Current Issue

How Surprises Shape the Language Teaching Experience

January 2025

Surprise! We’re starting the new year with an issue full of contributions from our readers sharing surprising stories from their teaching careers. Sometimes our students can surprise us; other times, we can surprise our students! There’s much to learn from and reflect on when it comes to classroom situations that don’t quite turn out as expected.

“As much as you try to organize your life, life will surprise you.” – Bryce Dressner, rock composer

APA REFERENCE FOR THIS ISSUE:
(author). (2025). (article title, sentence case). MindBrainEd Think Tanks: How Surprises Shape the Language Teaching Experience, 11(1), (pages).

Watch before you read...

We’re ushering in the new year by featuring readers’ stories of surprise in the language classroom. In the Main video, Tania Luna passionately explains why we should allow surprise to enter our lives. In the More podcast episode, Andy Hoang, Rita Isaac, and David Hayden discuss how facilitators can integrate surprise into professional development courses. Then, Nicky De Proost, Heather Kretschmer, and Curtis Kelly introduce the issue.

In the Think Tank, the contributions fall into three categories:

Surprises Shaping Teachers: Naning Tri Wahyuni, Ellika Koike, Narjes Nasrpour, Meredith Stephens, and Curtis Kelly write about how particular classroom experiences changed them as teachers.
Students Surprising Teachers: Greg Rouault and Nicky De Proost recount unexpected things their students did.
Teachers Surprising Students: Glenn Magee and Heather Kretschmer describe intentionally baking surprises into the classroom experience.

Finally, in our Plus section, Mirela C. C. Ramacciotti summarizes Robert M. Gagné’s key contributions to education.

Evidence-based L&D: Re-engage your learners with the unexpected

Nigel Cassidy, Andy Hoang, Rita Isaac & David Hayden

Our Thoughts on Surprise

Apprenticing with Alice: Lessons for Language Teachers from Wonderland Nicky De Proost & Heather Kretschmer

Teaching often feels like following a familiar trail of lesson plans, familiar routines, and predictable outcomes. It’s a comforting rhythm, as steady as the ticking of a pocket watch. Yet, just when you think you know the way, the classroom transforms into a Wonderland—a realm of surprises, twists, and moments that challenge everything you thought you knew.

We’ve all had those days. A student raises a hand, and their question sends you tumbling down a rabbit hole, turning the lesson upside-down. Or an activity you expect will lead students down a well-trodden path instead catapults them to a place where familiar trails vanish into a sparkling meadow of singing flowers. Suddenly, you’re faced with the unexpected, navigating uncharted territory where students’ creativity and curiosity take centre stage.

Surprise, Learning, and the Predictive Brain Curtis Kelly

Nicky and Heather just gave us a delightful look at surprise as an unexpected spice for your classes. I will continue their discussion, repeating part of it (by accident. Really!) and giving more of a perspective on what is happening inside the brain. No rabbits, but there is a spider.

Think Tank Articles

A Surprising Journey of Empowerment in the Classroom Dr. Naning Tri Wahyuni

As an English lecturer teaching first-year university students in Indonesia, I faced a daunting challenge. Most of my students in the Elementary Teacher Education program arrived at my Academic English courses—covering Academic Presentation, Academic Reading, and Academic Writing—plagued by fear and self-doubt…

Penguins, Pranks and Pedagogy: Flipping the Script on Critical Thinking in Japan Glenn Magee

In a country where traditional teaching often determines classroom norms, novelty can bring much more than laughter; it can cause a revolution in critical thinking. My journey began with a simple question: Can penguins fly?

Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges 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 story before continuing their journey. As the innkeeper, you remain constant, offering nourishment for their thoughts and a comfortable place to stay, however briefly…

Evidence of Learning: Mine & Others’ Greg Rouault

In my second teaching job in Japan, at Prime Eikaiwa, the owner, Mr. Fujioka, offered lessons for kids and adults. I knew both were important customer groups, but I never imagined so much would be learned from working with the kids. These are two of the most endearing and enduring moments.

