In class today, students gave presentations about an English song of their choosing. Here are the songs they shared:
"In the Morning" by the Bee Gees
"Making Love Out Of Nothing At All" by Air Supply
"On the Line" by Michael Jackson
"Stand" by Jewel
"Love Story" by Taylor Swift
"Perhaps Love" by John Denver
I continue to be baffled by my students' pop culture education. They've never heard of Bruce Springsteen, they think that Green Day's first hit was "American Idiot," and any conversation about The Who would most likely be humorous, but ultimately frustrating.
Let's consider these song choices. The Taylor Swift song makes sense since she's so popular with the young folk and whatnot. The Michael Jackson song sort of makes sense since he's so popular here, although "On the Line" goes a little deeper into his catalog than I would expect. But an obscure non-disco Bee Gees song from 1972? An equally forgotten Jewel single from her pop-vixen stage? John Denver? What gives? Why are students so in to soft rock?
Lest you think that this was an isolated incident, maybe I should mention that last year, I witnessed an entire auditorium sing along to this song:
Think back to 10th grade. If you gave a presentation about your favorite song and then played anything by Michael Learns to Rock, how many of your classmates would have known all of the words? Zero? Less than zero? Would they share your love of the Danish pop outfit? Is there a chance that you might have received some ridicule?
Getting back to my original question, one possible explanation for students' soft rock preference involves their language ability. Being non-native English speakers, students often have trouble understanding the lyrics in faster, louder songs, so they gravitate towards soft-rock and power ballads. My problem with this argument is pretty basic: Any sane person would rather lose their sense of hearing than have to listen to Michael Learns to Rock for more than 15 seconds. I'd also love to chalk up my students' odd taste in music to cultural differences, but Asian pop music isn't really similar to any of these bands.
I think the explanation is actually a little more simple. You see, I've been hitting the "streets," asking the youth what's hip and what's total grade a square city. Turns out most students don't listen to English songs unless it's for a school assignment* That John Denver song? They heard that from their S1 (approx. 6th grade) teacher. The Bee Gees? They learned that song during a class in S3. In fact, English language acts that seem to be most popular with students include Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Avril Lavigne, and the Black Eyed Peas. As usual, I have to throw my initial assumptions totally out the window and ask a new question:
Why are teachers so into soft rock? Unfortunately, I have no idea. But hey, on second thought, Michael Learns To Rock isn't so bad, you know? I mean it's got a nice hook and it's really easy to sit back and listen to. Kind of catchy, actually.
Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
*Most of them prefer J-pop and K-pop. The language barrier doesn't explain this, because last time I checked, people here don't speak Japanese or Korean.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Saturday, November 6, 2010
For All The Young Entrepreneurs Out There
Just finished a discussion with some S7 (approx. 12th grade) students about an article from November 2002 about the youth unemployment rate in Hong Kong. I love talking about articles that are eight years old, because digesting the news really takes some time. Tomorrow we're going to discuss United Airlines' recent bankruptcy filing.
Anyway, there's a subheading towards the end that reads, "Try the business option." The article relays the success story of Joe Chan Kwong-chun, who as a recent S7 graduate started a travel agency. I did a little research and was able to verify that the company was still in existence as recently as June, 2008. Obviously, starting a company is not easy. Luckily, the article warns that, "Youngsters [should not start a] business without careful planning." I would even extend that warning to "oldsters," as well as "middle-agedsters." Still, the article raises a good point. If you have a good idea, some money, and a plan, there are plenty of opportunities out there.
Well, I don't have any money, and god knows I don't have a plan, but as I always say, "I'm an ideas guy." Living in Hong Kong for a year has given me a unique and borderline unheard of insight to the inner-workings of the city and the local business environment.
THE REMAINDER OF THIS POST IS FOR POTENTIAL INVESTORS ONLY. INVESTORS ARE FORBIDDEN BY LAW FROM STEALING MY AMAZING IDEAS............ OR ELSE.
