I think the video below is meant as a parody, but it's so close to the reality of teaching English at many conversation schools here in Japan (and elsewhere) that I can't really be sure. It actually looks like a lot of 'learn English' TV shows I've seen here.
[Courtesy Harry at Chase Me, Ladies; (via Dog Bones)]
Yes, in many places that would constitute an English lesson: 'useful' expressions, 'realistic' situataions, singing, dancing...
That is astounding. And hilarious. I love their jogging outfits, too.
ReplyDeleteI thought my Pimsleur Italian CD was strange b/c the first lesson involves approaching a strange woman on a train and telling her "I speak Italian." So now the only thing I know how to do in Italian is lie.
They look so happy, even while begging for their lives.
ReplyDeleteemarie: The first words I learned in my first Japanese lesson were bengoshi (lawyer) and taishikan (embassy). The people who make these books/programs/etc. have interesting notions of 'priority'. I would have thought "I can't speak Italian" a more useful (and truthful!) phrase. I've said "I can't speak Japanese" (in Japanese) so many times that I sound like a Japanese and people don't believe me...
ReplyDeleteeli: In fact, the Japanese frequently appear to be smiling in stressful situations, which reminds me of a documentary I saw which connected smiling to fear responses, the idea being if you look afraid then you can't be dangerous (or something like that).
Salamaat,
ReplyDeleteHahaha...this is hilarious!!!
My question is:
why do the japanese robbers/japanese cop/japanese victim have to speak to each other in English?
anywho, it was a laugh..thanks i needed it:)