The Path To A Memory

What is the best rate of study?

I had an epiphany while I was standing in the rain watching my son's team practice for soccer. My son was in junior high school at the time and he has been doing soccer since he was in kindergarten. I had been a teacher and language coach for around 16 years at the time but I never could settle on how much was the best amount of time to study to really achieve results. So, there I was standing in the rain watching my breath dissipate in the air in front of me wondering why the heck they had to practice every day. My mind flashed to Malcolm Gladwell's book Outliers and his theory about needing 10,000 hours to become proficient at something. That was it, not only the amount of time but the total immersion of the mind and commitment to a regular rhythm were a key to reaching the next level.

Doubtlessly the more time you dedicate to something, the more you can see improvement, but the rhythm of soccer practices suggested to me that constant and frequent repetition is also important. I thought this was the way to get the students at the company I was teaching at to remember some words for their TOEIC goals. I set up a practice sheet where every three days they had to focus on a single word. The first day, they look up the word in English (afterwards Japanese was permitted) then on the second day they had to come up with a practice sentence. If they followed this program, they would think about the word on successive days and interact, making a better chance to remember. On the third day they would get another chance and they would find some synonyms for the word. The following day was a new word and the cycle began again. The problem is that the students didn't follow the theoretical path and only studied everything on one day, before their class. The most serious students did follow it and I thought it was a good program. The beauty of it was that the students should be thinking about English everyday. They established a rhythm, even if just for 10-15 minutes. If I were stricter about it, I think we would have seen more results.

Looking through the Internet at ideas about how much to study, theories range between 20 minutes and 3 hours per day. An interesting post by Ouino (We know, get it?) language says 30 minutes of active studying and 1 hour of exposure is good. Of course they are promoting their business so it's merely a theory. If you don't subscribe to Medium, you will be trapped by the pay wall, but this post says 1-2 hours is best for rapid language acquisition.

I will say it again though, I believe that the true key lies in the daily rhythm more than the amount of study, though logically more time spent should yield more results.

Chat GPT in language learning (part 2)

My previous post relied heavily on my opinion drawing on my long experiences as a teacher, but what of outside sources, what other issues do people see with using ChatGPT for your English language communication needs?

This article highlights the risks of sharing your company's sensitive data since the service relies on machine learning. That means that the extremely powerful AI system is learning from everything we tell it. Many are questioning whether the information people have asked ChatGPT to write their reports about is suddenly available to anyone who enters the right question in the site. The site claims that one research into this probability showed that there is indeed a likelihood of it happening.

Long running tech news site ZD Net highlighted 6 potential ways that the AI service can be used. Aside from the obvious composition of phishing e-mails or clickbait articles, they also suggested that people could use the service to more efficiently gather data to help support them in committing a crime, such as finding what IT systems a bank uses. While this seems unrelated to your language needs, imagine if you are feeding company information into the interface to help explain your new technology to internal stakeholders. That is now inside Chat GPT's data resources.

One LinkedIn user asked ChatGPT the pros and cons of using it for blogging, which I also feel can be applied to using if for your language needs. ChatGPT questioned its ability to write creatively, which to me suggests that readers may be able to detect when they are answering correspondence sent by the AI engine. A lack of depth, a lack of context, and a sub-standard quality of writing may also damage the reputation of a company.

While IBM may have a bias against ChatGPT, since they would prefer to promote their own WatsonX, they do have a couple of other compelling points about the usage of the trendy AI. Intellectual property issues may come up due to ambiguity or ownership of the content rights as well as what the answers they generate are based on. Similarly the ownership of different open source libraries could be contentious and lead to legal issues.

All these are different angles from the reliability I talked about in my previous post and should also factor into a company's weighing of the decision whether to use it for your language needs. To me, there are a lot of potential issues that go on top of the questionable reliability of Chat GPT in this method of usage, but I would be at fault if I did not explore some of the pros associated with this topic. Therefore that will be next in this series of posts.

Idioms, a key part of language

I noticed a lot of textbooks don't have enough idioms. Particularly on a junior level. It's kind of crazy when you consider how common they are in our daily conversation in the realm of natural English.

So, here are a few that might be of interest to students;

When it rains it pours -> This can be used in both negative and positive situations. We use this to describe that when one thing happens, another or a few events seem to follow. For instance a student came down with COVID 19 and her air conditioning broke down a day later. When it rains, it pours, eh?

Kill two birds with one stone -> This idiom meaning to accomplish two things in one action is easy to imagine. In fact there is a similar idiom in Japanese, as there is for the previous one, so when your students study this, they will say, 'oh, I get it!'

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. -> This is more of a proverb than an idiom but it is a good way to encourage positive thinking. The basic idea is when you are met with trouble (lemons), you should do you best to turn it into a positive situation (refreshing lemonade).

Take it on the chin -> When you are down or something bad happens to you, accept the situation and don't complain or turn it into a big problem. Be positive even in adversity.

I like to focus on positive expressions and situation as sometimes learning a language can feel like a very negative situation, especially for some beginners.

