How to Open a Can of Attention

Do you wish your students to pay attention? Hit them! Metaphorically speaking, of course. Let's apply atemi.

Atemi is the word used in martial arts for a strike that distracts an opponent, thus allowing the application of a technique.

One of my first Aikido senseis referred to it as “closing the windows of their mind”. Even a split-second distraction or hesitation in your opponent will give you the advantage, as it creates the necessary opening for you to apply a hold or a throw.

Open by closing?

So closing the adverse windows of the mind will also open windows of opportunity. In teaching, that makes sense as well. You create a mental opening to deliver your message, simply by grabbing your students' attention and turning learning into serious fun.

Your way in

Whatever does the trick is like atemi. Say something unexpected. Write a provocative line on the board. Tell a story. Exaggerate. Jump up on a desk. Atemi!

After all, unless you truly grab your students' attention, how will you get your message across?

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NEXT WEEK: a shocking example of how to apply atemi in English language teaching

???? Hi, Im Leon, and I help English language teachers discover how a ONE RULE approach to grammar ?EMPOWERS them & their students, ?SAVES TIME better spent on serious fun with the language, and ?BOOSTS motivation & results. ONE RULE, to rule them all...