Class theme/topics discussed:
・Introduce ourselves
・About their name and nickname
・Course Requirements
How did you pick this theme or topic?
Some of them already know each other, but we did self-introduce so that today is our first class. Also, I explained Course Requirements according to the paper.
How did you present the material? (handouts, group work, general discussion, student presentations, etc.)
1)First of all, I asked them what kind of information they need when they want to introduce yourself, and I let them give phrase.
2)Self introduction/ Students needs to think at least 5 questions which is included YES, NO questions but tried to use WH questions.
How did students react?
They react very well! Actually, I didn’t explain these things what I wrote above. Because their conversation is really fluent than I expected and very natural. They often used WH questions and created more than 5 questions. I asked them about their Nickname. (私がアメリカに来て不思議に思ったことは、アメリカ人は日本人のように頻繁にニックネームを使っていないような気がします。ニックネームはありますか？／どうしてそのニックネームになりましたか？／日本ではなんと呼ばれていましたか？)
Did they engage with each other and you?
YES! Even some of them already know each other!
What materials or media did you use? (articles, satellite tv, digital projector, etc.)
Course Requirement paper
Would you recommend this activity for a future class?
Yes, I recommend this activity for a future class.
Why or why not?
Because it is the beginning of the class in this semester, and they need to know their friends names (of course!). Also, According to ask WH questions to each other let them have more conversation, and this exercise is good Ice Breaker to get to know each other at the first class. Asking about their Nickname was really interesting to know. Because that is my question since I came here in fact. I feel American people doesn’t use or have Nickname(unique nickname) compare with Japanese people. I got many opinions than I expected, which was really interesting!