Student responses to “That was ____because….”

Detectives:

“That was really fun because we got to talk in Japanese for a whole class while solving a mystery! I think it went pretty well because I was able to ask the questions that we prepared comfortably…I think because we had a couple of days to practice”

“That went okay as sometimes I would get nervous. For the most part I was able to extract the information that I wanted out of the suspects and feel comfortable while doing so…”

“That was an interesting experience because I’d never done anything like this before. Yet I felt a bit terrified (at the start). After a few interviews I felt more comfortable and the process became very interesting.”

“That was enjoyable because it was fun to do and I felt really good doing it.”

“That was fun but also difficult as well..I loved playing the detective and having to puzzle out who it what…It was difficult because even though we prepared we were still having to react and adjust the conversation to whomever we were talking to.”

“That was really interesting and a good learning experience because I was able to talk with different people and be in a fast-paced, time ‘reporter-like’ situation. Also (I liked it )because there was a goal!”

“That was very fun because I loved how the clues came together in the end. I wish we can do more things like this!”

“That was difficult because we weren’t as well prepared as we should have been – and we ran out of questions with time left to speak. We should have asked more questions about where they were (and when) on the day”

“That was a bit challenging because I had to ask and analyze information that was said in Japanese.”

“That was fun and interesting because all the suspects were into their roles – and you could pick up on the small hints they were giving via their comments.”

“It challenged me to make more complex sentences and to convey what I wanted to say in Japanese but I think people understood me for the most part!”

Suspects:

“Overall the interrogations went well because of the amount of room I was given to maneuver in order to try and prove my innocence!”

“That was better than I thought (it was going to go) and it got easier after talking to a few groups. I was nervous then got the hang of it and it helped me to be more confident in speaking.”

“Often the questions were repetitive but that doesn’t mean my answers had to be exactly the same each time.”

“It was really fun and amusing to see the detectives look startled when what you said did not match what they had heard from other suspects. It did throw me off when they brought up Hasegawa’s illnesss but it I guess it was supposed to be a surprise!”