Yukari Maller Tutor Interview

Q. Hi, Yukari Maller! According to your profile, you live in Cheltenham in the United Kingdom. How is your life there?: A. Cheltenham is a town in the South West of England, which flourished as a health resort after drinking its spring water became fashionable in the 18th century. In the town you can see a lot of old stone-build houses some of which are more than 200 years old. The countryside is beautiful, the town is surrounded by hills with many walking trails that are called ‘public footpaths’. The people who live in Cheltenham don’t meddle with other people’s business; they respect each other’s privacy and seem very gentle. I feel more comfortable here than I did in Japan, my character may be suited to life in England.
Q. What was the trigger for your moving to the United Kingdom? What differences have you found between there and Japan? If you have an interesting story about your life in the United Kingdom, please tell us!: A. I moved to England after I got married. Although living habits differ from Japanese ones, fortunately I haven’t had very hard times, but I often notice the differences in manners and ways of thinking. Just after coming here I was expecting that I would be asked too many questions about Japan or myself by everyone who I meet, but I wasn’t; to be honest it disappointed me a bit. You can say that a variety of people here, people don’t think foreigners are rare and also they may have a habit of considering other’s privacy in their conversations. It is well known that English people join a queue at shops or for public transport as their one of good manners, and they hold the door for the next person as well; this is very common thing for them even little kids or young guys who look like a sort of delinquent type do. It is quite natural to say thank you to bus drivers and to give way to others when they meet on a narrow aisle. I reflected that I had spent my life in hectic pace in Japan. This is what happened to me when I tried to get on to the bus. It was stopping at the bus stop and its door was open for the people queuing in front of it, but they didn’t try to get on.( British buses have only one door at the front and passengers purchase their tickets before they ride.) “ I should hurry to get on ,I will miss the bus! ”, I thought and then was about to get on when the driver pointed at the back of the bus. I saw an old person approaching very slowly; the driver and the people were waiting quietly for her to get off without rushing her. Oh no! How embarrassing! I haven’t rushed on to the bus since then.
Q. You go to art club and to fitness classes. You have lots of hobbies! Could you tell us about them?: A. I’ve been a member of Cheltenham Art Club for about one and a half years. The club members get together at our art studio and draw or paint in whatever way they like. I used to paint in oil or water colours, but recently I’ve mostly been using pastels since I found out how fun they are. I thought this was interesting: when we were working together on painting a model in the studio, one member asked her about the colour of her eyes, a question I had never heard in Japan. In fact, the colours of eyes here are not only clearly brown, blue or green but can also be grey, hazel or amber. Is Zumba popular in Japan too? I had never even heard the name until I moved here, but now I am really into Zumba.　In the Zumba class there are people of all ages, from pupils to the ladies in their seventies, enjoying exercising to the exciting music. I became much healthier and stronger than when I was in Japan thanks to my regular exercise sessions 4 times a week; Zumba, Fit Camp and swimming. English people seem to be health-conscious, especially I often see very active senior people; most of the people in the pool or gym are senior early in the morning. I’d like to keep lively and healthy in my seventies!
Q. What kinds of food are typical there?: A. Talking about “well known English food” is it roast beef, fish and chips or the full English breakfast? I had no knowledge about it either. I had the idea that traditional English food is made simply in order to feature the taste of natural ingredients. There are a variety of pies such as “steak and kidney pie” and “chicken and mushroom pie” with delicious pastry and nicely simmered tender meat – they make my mouth water! Have you heard of “the Sunday roast “? In England there is a tradition for Sunday lunch to have roast beef, lamb, pork or chicken with boiled vegetables, roast potatoes and Yorkshire pudding. We have a lovely pub just around the corner from our home, they serve nice beer and food and it only takes a minute to walk there! Here are some photos of the pub and their Sunday roast.
Q. You have taught English for thirteen years. What made you become a teacher?: A. I have liked English since I was little. I have always been interested in all things about the UK. What led me to become an English teacher might be a bit unique. I used to work as a dental hygienist . One day a Kenyan exchange student came to my clinic and I became in charge of him because I was just able to speak simple English. I had studied a lot to work in this technical field, but then I realised that I preferred studying languages and teaching. The path has not been smooth, but I feel the joy of work that I’m content with.
Q. Do you have a message for our students?: A. As you all know, it is important to study continuously if you want to master a language. But have you ever thought “I had all week to prepare for the lesson, but I haven’t done anything”? If you can have enough time for study, it would be nice, but it’s hard in reality. Why don’t you try this method? Try to remember what you’ve learned in your last lesson until your next lesson: what your teacher asked you and how you answered them, the newly learned phrases or grammar. When you have a moment, try to recall them and if your memory is not clear check your notes. “I want know because I don’t know” is the best motivation for study. In my lessons I will help to find the most effective way for you to improve your language study.