Mina

I did the same as the last lesson, which was listen to what Mina sensei is saying, fill 5W1H blanks when I could understand, and ask questions when I couldn't. It was a nice training. I feel that I'm not as hesitant to start speaking something as I was a year ago. This is a big change for me.

We started to have a listening test. Sensei took a business flow of leasing company as a example, and explained individual steps in English. I filled in 5W1H after listening to the explanation, and asked questions back when I couldn't catch or it wasn't explained yet. Good practice!

We've been using Jo's videos as a learning content these days. It's interesting to see how she has improved families struggling to raise children. We imagined "what if" she came to Japan and guide families. I might ask her to use a softer approach because Japanese children have rather lower level of self-respect. For example, only 41% of Japanese children answered they were content with themselves. In the UK, the percentage was above 80%. She might challenge what I said and I might be "passive agressive", which means that somebody with calmer personality can burst into anger when s/he is challenged. I want to keep calm all the time! I was impressed with sensei's comment at the end of the lesson: "Japanese tends to be down together when somebody is down. If the other is down, you should lift him/her up instead." I want to be someone who "lifts up" somebody else in trouble.

We watched Supernanny's video, and had discussions if we would change the way of comments and expect better results. We concluded that she should choose softer approach in Japan. This was a great practice!

We talked about power control balance in conversation. I could notice the difference between Japan and the UK. Her class is not just conversation in English, which means she gives me several important noticing always. I think it works shorty and for the future :)

We talked about the best balance of positive and neagitve feedback through Supernanny video. As a father who raises 3-month-old daughter, it's a great learning material. Nowadays I'm starting to come up with expressions as fast as before.