Rants, Ramblings, and Reflections from an ESL Teacher

In this episode I share my thoughts on and experience with the concept of "one word at a time." First, I talk about author Stephen King's two answers to the question "How do you write your books?" Here's an interview where he talks about something similar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xR7XMkjDGw0 Then, I get into how this relates to language learning, including my own experience learning Japane...

In this episode, I talk about the concept of "reading" in a second language. First, I touch on the difference between intensive/close reading and extensive reading. Then I ask listeners to ask themselves why they read in the first place, whether that's in their native language or second language. Of course, I address the big question: "Why read in English when you can just use translation software...

In this episode, I touch on the following regarding fillers, gestures, non-verbal communication in general, body language, and intonation: Communication is more than just vocabulary and grammar. Why it's difficult to communicate on the phone, especially in a second language. Different ways to learn or observe these aspects of communication. My own experiences learning them and applying them in Jap...

In this sixth episode, I go go a little off topic and focus on what I do as an ESL teacher. I cover the following topics: What is my role? Addressing students' various wants, interests, and needs. Personal views on learning and how they sometimes clash with other people's views. Continuously evolving as a teacher. Keeping students engaged. Expending, conserving, and restoring mental energy. The li...

In this fifth episode of the podcast, I'll talk about using media, such as TV shows, audiobooks, and podcasts, for improving your listening proficiency. I'll cover these topics: Making sure you're interested in the subject matter or people involved. (It always helps if you have a crush on the actors!) Going over it three times: enjoy it, analyze it, then review it. Getting out of your comfort zone...

In this fourth episode I focus on the idea of separating spoken English from written English. My main point is that as adult learners we often learn a target language through the written form, which is not inherently bad, but then sometimes get stuck in that way of approaching the language. Even when we watch TV, movies, listen to music, etc., those are still largely scripted or rehearsed forms of...

In this third episode I’ll talk about my thoughts about and experience of dating people using a second language. Of course, I’ll share stories of my own language learning experience by talking about dating Japanese-speakers in the U.S. as well as during my time working in Japan. It’s definitely fun and exciting to date someone who speaks the language you are trying to learn and practice. Language...

To those of you who don't know me, I'm an ESL teacher based in Southern California. I've been teaching English since 2007. My career started in Japan, where I lived for about 6 years, and then continued in the U.S. I'm also half-Japanese, spent every summer as a child in Japan with family, and studied the language and eventually go to the point where I could conduct my daily affairs with nearly ze...

In this inaugural episode I talk about creating opportunities for conversation for English Learners. As usual, I use my personal experience of learning Japanese and living in Japan as well as my observations from an ESL teacher's point of view. My three main suggestions for creating opportunities are volunteer work, group activities, and public spaces. The beauty of these suggestions is that the f...