EDIT: The contest seems to have been won --big shock to me, I never thought somebody would be able to answer that question-- but you can still win it at other sites, as collected by Panda Head Man.
Panda head man has given me the power to offer one free subscription to Edufire, something that normally costs 29 bucks a month. Edufire is a place to learn languages via a skype-like interface. Sweet, right? So we are going to have a contest to give it away.
To be eligible, you must:
1) Have a blog
2) Promise to blog about your experience with Edufire.
To win, you must answer the following question correctly:
Do you want it?
Leave your answer in the comments of this post.
Showing posts with label lessons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lessons. Show all posts
September 10, 2009
December 12, 2008
Game Nanpaing
Yesterday a private student told me that I was the best teacher she has had. Let me lay out my system: Each month, I choose an article. It gets discussed on the third week, but the first week is discussion questions about the same topic, and the second week is vocabulary that comes out in the article. The last week is more discussion, and in the case of a big class, a possible debate or something.
There are two classes where I just do free talk with beginners. They are obviously not made to do articles. But I am considering starting homework, because the teacher in me can't stand to see people not make progress.
--
I have been stopping foreigners in the street to ask them if they game. It's not like in America where you can go to any old hobby store and get ten willing nerds, who have lots of free time because they live with their mothers, to join you just by mumbling "THAC0". I am considering going to a web sight named something like "Japan Friends" where I met people before and asking if anyone wants to polish their English via D&D. They can learn useful words like eldritch, arcane, and ichor!
This game nanpaing has netted me a couple friends (and a fridge!), so I don't regret it. It is a lot like asking a stranger for a date though, which kind of reminds me of my college days. The people on my floor in the dorms, because they were totally awesome, started "The Pimpin' Club" to build strategies to meet girls. The first assignment was to ask a girl out. I was the only one that went through with it, and the club broke up soon afterwards.
Around that time I started sitting with girls I didn't know in the cafeteria. It was so awkward, but I did get a friend out of that too. Even fell for her for a while; it changed my life. But this post is too long and pointless now, so I'll just recommend: Don't be afraid to meet people.
There are two classes where I just do free talk with beginners. They are obviously not made to do articles. But I am considering starting homework, because the teacher in me can't stand to see people not make progress.
--
I have been stopping foreigners in the street to ask them if they game. It's not like in America where you can go to any old hobby store and get ten willing nerds, who have lots of free time because they live with their mothers, to join you just by mumbling "THAC0". I am considering going to a web sight named something like "Japan Friends" where I met people before and asking if anyone wants to polish their English via D&D. They can learn useful words like eldritch, arcane, and ichor!
This game nanpaing has netted me a couple friends (and a fridge!), so I don't regret it. It is a lot like asking a stranger for a date though, which kind of reminds me of my college days. The people on my floor in the dorms, because they were totally awesome, started "The Pimpin' Club" to build strategies to meet girls. The first assignment was to ask a girl out. I was the only one that went through with it, and the club broke up soon afterwards.
Around that time I started sitting with girls I didn't know in the cafeteria. It was so awkward, but I did get a friend out of that too. Even fell for her for a while; it changed my life. But this post is too long and pointless now, so I'll just recommend: Don't be afraid to meet people.
September 30, 2008
It's All About Me Me Me
Hey there, I'm going to a bloggers' party tonight, on the invitation of the virally net-famous Danny Choo (he's the dancing stormtrooper). So I thought this would be a good time to post this screen grab from a website that compiles a multimedia wall of youtube content based on keywords, in order to have something to present tonight. My keyword was, of course, Claytonian. Have a look:
I do pleading eyebrows quite often, don't I. And to think, I laughed at the same eyebrows on Natalie Portman when she said, "You're breaking my heart, Anakin!" Hey, back on Starwars already. Annnnd... off it.
--
I make cheap copies at a local bookstore for my freelancing. I think the owner doesn't like foreigners or something; I've seen her talk nicely to other customers but she treats me like dirt and avoids polite language beyond the bare minimum of masu-form when I have a problem with the machine, which is often (it's an odd machine). Now, it's a bit late in the game for me to realize this, having just turned 28, but I've come to feel that I get really stressed when I don't have a good relationship with someone (I am also a perverse blend of instigator and peace maker--what a meddler I be). So I am trying to get this lady to warm up, for my own sake if nothing else. "Hello," I say each time I come (in Japanese of course). She has yet to change, so I get more stressed and try to be more friendly. And I could probably--nay should-- take my business elsewhere, but this odd thing of a Japanese person being rude really gets to me and I have to try...
