Japan’s ‘roads to nowhere’

Merry Christmas students! Did you get many presents this year? If you didn't get any presents on Christmas Day then I am sure you will get a lot of money on New Year's Day, right? You are lucky! I have to give my nieces and nephews a lot of money every year! However, I never get anything in return! It's not fair!

This reminds me of the political system in Japan. As a taxpayer I pay lots of money in taxes but I never get anything in return! Maybe I should become a politician....then everyday will be like Christmas and New Year's Day!!!! Here is an article from Times of London detailing just how your tax money is being spent. It may be difficult to understand but just skim it and look for the key details. Pay attention to the numbers! It is your money!

Crayon Shinchan in English!

Did you know that Crayon Shinchan is popular in the the USA and the UK? Well, many people enjoy watching his adventures....in ENGLISH! Yes, Shinchan speaks ENGLISH! Here is the opening song to the English version of his program:

Christmas Traditions in Canada

Today we have an interesting interview with a Canadian teacher. He will tell us about the Canadian version of Christmas. It is almost the same as Christmas in America. However, some parts are very different so please listen carefully and tell me what you think is strange! Canadian Christmas

Try the slide quiz! Don't forget to do your homework!

Here is a great holiday video for you to watch! I have watched it every year since I was a small child. It brings back many nice memories of Christmas in America.
Enjoy!

Christmas Traditions

Do you realize that next week is Christmas??? Is Christmas a special day for your family? In the USA it is probably the biggest and busiest holiday of the year. Most people will spend the holiday with their families. On Christmas morning everyone will exchange presents and have a huge dinner. Snow on Christmas day is really special. Kids will build snow men, go sledding, and have snollball fights with their friends. It is so much fun! It's a time for many happy memories.
However, Christmas traditions are not the same all over the world. Today we will listen to a student from Switzerland tell us about her country's Christmas tradions: Swiss Santa.

Answer the quiz questions, check the vocabulary, and don't forget to write your essays!

Wind Farms

Have you ever been to a farm? What did you see there? What did they grow there? Rice? Maybe some cows and chickens? How about electricty? Have you even seen a farm that produces electricity? Sound strange? Well, if you visit a wind farm you will see something amazing! On a windfarm there are huge windmills that generate electricity from the power of the wind. They are very popular in some places in America and are becoming more popular in Europe. Have you ever seen one in Japan? Do you think it is a good idea to use wind power to generate electricty? What problems would wind farms create?

In today's lesson we have a story about wind farms in the UK. The government wants to build more but many people dislike the idea. Why? Listen and see: Wind Farms

After listening be sure to try some of the exercises on the Breaking News English webpage!!!

Driver's License

How do you go to school? By train, by bus, by car? Did you know that many American students drive to school? It's true! Students can get their driver's license when they are 16. High schools have a special driver's course for students and have cars for them to practice with on a special course and on the regular roads with their teacher.
Getting a driver's license is easy. It takes about an hour to take a written test and then a driving test with a policeman. The cost is usually less than $30. Most people pass without any trouble.
Would you like to drive to school? Do you think it would be a good idea for high school students in Japan to drive cars? What problems would this cause? Think about these points while you listen to this conversation between a father and his daughter who has just gotten her driver's license

Secret City Beneath Tokyo

Have you ever wondered what may lie under your feet as you walk through the streets of Tokyo? Well, so have I! Many cities in Europe have miles and miles of underground tunnels. Some were built by the government and some were built in ancient times. Those built in ancient times are usually the remains of ancient cities that existed before the present cities were built. Berlin, Paris, London, Rome, and Istanbul to name a few are amazing because there are actually ancient cities underneath the modern cities! But what about Tokyo? Is there anything underneath the city? Well, read this.
After you read the article,(it may be difficult, but please try!), write a short summary and tell me what you think may lie underneath Tokyo. Is there some secret city?

Here are some other websites that document the underground worlds that exist beneath our feet:
Underground England
Underground Berlin
Underground Paris
Underground Istanbul

Pollution

Do you live close to a busy road? Have you ever experienced breathing problems? Scientists have discovered that living near busy roads has a negative impact on your health. Exhaust fumes from motor vehicles can cause a weakening of your lungs even if you live 500 meters away from the road! Are you affected by this? What can be done?
Listen to this report on Air Pollution.

Don't forget to do all of your exercises on your handout! You may see them on a test again!

Tourism Troubles

The picture above was my first view of Japan. I was surprised to see that so many violent extremist groups are so active in Japan. It was a real culture shock for me!
Have you ever travelled abroad? Did you see something that shocked you?
Japanese are famous for going on guided tours to foreign countries but what about tourism to Japan? Have you ever seen a foreign tourist in Japan? Why do so few foreign people visit Japan?
The Japanese government has recently spent a huge amount of money to encourage foreign people to visit Japan. Do you think this is a good idea? Would you like to see more foreign people visit Japan, learn about its culture, and spend a lot of money here? What are some problems that may arise if many foreign tourist visit Japan?
Today, we will listen to an interview with a student from Prague in the Czech Republic. She will talk about the good points and bad points of tourism in her country: Listen Here

Hotel Reservations

Today's lesson is about making a hotel reservation. Hotels in America are quite inexpensive. The average price of a hotel room outside of a big city is usually less than $80 and includes satellite TV, a swimming pool, and sometimes free breakfast. Hotels in America do not charge per person like Japan. The price for 4 people is the same as the price for one person, $80. Very good deals on hotels in America and the rest of the world can be found here: SAVE MONEY HERE!!!

Now let's listen to a guest make a hotel reservations. Answer the questions on your handout and check the webpage for more interesting information.

