That's right, that's write - I love your tiger feet?!

And for a lighter moment (and a look at where all Japanese boy-bands got their moves from?!) cop some Mud from 1974!

https://youtu.be/EQfidTOTsLo

Postcard from...Kawasaki-daishi Temple

Main Gate

Kawasaki-daishi Temple is tucked away in Kanagawa prefecture, not far away from the famous boat racing circuit, the race course, and the international airport (Haneda). It's famous for its "power of Yakuyoke" (warding off evil), and is one of the biggest temples of the Chisan School of Shingon Buddhism.

We saw the famous burning ceremony "Ogama Kito" in the main hall after entering the courtyard via the very impressive main gate. Not so thrilling were all the souvenir shops lined up down the street beyond!

Kyozo

I was very impressed with the "Kyozo" or Sutra Repository, focussed around a statue of Shaka Nyorai and home to 7,240 books of Kenryuban Daizokyo, in pristine condition lining the walls.

Hakkaku Gojunoto

Commanding the skyline is the 5-storey pagoda "Hakkaku Gojunoto", around which the gardens unfold with statues dotted around. I'm glad we could visit when there were not so many tourists; judging by the size of the toilet block, I imagine there are usually a lot!

Sayuri's trip to London - Notting Hill inspired!

Platform  93⁄4 , St. Pancras

When I arrived at St. Pancras station by Eurostar with my husband, it was almost 8pm. We were deadly tired as the Eurostar was delayed and we had to stand in a long queue over 4 hours at Gare du Nord in Paris.

Right next to St. Pancras station there was Kings Cross station where we could see the famous 93⁄4 plat form. We enjoyed watching many people paid and took photos there. We bought some chocolate frogs(didn’t move!) and the Bertie Bott`s Every Flavour Beans. By the time we were quite happy and forgot about our stressful journey from Paris.

We stayed at a nice hotel near Waterloo station and had comfortable 3 nights.

double-decker bus on Westminster Bridge, in front of Big Ben

Their elevators spoke to us"Doors closing" but it sounded like "George Clooney" to my husband. So everytime we were on the elevator, we said "George Clooney" to the closing doors.

Every morning we got up early and had very good almost full English breakfast and started walking along River Thames. There were lots to see. One of the interesting things was the nursery rhyme under the London Bridge. When we walked through under the London Bridge in dark, we heard the famous melody in girl's spooky voice. That made our blood run cold.

We also went to Notting Hill and saw the travel book shop where the film was shot. It was not a book shop anymore and they sold lots of things for tourists like us, though we didn't buy anything there.

Now the art exhibition of the British National Gallery was to have been on in Tokyo but the art museum is closed because of the nasty virus corona. We really hope this world crisis comes to the end somehow and sometime soon. We still looking forward to seeing many fine arts which we enjoyed very much in London. Those will be good reminders of our lovely days in London.

a lion in dawn we started walking that early in the morning

the travel book shop in Notting Hill

Posted for Sayuri

Postcard from...Haneda airport

Who's the tallest now?!

A snap decision to accept an invitation from her uncle & aunt in Australia, some frantic preparations and a dash down the expressway to Haneda airport and a rendez-vous with Qantas, bag just about packed and ready to travel alone...

A quick pit-stop at Futaba SA gave us a stunning view of Mount Fuji, which is still taller than everybody.

Bye bye Eleanor!

And then we said quick goodbyes at the security gate, cousins clambering to get in a final farewell, and off she went bravely on her own (accompanied by ground staff) to find her big Kangaroo for the overnight flight to Sydney. We waved her her off into the night sky, and followed her progress across the Pacific...she had her toes wriggling in the sand before we even got back home!

Engage, engage and engage!

Teachers often ask me what does it take to manage a classroom of students and teach a successful lesson: should I teach this? Should I teach that? Should I do this? or should I do that etc. and so on. As a teacher trainer on the Cambridge CELTA courses working in various centers in various countries, I observe and assess hundreds of lessons each year and often see teachers incorporate amazingly creative techniques, develop revolutionary materials, and use the most high-tech resources as well as frequently demonstrate an outstanding knowledge of grammar, phonology, and metalanguage, etc. with the most amazing expertise. But, in my opinion, the most overriding indicator of a lesson being successful and the teacher achieving their overall lesson aim is whether the lesson engages the learners and moreover engages the learners in their learning. If this happens, it's most likely a winner! Quite simple really, but I guess the next question is 'How do we engage learners?'. I'll leave this to you to ponder and contribute any ideas.

I want to be...Fumiya's ambition

I want to be a swimmer, because I like swimming.

I am on the swimming team.

My swimming team is very nice.

I want to be...Rui's ambition

I want to be a soccer player, because I can run fast and dribble very well.

I want to be....Sota's ambition

 I want to be a cook, because I can cook eggs.