Along the same vein, some of the members of the English club I work for have complained that my lessons are a bit too hard. I really stress out when I hear that sort of thing, thought it shall be a simple matter to change things (my plans are already in motion, and my simpler reading materials arranged). So I am worried. While I know what is like to not get things in a language learning situation (boy do I ever know), I am a little unsure of what a retiree wants out of an English club. It seems they are in it more for something fun to do than to improve their skills, and who am I to dis that idea? When you retire, you wanna take it easy right? My instigator-side isn't happy with complacency though...
Oh, one more thing about the copy lady. She sells magazines with little girls in bikinis on the cover (work safe link, I swear) in her store, so at the end of the day, if I can't charm her, I can at least feel superior. And that, folks, is, in a nutshell, how to lead a successful lifestyle in a foreign land! a cha cha!
I do pleading eyebrows quite often, don't I. And to think, I laughed at the same eyebrows on Natalie Portman when she said, "You're breaking my heart, Anakin!" Hey, back on Starwars already. Annnnd... off it.
--
I make cheap copies at a local bookstore for my freelancing. I think the owner doesn't like foreigners or something; I've seen her talk nicely to other customers but she treats me like dirt and avoids polite language beyond the bare minimum of masu-form when I have a problem with the machine, which is often (it's an odd machine). Now, it's a bit late in the game for me to realize this, having just turned 28, but I've come to feel that I get really stressed when I don't have a good relationship with someone (I am also a perverse blend of instigator and peace maker--what a meddler I be). So I am trying to get this lady to warm up, for my own sake if nothing else. "Hello," I say each time I come (in Japanese of course). She has yet to change, so I get more stressed and try to be more friendly. And I could probably--nay should-- take my business elsewhere, but this odd thing of a Japanese person being rude really gets to me and I have to try...
Along the same vein, some of the members of the English club I work for have complained that my lessons are a bit too hard. I really stress out when I hear that sort of thing, thought it shall be a simple matter to change things (my plans are already in motion, and my simpler reading materials arranged). So I am worried. While I know what is like to not get things in a language learning situation (boy do I ever know), I am a little unsure of what a retiree wants out of an English club. It seems they are in it more for something fun to do than to improve their skills, and who am I to dis that idea? When you retire, you wanna take it easy right? My instigator-side isn't happy with complacency though...
Oh, one more thing about the copy lady. She sells magazines with little girls in bikinis on the cover (work safe link, I swear) in her store, so at the end of the day, if I can't charm her, I can at least feel superior. And that, folks, is, in a nutshell, how to lead a successful lifestyle in a foreign land! a cha cha!
July 10, 2008
This is my goodbye speech for the schools
It's loooooong if you RSSing it, otherwise I'll have you expand it to torture yourself.
I come to you today very humbled by my experiences in Japan.
わたくしは日本にいる間の経験で反省しながらみんなさんの前に立っています。
I would like to extend my thanks to the Tara Board of Education for making my presence here possible.
わたくしは日本にいるのは太良町の教育委員会あってのものでありがたい気持ちがいっぱいです。
Even though I have a hard time saying 教育委員会, I love the people there.
教育委員会とは僕にとっていまでも発音しにくい言葉、でもその場所のみんなさんはいいひとばかりでした。特にみきえさんは何度も助けてくださいました。
I would like to thank the principal and the rest of the school staff for always treating me warmly.
校長先生と他の職員の皆さんはいつも温かい気持ちを感じさせて全員に「どうもありがとうございます」と伝えなければならないです。
I would especially like to thank the English teachers for everything they have done to make teaching interesting and fun.
特に英語の先生達が英語を教えることを楽しくしてくださって、ありがとうございました。
Somebody tell Ms. Seto and Ms. Imoto that I appreciated them when they were here.
そして、どなたか、Ms. Seto と Ms. Imoto にわたくしが彼女達に感謝していると伝えてくださいますか。
And of course, I want to thank those students who tried to speak to me, whether it was in English or Japanese.
