MIDWEST LANGUAGE SERVICES - BLOG
Symbolism of the Parrot
“Linguists who were both translators and advisors for the king are important officials in the Akan royal court.” - object label at Newfields in Indianapolis, Indiana
It was a sunny, late-November afternoon when my husband and I went to the local museum and explored the African gallery at Newfields, formerly known as the Indianapolis Museum of Art. I was captivated by the elaborate masks, intricate bead work, and other artifacts in the gallery. The particular artifact that prompted this post was the gold parrot that I saw.
According to the object cards describing the finial, the parrot was used by the royal Akan people of Ghana.
“Linguists, who serve as both translators and advisors to the king, are important officials in the Akan royal court.”
“Linguists carry staffs with gold-covered sculptural finials like this example.”
“The parrot signifies wisdom, benevolence, and language skills. Symbolism related to verbal prowess is particularly appropriate for objects belonging to these counselors, since they are expected to be masters of spoken arts.”
This parrot and many of the other art objects in the gallery were gifts of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Eiteljorg in the 20th century.
Telling the Story of Thanksgiving Using a Story Map
This is an example of a story map for Thanksgiving. Finding out what vocabulary the students know and introducing new vocabulary should be done before drawing the story map. Also, draw the map as you tell the story. This helps with comprehensible input. Drawing the entire map ahead of time may contribute to visual overwhelm and reduce comprehension of target vocabulary and ideas.
Today we learned about the first Thanksgiving and why the Pilgrims came to the New World. Before we began, I asked everyone what words came to mind when they heard the word, “Thanksgiving.” The words “turkey,” “family,” and “dinner” were called out by our students. I wrote these on the board.
As I told the story of the history of Thanksgiving, I drew pictures on the dry erase board to help illustrate key points I wanted our students to know and remember. In this case, I started with England on the right side of the dry erase board and moved westward, to the New World. New vocabulary was introduced and explained as we progressed through the story. We also paused for a three-minute video about Thanksgiving that included captions.
After sitting for a while, I asked everyone to stand up in a small group. Speaking doesn’t just happen when sitting in a classroom setting, after all. The students took turns sharing a sentence or two about the picture to tell the story in chronological order. I then challenged each student to tell the entire story independently.
Later, the students were given time to write their stories in their notebooks and have their teacher check them. Interestingly, the students repeated common errors when reading their stories aloud despite reading their own (corrected) writing; however, progress was still made. At first, when I asked what came to mind when they heard the word, “Thanksgiving,” only three words came to mind. Now they are able to talk about the history of Thanksgiving. One of the students commented that the story map was helpful for being able to talk about and write about this topic. Overall, I would consider this lesson to be a success!
Using Improvisation in the Classroom
I recommend taking an improv class for so many reasons, one of which is that some of the exercises can become great springboards for ideas to get students to speak in a group language class. Knowing how to read and write in a language is quite different from speaking it. This is especially true with some Japanese women I have taught. Although their spouses may have opportunities to use English in the workplace, many Japanese women I’ve met tend to befriend other Japanese whose husbands have been assigned to work in the United States. Making American or other English-speaking friends can be tough.
From what I have learned, the Japanese can read and write with a fair amount of clarity; however, forming spoken sentences doesn’t happen without a lot of thought first. Sometimes a series of imperfect sentences can communicate much more than a few perfectly constructed sentences. My goal is to create an environment in which students feel free to try to speak in front of their classmates and me with the understanding that they will be corrected afterwards so that they can ultimately improve and communicate more fluently. This has to be done carefully so the students are not discouraged from speaking at all.
One recent activity that I did with a group of four women was to role play buying a used car. First, I introduced some vocabulary. Next, we listened to a dialogue while reading the script silently, and then the students were paired off. Each person took turns with the role of salesperson and car buyer while reading the script aloud. Afterwards, I modeled how to act out the skit without the script and emphasized that the skit did not have to exactly match the original dialogue. (I chose the most advanced student who was the least shy to help model how to do this.) After we completed the demonstration, I asked the women to work their partner and take turns playing each role without a script. After some practice, it was showtime.
