Great Ideas from the Brain Sciences: Learning Objectives By: Mirela C. C. Ramacciotti Have you ever wondered how the concept of “learning objectives” and its spinoffs, like “competencies” came into
Category: January 2025–Surprise
Surprise Rebound
Surprise Rebound By: Heather Kretschmer Last semester I taught a long-running, well-established Intermediate English course at my university for the first time. In this course, broad topics, such as globalization,
Insight
Insight By: Curtis Kelly One day, a Heian Junior College student taught me the secret of anger. I was teaching a difficult 2nd-year college class in Japan, using a teaching
When the Shirt Hits the Fan: Lessons in Teaching and Tact
When the Shirt Hits the Fan: Lessons in Teaching and Tact By: Nicky De Proost Teaching is meant to be a noble endeavour: shaping minds, opening doors, and perhaps, occasionally,
Just Watch their Expressions: Observing Facial Expressions as a Pedagogical Tool
Just Watch their Expressions: Observing Facial Expressions as a Pedagogical Tool By: Meredith Stephens “You taught the whole lesson from the front of the classroom and dominated the time with
Experiences which are not Talked about in Teacher Trainings
Experiences which are not Talked about in Teacher Trainings By: Narjes Nasrpour Editors’ Note: Surprise in teaching doesn’t always come from dramatic moments or unexpected events. Sometimes, it emerges quietly,
Evidence of Learning: Mine & Others’
Evidence of Learning: Mine & Others’ By: Greg Rouault In my second teaching job in Japan, at Prime Eikaiwa, the owner, Mr. Fujioka, offered lessons for kids and adults. I
Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges
Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges By: Ellika Koike The classroom is an inn at a crossroads on the path of life: so many different people pass through, each bringing a unique
Penguins, Pranks and Pedagogy: Flipping the Script on Critical Thinking in Japan
Penguins, Pranks and Pedagogy: Flipping the Script on Critical Thinking in Japan By: Glenn Magee In a country where traditional teaching often determines classroom norms, novelty can bring much more
A Surprising Journey of Empowerment in the Classroom
A Surprising Journey of Empowerment in the Classroom By: Dr. Naning Tri Wahyuni As an English lecturer teaching first-year university students in Indonesia, I faced a daunting challenge. Most of