A good beginning makes a good ending; that's my philosophy.

So in a new English class I often start by instructing each student to ask me a question, ANY question. After all, time may be money, but talk is cheap, and I am always eager to see how deep run the still waters before me.

But if curiosity killed the cat, most Japanese English students abide in quiet safety. However, I have -- on more than one occasion -- run into the following somewhat puzzling consideration.