1) Burrito Stand. Who doesn't love Mexican food? Burritos are cheap, convenient, massive, and delicious, yet there's no Chipotle equivalent in Hong Kong. What gives?? Investors should examine the area near the Prince Edward MTR. I feel like this location is ripe for burritos.
2) Used English Book Store. I know, I know. Print is Dead. But English books are so expensive in Hong Kong, and if the books are second hand, you don't even need to print them, right? I hear that there's a big market for English literature in the Prince Edward area.
3) Bagel Shop. Ted, this is all you.* I'd suggest the Prince Edward area as your first location, preferably near my apartment, with goals of expansion in the Kwun Tong area, preferably near the school where I work.
4) A Spanish Language Newspaper. I know, I know. Print is Dead, but Hong Kong's silent but maybe existent minority deserves a voice! You can set this up wherever you want.
5) A website where people can go to buy all of their pet supplies, food, and products all from the comfort of their own homes!
Ok, that's enough ideas for today, I think. I'm singing off until next time, but remember, "Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons."
Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
*As some of you might remember, my business associate Ted and I once made the most half-assed attempt in the history of the world at starting a bagel shop.
Anyway, there's a subheading towards the end that reads, "Try the business option." The article relays the success story of Joe Chan Kwong-chun, who as a recent S7 graduate started a travel agency. I did a little research and was able to verify that the company was still in existence as recently as June, 2008. Obviously, starting a company is not easy. Luckily, the article warns that, "Youngsters [should not start a] business without careful planning." I would even extend that warning to "oldsters," as well as "middle-agedsters." Still, the article raises a good point. If you have a good idea, some money, and a plan, there are plenty of opportunities out there.
Well, I don't have any money, and god knows I don't have a plan, but as I always say, "I'm an ideas guy." Living in Hong Kong for a year has given me a unique and borderline unheard of insight to the inner-workings of the city and the local business environment.
THE REMAINDER OF THIS POST IS FOR POTENTIAL INVESTORS ONLY. INVESTORS ARE FORBIDDEN BY LAW FROM STEALING MY AMAZING IDEAS............ OR ELSE.
1) Burrito Stand. Who doesn't love Mexican food? Burritos are cheap, convenient, massive, and delicious, yet there's no Chipotle equivalent in Hong Kong. What gives?? Investors should examine the area near the Prince Edward MTR. I feel like this location is ripe for burritos.
2) Used English Book Store. I know, I know. Print is Dead. But English books are so expensive in Hong Kong, and if the books are second hand, you don't even need to print them, right? I hear that there's a big market for English literature in the Prince Edward area.
3) Bagel Shop. Ted, this is all you.* I'd suggest the Prince Edward area as your first location, preferably near my apartment, with goals of expansion in the Kwun Tong area, preferably near the school where I work.
4) A Spanish Language Newspaper. I know, I know. Print is Dead, but Hong Kong's silent but maybe existent minority deserves a voice! You can set this up wherever you want.
5) A website where people can go to buy all of their pet supplies, food, and products all from the comfort of their own homes!
Ok, that's enough ideas for today, I think. I'm singing off until next time, but remember, "Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons."
Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
*As some of you might remember, my business associate Ted and I once made the most half-assed attempt in the history of the world at starting a bagel shop.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Is Justin Bieber Actually a Cleverly Disguised 51-Year-Old Pedophile?
