Summary: We were blessed with eight more insightful identity presentations that were unique to the presenters. I am very proud of all of you for the Cycle 1 presentations. Then, briefly, you discussed your language learning histories about your second language experiences. It doesn’t have to be English, but your second language if you have another one, like Korean, Chinese, French, German, or another language. Homework due on Friday at 1 pm before Class 09. English Present & Future (Ought-to Self and the Ideal Self): Homework due on Friday at 1 pm… Read More

Summary: Four students presented in Class 06, and in Class 07, there were 12. I explained the Cycle 1 Presentations again, and some of you re-signed up for your presentation date and time. The next homework for Cycle 2 on language is described below. Guidelines for your presentation are not included in the assessment document, yet they help support your Cycle 1 Presentation. 1. Your talk should last 8-10 minutes, followed by 3-5 minutes for questions, comments, and answers. 2. It is good to practice your presentation several times, recording yourself on video,… Read More

Summary: Students discussed their research in pairs. Then, I explained the Cycle 1 Presentations, and you signed up for your presentation date and time. Guidelines for your presentation are not included in the assessment document, yet they help support your Cycle 1 Presentation. 1. Your talk should last 8-10 minutes, followed by 3-5 minutes for questions, comments, and answers. 2. It is good to practice your presentation several times, recording yourself on video, so you can notice any communication styles you would like to improve. 3. There are usually 16 to 20… Read More

Summary: We ensured that your homework and uploads were complete and accurate, and you got into pairs with new playing cards with cat quotations that might be also interesting for you to discuss. Class 04 Homework on Your Identity and Culture: Please take 3-4 pages of notes on two readings or viewings from the offerings below in keywords and use summarizations as much as possible. Whenever you can, especially using “direct quotations,” note the page and paragraph number to help you know where you got the information. These actions will also help you avoid plagiarism. Please… Read More

Summary: We ensured that your homework and uploads were complete and accurate. Then, I shared more about what self, both, and all mean in terms of identity. ‘All’ is a term loosely related to intersectionality (a term defined by Kimberle Crenshaw, Professor of Law, UCLA and Columbia University). Southern Poverty Law Center. (2016, May 19). Intersectionality 101 [Video]. Teaching Tolerance: Southern Poverty Law Center. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6dnj2IyYjE Class 03 Homework on Your Identity and Culture: Please take 3-4 pages of notes on two readings or viewings from the offerings below in keywords and use summarizations as much… Read More

Summary: We studied and discussed the layers between identity and culture, as well as the multiple dimensions of diversity and culture, and your own identity. You also learned more about your classmates and me. We reflected on the dimensions of our identity and culture. Features of Culture Statements:  Features of Culture Questions: Framework and Standards: Everyone has a culture(s). It shapes how we see ourselves, others, and the world.  Essential questions:  Lesson adapted from Peace Corps: Features of Culture Class 02 Homework on Your Identity and Culture: Please take 3-4 pages of notes on… Read More

Summary: First, we had a course orientation, and you learned what you would be able to do by the end of the course from the syllabus page in Manaba. Then, we studied and discussed the layers of diversity of a person’s identity/personality, language, and culture. You also learned more about your classmates and me. English 3.4/7.8 IBIL (Inquiry-Based Interactive Learning) Extending Level: Identity, Language, and Culture Syllabus How will my grade be calculated for the Spring Semester? The Diversity Wheel That Shapes Identity Following the orientation, we worked on the communication framework and standards… Read More

Summary: Today, we focused on discussing your first Cambridge English Write & Improve essay in pairs with individual support from the teacher: Writing Academic English at Saitama University: The reasons you are taking this Academic Essay Writing (AEW1) course Please use these question prompts to help you with a 200-250-word essay.​What kind of academic essay writing have you done so far in English?What is puzzling for you about academic essay writing (i.e., what questions do you have about academic writing)? Which writing concepts/skills do you most want to develop this semester? Why? How? Please explain… Read More

Summary: First, you learned about making useful research questions and categorizing notes for your upcoming essay. Then, I shared Synthesizing your notes on 3 pages of a Word doc to attach. Afterward, you shared your research and gave feedback, and your pair asked questions and useful comments. “Research is something that everyone can do, and everyone ought to do. It is simply collecting information and thinking systematically about it.” – Raewyn Connell Remembering the sequence of your notes is similar to making your research questions, which are called ‘points’ in the Alex Essay Writing Tool videos:… Read More

Summary: We learned more about and formatting Modern Language Association (MLA) Works Cited. Then, collaboratively, we made sure you know more about the steps of the research process, the key terms of academic writing, narrowing down a research topic, finding reliable and solid research material, and taking useful notes. We also carefully considered and followed the activities of Alex Essay Writing Tool, steps 7 – 8 to focus on your close reading. Outline of our Research Process: Documents: Quick Guide to Citing in MLA 9th Edition MLA 9th Quick Guide “”Get it down. Take… Read More