English language school in the heart of the Japanese Alps, and English language learners sharing their experiences online. Teachers post regular items about teaching, learning tools, events in the school, their day to day experiences living & working in a foreign country. Students post on whatever takes their fancy - book reports, festivals in home towns, postcards from business trips etc. A little Brit of England in the guts of Japan!
Thursday, 30 July 2009
School
and a white blouse. Very simple and bad sense.
Ayane
A typical school day
I leave my home at 6.05 and I school at 6.20.
our classes is begin at 8.15.
We have a usually 6classes of 1day, and we have 10minutes break after classes.
After No.2 classes we have a big break it has 15minutes.
We have lunch at school. We eat usually rice and soup and some salad and milk.
Our classes finished at 4.15. sometimes at 3.15.
I go to chorus club 4 a week. some times we go on Wednesday.
Reina
早期教育と言語習得セミナー
日時: 8月29日 13:00~16:00
場所: ルナインターナショナル 〒390-0803 長野県松本市元町1-9-16MKビル2階
講師: エミリー・パーシヴァル (ザ・ブリティッシュ・スクール・イン・東京)
参加費: 無料
ETJ 長野・信州JALT 共催
ルナ・インターナショナル 後援
エミリー・パーシバル先生は、「早期教育と言語習得」の分野において、幅広い知識と経験をお持ちです。8月29日(日曜日)の午後は長野県松本市におでかけください。幼児を指導されている先生・育児中の保護者の皆さん、貴重な情報を得られるこの機会をお見逃しなく!
本ワークショップでは、幼児教育に携わっている先生方が、教室ですぐに使える実用的なアイディアを紹介します。また、教育者を対象として、すでに幼児教育 分野での実績が報告されている専門的なアドバイスも紹介します。 プレゼンテーションでは、外国語としての英語能力についてのみならず、イギリスのカリキュラムと学習者の総合的な言語学習の発達過程についても触れます。
エミリー・パーシバル先生について
イギリスと日本両国において広範囲の教務経験があります。日本の著名インターナショナルスクールでは、入学審査・初等教育なども担当しています。
参加費は無料ですが、会場の座席数に限りがあります。予約なしでもご参加いただけますが、参加ご希望の方はなるべく下記までメールまたはお電話にて予めご連絡願います。
メールアドレス: クリス・クランシー (Chris Clancy) oudo2no@yahoo.com またはジム・ジョージ (Jim George) oyajim@gmail.com ルナ・インターナショナルTEL: 0263-34-4481
エミリー先生のプレゼンテーション 早期教育と言語習得 見に来てね!
Time to say "Goodbye"
So now all three of the darlings have flown the coop - Yumeka, Sayaka and Haruka. Feel like their dad in many ways, with lots of fab memories of the fun we have had and the smiles they gave us. Looking forward to seeing them come back all grown up (as Sayaka has done this week from her Canadian homestay) etc.
Exit stage left. Tears, hankies, applause.
Princess Diana
Q28: Should people always marry for "Love"?
I think this might be one of Life’s difficult issues.
When I was reading "Princess Diana", I unexpectedly watched the
film "The Other Boleyn Girl". This film is about The British Royal
marriage of convenience. Diana's story is not the same as
Boleyn's , but I could not avoid imagining some similarities between
them.Diana's family is more prosperous than Marry Boleyn’s family. Diana, her sister Sarah, and Marry Boleyn,
Anne Boleyn, and also Camilla, the mother of Camilla's grandmother -
they all, it seems, were repeating their families' stories.
By the way, what is "Love"?
Diana married for love and Prince Charles tried to do his
best. In marriage life "Love" might be going to change to Trust,
Effort, Tolerance, Patience, or something else.
Of course people should marry for "Love". I can only say people should
live their lives with strong will, but people sometimes ought to
stop and be more considerate of others too.