Whaling Troubles

Have you ever eaten whale meat? Was it tasty? Is there a big demand for whale-burgers in Japan?
How would you feel about eating an animal that was an endangered species? Not good? Well, Japanese whale hunters will do their best in the next few months to kill over 1,000 whales as well as 50 of one of the most endangered species of whales known as the humpback. However, they are not hunting these whales in Japanese waters. Instead they will go to the South Pacific near Australia and New Zealand and then to Antarctica to hunt these protected species. Of course, the people of New Zealand and Australia, as well as the rest of the civilized world are extremely angry that Japan is ignoring the international ban on the hunting of whales, especially endangered species like the humpback.
What do you think? Should Japan ignore international law and international outrage and hunt endangered whales? Why does Japan need to hunt whales at all?
Listen to the report here.

Do the homework on the handout and don't forget you have a test on Wednesday!!!!

Japan's schools flunking at global level: symposium | The Japan Times Online

Here is an interesting news report for you to read: Japan's schools flunking at global level.

College Majors: Getting a University Degree

University students in America have a hard life. They must take many tests and if they fail a class more than twice they are usually told to quit school. Many students pay for their college expenses (tuition) by themselves or with some help from their parents. Most students have part-time jobs and some receive help from the government through scholarships (free money for excellent students) or through a student – loan program. In this program the government loans you money for school but after you graduate you must pay it back!
Remember: Most Americans can enter a university but only the hard-working students will graduate!
Now, listen to the conversation and answer the questions:
College Majors: Getting a University Degree

Queen Elizabeth

Today's lesson is about Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain. She has been Queen since 1953 and has always been very popular with the British people. Recently, she was voted the Greatest Living Briton.
As usual, do the exercises on the handout I gave you. It is very likely that you will see this material again on a test!!!!

Underage Drinking in the UK

How old must you be to drink alcohol in Japan? In the UK, young people who are 18 are legally able buy alcohol! However, many students under 18 are also able to get alcohol from their older friends and drink at parties or on the street. In fact, so many young people drink that it has become a major social problem. Police in the UK have a difficult time dealing with the large number of junior high and high school students who drink and then fight or cause other problems for people in their neighborhood. In some cases, young students have even killed their friends or other innocent people after having consumed alcohol.
Let's listen to the report:Underage Drinking

Answer the TRUE/FALSE questions and Word Gap while you listen. Do the other sections as homework. You may see these same questions on a test soon!

Africa: Malaria

Do you like mosquitoes? Did you know that mosquitoes and other biting flies can cause deadly diseases like malaria or dengue fever? In Japan, these diseases are rare but in many parts of the world these diseases kill millions of people every year. Children are often their victims. Listen to the report: HERE

Answer the TRUE/FALSE questions and Word Gap while you listen. Do the other sections as homework. You may see these same questions on a test soon!

Immigration Rates in the UK

Today we have a report about a very controversial issue: IMMIGRATION

Look at the TRUE/FALSE questions on your handout. See if you can predict the answers before listening to the report.
Next, look at the DETAIL questions. Reading these questions before listening will help you improve your listening accuracy.

Now, let's listen: Immigration Rates in the UK

After completing all the exercises on your handout please go to the webpage and do the SYNONYM MATCH and the PHRASE MATCH. Try some of the other exercises as well. The discussion questions might be important on your next test!

Nova is Over!!!

Today we have an interesting report about Nova, Japan's largest but also very corrupt English language school. Look at the T/F questions on your handout. See if you can predict the answers before listening.
Next look at the DETAIL questions. This is the information you need to listen for to answer these questions.

Now, let's listen to the report:Nova is Over! Answer the questions on your handout as you listen.

Now go here and do the SYNONYM MATCH and PHRASE MATCH. Try some of the other exercises as well. Try to answer the DISCUSSION questions! Write a summary and I can check it for you.

Cell Phones on Planes.

Here is an interesting video on the problems of Cell Phones on Planes.
Many countries have banned cell phone use on transatlantic flights because of fears of terrorism. However, now some countries are relaxing their ban and are considering allowing people to use their cell phones on airplanes.
What do you think?
Would you like to be able to use your cell phone while travelling on an airplane?
What kind of problems might you cause by using your cell phone on a plane?
How would you feel if someone's cell phone rang every few minutes?

Like to read more? Then click here.
Write a summary and I can check it for you.

T2-4 MLP: California Wildfires

Here is an interesting report about wildfires in the USA:VIDEO.
Wildfires are a huge problem in California because the weather is often very dry and many rich movie stars and entertainers have built their homes in the mountains.

Read more here: Fires. Make a summary of the story and I will check it for you.

IDEA!!!!! Make a vocabulary notebook! Put all the new words you find in a notebook and check them with your dictionary!! You can learn many new words this way!

Tokushin 2-4: J.K. Rowling Video

Here is the link to Tuesday's Morning Listening Program: J.K. Rowling Book Tour. Listen to the story as many times as you like. Take notes as you listen and write down any vocabulary that you do not understand.
If you would like to read more,click here. If you have time, you can write a short summary of the article and I can check it for you.

TOKUSHIN 3-6 Assignment: Oct. 24, 2007

This week students I would like for you to listen to a story about the Chernobyl disaster from 1986. Listen to the story before you read it and try to answer the following questions:

1) How did the nuclear accident at Chernobyl affect Swedish Children?

2) How many children were involved in the study?

3) How old were the children at the time of the accident?

4) Why was their age a factor in the study?

5) What do some scientist say needs to be done to verify these findings?

Review the vocabulary and then read the story. If you have time, please write a summary of the story and I can check it for you.