Up your YLE teaching game with Luna JP004

April 26th, Nagano, and it's free

Day-long PD session to train experienced and qualified teachers to be become Speaking Examiners (SEs). This workshop will cover the speaking tests for all three Cambridge Assessment English YLE (Young Learners) examinations for children – Starters (pre-A1), Movers (A1) & Flyers (A2). 

The aims of the training session are: to make trainee examiners aware of the general responsibilities of a Cambridge Assessment English SE, likely problems/issues that may arise and how to manage them effectively; to familiarise trainee examiners with the procedure of the three YLE Speaking tests; to give trainee examiners the opportunity to conduct practice Speaking tests; to standardise the assessment of YLE candidates: ensuring familiarity with Cambridge Assessment English criteria, with standards set by standardisation videos, and making sure SEs are able to carry out accurate assessments in accordance with these.

Must have valid visa to work in Japan
Degree &/or teaching qual + recent, relevant FT experience taching English to YLs.

Contact Jim oyajim@gmail.com for application form, details & queeries - all curious YL teachers welcome!

Professional Development in Nagano with Luna International

April 25th, Nagano city - free (Ts & Cs apply).

Day-long PD session to train experienced and qualified teachers to be become Speaking Examiners (SEs). This workshop will cover the speaking tests for the A2:Key and B1:Preliminary, of Cambridge Assessment English examinations for adults.



The aims of the training session are: to make trainee examiners aware of the general responsibilities of a Cambridge Assessment English SE, likely problems/issues that may arise and how to manage them effectively; to familiarise trainee examiners with the procedure of the A2:Key and B1:Preliminary Speaking tests; to give trainee examiners the opportunity to conduct practice Speaking tests; to standardise the assessment of A2:Key and B1:Preliminary candidates: ensuring familiarity with Cambridge Assessment English criteria, with standards set by standardisation videos, and making sure SEs are able to carry out accurate assessments in accordance with these; to give trainee examiners the opportunity to discuss and ask questions about all aspects of the above.

Need a degree &/or teaching qual + recent, relevant FT experience. Must have visa (to work in Japan).

Contact Jim oyajim@gmail.com for an application form & further details/requirements. All enquiries welcome.

Notting Hill - what are friends for?

Firstly, I think the kindest friend is Max. He organised Honey's birthday party and some dinner
parties for William to introduce him to some ladies, although his cooking was not so good. He also took Bella to the press conference, when she almost gave up joining them.

Secondly, the funniest one is Spike. He has his own style, which is usually quite odd for others; wearing goggles and a scuba diving suit, or T-shirts with silly words on them. He enjoys his life in his own funny way.

Then, I like Honey the best. She is honest and cheerful, and tries to help her brother William. When she saw Anna for the first time, she was very excited, which is quite natural and very understandable. If I saw a famous actress, I would be very excited but I wouldn't act like Honey to show my excitement, so I'd probably just stare at the famous star and be unable to say a word.

Mostly, William's friends are all important to him. They are always there for him, whether he is up or down. They have their own interests and their own lives with their different jobs, but when any of them needs help, they always lend a hand.

Anna would be very happy and comfortable to join them with William, they will come and help her, and she will help them as well. That's what friends are for.

Posted for Sayuri O.

An interview with the lodger - Notting Hill after reading

Question : Hello Spike , you are one of the friends of William, right?

Spike : Yes, I am one of the most important friends of William and Anna.

Question : When did you notice about their love?

Spike: It was at the first sight of Anna, was in William’s house.

Question: What did you think about her at the moment?

Spike: I thought “Wow!!” I met her first in the bathroom. I couldn’t believe the woman was Anna Scott!!

Question: What was your impression of Anna?

Spike: She is nice and friendly then I have thought... and she is kind of candid person. 

Question: What do you think about William?

Spike: He is a sort of sensitive person....stubborn and serious, sometimes nervous but very lovely guy actually. It seemed he had been living in a beautiful and sad dream since he has met Anna. 

Question: Are there anything you want to say?

Spike: Anna and William’s story is a great love story, must be more beautiful than films!! I hope that it becomes a movie and I want to play the role of “Spike”!! And if it possible I would like to be a lodger of their house!!

Interviewer - Teruki M

After Reading - The Olympics

Describe your own experience of an Olympic event.

When I was 4 years old, I had chance to see winter Olympic Games at Nagano in 1998.　I was too young to understand what “Olympic” means, and why crowd looked like so excited. I went to Hakuba ski area with my father, grandfather and grandmother to see ski jumping.

I remember that we spent a lot of time here to wait for the game starting and it was very boring time for me. Finally, the game started and the crowd more and more noisy. There were lot of people at there, so I could not see anything, then my father carried me on his shoulder.

Suddenly I saw a man flew in the sky and slowly got off on the ground. I was surprised at that view because I had never seen human flying at sky before. That was my exciting experience of an Olympic, and I have never forgotten it.

I am looking forward to 2020 Tokyo Olympic that I can get such a wonderful experience again.

