The word “family” repeatedly appeared in the passage used as a istening workshop text. The word reminded me of the sentences written by my students; “I have a family,” “I live with my family,” and “I spend my holidays with my family.” Unfortunately, if the writer of these sentences is a senior high school student, they do not make sense because “family” means “kids.” Teenagers are supposed not to have kids and actually my students do not have any kids!
Most students learn the meanings of English words by memorizing their Japanese counterparts, and do not pay much attention to their subtle differences. “Family” corresponds approximately to “Kazoku 家族,” which means an extended family including one’s parents.
Kids may be greatly surprised to know that the sentence “I have a family” means “I have kids,” and notice the cultural differences between Western and Asian societies. I think such a finding is essential in learning a foreign language.
How about the word “imagination” ? First, imagine the situation where the following conversation took place;
“Did you just hear a strange sound?"
"No, nothing. Maybe your ears are playing tricks on you.”
The underlined part can be paraphrased; it is your imagination.”
The meaning of the word “imagination” is to see or hear things that are not there. Almost all the students know the Japanese translation of “imagination,” “sozoryoku想像力, but they do not know its notion.
Japanese people rely on translation too much, so they try to study a foreign language by memorizing the Japanese counterparts word by word. Instead, they should use their imagination and grab the true meaning!!
Most students learn the meanings of English words by memorizing their Japanese counterparts, and do not pay much attention to their subtle differences. “Family” corresponds approximately to “Kazoku 家族,” which means an extended family including one’s parents.
Kids may be greatly surprised to know that the sentence “I have a family” means “I have kids,” and notice the cultural differences between Western and Asian societies. I think such a finding is essential in learning a foreign language.
How about the word “imagination” ? First, imagine the situation where the following conversation took place;
“Did you just hear a strange sound?"
"No, nothing. Maybe your ears are playing tricks on you.”
The underlined part can be paraphrased; it is your imagination.”
The meaning of the word “imagination” is to see or hear things that are not there. Almost all the students know the Japanese translation of “imagination,” “sozoryoku想像力, but they do not know its notion.
Japanese people rely on translation too much, so they try to study a foreign language by memorizing the Japanese counterparts word by word. Instead, they should use their imagination and grab the true meaning!!
