Getting Started - Creating the Environment for Student-Led Learning

On Monday the students began their orientation. I started off the class by welcoming the students and getting them to write their names on pieces of paper and putting them at the front of their desks. I then briefly introduced myself and started creating learning habits and strategies. Quite often, when I speak, I ask the students to repeat what I have just said. The students then chorus back what I have just said. At first, this seems quite strange, but I have found through experience that the students really start to focus on having to listen for a purpose, i.e., to repeat. This avoids students hearing something, but letting the English just pass on by. I believe that any English can be used to create authentic learning opportunities, especially in the classroom. Therefore, the English that I use in the classroom acts like a model for the students to use as well. This; however, always runs the risk of students copying my own rather ethnocentric style, but I have got away from this by firstly telling them this and then encouraging the students to use the same strategy that they use in the classroom, but outside of the classroom as well, and especially in the homestay.
The students have now set up their own blog called C.E.E. 2009 (this is not yet open to the public in respect of the students' wishes). Hopefully, this blog will support the students' writing as well as provide valuable opportunities for feedback. I am going to try to take a step back from controlling this blog, but try to let it be student managed.

Youkoso (Welcome)

Welcome to everybody who is involved with hosting students. It is the first week of the students being on the programme, so of course there is going to be a settling in period. The students have been learning greetings, but I have also been encouraging the students to be the first to say "good morning." I think that by being the first to say this, it gives the student confidence to be the initiator of conversing instead of a passive responder. What do you think? I also came across this blog that adds some insight into Japanese culture (Look for the tab "Japanese Culture" at the top.).