Teachers can teach idioms by making a guessing game (can you guess the meaning of this idiom), or finding ways to draw these out in the course of discussion in class. Make sure the students make a note and try to quiz them later or provide them with an opportunity to use them in a class.

Happy 2025

Hi, everyone! It's already a month and a half into 2025 and I am just updating now! 2024 was such a busy year and that spilled over into this year as well, but that is just an excuse. Like with studying a language or skill, it is important to stay focused and dedicated to what is important.

We are still in business and we are working to help LGC's clients with growing their language skills or addressing needs in establishing business links into Japan.

I have never talked about where we are based or what areas we serve. As far as face-to-face lessons go, we are based in Hamamatsu in Shizuoka so are able to service businesses in the outlying area. Naturally, online is always an option anyway.

We are always at the ready to work with you, so never be shy to contact us and let us know what you need!

Why people say they can't study English and why they are not legitimate

There are some people who have no interest in learning another language and they don't feel that they need it. While that might not always be true, there is no budging people from that hard stance. However, there are those that have thought about studying at the back of their mind for years but seem to always be met with obstacles. But are they real obstacles? Let's explore some of the reasons;

I have no time -> Time. It is so precious and it seems in our adult life a lot of us are battling with the clock constantly. I can't get my project done, I wanted to relax but I had to drive my kids to soccer, I just started writing the essay and it's already midnight! The truth is, when you make something important, you find the time. Just ask that couple that found themselves pregnant even though they said many times there just wasn't the time for a baby.

I hated studying English in school -> If you are in Japan, I don't blame you. Japanese schools often center their English curricula around test prep and most students rarely get a chance to practice speaking English. I talked about that situation here. Studying as an adult is different. Us teachers know that students want to experience language in a new way and need to get practice activating what they have studied.

English is too difficult -> Sure, a new language is difficult. So was riding a bicycle, did you give up? So was learning how to do your job or how to study for your university program, but that didn't stop you did it? There is so much to learn with a new language, it looks like a huge mountain to climb, and I am not going to lie, it is. But when you decide to hike up Mount Fuji, you focus on where your feet are touching the ground, not on the peak. That is because you still have to take the journey to get there. Start simple, learn words daily, start making simple sentences and build from there. The key is, don't be worried about making mistakes, that is how you learn!

I probably won't be able to travel for a while, so I will do it later -> I have taught students many times that have just been informed that they are being transferred overseas. Their company gives them 10-20 lessons to build up their language skills which is just not enough. Of course, something is better than nothing, but it just isn't. You can feel their tension and stress about the upcoming transfer and an anxiety to cram as much as possible into their brains. Learn the language before it becomes an emergency situation. Take the time and go through the ins and outs and build up your confidence on top of your skills.

These were just a few examples, but you can see there is always a counterpoint. Do you have any other ideas about excuses people make? Leave a comment and I can talk about them in the future.

Your global e-mail needs to include international cultural sense

When I first started receiving e-mails from Japanese students or work contacts, I didn't really notice it. But there is something different to the way e-mails are structured in regards to their communication. Understanding this, being open to it or even trying to follow the customs can go a long way to forging a good business relationship.

Western e-mails get down to business right away, Japanese ones start out with a little bit of friendly banter. I didn't realize I had taken to this habit myself until I tried to work with a Canadian company last year. I was met with short retorts and 'just coaching' messages telling me to cut the friendly chatter. Really? Are you that busy that you can't read 4 seconds of a friendly lead in or some natural commentary. Japanese people want to build trust and create good connections with their business contacts. Some friendly words never hurt anyone. Conversely, I would coach Japanese clients or students to be open to getting rid of the friendly lead in but in my honest opinion, the Japanese style feels a lot more comfortable. I get the impression that both sides are open to a long term business relationship if they approach communication in this way.

I was working within a company and more than a few times students (or just people in the office) would come up to me asking what they should do because their work connection wouldn't reply to their e-mails. It dawned on me that people back home might have taken to not answering e-mails in which they can not readily respond with the information needed. This is just rusty communication. Everyone is working on the same purpose and you have to understand that the Japanese staff are receiving considerable pressure from their bosses to get things done. Similarly, if you couldn't understand the gist of what the contact is asking, don't be afraid to ask them for clarification; "I'm sorry I'm not sure what this sentence means "Quote", could you help me understand?"

Japanese culture is collectivist and they face continual pressure to get everything right, especially in business. Because they are nervous about their English in the first place, understanding and acceptance of their style of communication are not only essential, they are non-negotiable standards that international companies should adhere to.

Chat GPT for language positive points

I posted a few times about why I felt it was dangerous to rely too much on ChatGPT for your English needs in business (here and here). I also allowed ChatGPT itself to counterpoint, teaching us some of its positive points. But I would not be a fair and impartial person if I didn't acknowledge some positive points.

It can work as a proofreader. You could copy your writing into the interface and ask it to proofread. If you ask it to preserve your own words as much as possible it could be a win-win.

