Monthly Archives: August 2011
The English Teacher: Strawberry Cockroach
Excerpt from Book 1, Japan; Part 1, Hajimeru (Beginning) As any learner of a foreign language knows, it is sometimes challenging to remember the meanings of words, not to mention the pronunciation. As a child I studied an array of languages, from the exotic sounds of Sunday school Yiddish, to the ever-practical ancient Hebrew for…
The English Teacher: Tomodachi
Excerpt from Book 1, Japan; Part 2, Tomodachi (Friends) I Hope We Can Be Friends As I finish my lesson Makiko is waiting for me outside room 13. She is wearing green horn-rimmed glasses, bright-red lipstick and sporting an Asian afro and waving vigorously. I say goodbye to my students, leave the room and walk…