The grand finale was when I had the students speed up the performances from about five minutes to a time limit of three minutes. The result was that the students spoke more naturally, sounded more fluent, and were talking to an actual person while speaking. It wasn’t just reading from a script anymore. It was about interacting.
Improvisation is a part of daily life. We may have patterns that we use in different situations, but ultimately, we think of what we’re going to say depending on whom we are speaking with and what the situation is. Rehearsing is a good idea when stakes are high, but reading from cue cards is not nearly as effective as communicating with the person in front of you.
Register for New English Classes!
Register now for our upcoming ESL classes!
Have you tried to contact us about English classes but were only able to book private lessons? Now we finally have group English classes that will start November 6 at our location in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Our address is 735 Shelby St., Suite #106, Indianapolis, IN 46203. It is inside the Switchboard building at the corner of Shelby Street and Hoyt Avenue.
We have a Level 1 class that will meet on Tuesdays 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM.
November 6, 13, 20, and 27, 2018
Here is the link for Level 1:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/level-1-english-grammar-and-conversation-tickets-51591759341
Level 2 will meet on Wednesdays 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM.
November 7, 14, 21, and 28
Cost: $99
Visit our Eventbrite page to register. Here is the link for Level 2:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/level-2-english-grammar-and-conversation-tickets-51592641981
Beginner-Level Spanish Class - November 1 thru December 13, 2018
Visit our Eventbrite page to purchase tickets for this six week class that will begin November 1, 2018 for 1.5 hours on Thursday evenings from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM.
Register now by clicking on the link to our Eventbrite page.
English Teacher Needed in Merrillville, Indiana
Job Description
Job Description
Midwest Language Services is now interviewing English as Second Language (ESL) tutors to business people and their families in Merrillville, Indiana for part-time work (from 1 hour to 16 hours per week) to prepare lessons and teach English as a Second or New language to beginners and intermediate-level students (Level A and B on the CEFRL scale).
Day and evening hours available. Please let us know your availability.
Responsibilities
Arrive at lessons on time or even a little early (5-10 minutes) as punctuality is highly valued is certain cultures. Arriving even a couple of minutes late might be taken negatively.
Create lesson plans
Continually assess student needs.
Create lesson plans to help students improve their language skills.
Allow the student to speak at least 50 percent of the lesson time.
Assign and check homework, as needed.
Keep track of student attendance.
Be patient, encouraging, and help students speak and understand English more fluently.
Desired Qualities
At least two years of ESL teaching experience to adult learners
At least a Bachelor's Degree in English, Education or related field
Knowledge of a second language (to be able to understand the struggles of learning a second language)
Professional in appearance, attitude, preparedness, etc.
Business dress code (conservative attire - no jeans, no sandals or open-toed shoes, etc.)
Able to create engaging lesson plans for expats who need English to communicate with business colleagues and with people in the community for everyday purposes
Able to drive to the client or to one of our convenient locations
Extremely punctual
Benefits
Flexible schedule - set your hours, but then keep those hours regularly
Motivated learners
Compensation $20 - $25 per hour, depending on experience and other qualifications
Job Type: Part-time
Salary: $20.00 to $25.00 /hour
English Teacher Needed In Greenfield and Greensburg Indiana
Contact us if you are qualified to teach English as a Second Language to adult students. We are now interviewing candidates to teach in Greenfield and Greensburg, Indiana.
Interviewing Basics
It’s exciting to interview for a job you are interested in doing; however, simple things send subtle signals that you may or may not be so excited about the job. Here are some tips to help you put your best foot forward and improve your chances of getting hired. Little things mean a lot.
Show up on time. The idea of what “on time” means varies from culture to culture. if you’re interviewing to be an interpreter, teacher, or anyone else who needs to be punctual because others will be waiting for you, then showing up on time might actually mean showing up at least fifteen minutes early in the parking lot of the place you’re going to so you have enough time to gather your thoughts, look in the mirror, and then walk in the door. Showing up late tends to signal that you don’t care about the job or that you are presumptuous about getting hired. Life happens. If you must be late, call as soon as possible.
