Structure & Surprise

As a participant in Technos International Week, a cultural exchange program that took place in Tokyo during the first two weeks of June, I gave a talk on the turn to this class, the members of which study English as a part of the preparation to become flight attendants.  Though I was concerned about how much of the talk would translate, I was greatly heartened by the fact that the questions I had for the class (including: where do you think the turn is in this poem?) were answered correctly–and one participant even offered up the revelation of Voldemort’s true identity as an example of a turn in pop culture.

Technos International Week was a truly amazing experience.  And it was my privilege and honor to get to discuss ideas with this group of bright and gracious students, to whom I say, “Arigatou gozaimasu–thank you kindly.”