Clare

Clare Tutor Interview

Q. Hi, Clare! How are you? First, could you introduce yourself?

A. Hello! I’m very well, thank you. I have met lots of cool people since I started teaching with Café Talk and I’ve had lots of interesting conversations, so I’m very happy. To introduce myself, I’m Clare and I’m from the UK. I have been an English teacher for over four years. In my free time I like painting and going for long walks in the country with my dog, “Pepper,” but most of all, I enjoy singing karaoke! In fact, I still practice at home, but let’s keep that a secret!

Q. Which part of the UK do you live in? Could you tell me about your town?

A. I live in Newton Abbot, which is a small town in Devon, in southwest England. Devon is one of the most beautiful parts of the UK. It also has a strange weather system, so it’s the only place in Britain where palm trees can grow! We have famous beaches, beautiful market towns, and two national parks. The closest national park is called Dartmoor, which you can see in the photo. One of the best zoos in the UK is also nearby, so it is a great place to live. Devon’s “cream tea” is its best-known dish. This is two scones with jam and clotted cream, served with a pot of English tea. You can even order it in some hotels in Japan. I recommend it, but eating it every day would not be good for your health!

Q. According to your profile, you’ve taught English in Osaka for 4 years. How was your life in Japan? Do you have any unforgettable stories?

A. I loved my life in Japan and I still miss it very much. People in Osaka certainly know how to have a good time! I loved the restaurants and bars and, of course, the karaoke! It was also great to be able to visit nice places like Kyoto and Nara, less than one hour away by train. When I first got to Japan, I was sitting on a busy subway train. An elderly lady walked up to me, said nothing, and handed me some packets of food. I was surprised, but I accepted her gift. She stayed silent and left the train. When I got to work, I told my Japanese co-workers. I asked if this was a part of Japanese culture that I didn’t know about. My co-workers all laughed and said: “No, she was probably just crazy!”

Q. What do you like to do on your holidays?

A. I suppose I am quite lazy when I go on holiday. I don’t like to make a busy schedule for myself. I like reading, wandering around, and “people watching” mainly. I prefer to decide what to do day-by-day than to go on sightseeing tours.

Q. I like your column, “Japanese English.” The difference between Japanese and English is very interesting. I think those words confuse most Japanese students! I know there are many differences between British English and American English. Could you tell us some examples?

A. I am glad you enjoyed it. When it comes to British and American English, the most obvious difference is “football” (British English) vs. “soccer” (American English). Brits say “crisps” instead of “potato chips” and we usually say “chips” instead of “fries,” but we also say “fries” to describe the thin chips they sell in McDonald’s. Speaking of McDonalds, we call it “Mackie-D’s” while Americans call it “Mickey-D’s”! The list of differences is quite long, but they are not always so important.

British people are used to watching American movies and TV shows, so people in the UK usually understand American English phrases. Students shouldn’t worry too much about the differences, but it can be fun to study them. Regarding pronunciation, British English may be a little easier for Japanese students. British words like “water” and “computer,” for example, sound similar when they are written in katakana.

Q. Your pronunciation lessons, “”L” and “R” Pronunciation” and “”V” and “B” Pronunciation,” are good for non-native speakers. How do you teach the difference in an online lesson?

A. That’s an interesting question. First of all, I show the student an explanation of how to make the sound, and then I get them to try it. To a native English speaker, both “L” and “R” and “V” and “B” actually sound completely different, so it is easy for me to hear if a student is pronouncing it correctly – even online. (It also helps that I have a high-speed, fibre-optic Internet connection, so the sound quality is usually very good.)

Then we practice some words and phrases. The student chooses from two options and I tell the student which of the options I thought he/she said. Then, we switch roles. Sometimes the problem for students is as much related to hearing as it is to speaking. However, even students who cannot hear the differences can still learn to produce them correctly. The key is to get feedback from a native speaker. At the end, we have a discussion, using lots of “L” and “R” (or “V” and “B”) words.

Q. What do you think is the best way for continuing studying English? Can you recommend any ways to learn English?

A. I wish there was a special secret to make it easier, but the important thing is to keep practicing. Try to think in English, for example, when you are on the subway or walking somewhere. Read the signs you see around you, etc. and try to translate them in your head. Also, study in a way which is fun for you and don’t overdo it. Take lots of breaks and get plenty of sleep, or all your efforts will be wasted. When it comes to your lessons, prepare some topics to discuss with your teacher and learn some relevant vocabulary. The more interesting you find your lessons, the easier it will be to stay motivated.

Q. You provide written feedback to your students after every class. What kinds of things do you mention?

A. I like to send written feedback because it reminds students of what they learned in the lesson, lets them know what they did well, and gives them advice on how to improve. I like to cover things like: new vocabulary and idioms with examples of how they are used, mistakes and how to correct them, study tips, and answers to any questions that the student asked during the class.

Q. Could you please give a message to our students?

A. Hi, everyone! I hope you’re enjoying your English study and making progress. I am looking forward to meeting you and having some interesting, fun conversations. It’s important to work hard, but don’t forget to enjoy learning English too!

///

Clare

Profile

---