A survival skill in shrinking Japan: Learn English

Japanese billionaire Hiroshi Mikitani decided two years ago that the employees at his company, Rakuten Inc., should work almost entirely in English. The idea, he said, was a daring and drastic attempt to counter Japan's shrinking place in the world. "Japanese people think it's so difficult to speak English," Mikitani said. "But we need to break the shell."

EU and Japan to Make the Internet Safer for Children

Europe and Japan will work together on a strategy to make the Internet safer for children and teenagers. The new strategy was announced by Digital Agenda Commissioner Neelie Kroes on Wednesday. On Thursday, she met with Tatsuo Kawabata, Japanese minister for Internal affairs and Communications to discuss how the European Union and Japan could collaborate on such plans. Although the strategy is for industry self regulation, the digital agenda spokesman said in an email that the European Commission would intervene if self regulation does not deliver. However "a regulation-only approach would fail," he said. Apple, BSkyB, Dailymotion, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Netlog, Nintendo, Nokia, Research In Motion, Samsung and Vodafone have all signed up to the initiative, which aims to improve content for children and create a safer online environment.

Maid cafe waitresses show off their scientific know-how

Girls dressed in French maid outfits running craft classes on soldering, of all things, might seem like something out of Japanese anime. But this is Akihabara, Tokyo's "Electric Town," and home to all things anime and "otaku," meaning geeks. The workshops are the brainchild of electronics parts retailer Wakamatsu Tsusho Co. Akihabara has long been home to many electronics parts shops. But nowadays, it also serves as "ground zero" for otaku culture and attracts thousands of enthusiasts of anime, videogames, cosplay and other pop culture trends. Wakamatsu came up with the idea of craft classes run by waitresses in maid costumes to revive interest in the science behind electronic gadgets. The company, established 36 years ago, hosted a free craft session in March at Akihabara Network & Embedded Technology Center, Akiba NET-kan, in the Sotokanda area of Chiyoda Ward. In addition to Wakamatsu Tsusho workers and specialists close to Japan's leading semiconductor manufacturer, Renesas Electronics Corp., it included Erika Kurosaki and Shion Arimura from Togenkyo maid cafe as instructors to offer tips on soldering. Twelve people, ranging from a 6-year-old girl, who is set to attend elementary school this spring, to a 62-year-old man, joined the session. After they were given basic tips on soldering, they worked on a heart-shaped circuit board to complete an LED flasher that plays music.

TOEIC's popularity on the rise

The Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC) is becoming popular as English is an essential skill for employees as companies expand overseas. The number of applicants in Japan for the TOEIC test, which measures English language skills necessary for international business, in fiscal 2011 increased by about 30 percent to 2.27 million from the previous fiscal year. The figure is close to the 2.3 million who applied to take the Test in Practical English Proficiency (Eiken) in fiscal 2011. Eiken is the most popular English proficiency test in Japan, and its Japanese name literally translates to "English skill test." It is possible that TOEIC will replace Eiken as Japan's most popular English language test. TOEIC has become popular partly because companies have increased their international activities and students face difficult job markets.

IELTS SPEAKING PRACTICE 11

PART 1

                The examiner asks the candidate about him/herself, his/her home, work or studies and other familiar topics.

Clothes ·         How important are clothes and fashion to you? Why? Why not? ·         What kind of clothes do you dislike? Why? ·         How different are the clothes you wear now from those you wore 10 years ago? ·         What do you think the clothes we wear say about us?

IELTS SPEAKING PRACTICE 10

PART 1

                The examiner asks the candidate about him/herself, his/her home, work or studies and other familiar topics.

Clothes ·         How important are clothes and fashion to you? Why? Why not? ·         What kind of clothes do you dislike? Why? ·         How different are the clothes you wear now from those you wore 10 years ago? ·         What do you think the clothes we wear say about us?

IELTS SPEAKING PRACTICE 9

PART 1

                The examiner asks the candidate about him/herself, his/her home, work or studies and other familiar topics.

Entertainment ·         Do you prefer relaxing at home or going out in the evening? Why? ·         When you go out in the evening, what do you like to do? ·         How popular is this with other people in your country? ·         Is there any kind of entertainment you do not like? Why? Why not?

Subsidy eyed to promote study abroad

40 universities could receive 5-year grants

The Yomiuri Shimbun - The education ministry plans to establish a new financial support system for universities encouraging students to study abroad, it has been learned. The ministry aims to promote the idea of studying abroad to Japanese students, who are often regarded as being introverted, to foster human resources who will be motivated to actively participate in the nation's domestic and international affairs. The Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry is targeting about 40 universities and plans to grant from 100 million yen to 200 million yen in annual subsidies to each institution.

IELTS SPEAKING PRACTICE 7

PART 1

                The examiner asks the candidate about him/herself, his/her home, work or studies and other familiar topics.

Your country ·         Which part of your country do most people live in? ·         Tell me about the main industries there? ·         How easy is it to travel around your country? ·         Has your country changed much since you were a child?