最後にもちろん、英語でも日本語でも、わたくしと話してくだされた生徒達にもありがとございます。
I would like to share with you some things I've learned, and dispense a little advice.
わたくしがこの経験で学んだこととアドバイスに関して、みんなさんのお耳に入れたいことがあるのですけれども。
First, be brave! Being shy will only cause you to stagnate.
まず、勇気を持つこと！恥ずかしがることはよどまれることでしかないです。
Nothing ventured, nothing gained, as the saying goes.
ことわざの通り、虎穴に入らずに虎子を得ずということです。
You have to try.
してみることをしなければ、ならないです。
No, more than that, you have to do things with all of your effort, as if your happiness depends upon it.
いいえ、それより、一心不乱に、つまり、まるで自分の幸せが懸かっているかのように、全てを行わなければならないとおもいます。
Too often have I seen children give up on English or themselves.
あまりにも頻繁にわたくしは、生徒達が英語、又は自分を諦めることを見てしまいました。
If you have no confidence, your life will be miserable.
自信がないと命は絶望になると思います。
If you don't make mistakes, you can never learn.
間違いをしないと、学ぶことが出来ないとおもいます。
If you think, "I don't understand English," you won't.
もし、あなたは「英語がわからん」などと思ったら、そういうことになる。
Speaking a foreign language will probably take you more effort than any other subject in school,
外来言語を慣れるのは、多分どんな科目より努力を要するけど、
but it is so fun once you understand even a little bit.
少しでも理解でければ、楽しいことになります。
If a fool like me can learn Japanese, you can learn English no problem.
もし、わたくしのようなバカが日本語を学ぶことが出来れば、あなた達は天才として、楽に英語を学ぶでしょう。
Before I came to Japan, I was under the impression that it was a super-advanced society where everyone was a computer genius or something.
来日前、わたくしは日本は超先進社会で全ての人はパソコン天才でもと思いました。
Well that's not true, but it doesn't reflect badly on you if it's not.
さ、超先進社会ではありませんが、そうでないことは悪いわけではありません。
Japan needs farmers and fishermen.
日本は農業者と漁師が必要です。
It needs people to do jobs that don't require genius.
天才が必要ない仕事はいっぱいです。
However, I think if you study hard, and not for the purpose of taking some entrance exam but for your own needs, your life will be enriched.
一方、そうして入試のためじゃなくてあなたの欲求を満たすためなら、よく勉強したら、あなたの人生は豊かなります。
Above that, in the future skills like using computers, communication, and English will become more and more important.
その上、未来にはパソコンやコミュニケーションや英語を出来ることがだんだん重要になるかもしれません。
Your country depends on you for the oncoming environmental, economic, and population crises.
我が国の環境、経済、ならびに人口減という危機はあなたにかかっています。
So you have to have a broad mind.
だから、広い心が必要であると思います。
You have to become more international, because let me tell you, as a foreigner I feel Japan has a long way to go.
もっと国際的になるべきです。なぜならば、わたくしは外国人として、言わせて頂きたいのは「日本にはまだ進める道が十分ある」と確信したから。
You have to stop seeing foreigners as criminals or items of curiosity to be stared at or weirdos, and start seeing them as your fellow human beings.
外国人は犯人なりやすいとかじろじろ見るべき変な見せ物などは止めて、同じ人間として見なければいけません。
These are not ominous warnings though; I feel your lives will be happier if you do these things.
これは、ただの注意だけでなく、もしそのことを直したら、あなたの人生はもっと楽しくなるとおもいます。
Each morning you have a choice: you can walk through the day like a zombie and put in the bare minimum effort, watch TV, zone out, and go to bed only to repeat the cycle the next day ad nazeum.
毎朝、選ぶことができます：あなたはゾンビのように考えずに歩いて、最小の力で働いて、テレビを見て、ボーッとして、寝て、そうして、次の日に、ワーンパターンを何度も繰り返すこと。
Or, you can choose to do your best each day.
それとも、毎日がんばろうと選ぶことができます。
I submit that if you don't do everything as perfectly as possible, you are not really living.
もし、全てに出来るだけ一生懸命しなければ本当に生きていないと考えます。
And if you aren't living, you'll grow old without having accomplished anything.