Yoko Niwamoto
Cinderella Man
Writing 43. Imagine that you are Mae many years after the big fight. Tell Jim’s story to one of your grandchildren in a letter.
Dear my grandchildren,
The other day, when I cleaned up my room, by chance I found a picture that my dear Jim, your grandfather had became a heavy weight champion of the world. The picture remained me of his big fight to be a heavyweight champion. To tell you the truth, at first I didn’t like to support him at the fight, but I went to the family church to pray to God, I found crowd who all prayed that Jim win. Then I realized that Jim was fighting for not only our family but also people who wanted to win their hard life. Then I went to Jim and I said to him that I would support him anytime. First I couldn’t hear the fight on the radio because I was really afraid that Jim might got injured or if the worst thing happened, he might be killed, because the opponent Max Baer was so strong that he had killed two boxers, but after round twelfth, I started listening with our children, your parents. But Jim was stronger than Max Baer. He was really strong. Even if he got big punch from the opponent, he never fell down and he gave his punch to the opponent. The result was, as you know, he won. All of the judges agreed Jim won. I was crying with happy and he was safe after the dangerous fight. Our sons and daughter, uncle Jay and Howard and Rosy celebrated and looked very proudly. Of course, you can be proud of yourself, because your blood is included in your grandfather Jim who were a heavyweight champion of the world.
Finally, I want to tell you the important thing. Jim was really strong, but he was not only strong. He was very gentle for our family , for all of people. When we were so poor that we didn’t get enough food, if Rosy wanted to eat something, Jim was happy to give his food to Rosy. I really proud more that Jim is so gentle than he is so strong. Please remember Jim’s way of life, be strong be gentle.
Anyway, this letter became longer than usual, because I wrote about Jim’s story. If you want to hear about the detail story, I’ll introduce best person for you, Jim’s manager Joe. After all , take care and beat the rainy season, bye-bye.
Best Regards,
Mae Braddock.
Wednesday, 29 July 2009
Watch London live
Is it art? Is it exhibitionism? Is it typical British eccentricity (especially in the rain?)
Have a look - and come back to check it out regularly - on the live webcam. Each person is allowed one hour to say or do whatever they like! There is an archive on the One & Other site of videos too.
Barking mad? Bonkers? Barmy? British!
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
Rainforest
Write a letter of your own.
-----------
Dear Madam
When I was in your office last week I found to use many paper to print out. This paper is made from rainforest wood. This is bad for the rainforest, because people cut down forest trees to sell it to other countries. I would like to ask you to reuse new papers or to use papers that are made from old papers. If a lot of people do this, it will save some of the rainforest tree and avert a flood which caused by deforestation.
Your faithfully,
Yukako
Ireland
Monday, 27 July 2009
Hotel Casanova
I sometimes hear the above advice from my environment, TV or business magazine, and I think that this is good advice. If I work toward my objective in the far future, I believe that I can lead a meaningful life more.
The Man from Nowhere
Next Door to Love
Sunday, 26 July 2009
A nightmare journeys
I got on a limited express,'Azusa', bound for Shinjuku. It arrived at Kofu station on time, but it didn't leave that station any more! Station staff said, 'This train won't leave for long time because the electrical control unit is a fire, so you have to get off this train and go by highway bus.' Most passengers wanted a highway bus ticket, but there weren't enough seats.
I had to wait another hour at bus station and there was a traffic jam, in the result I was late for the seminar... :(
The Space Invader
This book has glossary in the back of the book, and it was helpful for me to understanding the story. As a result, I have easily finished reading this book.
After reading, I found that the title of this book, The Space Invaders, is not suitable to this book. I have thought what the author wants to say to readers through this book, that is to say, it’s only human to kill each other for their greed. For these reasons, if I give a title, Foolish and Greedy Creature.
I remember watching a film like this story a long time ago, but another situation, maybe in Western or gangster films. Please let me know if you had known the title.
Why don’t you blog your comments?