Smile. You are preparing to interview somewhere you would like to work. You may be nervous, but people like to be around people who have a pleasant demeanor. This is especially true if you are interviewing for a job that requires you to be around other people. No one wants to hire a sourpuss.
Avoid complaining. I once interviewed an interpreter I will never call on simply because she tossed her purse on the interview table, complained about the landscaping in front of the building, and then complained about how difficult it was to come to my office. People tend to hire people who are going to represent their company well and not cause embarrassment or a negative work environment. (See number 2.)
Avoid wearing heavy cologne, after shave, or other perfumed products. Less is more. Some people are allergic to heavy scents and also prone to migraines. Deodorant is fine (and encouraged), but anything else may be too much.
Dress the part. Think of what you would expect someone to wear if they were doing the job you are applying for. Dress shoes, slacks, a button-up shirt, dress, conservative top, and skirts are fitting for most interviews. Assume a more formal atmosphere and discuss the dress code after you get the interview. Conversely, if you get a second interview, don’t assume that you can wear casual clothing. It is better to be overdressed than under-dressed.
Read about the company before the interview. This is an opportunity for you to learn more about what you may be doing and how you might contribute in other ways to the company.
Ask not what the company can do for you, but ask what you can do for the company. In other words, don’t start discussing salary and benefits until you have shared how you would be an asset to the company.
The above tips also hold true even after you’ve been hired. Ask yourself how you can add value to the company. This may open doors to you even after you’ve been hired and can lead to greater responsibility and pay within the company.
Get Language Access in Over 200 Languages 24/7/365
Do you need interpreters in a variety of languages on short notice?
Contact us about setting up an account. After you have your account, you may use the telephonic interpreting services on-demand or you may schedule your over-the-phone interpreter in advance. Please note scheduled interpreting over the phone requires a payment of a minimum of 30 minutes. On-demand services are only billed for the minutes used.
Contact us if you have further questions.
Join Us for International Art Break Day!
Join us for International Art Break Day at 735 Shelby St., Indianapolis, Indiana on Friday, September 7 from 12:30 to 2:30 PM.
Current and prospective clients are welcome to join us for an art break on Friday, September 7, 2018 from 12:30-2:30 PM at 735 Shelby St., Indianapolis, Indiana. Midwest Language Services, LLC and Switchboard Indy are co-hosting this event on our porch.
“Art Break Day is a global art initiative created by Art is Moving to make art more accessible and inspire daily art making.” Making art together is a great way to make new friends and communicate with others. The focus is not on the art, but of the connections between individuals. www.ArtBreakDay.org
Simplifying Your Trip to Japan
Traveling to a new country is always exciting and often comes with some challenges. There are ways that made navigating the land of the rising sun a bit easier. This post will cover a few new things I incorporated into a recent visit to Japan that made this trip different from my last journey nearly twenty years ago.
I recommend using the Japan Rail pass. This simplified my travel expenses and the time it took to go from station to station without having to figure the cost of each leg of the trip. It is useful for traveling long distances. On my recent trip, I used the JR Pass to get from Tokyo to Nagoya, Nagoya to Kyoto, and then to get back to the Narita Airport. The pass is only for people who do not live in Japan. You receive a JR Pass form in the mail. When you arrive in Japan, you show this and your passport to get the actual pass. Instead of feeding a ticket into the machines each time to enter the train stations to catch your next train, look to the edges of the ticket areas and you will usually see a JR booth where you show your pass to the employees. The employees are helpful when you ask where your next train is. You may purchase a Japan Rail Pass (also known as a JR Pass) in advance on this website, the Japan Experience. https://www.japan-rail-pass.com/
If you are traveling across the country, you have the option of reserving your seat. During late July, when it was extremely hot in Japan, this was unnecessary as there were plenty of seats available. If you want to view Mt. Fuji from your train, keep in mind which direction you will be traveling to plan which side of the train you would like to find a seat.
