Monday, April 4, 2011

Samurai Journey: Culture Basics - Language

Fujii Sensei took an innovative approach to helping Peri learn a few fun Japanese words and phrases by teaching her some basic Origami (Japanese paper-folding). She also taught Peri how to introduce herself properly ("My name is Haruko. I am an American."), and how to ask a question. She also taught Peri how to sing "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" in Japanese (picture below), which was fun to watch, particularly because we use the same tactic and song in India when our Conversational English Teams work in the Indian schools to teach both children and teachers about common body-parts.

We wondered if Peri was really absorbing the language throughout the day, but when she got home and was nodding off to sleep, Sami went in and checked on her and heard her whispering to herself, "Watashi wa Peri des..." (i.e. "My name is Peri..."). :- )

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