New Horizon: Grade 3, Unit 4

[Otaku]

UNIT 4: AN AMERICAN RAKUGO-KA

--TOPIC: More J-culture…barf! Just because one person that nobody in the ENTIRE English-speaking world does 'rakugo' does not give you the right to dub the so-called activity "American".

--AMERICAN: American?!?! It’s not American, rather “English”, rather "rakugo in English".

--“KA”: Really? “ka”??? Take the Japanese out of the damn English textbook!

--RAKUGO: If you don’t know anything about rakugo, you would probably refer to going to one of these shows as, “How about going to a rakugo show?” Instead, the text on page 41 says, “How about going to rakugo?”

--ELLEN: Page 41 introduces some random Canadian girl named Ellen. Who is she and why after three years of using the same characters does the textbook randomly insert a new face?

--SUMIMASEN STORY: Are the textbook makers trying to be funny? If you focus less on trying to be comedians and more on writing quality textbooks, you would make a lot of teachers who have to teach from these crapilious books much more happy.

--UNNEEDED WORDS: On page 42, the word “loud” is introduced. Why not just say “big” and you wouldn’t have to explain what loud is?

On page 43, the word “elegant” is introduced. What not simply say “nice”?

--DRINKS: On page 44 in blue text, it says: “Where is a drinks vending machine?” DrinkS? Really?!?!

--LISTENING PLUS 4: Anyone ever listen to the CD of the Listening Script for Step 2? Crowley has got to be like 39 years old, but on the CD, he sounds like he’s about 12.

Also, listen for Crowley’s last line. He says, “Well, maybe sitting in seiza.” He sounds stupid when he says ‘in seiza’.

Also, in the Listening Script for Step three, Shin asks Crowley: “Do Americans enjoy rakugo?” Crowley responds, “Yes, they do.” Really?!?! Thanks for answering for an entire country, Crowley! Rakugo is Japanese. The common American doesn't even know what it is.

--YELLOW TRAIN: On page 49, it says: “Take the next yellow train…” I think they mean “line”, not “train”. Also, the colors mentioned in the text are “yellow/red” but the ‘train’ colors on the page are “orange/blue”.

--“RED”: So, the students are in their 3rd year of studying English and they FINALLY learn the color “red” on page 49. Finally! Have I said how mind-numbing these textbooks are recently?

[jeisensei]

Damn Otaku...

Any way, I am going though this lesson at the moment. Everything is going smoothly and all. My English teacher actually asked me to see if I could find any other English rakugo so I translated a famous rakugo story called Toki Soba (Time and Soba). I told it to my kids using simple English and they loved it. I don't think anyone else will try this, but just in case there is someone out there I will put down my simple translation. Oh, and if anyone does want to try this, keep in mind it is best to add a little spice by changing voices for all the characters and using a fan and other actions.

Time and Soba

Narrator: In Edo Japan soba is very good. One bowl of soba is 16 mon (I actually just said yen because that is more simple). At night a man comes to eat soba.
Man1: Hello. It is cold. I want some hot soba.
Soba cook1: OK.
M1: I am hungry, so hurry!
SC1: OK! Here you are!
M1: Wow! This is delicious! The soup is good, too! How much?
SC1: It is 16 mon.
M1: OK. I only have small money (change) so I will count it for you.
SC1: OK. Put it in my hands.
M1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8... What time is it?
SC1: It’s 9...
M1: 10, 11 12, 13, 14, 15, 16! Thanks! Bye!
N: Another man watches.
M2: What!? He did not pay 16 mon! He paid 15 mon! I will try it tomorrow!
N: The man leaves his house early and goes to a soba restaurant.
M2: Hello. It’s cold. I want some hot soba.
SC2: What? It’s warm today. Yesterday was cold.
M2: Yes... But, give me hot soba!
SC2: OK.
M2: I’m hungry, so hurry!
SC2: Please wait... (after a while) Here you are.
M2: What!? This is not good! <Drink soup and do spit take> This soup is bad! How much?
SC2: It’s 16 mon.
M2: OK. I only have small money (change) so I will count it for you.
SC2: OK. Put it in my hands.
M1: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8... What time is it?
SC1: It’s 4...
M1: 5, 6, 7... Oh no!

The End

Any way I hope you enjoyed and may be able to use it if so inclined.

[Richard_BenoitEnglipedia Drone]

... hmmm so what's good about the story? I can see they can practice numbers and such.... is there a punch line?

Sorry pardon my ignorance, perhaps the artsy aspect missed me completely!

[jeisensei]

Basically my English teacher wanted the kids to hear more examples of rakugo in English. It is just listening pratice basically. The kids got a kick out of the story with no explination in Japanese. That makes me happy at least.

[Richard_BenoitEnglipedia Drone]

So they were familiar with it in Japanese? And it sounded funky in English?

[jeisensei]

Most of them didn't know the original Japanese story. The teacher asked some questions to check understanding and most of the kids understood the story.

[Paul]

“Where is a drinks vending machine?”

This is so the kids won't be confused by the used pantie vending machine.

[jessen100]

--UNNEEDED WORDS: On page 42, the word “loud” is introduced. Why not just say “big” and you wouldn’t have to explain what loud is?

ex. wow, its really big in here. lets go outside wo we can hear each other.


so how is the word loud not important?

[Richard_BenoitEnglipedia Drone]

ex. wow, its really big in here. lets go outside wo we can hear each other.

My guess is, in context it would be "You usually say sumimasen in a big voice." p.42

I guess he just means that the word, while obviously important to add flexibility, could have be introduced in highschool, or a later date should the author have used "big" for just this one instance.

[Otaku]

Exactly RB, the textbooks are difficult enough to navigate without introducing a word is used ONE TIME in ONE PLACE in the textbook.

