Good Mornin' Online English Lessons
An English lesson which I have organized for 2 years, this morning, only my mother
attended, other members could not make it due to their business. In a small typical 70s
Japanese residence, however it is used for some classes such as English lessons, craft art
classes or calligraphy classes.
Every 2 weeks, on Sunday morning, my mother and friends come to the class to take an English lesson. Our teacher Linda, who lives in Ottawa, Canada, teaches English to her students through Skype. One of the students once said, “It is very exciting to have direct chatting with someone in overseas.” The students enjoy taking her classes.
My mother, who turned 82 years old in this April, has a lot of enthusiasm about learning English. A week before the class, Linda emailed me with an article we use for the class. Printing it out, I hand it to my mother and other students waiting for it with curiosity.
Today’s topic was about “Terry Forx’s Marathon of Hope commemorated in N.B. corn maze” in which we could learn about a young man who lost his leg for cancer and started running across Canada to raise money for cancer research and awareness.
My mother, however, tried to translate the article into Japanese. It was tough. In the article, there was a word, “awareness” which she couldn’t find appropriate translation. But she never gave up finding it and asked Linda for its definition. Linda explained to her and gave a few examples.
“I see! I found the Japanese meaning!”
She looked happy. Sometimes, we cannot find right words in Japanese.
My mother said,
“Canadian English is very unique, which I can find many unfamiliar words and expressions. That’s because I cannot stop learning. “
Linda and I met online at first. My friend who also I met online introduced me Linda as an online English teacher. Linda and I, we both work at school as part time teachers. So we can share some topics about education or schools with each other.
Last summer, I finally could see her in person in Toronto. She was the same person who I had seen online or I could say, she was like my real sister taking care of me during my stay.
After the class, my mother and I went out for lunch, which was our favorite savory Japanese pancake shop. Learning and having tasty pancakes, it was perfect Sunday.
Every 2 weeks, on Sunday morning, my mother and friends come to the class to take an English lesson. Our teacher Linda, who lives in Ottawa, Canada, teaches English to her students through Skype. One of the students once said, “It is very exciting to have direct chatting with someone in overseas.” The students enjoy taking her classes.
My mother, who turned 82 years old in this April, has a lot of enthusiasm about learning English. A week before the class, Linda emailed me with an article we use for the class. Printing it out, I hand it to my mother and other students waiting for it with curiosity.
Today’s topic was about “Terry Forx’s Marathon of Hope commemorated in N.B. corn maze” in which we could learn about a young man who lost his leg for cancer and started running across Canada to raise money for cancer research and awareness.
My mother, however, tried to translate the article into Japanese. It was tough. In the article, there was a word, “awareness” which she couldn’t find appropriate translation. But she never gave up finding it and asked Linda for its definition. Linda explained to her and gave a few examples.
“I see! I found the Japanese meaning!”
She looked happy. Sometimes, we cannot find right words in Japanese.
My mother said,
“Canadian English is very unique, which I can find many unfamiliar words and expressions. That’s because I cannot stop learning. “
Linda and I met online at first. My friend who also I met online introduced me Linda as an online English teacher. Linda and I, we both work at school as part time teachers. So we can share some topics about education or schools with each other.
Last summer, I finally could see her in person in Toronto. She was the same person who I had seen online or I could say, she was like my real sister taking care of me during my stay.
After the class, my mother and I went out for lunch, which was our favorite savory Japanese pancake shop. Learning and having tasty pancakes, it was perfect Sunday.
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