そうして生きていないと、何も出来ないままで老人になるかもしれません。
I hope someday that you can have ALTs in Tara again.
いつか、太良町にＡＬＴがまた出来るのを希望します。
I think they are an important tool for internationalization and lingual practice.
ＡＬＴがいれば、国際的になったり言語を練習したり出来ます。
But in any case, I cannot continue here.
でもどんな場合でも、わたくしは太良を去ります。
It makes me sad to go, but I want to keep testing myself, so I will move to Saitama and study Japanese.
去ることは悲しいと思いながら、わたくし自身を試さなければと考え、埼玉県に引っ越して日本語をもっと勉強するつもりです。
I hope you continue to learn throughout your lives and not just to get jobs or enter college.
わたくしがお願いしたいのは、君たちが大学や仕事を得るためだけじゃなくて、人生一生学ぶことを続けてください。
Japan's education system will have to change to compete, so you have to change with it and be ready for a different system for your children.
日本の教育システムは国際競争力を得るために変化するだろうと思います。君たちも変化して、そうしてあなたの未来の子ども達の新たなシステムのために準備をするべきでしょう。
Thank you for three interesting years in Tara.
では、三年間をともに過ごして頂いてありがとうございます。
I come to you today very humbled by my experiences in Japan.
わたくしは日本にいる間の経験で反省しながらみんなさんの前に立っています。
I would like to extend my thanks to the Tara Board of Education for making my presence here possible.
わたくしは日本にいるのは太良町の教育委員会あってのものでありがたい気持ちがいっぱいです。
Even though I have a hard time saying 教育委員会, I love the people there.
教育委員会とは僕にとっていまでも発音しにくい言葉、でもその場所のみんなさんはいいひとばかりでした。特にみきえさんは何度も助けてくださいました。
I would like to thank the principal and the rest of the school staff for always treating me warmly.
校長先生と他の職員の皆さんはいつも温かい気持ちを感じさせて全員に「どうもありがとうございます」と伝えなければならないです。
I would especially like to thank the English teachers for everything they have done to make teaching interesting and fun.
特に英語の先生達が英語を教えることを楽しくしてくださって、ありがとうございました。
Somebody tell Ms. Seto and Ms. Imoto that I appreciated them when they were here.
そして、どなたか、Ms. Seto と Ms. Imoto にわたくしが彼女達に感謝していると伝えてくださいますか。
And of course, I want to thank those students who tried to speak to me, whether it was in English or Japanese.
最後にもちろん、英語でも日本語でも、わたくしと話してくだされた生徒達にもありがとございます。
I would like to share with you some things I've learned, and dispense a little advice.
わたくしがこの経験で学んだこととアドバイスに関して、みんなさんのお耳に入れたいことがあるのですけれども。
First, be brave! Being shy will only cause you to stagnate.
まず、勇気を持つこと！恥ずかしがることはよどまれることでしかないです。
Nothing ventured, nothing gained, as the saying goes.
ことわざの通り、虎穴に入らずに虎子を得ずということです。
You have to try.
してみることをしなければ、ならないです。
No, more than that, you have to do things with all of your effort, as if your happiness depends upon it.
いいえ、それより、一心不乱に、つまり、まるで自分の幸せが懸かっているかのように、全てを行わなければならないとおもいます。
Too often have I seen children give up on English or themselves.
あまりにも頻繁にわたくしは、生徒達が英語、又は自分を諦めることを見てしまいました。
If you have no confidence, your life will be miserable.
自信がないと命は絶望になると思います。
If you don't make mistakes, you can never learn.
間違いをしないと、学ぶことが出来ないとおもいます。
If you think, "I don't understand English," you won't.
もし、あなたは「英語がわからん」などと思ったら、そういうことになる。
Speaking a foreign language will probably take you more effort than any other subject in school,
外来言語を慣れるのは、多分どんな科目より努力を要するけど、
but it is so fun once you understand even a little bit.
少しでも理解でければ、楽しいことになります。
If a fool like me can learn Japanese, you can learn English no problem.
もし、わたくしのようなバカが日本語を学ぶことが出来れば、あなた達は天才として、楽に英語を学ぶでしょう。
Before I came to Japan, I was under the impression that it was a super-advanced society where everyone was a computer genius or something.