IELTS SPEAKING PRACTICE 6

PART 1

                The examiner asks the candidate about him/herself, his/her home, work or studies and other familiar topics.

Newspaper ·         When did you first start reading newspaper? Why? ·         What different kinds of newspaper are there in your country? ·         How important is it for people to read the news rather than watch it on TV? Why?

IELTS SPEAKING PRACTICE 5

PART 1

                The examiner asks the candidate about him/herself, his/her home, work or studies and other familiar topics.

Your local area ·         Where is your hometown? ·         How long have you lived there? ·         What is there to see and do in your local area? ·         What improvements would you like to see made in your local area?

IELTS SPEAKING PRACTICE 4

PART 1

                The examiner asks the candidate about him/herself, his/her home, work or studies and other familiar topics.

Friends ·         How important is friendship to you? ·         Do you have friends who live in other countries? ·         What qualities do you look for in a friend? ·         What kind of thins do you like to do when you get together with your friends?

IELTS SPEAKING PRACTICE 3

PART 1

                The examiner asks the candidate about him/herself, his/her home, work or studies and other familiar topics.

Transport ·         How do you usually travel around your town or city? Why? ·         What do you think of public transport in your town or city? ·         How do you think we could persuade more people to use public transport?

Entertainment ·         Do you go out a lot or do you prefer home entertainment? ·         What kind of things do you watch on TV? ·         Can you easily entertain yourself when you are alone? ·         Are there many places for entertainment in your area?

IELTS SPEAKING PRACTICE 2

PART 1

                The examiner asks the candidate about him/herself, his/her home, work or studies and other familiar topics.

Hobbies ·         Tell me about any hobbies you have now or had in the past. ·         Do you feel you have enough free time for hobbies? Why? Why not? ·         How important is it for people to have hobbies at different ages? ·         If you had the chance to take up a new hobby, what would it be? Why?

Subsidy eyed to promote study abroad

  40 universities could receive 5-year grants

The Yomiuri Shimbun - The education ministry plans to establish a new financial support system for universities encouraging students to study abroad, it has been learned. The ministry aims to promote the idea of studying abroad to Japanese students, who are often regarded as being introverted, to foster human resources who will be motivated to actively participate in the nation's domestic and international affairs. The Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry is targeting about 40 universities and plans to grant from 100 million yen to 200 million yen in annual subsidies to each institution.

IELTS SPEAKING PRACTICE 1

Travel and Tourism
PART 1

                The examiner asks the candidate about him/herself, his/her home, work or studies and other familiar topics.

Travel ·         Have you ever travelled outside your country? ·         What do you think is the best way to travel? ·         If you were going on a long trip, who would you prefer to go with? ·         What are some of the benefits of travelling?

25% of college students fail basic math question

Nearly 1 in 4 of the 6,000 college students who took a test last year on basic math skills incorrectly answered a question taught to elementary school sixth-graders, according to the Mathematical Society of Japan. The society, which carried out the basic math test between April and July to gauge college students' mathematical ability, said Friday that 18 percent of those who incorrectly answered the question — which involved averages — were science majors. Science students accounted for around 40 percent of the students who took the test, which was held for the first time in 2011. In a multiple-choice question on what could be inferred from a sentence stating that the average height of 100 students was 163.5 cm, 76 percent chose the right answer: the total height of the 100 students was 16,350 cm. The other 24 percent selected either an answer stating that students whose height was around 163.5 cm formed the largest group among the 100, or an answer that the number of students taller or shorter than the average was the same.

Japan will have a space elevator by 2050

It might be the stuff of science fiction dreams, but a Japanese construction company has announced that it will build a working space elevator by 2050. According to the Daily Yomiuri, construction company Obayashi Corp has announced it will build a space elevator capable of shuttling passengers 36,000 kilometers above the Earth by 2050. The company plans to use carbon nanontubes, which are 20 times stronger than steel, to produce the cables required for the elevator. Those cables will be stretched to a counterweight 96,000 kilometers above our planet, about one-fourth of the distance between the Earth and the moon. The terminal station, 36,000 kilometers above Earth, will be reached by cars that can carry 30 people and travel at 200 kilometers per hour. Source:  http://gizmodo.com/5887210/japan-will-have-a-space-elevator-by-2050