Koa
Saturday, 25 July 2009
The Day of the Jackal
Rene Montclair: But we couldn’t get it. The Jackal was completely fault the assassin.
Maer Rodin: I can’t be along with you. Thought he was almost in danger in his early stage of the plan, but he did continue the plan with his confidence. We should praise his work.
Andre Casson: And you Rene has double mistakes, I think.
Andre Casson: So, he was not the Jackal, and we never know his real name.
The Curse of the Mummy
I have read The Curse of the Mummy.
Tariq is a member of the excavation team. He excavates in the Valley of the Kings, under Howard Carter.
One day, they find a tomb. A few days later, Tariq's friend, who is a member of that team, died.
Someone said 'This is the curse of the Mummy. We have to stop excavating!'
But, Carter kept excavating to find treasure and they found beautiful things.
I recommend this this book because you can enjoy and know Egyptian mystery.
Misaki
The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency
Matekoni?
Is this a good ending for the book, do you think?
Yes, it is a good ending because, I think a book should
have some romance.
It makes the reader's heart warm.
Mma Ramotswe had had a bad experience with her previous marriage, so
she didn't want to marry again. Her husband was violent and sometime beat her. He thought she belonged to him. He treated
her like she was a slave. So she could not have any hope
about marriage. She was satisfied with her job and life.
But when she went to South Africa alone for business and her
car broke down , she realized she needed somebody's help.
Mr.JTB Matekoni is a good man and she can trust him. Even although
she rejected him once, he still loves her. He always thinks
about her and he is honest.
So she becomes to love him. I think she can be happy with
him.
This is a story about the firefighter (me)
I could hear a kid crying in the room and also his upset mother screaming below. Looking through the window, I had flashbacks to the past and those scenes inspired me slight fear but didn't make me hesitate, rather moved me to action.
There was no time to flinch. I took a short deep breath and told myself " Go !"
Kyoko (^^)
My Favourite Photo
◆What’s your favorite photo?
⇒One of my favorite photos is a wedding photo.
◆What was happening when you took the photo?
⇒We were in Matsumoto that "vira de marriage" as Wedding Hall.
We were having our wedding reception.
◆Who took it? When? Where?
⇒My colleague took the photo in spring of 2009 when I was in Matsumoto.
◆Tell me more about who or what is in the photo?
⇒ Many colleagues are in one photograph is unusual !!
◆Where do you keep it? Why do you like it?
⇒I keep this photo on the screen on my PC.
I see while working, and it makes me feel good.
Kohei
Friday, 24 July 2009
Friends come to Pre-School
Hina and Eleanor showed their new playmates all the plants we have growing on the balcony, and how we have to water them. The tomatoes are growing really quickly, but there's only one sunflower left - Eleanor decapitated all the others : (
Yu was a little worried without her mummy, but when she stayed we taught her some of our songs - we really like "Walking walking" and the "I see something blue" - we chase around the big room looking for the colours to show Jim and Naomi. Today we also danced to the shipwreck song - a very busy song which made us tired!
Last week Hina slipped when she was brushing her teeth, so today we tried hard to all sit down when we were doing that. It kind of worked, but all our girls are at the "I can do it myself" age! Eleanor was a gannet as ever for lunch, taking bites out of every one's food and not touching her own - she stands next to Naomi with her mouth open. Our two visitors were very well behaved and didn't make a mess.
And in a flash mummies came back to pick them up; clean nappies on and all worn out, ready for an afternoon snooze I think!
We had a few teething problems with technology though - we wanted to webcast the class for mums to watch in another room (not 'get in the way')...it kind of worked. We look forward to having more friends come and join us and make even more noise ;)
Nightmare journey
A nightmare journey I remember was nine months ago when I was returning to Japan from a business trip to the USA with my colleagues. We had arrived at Chicago airport from Florida at eight in the morning, and were waiting for connection flight scheduled at noon.