Invitation for tea

Hi, Mariko

How are you?  I hope everything is going well with you. I want to talk to you because a long time passed since I met you last Nov. We usually met once a month or more frequently, so I am anxious that you are fine.
Would you like to come home for tea?  I have some sweets which I want you to eat.How about the weekend after next? I am free on either Feb. 08 (Sat) or 09 (Sun).If you are available at the next weekend, I will wait for you at 14:00 at my house. Please check with your husband if he can also come to my house.If you have any other convenience date, please let me know.
We look forward to seeing/talking to you in the near future. Please come to my house empty-handed.
  

Masato's cafe review - Garage cafe, Matsumoto

We can have lunch at the Garage cafe in Matsumoto.

Here we can eat Italian food, such as pasta or pizza. It has a big menu and everything is really delicious. However, it only has a few seats, so we usually go there when we have enough time to wait.

The atmosphere is very quiet and relaxed. There is some wooden furniture, so this is a popular place with many local people who want to read or do some work peacefully.

The prices of the dishes are quite reasonable.

Posted for Masato

Postcard from...Iguazu Falls, Argentine/Brazil

Now I have just visited the Iguazu Falls in the Amazon rain forest in South American continent.

Iguazu Falls, Argentina/Brazil 

It's extremely hot here!!

I was caught a large of the spray from the water fall on the boat, goes to under the waterfall. It was a absolutely exciting experience!! I was soaked with the break water and sweat :)

Love, 

Teruki

Letter to Othello

Dear Othello,

I am writing this letter to let you know the story which is very important to you. Please read through this letter as soon as you receive.

I happened to hear the conversation between Iago and Roderigo before we came to Cyprus. From their conversation, I learned Iago’s plans for revenge.

Othello, you must not trust Iago. He is not the good man. Iago complained about you because you didn’t choose him as your lieutenant. Iago has been pretended to respect you and trying to get what he wants from you.

Iago asked Emilia to get the handkerchief which you gave to Desdemona and left it in Cassio’s room so that you misunderstood Desdemona and Cassio are in love. They always tell you the truth and never betray you. You should trust Cassio and Desdemona.

I am your friend, Othello. Think carefully who you should trust. Please let me know if need my help.

Sincerely,
Tomoko

Postcard from...Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dear Jim,

Time flies, it's already new year!

How have you been? Did you have a nice holiday?

Here we are in Dubrovnik in Croatia having a wonderful time. The weather is truly lovely. We went on a delightful Slovenia and Croatia tour with a tour guide. We've been looking around a lot! Postonjnska, Jama, Bljsko jezero, Rijeki, Sibenik, Trogir, Split and Dubrovnik. The tour is a little busy, but every city was attractive and interesting..

Tomorrow we will go to Plitvice Lakes national park and the Croatian capital Zagreb. Of course, I bought a souvenir for Luna members!

See you soon and talk to you much more soon.

Sincerely,

Yuka

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year

All the fun from our Christmas Party now available on Flickr

All the children (and our staff!) were delighted to welcome Father Christmas (aka Santa Claus) to our end-of-year Christmas party on December 22nd, after a variety of games, activities and even a quiz! Excellent mime skills (Konoha), flag recognition (Ceilidh) & animal name spelling (Godzilla, naturally) and all-in participation (Seita, Airi, Kanna, Haruki, Yoshi...) check out all the photos on Flickr where you can also download your favourites.

Thank you Eri, Emi, Yuka, Yukari, Natsuho, Rico, Sam & Cedric for making the day a roaring success.

We are now closed for the New Year - we will be open from Jan 6th, with a new full-time English teacher joining us, and Sara returning from Egypt early in the New Year as well. Sad news is that we will be having to say goodbye to Natsuho...yes, with Matsumoto Yamaga's relegation from J-League, our lovely manager has been transferred. Boo!

Thank you all for a great year in 2019; we are very excited for the year/decade ahead, and are looking forward to mission #1, which is the papier mache mouse (and England winning the next two Rugby World Cups of course!). Let's chase our dreams :)

Jim

My hopes for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games

The 2020 Olympic Games are coming to Tokyo next July, and I have two hopes for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

The first is to encourage people around the world to be more interested in Japan, as a lot of people don’t know much about our country. Some people may believe that ninja and/or samurai still live in Japan. Most of the countries can watch the events on TV. I hope that the Tokyo Olympic Games will be a chance for a lot of people to learn more about, and become interested in, Japan.

The second is to hold the Tokyo Olympic Games without terror attacks or acts of destruction. Unfortunately, I believe that the Olympic Games are very tempting target for the terrorists. In the Atlanta Olympic Games of 1996, a bomb was left in a park, with very big crowds, by an American man. The bomb was found by Richard Jewell, and a lot of people could escape, but the incident still the loss of two lives.

Most Japanese do not have enough crisis awareness with regard to terrorist etc., and still think the police can protect us. I’m not sure about this assumption. However, we should enjoy the Olympic Games with our eyes open to finish the Tokyo Olympic Games safely and to enjoy a wonderful Tokyo Olympic Games.