It could take care of some routine communication that is not vital or involving company secrets.

If you feel your business partner is sending you ChatGPT e-mails, why not return the favor?

It can keep you company if you work alone or at home. Have a fun chat with it.

I still feel it is important to stick to your own word when you are building a business connection or you need to deal with sensitive information. But I exist in the real world and understand that people will use it sometimes, much as they use Google Translate when they are short on time to write an e-mail. But always proofread it and make sure that ChatGPT is saying what you would like to be communicated on your behest.

Chat GPT's counterpoint

So, I told Chat GPT, "I have written a report speaking about why using you would be a bad idea for Japanese businesses who want to compensate for their lack of English skills. How do you feel about that?"

I got this response;

"As a machine learning model, I don't have personal feelings or opinions. However, I'd be interested to know more about the points you've raised in your report. If you could share some specific concerns or arguments against using AI language models like me for Japanese businesses compensating for their lack of English skills, I could provide information or clarification on those points. Keep in mind that while AI models like mine can be powerful tools, they do have limitations, and their effectiveness depends on various factors.

Okay, I highlighted that there some reports of fake book reports, lists of non-existing companies or references for a report, security, the ability to gain corporate secret information or open source license concerns.

Chat GPT says;

"Your concerns are valid, and they touch on important considerations when using AI language models in a business context. Here are some points to consider:

Authenticity and Accuracy:

AI models generate responses based on patterns learned from vast datasets. While efforts are made to ensure accuracy, errors and misinformation can still occur.

It's essential to verify information obtained from AI models, especially when dealing with critical business decisions or relying on the generated content for official documents.

Security:

There is a potential risk of sensitive information being inadvertently shared with the AI model. Organizations need to exercise caution when inputting proprietary or confidential data.

It's crucial to educate users on the types of information that should not be shared with AI models and implement measures to protect sensitive data.

Ethical Use:

Users should be aware of ethical considerations when utilizing AI. Generating fake reports or providing false information can have serious consequences and goes against responsible AI use.

Open Source License Concerns:

Depending on the specific implementation and usage, it's important to check and comply with any open-source licenses associated with the AI model or related software.

Bias and Fairness:

AI models can reflect and sometimes amplify biases present in training data. Organizations should be mindful of potential bias and take steps to address it, especially in contexts where fairness is crucial.

Data Privacy:

Organizations must adhere to data protection regulations and ensure that any personal or sensitive data processed by AI models complies with privacy laws.

User Training:

Proper training and guidelines for users on the appropriate use of AI models can help mitigate risks. This includes understanding the limitations of the technology and promoting responsible usage.

By addressing these concerns and implementing best practices, businesses can leverage AI language models more effectively while minimizing potential risks. It's important to strike a balance between the benefits of automation and the need for careful oversight and human judgment in critical business contexts."

I begrudgingly admit that was pretty good.

The bridge

Why did Lowrey Global Consultants settle on a title as a consulting company as opposed to just a language training one? Because there is so much more that my 19 years in Japan have taught me, so much more that I can help foreign companies with. Conversely, my deep understanding of foreign culture and my connections make our business a convenience conduit to foreign businesses in Canada or North America.

One of the keys that can see a lot of companies tend to fall face first is in a lack of understanding of local conditions. A famous example is the French supermarket giant Carrefour when they tried to expand into Japan and gave up in only 4 years. They started in 2001 and had exited by 2005. They didn't understand that Japanese consumers prefer to buy small quantities of food to make sure that they are always eating fresh food. So they shop more often but buy smaller amounts which did not fall into the plans of the European company used to high volume sales. Walmart saw similar disappointment though they gave their majority share in Seiyu 20 years before giving up.

Understanding the local mindset, not just business conditions is a key to success. On top of this giving things time is essential here. A company can't try to enter into a highly competitive industry and expect to have success in a half year. Relationships need to be built, successful smaller connections can lead to more openness to business from other companies and move up the ladder from there. These insights plus an ability to communicate and research in the local market gives us a chance to arm you with the right expectations and strategies in coming into a market such as Japan.

Enjoy every moment

I heard some sad news today. The kind of news that will dramatically alter the course of a long time friend's life. But without getting into specifics, a lot of soul searching comes from it. The takeaway is that we should make every effort to make the best of every moment of our life.

Say thank you to anyone who makes an effort. Tell your family you love them. Hug your kids. Pet your cat on the head when you pass her. Stop and smell a beautiful flower. Take a picture of that interesting scene you pass that leaves an impression on you. Most importantly, go after what you want.

If you want to learn a language. Do it. Do it properly. Do the boring memorization and then activate it. Make opportunities to speak in that language. Don't be shy. Help a stranger or join a social group. Stop worrying about being perfect and focus on improving your communication abilities.

Life is short. The little things we worry about, are they that big? Was it a big deal that you made a grammatical error when speaking? What does matter is the connections that we have made, the appreciation of life and satisfying our curiosity and desires.

Life is short and unpredictable. Be prepared to make the most of everything you experience.