Job Discussion Forums

[LongShiKong]

I'm not familiar with this genre but given the increasing popularity of anime / manga in Asia and elsewhere, I'm wondering if anyone's tried using it in a kids/teens classroom? Are there existing TEFL-related resources or coursebooks using manga-like characters or graphic novels (I'm thinking of Gene Yang's highly acclaimed graphic novel ABC (American-born Chinese) ?

A quick search on these forums resulted in a number of hits but almost all from Korea and none pertaining to classroom use--just personal interest which strikes me as strange. Is it because the English dubs/translations are substandard or the content, as with Tintin, doesn't easily lend itself to effective language practice?

Any recommendations, ideas for primary, middle school audience would be welcome.

I've also posted this on 2 other forums:
Japan: http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?p=988090#988090
China: http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?p=988091#988091

[Glenski]

"Using it". Uh, just how? I don't see how anime or manga could work well to teach conversation. Writing, maybe. Reading, iffy IMO because of the overuse of slang and unknown vocabulary.

Some people delete the text in dialogue balloons and ask students to fill in the blanks with their own.

[choudoufu]

it's usefulness is only limited by your imagination.

you've got all sorts of interesting characters. use them to
teach vocabulary. clothing, powers, emotions. have the
students describe the various characters. they can do
comparatives and superlatives.

they love cosplay. let 'em dress up and do role plays.
(hmmm....college girls....dressed like sailor moon? )


and there's this: http://busyteacher.org/8327-10-tips-for-using-graphic-novels-esl.html

Holy Comics, Batman! 10 Tips for Using Graphic Novels in the ESL Classroom

[teacheratlarge]

I saw a recent short talk on some rearch findings with a young woman relating her use of American comics with Japanese students. Then, in an animated disussion afterwards in which I was part of, another university lecturer mentioned using the English language versions of "One piece" and "Nana" in his classes. Students talked about themes in the stories, as well as discussed the vocabulary. The cultural background and the storyline themselves were well known to these students, making the Japanese manga easier to digest than the American comics (where a teacher would have to teach some bits of American culture so that students can process other parts of the story).

As to the interest in cosplay, that is another area for discussion as well, which could include photo sharing (either of the student or of other people they have seen).

Myself, when I was teaching in Taiwan, I used TinTin, but these students were intermediate level returnee students. The themes were more interesting to the teen boys than the teen girls.

As far as I know, there is no specific ESL title for this particular genre as yet.

[timothypfox]

I posted this under the Japanese forum as well, but I think it is worthwhile posting it here too under a general discussion of using manga / graphic novels in the classroom.

The other day I came across a radio drama of Fruits Basket, a popular Japanese manga and TV anime. I did it more as a break for my writing students from their studies. I had them listen and write down as many words as they could hear for each letter of the alphabet. We then discussed what we heard after.

If you were to read Fruits Basket, the radio drama could be a great way to supplement it. Or, a way to give them a break from reading.

Anyways, it is good fun! The link is here: http://furubadrama.weebly.com/episodes.html

[Glenski]