来日前、わたくしは日本は超先進社会で全ての人はパソコン天才でもと思いました。
Well that's not true, but it doesn't reflect badly on you if it's not.
さ、超先進社会ではありませんが、そうでないことは悪いわけではありません。
Japan needs farmers and fishermen.
日本は農業者と漁師が必要です。
It needs people to do jobs that don't require genius.
天才が必要ない仕事はいっぱいです。
However, I think if you study hard, and not for the purpose of taking some entrance exam but for your own needs, your life will be enriched.
一方、そうして入試のためじゃなくてあなたの欲求を満たすためなら、よく勉強したら、あなたの人生は豊かなります。
Above that, in the future skills like using computers, communication, and English will become more and more important.
その上、未来にはパソコンやコミュニケーションや英語を出来ることがだんだん重要になるかもしれません。
Your country depends on you for the oncoming environmental, economic, and population crises.
我が国の環境、経済、ならびに人口減という危機はあなたにかかっています。
So you have to have a broad mind.
だから、広い心が必要であると思います。
You have to become more international, because let me tell you, as a foreigner I feel Japan has a long way to go.
もっと国際的になるべきです。なぜならば、わたくしは外国人として、言わせて頂きたいのは「日本にはまだ進める道が十分ある」と確信したから。
You have to stop seeing foreigners as criminals or items of curiosity to be stared at or weirdos, and start seeing them as your fellow human beings.
外国人は犯人なりやすいとかじろじろ見るべき変な見せ物などは止めて、同じ人間として見なければいけません。
These are not ominous warnings though; I feel your lives will be happier if you do these things.
これは、ただの注意だけでなく、もしそのことを直したら、あなたの人生はもっと楽しくなるとおもいます。
Each morning you have a choice: you can walk through the day like a zombie and put in the bare minimum effort, watch TV, zone out, and go to bed only to repeat the cycle the next day ad nazeum.
毎朝、選ぶことができます：あなたはゾンビのように考えずに歩いて、最小の力で働いて、テレビを見て、ボーッとして、寝て、そうして、次の日に、ワーンパターンを何度も繰り返すこと。
Or, you can choose to do your best each day.
それとも、毎日がんばろうと選ぶことができます。
I submit that if you don't do everything as perfectly as possible, you are not really living.
もし、全てに出来るだけ一生懸命しなければ本当に生きていないと考えます。
And if you aren't living, you'll grow old without having accomplished anything.
そうして生きていないと、何も出来ないままで老人になるかもしれません。
I hope someday that you can have ALTs in Tara again.
いつか、太良町にＡＬＴがまた出来るのを希望します。
I think they are an important tool for internationalization and lingual practice.
ＡＬＴがいれば、国際的になったり言語を練習したり出来ます。
But in any case, I cannot continue here.
でもどんな場合でも、わたくしは太良を去ります。
It makes me sad to go, but I want to keep testing myself, so I will move to Saitama and study Japanese.
去ることは悲しいと思いながら、わたくし自身を試さなければと考え、埼玉県に引っ越して日本語をもっと勉強するつもりです。
I hope you continue to learn throughout your lives and not just to get jobs or enter college.
わたくしがお願いしたいのは、君たちが大学や仕事を得るためだけじゃなくて、人生一生学ぶことを続けてください。
Japan's education system will have to change to compete, so you have to change with it and be ready for a different system for your children.
日本の教育システムは国際競争力を得るために変化するだろうと思います。君たちも変化して、そうしてあなたの未来の子ども達の新たなシステムのために準備をするべきでしょう。
Thank you for three interesting years in Tara.
では、三年間をともに過ごして頂いてありがとうございます。
December 14, 2007
Bob's yer uncle.
Another announcement script served up for fellow teachers to get ideas.
やぁみな。元気かい。
きょうの言葉はＵｎｃｌｅだ。
じゃあ、きょうの表現はBob’s your uncleだ。
イングリッシュの表現だ。アメリカで使ったら、
人に笑われるはずだ。
文字通りに意味はボブはあんたのおじさんだ。
表現としての意味は「～が楽だよね」。
よく、表現の直前にand という言葉が来る。
例文！(trying Japanese first today)
A: Will it work?
それ、できるかな。
B: If you do it like this, Bob’s your uncle.
こうしたら、大丈夫だよ。
A: Can we make a pizza?
