Take it outside!

Started this week's lesson with "Put on your shoes" song...reason being, I wanted to hurry up, hurry up, let's go outside!

A beautiful blue sky, but a bit chilly - makes sense to put on your coat! (A silly idea in summer!)

A simple game I learned from the kids = with a partner, rock/scissors/paper. Loser tags on behind winner. Find another pair, leaders do rock/scissors paper again and repeat until you have one long caterpillar/conga line :)

My take on this = play music at each challenge - I used the 1st half of the Hello song. Everyone joins in anyway because they love the song/know it, and also want to keep warm AND be on the winning team :)

In an earlier class, I played the Walking Walking song - a winner - but everyone ran off or crashed into each other > needed a rethink. This elegant solution, though I say so myself, meant everyone more or less under control, and safe, and in frame :)

No, I'm not fine!

"How are you? ""How are you."

Try again. "No. How are you?" "Oh. I'm fine."

How's he? 

And that's the end of the conversation for most Japanese students - get out of the conversation as quickly & as 'safely' as possible, with a generic response & no fuss. Certainly no extension, or attempt to broaden the scope - like enquire after the speaker's health. It's SO frustrating! Especially when I hear the inquirer react with "Oh good". Agghh!

So, I love unit 1 of Everybody Up 2, because we can break that mould. Here we meet 10 different emotions/feeling, none of them "fine" (which has lost all meaning). After this, require a 'proper' answer, every class, and a 'pass it on' reflex...either return the question, or turn to the next student as a round the room drill. Also, insist on different responses. And add a negative ( eg "I'm happy. I'm not sad."). Extension for bonus points in ay Cambridge speaking test!

Doing the same thing again...but it's a game?!

And sit down. Coats off (it's winter), rehydrate (in summer), blow noses (hayfever season)...

Teacher switches the grammar into a memory challenge; "How's Yuki?" Listening to other people? Becoming flexible with grammatical structures? "She's happy. She's not sad." 

And...every time, insist on meaningful, melodic intonation across utterances; prevent false starts/heads down...avoid 'speed of the slowest' answering as a group.

Mood meter

Personalise this - draw pictures into the back cover of the workbook is my favourite ploy. As a class, make a mood meter for the doorway (reminder, entrance routine etc).

Check spelling? In a way - but use the picture dictionary to start more extension.

Drill it to bits (pardon the pun) - another job for wordwall, again doing more with less. Embedding learning so it becomes a reflex, not an allergy!

A joined up lesson - making the most of students' flashcards

Making a learning record with flashcards

I'm a firm believer of doing more with less - and a massive fan of good text books. Students need something familiar in the hands/bags, a structure they can grab onto and a bit of a routine they can enjoy diverting from...not glued to turning the next page at all, but able to thumb back through recognisable patterns, structres, chunks & lexical sets. And then have the confidence to be able to close the book, with learning internalised, push their English skills into deeper water with friends to help & to challenge.

Oxford Phonics World textbooks have a lovely set of flashcards tucked away at the back, which are a great resource to expand learning; introduce or review words (in this case CVC patterns), make sets or mix everything up! 

• Teacher tip = have each student mark each of their cards with their own favourite colour (important these are different, so you can unmix easily when you play games etc) before cutting them out. And give each student a ziplock bag with their name on, to prevent losses!

Here we went at 16 recently studied words (shoert i and e sounds). Quiet time to cut carefully = also time to recall the pictures/sounds (which are on the reverse side). Many ways to review at this stage - teacher-led or students challenging each other etc. 

Matching & categorising: Wordwall

There's a 'blank' picture dictionary at the back of the classbook, which I love, because the artwork is the same, but it is in alphabetical order (not by unit)...a subliminal dictionary skill implanted! My approach with strong students = take a card, find it in the picture dictionary, and 'do your best' spelling it (after you've sounded it out) logically. Then check on the back & high fives, noticing a consistent pattern with the middle vowel sound/spelling. Students can do this together & correct/reinforce/referee each other (including comments on letter writing/legibility!) or competitively. Either way, teacher is passive but actively monitoring output carefully & encouraging constantly :)

Using wordwall as a follow up - I love this as there are so many different formats of game you can select per set of words (in this case). The thinking bit = different images, but clearly the same item. Creating these sets, you can add audio - male/female voice, lots of dialects to chose from. Be careful that you use a consistent sound that you want your students to model/mimic (US, Kiwi or Scottish ones that bend vowel sound? Or consonant sounds that disappear into glottal stops?!). You can have wordwall 'pronounce' all your cards, both sides, or just the one. Or none. Think about what you want your learners to do!