At times, I found myself wanting to go places where the JR Pass could not take me. For that, I used the subway system. I have created a short video to help guide you on how to use their automated ticket machines. If you need additional help, there is actually someone who works behind the machines who can do just that.
While you are on the Japan Experience site, you may want to rent and reserve a pocket Wi-Fi. I picked mine up at the Narita Airport after reserving it online. It comes with instructions in English, a charger, a carrying case, and a return envelope. The pocket Wi-Fi enabled me to use the text feature on my iPhone and also use FaceTime. Some people may opt to use a SIM card instead.
This is what you get when you rent a pocket Wi-Fi. It comes with a carrying case, a charger, and a prepaid return envelope.
Remember to return your pocket Wi-Fi before you leave Japan. The pocket Wi-Fi comes with a prepaid return envelope. There is a postal box inside the Narita Airport.
Reduce the weight you carry with you by avoiding carrying a lot of coins. Buy a PASMO card. With the swipe of your PASMO card, you can buy drinks from a vending machine without having to dig through your change or even having to carry it to begin with. The downside to this is that you may not end up using any remaining credit on your card. I am still trying to figure out whether I want to bother with this or just give my PASMO card to someone else who may be traveling to Japan. I charged mine with $20 worth of credit and only used about $5.00 worth on a three-day trip traveling solo. The Suica card works similarly.
The ultimate in minimalist travel in Japan is to try out one of the capsule hotels. First Cabin is a chain that provides three sizes of cabins/capsules. The smallest, least expensive one has very low ceilings and runs about 4500 yen. Although I am not tall, I wanted something I could stand up in if I wanted to. I chose the midsize one for about 5500 yen. The largest size has a bedside table and a narrow strip of carpet along the side of the mattress, just wide enough for the table. As of July 2018, those cost about 6500 yen.
Although the screen door to the cabin does not close all the way in accordance with Japanese laws, it was very safe. Two floors are reserved for women only and two for men. To enter your floor, you must carry your badge with you to swipe the doors open. (Remember to bring your card with you in the middle of the night if you have to go to the restroom. It comes on a lanyard, which makes carrying it with you easy.)
After a long day of walking, I was excited to arrive at my capsule hotel. Simply comfortable.
This was in my capsule when I arrived.
The capsule has a lock box that is big enough for a briefcase or purse, but not large enough for a backpack or suitcase. The key for it comes on a plastic bracelet you can wear on your wrist when you go to sleep.
The capsule comes with a television. To listen to it, you must use earphones to help maintain a quiet environment for all guests.
The amenities included air conditioning, TV with earphones (you have to ask for the earphones at the front desk), vending machines that serve a wide variety of beverages, hot food, a breakfast lounge, and free Wi-Fi. There are restrooms on each floor and a spa/public bath for women on a separate floor. (There is likely a public bath for men, too.) Again, remember to bring your key card to operate the elevator to get to your floor or to the spa.
In order to maintain a quiet environment, the hotel has equipped each capsule with an earphone jack to listen to the television without disturbing others.
I wonder what formal frozen food looks like.
There was a variety of drinks in this vending machine.
This vending machine sells beer.
The cabin was very quiet. The only sounds you might hear are those of neighbors pulling down their screens at night or opening them in the morning.
Although it's possible to navigate the train system with a wheeled suitcase, it is simply much easier to carry a backpack as there are lots of stairs in the train stations. On this overseas trip, I first went to Guam for ten days. I emptied half of the contents of my backpack by sending it home via the U.S. Postal Service and did some laundry before heading to Japan. This enabled me to travel light and purchase a few new items to take home with me. In the summer time in Japan, be sure to stay hydrated (especially while doing cardio workouts with a backpack) and bring your Pasmo card with you!
Golf Courses in Indiana
Do you enjoy playing golf? Golf is a popular sport in the United States.
Here is a list of golf courses in Indiana:
Introducing Our Newest Intern - Marie Mori
Midwest Language Services helps an intern from Japan learn about the language services industry.
