Lissette Lorenz

A couple months ago, I participated in Obirin University’s English Language Program Lecture Series. The Lecture Series provides a unique opportunity for ELP faculty to lecture for about an hour about any topic they find interesting. (Check out other ELP lectures here.) These presentations are open to the public, and are specifically targeted to English language learners who are eager to challenge their comprehension skills in topics seldom found in their textbooks. About 50 students, faculty, and staff attended my talk. (It is interesting to note that about 75% of the students in attendance were female. I have a feeling it had to do with the large picture of Katy Perry dominating the lecture flyer. Perry has a strong fan base among young women in Japan.)

My lecture was entitled “Can Katy Perry be Japanese?” It was based on Katy Perry’s 2013 American Music Awards geisha-inspired performance, which subsequently led to an Internet storm of controversy. My presentation examined the similarities and differences in how Perry’s performance was received in the English-speaking world and in Japan, primarily via online news articles and blogs. It also aimed to be a guide for engaging in open-minded and informed discussions on sensitive topics such as race and cultural appropriation and/or cultural engagement. In addition to a PowerPoint, I also created a worksheet to help the audience collect their thoughts and stay engaged during my hour-long talk. (See a couple of the completed worksheets below.)

I really enjoyed this break from normal English teaching routine. Instead of focusing on grammar and vocabulary and spelling, and working out of a sometimes rather dry textbook,  I got to focus on a topic I find fascinating. Even though I’m a teacher now, it felt like I was a student back at Oberlin working on a class presentation for Comparative American Studies. It also reminded me of how much I enjoy engaging in research, sharing my findings with others, and holding discussions. I could really get used to this whole professor thing…