Simplicity brings clarity.

[jessen100]

its ONE word. a very basic and useful one. its not the one to complain about. waiting over 3 years to learn it is absurd. didnt you say something about mind-numbing?

[moolooman]

I have to agree with jessen. Start freestyling I say. When I got told the other day that I had to say "Put your books upside down" instead of "Put your books face down" because they might get confused with putting their 'faces down' I thought, MEXTing idiots. How many kanji are these students required to learn? Have you seen the Maths they embark upon? They aren't stoopid. Their brains are just atrophied in English class from lack of free thinking.

Yeah we say Maths in NZ.

[Richard_BenoitEnglipedia Drone]

didnt you say something about mind-numbing?

Good point. Variety, and actual teaching of NEW things is good.

However if we start with introducing this one word one time and moving on without bringing it back in other chapters or even inluding it in the dictionary then we may get into trouble if they keep doing that.


My conclusion, since it is omitted from the dictionary at the back. I would say it is unnecessary.

[Richard_BenoitEnglipedia Drone]

Yeah we say Maths in NZ.

I think that kinda makes sense, seeing as you wouldn't say "let's study mathematic." (the adj.)

[jessen100]

just because they made other mistakes doesnt mean they should just omit it.
introducing it=good
failure to build=(obviously)bad

yea mooloo, the students might think they have a "book face" right? omg cant have that. if one of my japanese teachers told me how i should speak English like yours apparently did... nm id rather not think about it.

[moolooman]

didnt you say something about mind-numbing?

Good point. Variety, and actual teaching of NEW things is good.

However if we start with introducing this one word one time and moving on without bringing it back in other chapters or even inluding it in the dictionary then we may get into trouble if they keep doing that.


My conclusion, since it is omitted from the dictionary at the back. I would say it is unnecessary.

Got to give us what we want
Gotta give us what we need
Our freedom of speech is freedom or death
We got to fight the powers that be
Lemme hear you say
Fight the power

Flav,F. & X, Terminator (1989)

[Otaku]

Consider it the word that broke the camel's back...

Just for clarification, the stuff I wrote in the OP are notes I took on the textbooks for three straight years. Mixed in with the 'WTF' points, are also things I think would make the textbooks easier to understand.

True, "loud" is an everyday word that is very useful. So useful, in fact, it should be used a hella lot more throughout the books. Unfortunately, it is used one time, on one page, in one book.

Useful words need to be impacted. Meaning, they need to be reinforced throughout the books. If you're not going to do that, and if there's another word that can easily be substituted in that means the exact same thing, I think that would be the more wiser choice.

Once again, "Simplicity brings clarity." And, 'clarity' brings understanding, which is seriously lacking, IMHO, in English class.

BTW, "loud" is defined in the textbooks as: 音・声などが大きい　or おと・こえなどがおおきい

"ookii," or "big."

[jessen100]

its defined like that in the textbook because thats how you say it in japanese. its not how you say it in English. Thats why they need to learn it.

also loud breaks it before elegant? come on.

[Richard_BenoitEnglipedia Drone]

elegant

It must be destroyed too. Now you are catching on

Disclamer: I feel absolutely no emotion regarding this topic and frankly don't give a damn and refuse to take sides. Just offering commentary and devil's advocate type stuff.

[Otaku]

its defined like that in the textbook because thats how you say it in japanese. its not how you say it in English. Thats why they need to learn it.

Actually, "big voice" is EXACTLY how I would say it in English if I were talking to a class of ES students back home, which is the exact same level of understanding over here in an average JHS class.

---------------------------

...and there are many words that break my camel's back. At the particular time I wrote my notes, "loud" was the one that did it for me.

And, "elegant" is　そのまま in Japanese so it's not a big step for the students to take to get that word into English. However, I'll see your 'elegant'. Let's chuck them both out of the books! :)

[Otaku]

Damn it, RB! You keep hitting the Submit button before me!

We keep saying the same things...hey, are you calling me a devil or just an avocate?!?!

[jessen100]

Now you are catching on

you are not.

[jessen100]

Actually, "big voice" is EXACTLY how I would say it in English if I were talking to a class of ES students back home, which is the exact same level of understanding over here in an average JHS class.

other people, i would venture to say most, say things like "louder" but the conjugation on that is a bit too difficult right?

[Richard_BenoitEnglipedia Drone]

you are not.

oh no jessen starting with the ad hominem, what's wrong pal?

[jessen100]

i dont get it.

[jeisensei]

I think we are forgetting that the students learn these words because they need to know them for the test to get into highschool. Nothing more and nothing less. There is a list of vocab from MEXT (not using it as a swear this time) that goes into the highschool tests and those are the words that go into this books.

[Richard_BenoitEnglipedia Drone]

devil or just an avocate

Wait, there is a difference? Ah details, details.

[Richard_BenoitEnglipedia Drone]

For me Jei wins the day.

But practically speaking Otaku is NOT sayin we shouldn't teach them anything new.

He is saying if you want to. Commit a little more to it, or drop it. That's all.

[jeisensei]

The funny thing is I agree with Otaku, but the reality of the situation ties me down. Of course, in class, I always teach my kids alternatives, but those are not as important for the kids in their situation now. I just hope they remember them for when they get into the real world and not this BS world of tests needed to get to the next level of schooling.

[moolooman]

It all depends on the teacher if I can throw my hat in the ring. If you have a slave to the textbook teacher then you are getting no alternative vocab loving. If your teacher is a bit on the edge, it's on. That is why I was so seriously pissed off last year when a new English teacher showed up and Ifound she had lived in NZ for a year. I thought I may be onto some alternative word loving, but I haven't come accross as much of a slave to the textbook and MEXT before or since.