The interviews on Tuesday showed me that determining proficiency levels takes practice. I tried to follow the guidelines but noticing details in speech for determining differences in advanced levels was difficult. I think in Korea it's so common to hear multiple levels of Intermediate levels so when there are actually students who can perform in the Advanced level, it was a challenge. It was also difficult to recognize what makes the differences between advanced levels and into Superior. 

I think if I had listened to more advanced levels from videos before doing the interviews, I would have been better able to determine what I was hearing during the interviews. But I also had assumed that knowing the difference from Intermediate to Advanced would be easy...and that was, but the difference within Advanced and what makes one not Superior was just a big blob (of unknown).

For Thursday's class. I noticed I tend to get a little concerned when students don't laugh at jokes that I think are funny. But I have to realize that maybe they are thinking things that I am not aware of and possibly enjoying themselves without being very expressive. I tend to be very honest and open so it's difficult for me when students take time to warm up to their "expressive level" which obviously is more normal than being in your face right away. So from the group bonding, name--making, and poster time, I learned that my group was interested in the work...but just a little reserved. One or two interviews they even said they like people but get misjudged about being not interested or mean. So that insight helped me during our "bonding" lesson. We came up with a poster to represent all of us interested in exercise and the feminist movement. The girls also cared about their horoscope/zodiac sign so we included that as well. We were FFAS, Fit Feminists Amongst the Stars. 

I was very touched to see the quotes they chose to represent the feminist side. I was glad to see that they felt comfortable writing down their interests (in a quote) and during the presentation stage. One student seemed more choked up, but at the end of class I also learned that she had convinced another one of her friends to join the class. She also said in her interview that other friends had told her the class is like therapy. The exact word was "healing" because there are big sisters. That made me realize the importance of this class and how a change in lesson format and speaking environment can literally heal the scars of the fear of speaking in another language. So I am looking forward to the profound change in this student and all the students in the class for healing any negative ideas about speaking in English to positive and close familial style comfort. 

I also noticed that everyone in my group did a good job having their first homework ready. I hope that Yuri and I can continue to be clear in classroom expectations to help the little sisters develop more into the culture of what English in Action: Speaking aims for.