Postcard from Yutoku inari Shrine, Saga pref, Japan

 

This one of the most stunning shrines I've ever seen! Up on a hillside, well off the beaten track in rural Saga Prefecture, Yutoku Inari Shrine is an absolute belter!

Wow! I got the right bus after all!

I was not optimistic on the busride from Takeo Onsen, as I was the only person on the bus...was I on the right one (never really know in Japan!)? The bus terminus itself was even less inspiring, just a gravel turning area, and not a soul around. But I followed the signs and along the main drag beyond a large stone torii, familiar trinket shops & snack vendors came into view. And then around a corner, wow! The view (above) was breathtaking. Couldn't help but congratulate myself for persevering to get here.

The weather was spot on; the leaves were just changing; not too many tourists though a few charmless ones walking through my photographs (not half as bad as Dazaifu though!). I hope my photos do the complex justice - full set is here on Flickr - every footsteep revealed another gorgeous angle or detail. Very Japanese contrast of colours. What I really was not expecting was the path up behind the shrine, through countless bright, and older more faded, red torii. A steep climb, and not for the faint-hearted (witness the 9 or 'rescue stations' along the way) though there were a number of people considerably older than my staggering up the roughly hewn steps.

How many torii? Hundreds!

The view from the top of the hill was also very rewarding - Saga airport in the distance across the sea, and a chance to suck in some air, share knowing smiles with other game hillclimbers that we'd just hiked up an incomparable, culturally & spiritually unique, path through the gods.

A must visit, off the tourist route, photographers' dream. Skip Kyoto & Asakusa!

Just in time for autumn

Yumi's Air BnB offering

Enjoy staying in a nostalgic, atmospheric Heisei-era house

Although it was built in the 90’s, it’s been recently renovated. This one-bedroom house is in a convenient location in rural central Japan.

The rooms

The spacious master bedroom has two single beds. The beds can be moved, so you can use them as a double bed if you connect them. The large living room has a mid-century-design sofa, which two people can comfortably sit on. The modern, fully appointed kitchen is big enough for two people to enjoy cooking together. A new IH cooktop has been installed, and there are plenty of kitchen utensils. The supermarket ‘BIG’ is only three minutes’ walk away from the house, so you can find fresh Japanese vegetables and prepare a delicious meal at home.

The neighbourhood

The house is located near a busy main road, Route 19. However, you will not be annoyed by traffic noise as long as the window is closed. Shiojiri train station is about 30 minutes’ walk, but there is a ride-share taxi service; the stop is only a few steps away from the house. You can make a reservation easily using an app. The ride-share service is not punctual, so it’s recommended to book your departure one hour ahead of time.

Postcard from Ouo Shrine - The Floating Gates in the Ariake Sea, Kyushu

 

What a great find, on the Ariake Sea! This is a beautiful spot to slow down and take in the view! Regardless of the tide, these Torii (gates) are stunning in red, against the sea & skyline of Saga.

I took the local train down the Nagasaki Line, from my sake stop-off at Hizen Hama. Not too far, but a lovely glimpse of the sea all the way. A short walk from the deserted station of Tara (and a careful note of the next trains from the timetable!) and this stunning view appeared behind an abandoned restaurant and discarded fishing gear. 

As you can see, the tide was out - so I could walk around to the ocean-side as well, for some reverse angle shots. Dilemma, walk on the soft sand & get wet feet, or crunch over the razor-sharp oyster shells & shred my shoes? As you can see, this was a superbly photogenic, lesser known yet iconic 'must' for any camera-toting traveller wanting to find the real Japan. 

And, as my train was not due for ages, why not tackle a few deep fried oysters & wash them down with a Super Dry?! Technically, "sitting down in the shade to edit my photos" :)

Want to see more photos? Check out the album on Flickr right here - and please leave a comment!

Postcard from Karatsu Castle, Kyushu

I think this castle has been famous on Japanese TV/manga? How would I know!

My journey here across NW Saga prefecture was delightful (but slow), with trains not connecting and a lot of sitting around in Imari (honestly, not much to see or do there at all!). So, I bought a beer, found a nice place to sit in the sun, and read my book.

I was worried the castle would be in the dark already, but it was beautifully illuminated as I got into Karatsu station at sunset. I could see it resplendent on its perch, and made straight for it. Obviously a hilltop castle, and commanding the coastline of Karatsu Bay & the mouth of the Matsuura River. 

