Observations at UTSS

Teaching Methodology

During the program, I have been assigned to Koizumi sensei, one of the English teachers at Tsukusaka. While talking to him, he mentioned that he tries to switch up his methods of teaching every so often so the students won't get bored of the same teaching method. But for nearly the whole program, I have observed him teach his students through the use of the Dictogloss, which is a teaching technique wherein the teacher reads a short text several times and the students try their best to produce their own version as close as possible.

Koizumi sensei applies this teaching technique a bit differently; first, he reads a sentence out loud or plays an audio clip of the sentence a couple of times, lets the students write the sentence on their notebooks, and then discusses with their partner to check if they wrote the same thing or how close they reproduced the sentence, afterwards, Koizumi sensei shows the sentence to check if the students reproduced the sentence perfectly.

Sometimes, specifically during Mondays, a teacher originally from the United States—Mr. Compter, joins the class. Mr. Compter also teaches Koizumi sensei's class using this technique but adds his own twist to it. Mr. Compter reads the sentence out loud once or twice, lets the students write down what they heard, and then have the short partner discussion, same as usual. The difference is that Mr. Compter asks the students to write the sentence on the board; he draws some blanks on the board depending on how many words the sentence has, assigns a number to a student, and then asks the students to fill in the blanks. Afterwards, Mr. Compter checks if the students successfully reproduced the sentence based on what they heard. Most of the time the students get only one or two words wrong, and sometimes it's the proper nouns or the spellings that the students write incorrectly.

This technique is applied when what is being discussed is the story part of the lesson. The story is usually divided into four parts and after each part is a question portion that tests the students' reading and listening comprehension. The answers to the questions are usually found on the story. Koizumi sensei tackles this part of the lesson by letting the students answer on their own first, and then having a short partner discussion. Koizumi sensei would tell the students to ask their partner the question and then the other partner answers, and then it would switch on the next question.

After the questions is the opinion, where the students have to answer on their own without reliance on the text in front of them. The same method is applied, the students answer on their own first, then a short partner discussion, then the students ask each other the question, the other answers and then switch.

But when Mr. Compter joins the class, he does it a bit differently as well while still keeping Koizumi sensei's original technique. After the usual, Mr. Compter would play a game with the students by asking them to stand up, Mr. Compter would then ask if any student would like to volunteer to read their answer out loud, most of the time students would volunteer. After the student reads their answer, Mr. Compter would praise them and then ask them if they would like to save the row or the column that the student who answered is on and allow them to all sit down together, or just save themselves. In one class, the students would usually save their other classmates, but in another class they just chose to save themselves. This would go on until there is one student left standing.

Sometimes, Mr. Compter has the students play a different game, where they still have to stand up, but this time the students will play rock paper scissors against their partners, whoever loses has to keep standing and then look for another opponent, and so on until only one student is left standing. The student will then have to read their answer out loud, sometimes Mr. Compter would ask the student to play against him, and if the student wins they gain immunity for the next rounds.

Mr. Compter mentioned once that he only does this technique based on Koizumi sensei's instructions, he said that he just does what he's told but it's evident that he adds his own twist to Koizumi sensei's original idea.

It's important to keep in mind that these classes are English only classes, wherein both the teachers and the students are required to communicate in English. So throughout the whole period, the students have to speak in English to practice their English speaking skills.

This technique is used by Koizumi sensei in his English communication classes, but in his English grammar classes, he teaches it differently. When beginning a lesson he'd introduce new vocabulary either by reading them out loud himself, or playing audio clips, after reading the English words, he'd say the Japanese translation. Afterwards, he shows sentences using the new vocabulary and sometimes he'd ask the students to read them out loud, but oftentimes he'd play an audio clip, there are times where he reads them out loud and then asks the students to repeat after him.

Following that, he asks the students to answer an activity on the textbook, and after a while he'll show the answers and then he continues discussing the lesson mostly in Japanese.

Both of these techniques are implemented in his regular classes, but for the IB diploma classes, there is an obvious difference. In Koizumi sensei's IB classes, he always requires the students to speak in English, and his classes are more student-centered rather than teacher-centered as he always asks the students to speak and recite. He asks the students for their inputs and encourages them to answer in English. He would also ask the students to work together and present a topic that is assigned to them, all in English. His IB classes are usually more of a round table discussion as well rather than a normal lecture.

Teaching Materials

In his classes, Koizumi sensei primarily uses Power Point Presentations where the content is taken from the textbook. Their textbooks have QR codes as well wherein the teacher can scan to get the audio clips for a certain lesson or activity, sometimes video clips are provided. For their assessments, Koizumi sensei utilizes their Microsoft Teams to post online quizzes which the students have to take on the spot. Students usually use their phones to answer the quizzes but sometimes they'd use their laptops when their phones have technical difficulties.

Sources of Materials and Technology

Textbooks are usually the main source of learning materials. Both the teacher and the students have the same textbook, but with Koizumi sensei's class, sometimes he doesn't let the students use the textbook during discussions and he'd only allow them when answering the questions. As mentioned, their textbooks have QR codes the teachers can scan to get content for their Power Point Presentations.

Each classroom at UTSS is equipped with screens and projectors, complete with HDMI cables that the teachers can use when presenting their Power Point Presentations as well.

Authentic Assessment

As mentioned beforehand, Koizumi sensei utilizes Microsoft Forms for online quizzes, however, Koizumi sensei still evaluates the students through written worksheets that the students have to pass. Additionally, he checks their notebooks and writings during discussions as well.

General and Other Observations

At Tsukusaka, each period lasts for 45 minutes, with a 10 minute break in between. As soon as the bell rings the teachers stop teaching, but sometimes they'll use the 10 minute break to wrap up the class and answer queries from the students. There are some classes wherein two consecutive periods are used for one subject, and the teachers will usually just let the students eat snacks and of course answer some queries as well. Koizumi sensei also regularly checks the attendance of the students before class begins.