No, but during a lesson with one of my S4 (approx. 9th grade) classes, no fewer than 10 students asked me if this were true. I thought it an odd question, considering the assignment was for students to give a brief presentation on a fictional country of their own design. I told them that there's no way Justin Bieber is 51 years old, but they kept insisting they saw it on the news and I started having my doubts.*
Turns out that one of their friends had found this news report from way back (September 28, 2010) and posted it on Facebook:
Justin Bieber Found To Be Cleverly Disguised 51-Year-Old Pedophile
Now everyone in the school has seen it, and from my unofficial survey, 100% of them think it is a real news report. Since everyone who reads this blog most likely knows me personally, they also most likely know that I'm a huge fan of The Onion. I've read/heard/seen stories about people confusing an Onion article or video for an actual news report, but I never expected to have one of these misunderstandings interrupt my amazing English lesson.**
The whole incident, I think, raises a larger question: What does this say about the overall intelligence of Hong Kong students? My initial gut reaction is to say, "not a lot." Let's look at this objectively: My students don't know enough English to know the word "pedophile." So right off the bat, the most ridiculous thing in the video, the thing that makes the whole thing obviously fake, is lost on them. Many of the jokes are spoken too quickly for my students to catch, and there are no subtitles. What's left? A professional-quality news report with fairly convincing photos that aesthetically gives no clues as to being fake. The music, the anchors, the "experts" all sound and look real enough. Throw in the fact that they're probably only picking up 1 out of every 4 or 5 words, and I understand how this could confuse them.
But still. Why would anyone believe a video on YouTube that says that Justin Bieber is 51 years old from a news organization named after a vegetable? Aren't people a little internet savvy? These aren't kindergartners; these are high school kids. My measured reaction after some consideration is, "I shouldn't think too much about this, but come on guys. Use your brains."
Some conclusions:
1) Critical thinking and media literacy should be stressed more in Hong Kong schools.
2) Students should probably use a little more common sense.
3) The Onion is awesome and students in Hong Kong now know what it is and how awesome it is.
4) Students should probably use a lot more common sense.
Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
*Probably because I'm a moron.
**I stopped the lesson to show the students the video in question, explain what The Onion is, and show them a few China related articles, as well as that video about Disney Stars being manufactured in a lab. My students aren't usually too interested in English-language pop culture, so I took the opportunity and ran with it.
Turns out that one of their friends had found this news report from way back (September 28, 2010) and posted it on Facebook:
Justin Bieber Found To Be Cleverly Disguised 51-Year-Old Pedophile
Now everyone in the school has seen it, and from my unofficial survey, 100% of them think it is a real news report. Since everyone who reads this blog most likely knows me personally, they also most likely know that I'm a huge fan of The Onion. I've read/heard/seen stories about people confusing an Onion article or video for an actual news report, but I never expected to have one of these misunderstandings interrupt my amazing English lesson.**
The whole incident, I think, raises a larger question: What does this say about the overall intelligence of Hong Kong students? My initial gut reaction is to say, "not a lot." Let's look at this objectively: My students don't know enough English to know the word "pedophile." So right off the bat, the most ridiculous thing in the video, the thing that makes the whole thing obviously fake, is lost on them. Many of the jokes are spoken too quickly for my students to catch, and there are no subtitles. What's left? A professional-quality news report with fairly convincing photos that aesthetically gives no clues as to being fake. The music, the anchors, the "experts" all sound and look real enough. Throw in the fact that they're probably only picking up 1 out of every 4 or 5 words, and I understand how this could confuse them.
But still. Why would anyone believe a video on YouTube that says that Justin Bieber is 51 years old from a news organization named after a vegetable? Aren't people a little internet savvy? These aren't kindergartners; these are high school kids. My measured reaction after some consideration is, "I shouldn't think too much about this, but come on guys. Use your brains."
Some conclusions:
1) Critical thinking and media literacy should be stressed more in Hong Kong schools.
2) Students should probably use a little more common sense.
3) The Onion is awesome and students in Hong Kong now know what it is and how awesome it is.
4) Students should probably use a lot more common sense.
Byeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
*Probably because I'm a moron.
**I stopped the lesson to show the students the video in question, explain what The Onion is, and show them a few China related articles, as well as that video about Disney Stars being manufactured in a lab. My students aren't usually too interested in English-language pop culture, so I took the opportunity and ran with it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