Nobody else was around, the stars came out. The shadows danced, my batteries ran low. Although I couldn't get into the keep (and no chance next morning as I had to really run to back to work on the first train) I did have plenty of the evening to absorb the majestic location, see the fishermen out on the bay, and hear absolutely nothing else - just the gentle breeze in the trees. Chance to sit down, take a breath, and really enjoy being where I was!

Yes, the castle is rebuilt. Yes, it's concrete...the masonry is awesome, the ramparts bewildering, the location breathtaking; the history & the legends abundant. I'll post again about the trains & their marvelous liveries (stay tuned, they're incredible!). I know I will not have many chances to come this way again, so allow me for indulging myself :)

If you have any chance at all to head west from Fukuoka, I really recommend Karatsu-jo!

Postcard from Taipei, Taiwan

 Dear Jim-sensei,

Happy New Year!

I had been Taipei in New Year's Day. It was very nice place, people and food than I expected!! I'd like to visit again :)

I hope you will have a great year 2026

Nene

Postcard from Himeji Castle - an evening's stroll

Himeji Castle floating in the night sky

I unexpectedly had an evening to kill in the famous castle city of Himeji, so of course I dumped my bags at my hotel and made for the castle as quickly as I could - I had no idea when they'd turn the lights off!

My progress was delayed by the numpties at the hotel check-in, who could not compute that I was not carrying my passport (the check-in machine they were lurking behind would not work without it...), nor was I going to let them require it anyway. Guy checking in next to me, probably Japanese = not asked for ID. Numpty #1 went for a translation app & assumed "English" etc. Been there, got the t-shirt & a crap way to start trips in 2026. Mini-rant over.

Sitting pretty on its hilltop, Himeji castle dominates the skyline. Illuminated brightly at night, it almost floats, as you can see in the picture. There was almost nobody about, as I strolled around the inner moat  apart from a noisy group of Americans wondering if they could do a bit of trespassing (silly idea, as a secuirty guard was following them!).

Walls reflected in the glass-like moat

It was a chilly night, and very still. The moat was like glass, casting fabulous reflections of the impressive fortifications. Each corner offered a new angle of the keep, and the inner walls looming above, with shadows emphasising its defensive might...A very different (and better) experience than my first visit here during Covid, socially not distanced from thousands of elbows-out Chinese visitors and their annoying selfie sticks.

A lovely evening's walk. Super peaceful - I thoroughly recommend this night-time exploration.

Check out my photos from this, and my previous trip on Flickr!

Memories at the Hot Springs—Talking with a Stranger

 

I have had a long conversation with a complete stranger.

One day, I was at a hot spring. An elderly woman dropped her towel in the bath. I picked it up and squeezed the water out for her. That small action started our conversation.

She told me that she was traveling from Tokyo. She was born and raised there, but she loved the nature in Nagano. She said she comes to Nagano every year because the air is clean and the scenery is beautiful. I thought Tokyo was a great place where you can do anything, but she said Tokyo is a very tiring city.

We talked about how hard life in Tokyo can be and how relaxing Nagano is. 

The conversation continued while we stayed in the bath.

I usually go to hot springs alone because I like to relax quietly. However, talking with her while warming my body felt nice too. I think it is not good to talk to strangers for no reason, but I also think it is important not to ignore conversations that start naturally.

About “Horiemon,” who shocked Japan with his fraud

 

Takafumi Horie, known as “Horiemon,” is a famous Japanese businessman. When he was a university student, he founded an internet company called Livedoor and grew it into a large business. He was often featured in the media, and many people praised him. His popularity on the internet was especially strong.

However, in 2006, he was arrested for fraud. He used the false financial data to make his company look more successful than it really was. By making the company’s value look higher and using it to buy other companies, he deceived society. The court judged his actions to be serious and sentenced him to two and a half years in prison. This case shocked many people who had admired him.

When he entered prison, he broadcast the moment live and continued writing blogs through his staff. He was criticized for showing no regret, such as appearing with a mohawk hairstyle when he appeared at the police station.

Today, Horie remains very active. He writes books, appears on television, starts school, and works on space-related projects. Even after a major failure and strong public criticism, he continues to move forward. I think this shows a level of courage that most people do not have.

Both Anna Delvey’s case and Horie’s case show that when people become blinded by money, they can easily deceive others. It made me wonder whether I could stay honest if I ever gained a large amount of money myself.