A first, everything looked fine, but the airplane didn't start. Several minutes later, the captain announced that the airplane had a trouble with one of its engines. Engineers seemed to be making their best effort to fix it, but they gave it up, and we were told to move to another plane. The new departure time was four o'clock.
We boarded to new plane. However, that plane didn't depart either. Finally, our flight got canceled. We had to stay one more night at Chicago.
It was late evening when we arrived at our hotel. I was really exhausted. I could do nothing but sleep soon.
Thursday, 23 July 2009
Customer Relations
My friend Dan Lonigro works in crisis prevention, and his blog features here in the margin (right). I saw this story about a musician whose guitar got smashed by an airline...after a year trying to get some compensation and the airline being 'deaf'... funny cheap video but a very expensive one for UA!
Excellent.
Wednesday, 22 July 2009
Huckleberry Finn
This story was short and it made easy reading for me. I haven't read the Mark Twain's book and I didn't know Huckleberry and Tom Sawyer. Now I know there are many books about Huckleberry Finn and they are series books.
I want read other book about Huckleberry soon.
After reading No.5.
1.Jim didn’t tell Huck that who was the dead man.
2. Huck told the woman in the little house that he was Sarah Williams.
3. The Duke told Huck and Jim that he was really duck.
4. The King told Huck and Jim that he was really the first son of the King of France.
5. Huck didn’t tell Jim that they fought about some money.
6. Huck told the Duck and the King that Jim belonged to his uncle.
7. Huck told the people in the big old house that he was Rom Sawyer.
8. Huck didn’t tell Mrs. Phelps that he wasn’t Tom Sawyer.
9. Tom didn’t tell Huck that he was a lie.
I recommend you this book.
Tuesday, 21 July 2009
Jungfraujoch - postcard from Miyako
Now I stay in Grindelwald. This village is situated at the foot of Mt. Eiger (3,470m). Today, we went to Jungfraujoch. It was so fantastic view!!! We could see Mt. Jungfrau, Mt.Monch, Mt. Eiger, glacier and the Alps mountains. And we went hiking (about 2 hours). I got a little bit tired, but it was really fun :)
See you - Miyako
The Mark of Zorro
I haven't seen the film of "The Mark of Zorro" ever. I knew the story of "The Mask of Zorro".
After I read this book, I have a question for Zoro. Zoro is Don Diego Vega.
Don Diego want to marry Lolita but he didn't know how to say sweet things to a woman. He can't to hold woman's hand, and play a guitar under her window.
Although Zorro knew how to say sweet things to a woman so Lolita falled in love with Zorro.
I wonder if Don Diego know how to say sweet things to a woman in fact, or not. Maybe Don Diego change his character when he tie mask.
If Don Diego know how to say sweet things to a woman, he should have say Lolita sweet things. If he did this, Lolita would love Don Dieg from begining.
Unquiet Graves
Monday, 20 July 2009
The Phantom airman
Seven Stories of Mystery and Horror
I think they are the stories that are read midnight in summer.
But their stories are very short.
If they are so long story, they would frighten us very much.
I don't understand fully because there are lots of word that don't know.
After Reading 5: Which was your favourite story? Why did you like it the best?Write four reasons why you liked the story.
My favourite story is The Masque of the Red Death. It's horror. It a short story but I was frightened.And simply and illogical.
I like this story that has surprising at end of story and I like it incomprehensibly ended.
Apollo's Gold
Beer in the garden
Wow, that was fun!!!!!! Let's do it again soon!!
A big thank you to Naomi for making it all happen, and a high five to all who attended and made it such an enjoyable evening.
And who are all those pretty girls wearing yukatas??
Tana
Sunday, 19 July 2009
Blood Diamonds
Recently smugglers were arrested in Devon.
They were going to trade guns with blood diamonds.
We could prevent to pass buns to Africa.
But this smuggling case is just the tip of the iceberg.
Why African people want to get guns?
