709
Location: Somewherebetweenhereandthere
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| Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2003 2:17 am Post subject: |
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THat reminds me of when I was in Istanbul and a Turkish guy was trying to talk to me  shocking- and I wouldn't stop and he said "Hold your horses." It sounded really funny to hear a foreigner saying that. They don't often use those kinds of phrases and with the accent it was hilarious. |
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denise
Joined: 23 Apr 2003
Posts: 3419
Location: finally home-ish
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| Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2003 4:16 am Post subject: |
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I tried to get my Czech students to practice Homer Simpson-esque "D'oh!"s--with the correct intonation, emotion, etc.
The best I got was "dough."
D'oh!!!
d |
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FGT
Joined: 14 Sep 2003
Posts: 762
Location: Turkey
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| Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2003 5:05 am Post subject: |
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| I had a class of Turkish Tellytubbies shouting "Again!" after every listening. |
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Just a guy
Joined: 06 Oct 2003
Posts: 267
Location: Guangxi
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| Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2003 5:17 am Post subject: |
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There are a few dozen kids around this town now giving the Shaka sign & saying...
..............HowzIt `Brah  |
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Shonai Ben
Joined: 15 Feb 2003
Posts: 617
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| Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2003 7:23 am Post subject: |
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| The peace sign is still alive and well in Japan.Just take a picture and out they come. |
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Gordon
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 5309
Location: Japan
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| Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2003 10:12 am Post subject: |
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| I had a class in Canada where I taught them how to use "eh" correctly. Their HW was to practice it in public and in their homestay. They loved it, but I soon got a little tired of sentences like "The garbage is full eh?" |
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Seth
Joined: 05 Feb 2003
Posts: 575
Location: in exile
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| Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2003 11:53 am Post subject: |
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| Wolf wrote: |
Does this friend of yours understand the, shall I say, politeness level of this phrase? And situations where using it would be problematic?
Just wondering. |
Yes, of course. He taught me some choice Chinese phrases, as well. ni feng shenme pi? |
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leeroy
Joined: 30 Jan 2003
Posts: 777
Location: London UK
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| Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2003 2:27 pm Post subject: |
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Sigh, I'm covering a class today - meaning I finish work later than I usually do, thus cutting out essential Friday night drinking time. In a city where pubs shut at 11:00 - this is serious...
Even if it is the "Alibis" lesson, which I've done a millionfuckingtimesbefore, it doesn't take away the covering-a-class-on-Friday-night sting...
Still, at least I have a weekend of arranging, recording and transcribing a mock FCE speaking test with a couple of Korean students for my DELTA Extended Assignment to look forward to. And a few hundred letters "to a friend describing a recent concert you went to" to mark.
Next week doesn't bring any release either - as I'm being observed by both CELTA trainees and my new DOS.
I've change my mind, I don't want to be a teacher any more! They're looking for astronauts in China, aren't they?
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Lynn
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Posts: 696
Location: in between
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| Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2003 4:10 pm Post subject: |
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| Shonai Ben wrote: |
| The peace sign is still alive and well in Japan.Just take a picture and out they come. |
When Japanese put up two fingers posing for a picture, you should ask what that sign means. I've never met a Japanese person who knew that gesture was the symbol of peace. The Japanese word for peace is "Heiwa", by the way. |
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nomadder
Joined: 15 Feb 2003
Posts: 709
Location: Somewherebetweenhereandthere
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| Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2003 9:25 pm Post subject: |
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Water finds its own level.
Seems true enough here.
What about?>
A rolling stone gathers no moss.
Is moss supposed to be a good thing?
Why can't the pubs be open later in England? I went back there last year after 17 years and expected things to be changed but alas not.
In Denmark I almost injured myself trying to open a beer fridge in a 7-Eleven. They lock them at 8 I think it was. Meanwhile people are standing around drinking beer on the streets with their boxed lunches. Does this make sense? Same in Japan-the beer machines on the street mostly close at 10 as someone decided kids might be out then. And they're not out at say 8?
Around these parts the liquor store(1 and only place to buy liquor is only open on Friday night and no other night. Gotta love civilization. |
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dmb
Joined: 12 Feb 2003
Posts: 8397
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| Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2003 9:51 pm Post subject: |
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| Civilization??? Ramadan is fast approaching All the bars will be closed for a month.(in Qatar) Even the booze shop(there is only one) will be closed for a month. Has anyone got any recipes? |
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J-Pop
Joined: 07 Oct 2003
Posts: 215
Location: USA
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| Posted: Fri Oct 17, 2003 10:19 pm Post subject: I did . . . |
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| Lynn wrote: |
| Shonai Ben wrote: |
| The peace sign is still alive and well in Japan.Just take a picture and out they come. |
When Japanese put up two fingers posing for a picture, you should ask what that sign means. I've never met a Japanese person who knew that gesture was the symbol of peace. . . . |
Hey Lynn  You're right.
I did ask . . . several times, in different places & in different situations. The most comprehensive answer I received, when I asked one teacher why the students always did that (I was genuinely curious): "They don't know. Everyone else does it, so they do it too." 
At first I thought the use of the peace sign might be connected with the classes & topics on "international peace," that are (or used to be) part of the curriculum. But--apparently--no, that is not the reason.
I am still really curious about how (when & why) this particular habit first started in Japan.
Any info from those more knowledgeable--Glenski?  -- would be appreciated! |
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