Tag - english

 
 

ENGLISH

LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Mar 21, 2016
Let's discuss the child care blog post that went viral
Mothers and their supporters have handed over some 28,000 signatures to the government from people seeking a better child care system, after they were inspired by an anonymous blog post written by a frustrated mother.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Mar 14, 2016
Breathing a sigh of relief with tokoro datta
Introducing the patterns Xu3068u3053u308du3060u3063u305f and Xu306fu305au3060u3063u305f, which indicate what might have happened but in fact didn't.
LIFE / Language / COMMUNICATION CUES
Mar 14, 2016
Japanese like the look of life in Nagano
Nagano Prefecture is the place that Japanese would most like to move to if they were to relocate to the countryside, a survey shows.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Mar 14, 2016
Let's discuss the recent ruling on dementia
The Supreme Court has dismissed the liability of the family of a 91-year-old man with dementia who was killed by a train after wandering onto railway tracks.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Mar 7, 2016
Don't miss an opportunity when kikkake comes knocking
Introducing u304du3063u304bu3051, which identifies a clue, trigger, motivation or cause to start something.
LIFE / Language / COMMUNICATION CUES
Mar 7, 2016
Manga and anime goods store opens in Bangkok
An estimated 400 customers lined up in Bangkok for the opening of the first Thai branch of Animate, a Japanese manga and animation goods store.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Mar 7, 2016
Let's discuss the Tokyo Marathon
February in Tokyo was the season for running, as thousands prepared for one of the world's major sports events: the Tokyo Marathon.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Feb 29, 2016
Ramming home the point with dokoro ka
Introducing the meaning and usage of the particle of emphasis u3069u3053u308du304b and its related expressions.
LIFE / Language / COMMUNICATION CUES
Feb 29, 2016
Bid for world heritage status for Christian sites retracted
The government has decided to retract its recommendation to UNESCO that a slew of churches and other Christian sites be listed as World Heritage sites.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Feb 29, 2016
Let's discuss Ota Ward's Airbnb-style rental plan
Tokyo's Ota Ward has given permission to an online travel service provider to start renting out private homes based on the popular Airbnb model.
COMMENTARY / Japan
Feb 27, 2016
Time to get real about English instruction
Disappointing results from students undergoing total-immersion English education show it's time to rethink policy.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Feb 22, 2016
Seeing the other side and defying expectations with 'han shite'
Today we will introduce the meaning and usage of the adverbial phrases Xu306bu53cd(u306fu3093)u3057u3066 (contrary to X) and Xu53cdu9762(u306fu3093u3081u3093) (on the contrary), which are mainly used in written language, formal speech, lectures or when talking about a rather serious theme. In the pattern X(noun/noun phrase)u306bu53cdu3057u3066Y(clause), X is usually a word like u4e88u60f3 (u3088u305du3046, anticipation), u671fu5f85 (u304du305fu3044, expectation), u4e88u6e2c (u3088u305du304f, prediction), u610fu5fd7 (u3044u3057, will) or u610fu601d (u3044u3057, intention), u6cd5u5f8b (u307bu3046u308au3064, law) or u30ebu30fcu30eb (rule), and Y is the result or fact that betrays the content of X. In Ms. Yamani's sentence in Situation 1, X is her and her staff's expectation that their product would sell better and Y is the fact that it is not. Its noun-modifying form is uff5eu306bu53cdu3057u305f, as in u5e38u8b58(u3058u3087u3046u3057u304d)u306bu53cdu3057u305fu884cu52d5(u3053u3046u3069u3046) (an action that defies common sense).
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Feb 22, 2016
Let's discuss the dangers of human pyramids at schools
New guidelines to help prevent injuries when students take part in coordinated group gymnastics will be drafted by the end of March.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / LEARNING CURVE
Feb 17, 2016
Developing confidence in English through Skype and scarecrows
Innovative classes in Shikoku hone students' cultural sensitivity as well as their communication skills.
Japan Times
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Feb 15, 2016
Since we've come this far, it's time for 'kara ni wa'
Introducing X (phrase) u304bu3089u306bu306f/u304bu3089u3068u3044u3063u3066Y (clause).
LIFE / Language / COMMUNICATION CUES
Feb 15, 2016
SMAP's 2003 single tops chart
An old CD single by SMAP returned to No. 1 in the charts as fans alarmed by news of the group's apparently imminent breakup launched a campaign to show their support for the group.
LIFE / Language / MORNING ENGLISH
Feb 15, 2016
Let's discuss English language education in Japan
Junior high and high school students in Japan have failed to meet the government's targets in all four English skills.
LIFE / Language / WELL SAID
Feb 8, 2016
Living up to great expectations with 'dake atte'
Introducing the meaning and usage of Xu3060u3051u3042u3063u3066Y.

Longform

Professional cleaner Hirofumi Sakurai takes a moment to appreciate some photographs in a Gotanda apartment whose occupant died alone.
The last cleanup: Life and death in a lonely Japan