Experiences which are not Talked about in Teacher Trainings Narjes Nasrpour

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of listening to your students. I had an Iranian English student who loved to chat with me, and at first, I didn’t mind. But then, as she started sharing family issues and personal secrets, I realized that she needed someone to talk to. When I discussed this with school counselors, they advised me to just listen without interrupting…

Just Watch their Expressions: Observing Facial Expressions as a Pedagogical Tool Meredith Stephens

“You taught the whole lesson from the front of the classroom and dominated the time with teacher talk,” complained my supervisor.

He placed the video cassette in the machine, pressed play, and I saw myself standing at the front of the classroom, giving a spiel to a large class of students…

When the Shirt Hits the Fan: Lessons in Teaching and Tact Nicky De Proost

Teaching is meant to be a noble endeavour: shaping minds, opening doors, and perhaps, occasionally, inspiring a student or two. What no one tells you, especially during training, is that sometimes it’s less about inspiring and more about surviving—and possibly preventing public nudity.

Insight 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 method I did not have confidence in. I was explaining something to the students, when suddenly the door opened and a student walked in late…

Surprise Rebound 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, consumerism, and the environment are covered. I have to admit I rolled my eyes after reading the list of topics. To be sure, they’re important topics but ones that students have already discussed ad nauseam in school…

Think Tank Plus

Great Ideas from the Brain Sciences: Learning Objectives Mirela C. C. Ramacciotti

Have you ever wondered how the concept of “learning objectives” and its spinoffs, like “competencies” came into our profession? We can thank Robert M. Gagné for that, and more…

Call for Contributions: Ideas and Articles Think Tank Staff

Become a Think Tank star! Here are some of the future issue topics we are thinking about. Would you, or anyone you know, like to write about any of these? Or is there another topic you’d like to recommend? Do you have any suggestions for lead-in, or just plain interesting, videos? How about writing a book review? Or sending us a story about your experiences? Contact us.

Lewis Carol’s World of Unexpected Delight

If you enjoyed Nicky and Heather’s introduction to this issue, you may feel inspired to read about all the surprising things Alice experiences in Lewis Carol’s classic Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. The book is in the public domain and out of copyright. Here are three freely available digital versions of the book, but please check the laws of the country you’re located in before accessing them:

U.S. Library of Congress: link
Planet eBook: link
Project Gutenberg: link

Humorous Surprises in Haydn’s Music

One composer who masterfully surprised his listeners by playing with their expectations was Joseph Haydn. One famous example occurs in the 2nd movement of his Symphony No. 94, aptly nicknamed the “Surprise.” Listen to Evan Keely delve into the humor of Haydn’s music against the backdrop of the pieces he’s explaining. Feeling inspired to not only listen out for Haydn’s humor but also watch it in action? Check out:

“Surprise” Symphony No. 94, 2nd movement: 9:36-16:09
“Farewell” Symphony No. 45, 4th movement: link
Continuo solo at the end of Symphony No. 98: 25:20

Joseph Haydn’s music is a masterclass in surprises, playing with expectations and delighting listeners with his creative twists. Whether it’s the cheeky jolt of “Surprise”, or the bittersweet wit of “Farewell”, Haydn reminds us that music is as much about emotion and connection as it is about structure. If Haydn’s playful genius inspires you to think about the ways music surprises, moves, or connects us, we’d love to hear your thoughts.

For our February Think Tank, we’re creating a playlist featuring music that resonates with teaching—songs that inspire, delight, or even teach us something. Do you have a song or music video that’s woven into your teaching story? Share it with us! Tell us about a song that brings your classroom to life or a melody that has special meaning for you as an educator.

You can send your submissions through our Google Form, which ensures your email stays private. Feel free to share up to three songs, with a brief explanation of why they hold meaning for you in the world of teaching. Let’s create a playlist that surprises and inspires us all!

The MindBrained Think Tanks+

is produced by the Japan Association for Language Teaching (JALT) Mind, Brain, and Education Special Interest Group (BRAIN SIG). Kyoto, Japan. (ISSN 2434-1002)

Editorial Staff

Stephen M. Ryan Curtis H. Kelly Julia Daley Afon (Mohammad) Khari

Heather Kretschmer Marc Helgesen Nicky De Proost

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