On June 30, I taught Hilda’s hour-long Conversation Club. I chose the topic of food and built my presentation around that. I thought the lesson went well with many of the students participating and offering input into their thoughts on food. Some students were more reluctant to participate, so I found I had to begin calling on some about halfway through the lesson. While this is something I have struggled with wanting to do in my lessons, I noticed that I was more comfortable doing so this time and felt like it was part of the process and something I was doing for the students rather than to them. When speaking to my teacher observer after the lesson, she mentioned that she was concerned that not all students would be speaking but recognized that I noticed that as well about halfway through the lesson when I started calling on students individually.
The conversation with the students was very insightful, and I was able to broaden my own understanding and perspective about food in various cultures. It was interesting to hear students speak about how foods that are culturally traditional to their countries are made differently in other countries compared to somewhere else in the world. One student said she missed the sushi back home and described how it is made and eaten differently in Canada. Another student from Mexico then spoke up to talk about how sushi is made in her country. I had my own “aha” moment when I realized that traditionally cultural foods are introduced into different cultures in a way that makes them customary to those new places. At the very least, this lesson challenged my own individual view in that not only is sushi made in Canada not authentic sushi in Japan, but Mexico also has sushi!
I really enjoyed this lesson as not only was it more relaxed than an academic class, but it allowed the students to speak more freely about themselves and their own experiences. This sharing is great practice speaking English, but it also allows for more sharing of cultures. I love that I can learn about the students and where they are from. They seem to be open to sharing as well and making connections between cultures. I look forward to another Conversation Club lesson next week!