Comments | suemejack: at the hamburger shop.../冬祭

suemejack

at the hamburger shop.../冬祭

Feb 08, 2005 15:51

I am losing my English. I'll admit that my grammar was never spectacular, even before my arrival here in Akita, but I've noticed a dramatic decrease in my practical English skills over the past few weeks. I wish it were being replaced by reasonable Japanese language skills, but alas, my Japanese is understandable on paper only. I suppose that I'm ( Read more... )

Comments 10

theoreticalgirl February 8 2005, 14:46:39 UTC

when i lived overseas, i had a similar problem. its important to brush up on your skills otherwise they really will lapse. and that goes for your second language as well.

the ice parties sound amazing. i wish i could see them!

suemejack February 9 2005, 14:10:05 UTC

i've been trying to read as often as possible to just keep thinking in English! and i wish i had another language that i was good enough at to call a "second language."

i'll be sure to post some photos of the snow festivals over the next few weeks.

bummer to hear about the 'birds. i didn't get to watch the game, but from the internet reports, it sounds like it was a close one.

thejam February 8 2005, 19:16:25 UTC

fantastic photos sir

suemejack February 9 2005, 14:08:03 UTC

thanks john. sorry to hear about your stalker-like run in at the Galaxy Hut. hope all is well.

simple english m0lybdenum February 9 2005, 00:07:55 UTC

I was flicking through a GRE study book at a bookstore last weekend and I saw a tip for the writing section: "use the most sophisticated grammar patterns as possible you can without sacrificing clarity". I knew then that grad school would have to wait.

Re: simple english suemejack February 9 2005, 14:18:18 UTC

yikes.. i don't know how sophisticated my grammar was at its high point, but i know this for sure; it's not getting any better here. do your students ever ask you to explain grammar points that you don't understand yourself? that happened to me the other day, and i got embarassed and ran to the internet for the answer. chugakko students aren't supposed to be that good at English!

brentturbeaux February 9 2005, 00:26:17 UTC

Looks like a giant Cheeto.

really? suemejack February 9 2005, 14:11:55 UTC

( ... )

agoodveilsays February 9 2005, 00:58:34 UTC

pardon my ignorance on the matter, but where are you working over there?

suemejack February 9 2005, 14:15:53 UTC

hey pal-
i'm teaching English in Junior High and Elementary Schools in Akita, which is in Northwestern Japan. My contract is through the city board of education as part of the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program, and i've been here for about 6 months. it's been great fun so far...Joel was here for the holidays, and here are some pictures from our travels around the country.
kev