Some African countries are in the civil war, or even countries that the war was finished, their government is still unstable.
People want to get guns under such a circumstance.
Why they are in the civil war? Why their government is so unstable?
We colonized African countries in the old days and used their natural resources.
We scramble for the resources. That’s caused dispute in African countries.
Yes, we are partly to blame for the civil war and unstable government.
We have to hate dispute and continue to keep watch African circumstance with interest.
Saturday, 18 July 2009
The Big Story
Mai has just finished reading The Big Story. This is her book review:
The Big Story is set in Venice. There are no roads in Venice, but there are many gondolas. It is a very beautiful city.
The story is kind of action. It is about business deals and love. The main character of this story is Rosie. She is a journalist.
The story is exciting because characters fought on the gondolas. It makes me feel uneasy just to see it.
I recommend this book because it's moving and exciting!
Thursday, 16 July 2009
How to make a delicious cake!
First, cut the sponge in half.
Then cut a hole in the middle of the top piece.
Spread the cream with a spatula on the bottom sponge.
Put peach slices on the cream.
Next put the top sponge on the bottom sponge.
Cut the middle piece in half and cover the bottom sponge.
Fill the hole with cream and strawberries. In the middle you put the biggest strawberry.
Spread the cream with the spatula again on the side and on the top.
Then comes the secret part.
Cut the slice peach in quarter and put around the edge on the top.
Then cover the peach with the cream :)
Put strawberries around the hole.
Yuya
Bon Bon starting place
Contact Yuki to get your t-shirt ordered NOW
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
Dirty Money
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
Free entrance to Matsumoto Castle Gardens, and ice-cold beer!!!
For those of you who don't already know, the Matsumoto council has announced that entrance to to Matsumotojo gardens will be free for all those wearing a Yukata.
This is great news for anyone who will be joining us for an ice-cold beer on Saturday(18 July) as we will already be in the correct attire!
Why not make the most of this opportunity by coming a little earlier and taking a stroll around the gardens with us.
I'll be in the garden from about 15:30, and then will move onto the beer garden at 17:00.
The name of the beer garden is YAMAGA IKUZO, and we've booked a table so there will be plenty of space for everyone. Please follow the link to the map below if you are not sure where it is.
http://walk.eznavi.jp/map/?datum=0&unit=0&lat=%2B36.14.12.70&lon=%2B137.58.10.90&fm=0&spt=01125.n831900&cp=mapmail_MapView_nw
I am looking forward to seeing you there!
Tana
Philip Prowse
This story is about a private detective "Lenny Samuel". He is a wise and clever guy but little bit silly.
One day, a beautiful lady came to his office and asked him to search her sister. She said she and her sister are twins. Lenny asked her that she asked the police or not, but she said that she didn't want to let the police know about this.
She is doubtful...she has a secret???
****************************************************
Comprehension
1, What was Benny Greep's job at Las Cabanas?
He was a drummer of the band.
2, How did he know Elaine Gerfield?
Because Elaine and her friend went to Las Cabanas for dancing a lot.
3, What did Susie Graham think of Benny Greep?
She thought about Benny Greep wasn't good at all.
4, How was Benny Greep killed?
He had been shot in the chest and pushed into the bath.
5, How did Lenny know that the dead man in the bath was Benny Greep?
He found the dead man's driving licence from the dead man's coat.
6, Who did Lenny phone after he found Benny Greep's body?
He called for the police.
7, Where did the policeman take Lenny?
Policeman took Lenny to police station.
8, Who followed Lenny when he drove back to his office?
The yellow small car.
9, What was waiting for Lenny in his office?
A letter from Helen Garfiled.
10, Who did Lenny want to see before he went to Los Cabanas?
Helen Garfield.
****************************************************
I think this story is interesting, but I don't like this hero "Lenny", 'cos he is silly guy, but funny guy, I think.