VOCABULARY

1.       Stuff (n) - exactly the kind of that dream

2.       Fiction (n) - something that people want you to believe is true but which is not true

3.       Shuttling (v) - to move people from one place to another place  

4.       Cable (n) – rope or wire for support

5.       Counterweight (n) - a weight that is as heavy as something else, so that the two objects can balance

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

1.       What can you say about the article?

2.       What do you think is the purpose of this space elevator?

3.       Would you ride on this elevator? Why? Why not?

4.       Talk about science fictions.

5.       Were you ever interested in studying about space?

Filipinos teach English to Japanese via website

NOTE: For more Online English School, please check English Partner

An online English conversation school based in the Philippines is attracting Japanese learners by offering inexpensive lessons from college graduates who can't find work amid the country's economic slump. "This is 'intellectual fair trade,' " said Md Moin, founder of Pikt Corp.'s website.”Filipinos are able to earn their living as English tutors, while Japanese can learn high-quality English with cheap tuition." Moin, a 32-year-old Bangladeshi who has lived in Japan for 10 years, came up with the idea with a Filipino friend, Aireen Zaballa, 34. The two were classmates at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University in Beppu, Oita Prefecture. The online school uses about 50 tutors, including graduates of the prestigious University of the Philippines, to offer English conversational lessons to Japanese students via Skype Internet telephone service. By using the Filipino graduates, the school can effectively undercut English-conversation classes offered by its Japan-based rivals. Ten courses are provided for English-language students based on their proficiency, including some specializing in business English or tailored for children. Some tutors said teaching, which pays better than other jobs they can find at present, have allowed them to provide more nutritious food for their children. "The tutors are good, it's easy to make a reservation and a good opportunity to speak English" said Toshikazu Saito, a 43-year-old businessman in Tokyo. Source:  http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20120216f3.html?

NOTE: For more Online English School, please check English Partner

VOCABULARY

1.       Amid (prep.) - while noisy, busy, or confused events are happening - used in writing or news reports

2.       Slump (v) - to suddenly go down in price, value, or number

3.       Intellectual (adj.) - an intellectual person is well-educated and interested in serious ideas and subjects such as science, literature 

4.       Trade (n) - the activity of buying, selling, or exchanging goods within a country or between countries [= commerce]

5.       Prestigious (adj.) - admired as one of the best and most important

6.       Undercut (v) - to sell goods or a service at a lower price than another company

7.       Proficiency (n) - a good standard of ability and skill

8.       Tailored (adj.) - made or done specially for someone's particular need or situation

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

1.       What do you know about Philippines? Filipinos?

2.       How did you find about Online English Schools?

3.       Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of studying online.

4.       Why do you want to study English?

5.       Tell us about your English study habit.

Nick Vujicic – NEVER GIVE UP!

Before you read, WATCH  his video here A life without arms and legs - IMAGINE! What if you couldn't wrap your arms around the ones you love? How about not being able to walk, dance, run, or even stand? Now envision the worst case scenario: living with no arms and no legs. What would you do? Would you still search for PURPOSE and meaning? How would it affect your ATTITUDE towards life and those around you? Would you let the pressure and despair of your circumstance taint your CHARACTER, or would you move forward with honor? Would you have the strength to repeatedly tell yourself, "NEVER GIVE UP"? Meet Nick Vujicic. He was born in 1982 in Melbourne, Australia. Without any medical explanation or warning, Nicholas Vujicic (pronounced 'Vooy-cheech') came into the world with neither arms nor legs.  A limbless son was not what nurse Dushka Vujicic, and her husband Pastor Borris Vujicic had been expecting. How would their son live a normal happy life? What could he ever do or become when living with what the world would see as such a massive disability? Little did they know, the little beautiful limbless baby would one day inspire and motivate people from all walks of life. Nick shares with his audiences the importance of vision and dreaming big. Using his own experiences in worldwide outreach as examples, he challenges others to examine their perspective and look beyond their circumstances. He shares his view of ceasing to see obstacles as problems, and instead see them as opportunities to grow and reach out to others. He stresses the importance of attitude being the most powerful tool we have at our disposal and illustrates how the choices we make can have a profound effect on our lives and the lives of those around us. Nick shows through his own life that the major keys in fulfilling our biggest dreams are persistence and choosing to embrace failure as a learning experience, rather than allowing guilt and fear of failure to paralyze us. How does Nick Vujicic feel about his disability now? He accepts it, embraces it and oftentimes pokes fun at his own circumstance as he shows off his many tricks. He meets challenges with his special blend of humor, perseverance and faith always encouraging those around him to examine their perspective as they develop and define their vision. He encourages people to make changes in their lives and to dream big! Source: http://www.nickvujicic.com/about-nick-vujicic

VOCABULARY

1.       Envision (v) - to imagine something that you think might happen in the future, especially something that you think will be good

2.       Scenario (n) - a situation that could possibly happen

3.       Despair (v) - a feeling that you have no hope at all

4.       Limbless (v) -  having no limbs (an arm or leg)

5.       Outreach (n) - when help, advice, or other services are provided for people who would not otherwise get these services easily

6.       Perspective (n) - a way of thinking about something, especially one which is influenced by the type of person you are or by your experiences

7.       Ceasing (v) - to stop doing something or stop happening

8.       Disposal (n) - available for someone to use

9.       Paralyze (v) - To make unable to move or act

10.   Pokes (v) - to make fun of someone in an unkind way

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

1.       Did the article inspire you? How?

2.       Do you easily give up? Share your experience.

3.       How do you deal with life’s problems?

4.       Tell something about the person who inspires you.

5.       If you were limbless too, would you think you would be like Nick Vujicic? Why?