Marie Mori is currently pursuing a Masters in Linguistics and TESL at Indiana State University while teaching Japanese to university students. Her interests include the relationship between foreign language learning and psychology, as well as language acquisition and music. At ISU, she has been dedicating herself to establishing a Japanese cultural organization for the students of ISU. Through many events, she hopes it will open doors to the Japanese way of life, its traditions, gastronomy, and history.
Ms. Mori's future goal is to be an English teacher in Japan who fosters students with globalized perspectives while utilizing effective teaching and learning methods she has investigated. She wants to bring her experiences from the United States to change how students learn in Japan.
Marie Mori holds a Bachelors Degree in English Literature and a teaching license in Japan. To expand her knowlege and ability, she decided to come to the United States to study. Her hobbies include photography, world travel, and outdoor activities.
Marie Mori is from Japan and she is learning to teach English as a Second Language (ESL).
Asian Fest
It was a beautiful, lively, day at the Indiana State Museum yesterday. There were three ethnic festivals happening simultaneously. We at Midwest Language Services, LLC enjoyed talking with many visitors and were mesmerized by the buzz of activity and of the costumes and giant dragon that we saw in the building.
Thank you, Jane Gehlhausen, for inviting us to be a part of this event. It was very well organized and a great success. We enjoyed meeting everyone and learned so much!
Here are some snippets of the day's events!
Follow-up to Learning Phrasal Verbs with Student-created Illustrations
A week has passed. Everyone remembered the meaning of each phrasal verb that they drew pictures for the previous week. In the follow-up lesson, students were grouped into pairs. Each student had to create a sentence using the phrasal verb together. Their partner had to rephrase the sentence that their partner had spoken and they had to separate the phrasal verbs with the object.
The class moved on to other topics, but I think that the lesson with phrasal verbs was a successful one and will be repeated as homework for future groups of phrasal verbs by having students first illustrate the meaning and then creating sentences two different ways, assuming that they are studying separable phrasal verbs. I would recommend introducing no more than about eight phrasal verbs per week, but it may depend on the level of your students.
ESL Class at the International Marketplace Welcome Center - Introduction to Basic English
CLASES DE INGLÉS
en el International Marketplace
Precio: $149
Martes y miércoles de 15:30 a 17:00 hrs
26 de junio - 1 de agosto de 2018
info@midwestlanguageservices.com
(317) 296-7997
ESL Introduction to Basic English (Beginner-A1):
Students will learn the basics of English. This will include simple grammar and build vocabulary to describe daily life. They will learn to speak in the present tense, form questions and talk about daily routines.
Some topics to be covered are:
- Introductions and Greetings
- Numbers and Time
- Family and Occupations
- Around the City
- Daily Routines
- Adjectives (descriptive words)
Cost $149
Tuesday and Wednesday 3:30-5:00 PM June 26-August 1, 2018
The class will meet at the International Marketplace:
3685 Commercial Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46222
The class will meet two days every week for six weeks. Each lesson will be 90 minutes.
Please send an e-mail to info@midwestlanguageservices.com call (317) 296-7997 if you have questions.
Introduction to Spanish
Spanish Intro to the Basics - Beginner Level
Register Today!
Classes Begin June 26
Students will learn the basics of Spanish including grammar, vocabulary, and navigating daily life.
Each class will meet two times per week for 1 hour and 30 minutes. The total course is 18 hours.
Introductions and Greetings
Numbers and Time
Family and Occupations
Around the City
Daily Routines
Adjectives (descriptive words)
Location: 3685 Commercial Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46222
Cost: $149
Spanish Intro to the Basics - Beginner Level
Register Today!
Classes Begin June 26 and will meet Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 5:30-7:00 PM. Each class will meet two times per week for 1 hour and 30 minutes. The total course is 18 hours.
Students will learn the basics of Spanish including grammar, vocabulary, and navigating daily life.
Introductions and Greetings
Numbers and Time
Family and Occupations
Around the City
Daily Routines
Adjectives (descriptive words)
Location: 3685 Commercial Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46222
Cost: $149
Register here through Eventbrite. Contact us at (317) 296-7997 if you have any questions. Thank you.
Register by clicking on this link.