Monday, 13 July 2009
A nightmare journey
When I was near Wada-tunnel, it was snowing. I thought something might happen. The road to Wada-tunnel was a long and steep upward slope. Some lorries couldn't climb the hill because for snow. There was a traffic jam, none of the traffic could move.
The road maintenance removed the snow. It took a long time. In the end cars moved gradually. When I arrived at my home, it was 4 am . I was exhausted.
大きな地図で見る
Tuna Sandwich
You need:
some white bread a can of tuna
some mayonnaise an onion
some black pepper
some salt
some butter
- First , slice the onion as thinly as possible.
- Then rinse the slices of onion .
- Mix the tuna,the mayonnaise , the slices of onion ,the salt and the black pepper.
- Cut two thin pieces of white bread , and butter them.
- Put 3 on one of the pieces.
- Now put the other piece of bread on top.
- Finally - eat the sandwich! It's delisious.
Tuna sandwich
Hotel Casanova
The story is most terrible story I have ever read. This is the terror caused by human psyche. Weakness, envy and viciousness in the feeling are expressed in this story. But Carla is actually terrible woman, Dino is also not to be praised so much because he changed his plan so easily and in very short time and he loves another woman immediately and easily. I can’t understand what his plan for him is actually for him. Anyway, I think he can never succeed and be happy as long as he doesn’t reflect on what he did.
Sunday, 12 July 2009
Touching the Void
The story was move into the movie which called "Unmei wo waketa zairu". I knew the title and it previously didn't attract me, however now I want to see the movie.
Touching the Void
I had read this book with anxious and happy.
8. When Simon is sorting out Joe’s possessions, he says “I found his diary too. He had written something almost every day, even on the plane from London.”
Imagine you are Joe and write a paragraph for your diary, either from
the plane journey from London
the camp at the bottom of Siula Grande, before the climb
your hospital bed when recovering from the accident
"the plane journey from London"
Simon and I were in the plane from London to Lima. I was planning to climb Siula Grande. Joe was excited to see it on the plane. We wanted to find a mountain that was more challenging than the Alps. That was Siula Grande. I was excited, too.
"the camp at the bottom of Siula Grande, before the climb"
Simon and I had met Richard in a bar in a hotel in Lima. Richard was interested in seeing the Andes. He promised to look after our tent and equipment while we were climbing. We thanked Richard.
"your hospital bed when recovering from the accident"
I was in my bed. It was terrible climbing and long trips from base camp. I was happy to return here with Simon. I thought he was dead at the accident. But he thought I was dead because he cut the rope which tied my body. He regretted that he decided to cut the rope. I thought it was a right decision. I would do same thing if I was in his situation.
Friday, 10 July 2009
Annie Oakley
When she was 15 she started shooting in competitions. She married Frank Butler in 1876.
She shot a gun very well. They joined Buffalo Bill's show for 17 years! In the show she shot Frank's cigarette from his mouth. She never shot a bad shot.
She taught Sitting Bull to write. The show went to Europe in 1887.
They left the USA but they came back again.
In 1901 she had a train accident. After some months she worked again. She had a car accident in 1921. They moved to Ohio after this.
Hwi Sun
Thursday, 9 July 2009
CALL - some interactive stuff
In doing so, I didn't want to be 'just colouring', which this can often descend into. Instead, used a good resource (Scholastic's vocab series is excellent) which had a dozen or so line drawings of national flags (European). First task was to colour by numbers (ie read the names of the colours) and to predict which belonged to the list of countries in a list below.
To check, we went to a database of flags and then searched by choosing colours, patterns & designs, and selecting the number of stripes etc. Lots of good speculation and genuine 'need to know'. Some of them they knew, some were 'new', and some we right but wrong - Japanese names for some countries are from that country's language (eg 'Deutz') rather than our English word (Germany). On top of that, some are hard to read - Germany again, or Portugal.
As you can see, we had a good time, and learnt something a bit different into the bargain. And, my struggler was in his element :)