Teaching is Presenting
(「教える」ことも「プレゼン」もおもしろくなくちゃ)
As part of our office luncheon today, Our company’s Chairman gave us useful guidelines and tips on the “how-tos” of successful presentations. In light of our monthly staff presentations that we each do, his advice will help us all to become better presenters.
As he spoke, I couldn’t help but to notice the similarities between presenting and teaching. Having taught in Japan for two years, I often felt like a performer, almost to the point of entertaining my students in an effort to teach them English. I realize that what I was actually doing was presenting myself and my knowledge to the students in a way that they could appreciate and respect my energies as their teacher.
He taught us the three parts of a good presentation: a “bang-up beginning,” an informative middle, and a strong ending. In the classroom, I would often start with a game or activity before getting into the “meat” of the lesson. And in the end, my goal was always to create excitement in the students towards learning. My greatest reward as a teacher was knowing that my students were curious and anxious to come to class, ask questions, and excel in whatever they did. It’s the most fulfilling feeling ever.
Yesterday, I got a sense of that fulfillment again. I recycled my gift wrapping presentation from last month’s staff meeting for an encore “performance” at Iolani School. My co-worker’s former teacher and friend, Ige Sensei invited me to her Honors 3 Japanese Class to share my love and enthusiasm for Japan to her 10th and 11th graders. I was a little nervous to step back into a classroom, and were weary of these “cool” high schoolers, but as soon as the first student entered the room, I was already excited to begin.
Like our chairman advised, I was there early to set up my Power Point presentation and re-format my Mac file to a PC file. I changed my presentation to target my high school audience and used examples of gift-giving occasions that they could relate to. We talked, I answered their questions, and we had a wonderful time.
I was genuinely energized and thrilled to have successfully delivered my presentation to these high school students. Ige Sensei and her class have invited me to come back anytime I can. I’m happy, anxious and relieved at the same time.
My next presentation at our company isn’t until September. I might have to take up Ige Sensei on her offer, so I can hone my presentation skills and have a shot at the company’s Orator of the Year award this year!
Susan Sensei’s English Lesson #13(スーザン先生の英語講座 その13) For two years I taught English in Japan, and was “スーザン先生” to my students in Ikaho town, Gunma Prefecture. I will try and introduce new words and phrases for the Japanese visitor to Hawaii. Here is this week’s situation: 【今週のレッスン】 ◆「箱を買いたいのですが、どんなサイズがあるか見せてもらえますか?」英語で言ってみましょう! ◆”I need to buy a box. May I see the different sizes?”そして欲しいサイズの箱がみつかったら◆「これを下さい」
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Loco Girl’s Profile(ロコ・ガールのプロフィール)
Born in Hilo, I grew up going fishing with Dad, shopping with Mom, and trying to be a good “big sister” to a younger sister and brother. A Waiakea High School and the University of Hawaii at Manoa alumni, I taught English in Japan for two years on the JET Program, and am now employed at PacRim Marketing Group, Inc. I love doing a lot of things-shopping, reading, lettering, making jewelry & crafts, watching Friends-and that’s just the start of my list! I like being busy, and am active with the JET Alumni Association (JETAA) and the Honolulu Junior Japanese Chamber of Commerce (HJJCC.) My family and friends are, of course, very important to me, and are why I live a very typical, happy, local-style life in Hawaii and will never leave! |
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