ピザ作れるかな。
B: Sure! Just use some salt and cheese, and Bob’s your uncle.
ええ。ただ、塩とチーズを使うと作りやすい。
A: How do I get there?
どうやってあそこに行く？
B: Walk down the street, turn at the third light, and Bob’s your uncle.
通りを下って、三つ目の信号で曲がれば、すぐ分かるはずだ。
やぁみな。元気かい。
きょうの言葉はＵｎｃｌｅだ。
じゃあ、きょうの表現はBob’s your uncleだ。
イングリッシュの表現だ。アメリカで使ったら、
人に笑われるはずだ。
文字通りに意味はボブはあんたのおじさんだ。
表現としての意味は「～が楽だよね」。
よく、表現の直前にand という言葉が来る。
例文！(trying Japanese first today)
A: Will it work?
それ、できるかな。
B: If you do it like this, Bob’s your uncle.
こうしたら、大丈夫だよ。
A: Can we make a pizza?
ピザ作れるかな。
B: Sure! Just use some salt and cheese, and Bob’s your uncle.
ええ。ただ、塩とチーズを使うと作りやすい。
A: How do I get there?
どうやってあそこに行く？
B: Walk down the street, turn at the third light, and Bob’s your uncle.
通りを下って、三つ目の信号で曲がれば、すぐ分かるはずだ。
December 5, 2007
Life after the big test
Well. It's like I had been in a pretty intense relationship for the past three months. I felt like I was working hard to make it work. But in the end I got a cold slap in the face and had to watch the JLPT walk off with some Chinese* transfer student cause he has the smarts to make a future.
I was actually kinda depressed in the aftermath that is Monday-back-to-the-real-world-work. I studied a little, but it just wasn't the same. It was a hollow lie. The language didn't love me and never would.
But I perked up a bit when I realized I had gone through another sub-piphany. You may recall that is my term for when I realize I suddenly know a bunch of new words and can hear them all around me. I may not be able to find gainful employment with my language skills, but at least I now understand the office gossip--which is about me-- all that much more.
So what I'm saying is, even knowing how things turned out, JLPT, baby, I don't regret a minute of our time together.
--
*that seems a really random thing if you weren't at the test. Basically, there were way more Asians than other varieties of foreigners there; most of them seemed to be high school exchange students.
November 30, 2007
Ganbatte！
Ganbatte！ An English announcement script.
みんなさんＨｅｌｌｏ、先週に僕は日本語能力試験を受験した。
一生懸命勉強した。まあ、合格の可能性が低いし、毎日僕がいろいろな間違いをしちゃうしけど、日本語として、最後まで頑張りたい。
君たちも英語やすべてに頑張ってほしいよ。 そのため僕の粗末な言語の始まりのものがたりを伝えたいと思う。もし、きいたら、君たちがインスピレーションがわいてくる気がするかな。
そもそも僕は何となく大学に行く前は言語授業がなかった。面白半分で日本語をえらんだ。簡単だろうと思った。なのに、最初のレッスンは僕にとって、ものすごくむずかしかった。内容は二つの句だった：「できました？」と「はい。できました。」そんな短くくせに僕は覚えられなかった。
結局、僕はその会話のビデオを何回も観た。たぶん、４０回ぐらいごろにやっと覚えられるようになった。その厳しいことのあと日本語が簡単になった。あいにく都合のせいでその期間のあと、長い間日本語を勉強ことがあきらめなければならなかった。そして能力回復のはまだ続いているんだ。だから僕の推薦は君たちもあきらめないで。そのうえ、最初から一生懸命したらものごとが楽になるはずだ。
ためしてみよう。
(yeah I know; this script is from the future! Oooooh.)
November 22, 2007
bread and butter (lesson script)
今日の表現はbread and butterだ
繰り返して
意味は生活の糧（かて）とか
自分の糧を得る方法
例文！
A: Do you play baseball?
野球をしますか。
B: Play it? It's my bread and butter!
するかい。それは俺の人生を支えているのものだ。
A: Is fishing popular in Tara?
太良町では、みんなが魚釣りをしているんだ？
B: Yes, you could say it's our bread and butter.
ええ、まるで我が命のように大切だ。
繰り返して
意味は生活の糧（かて）とか
自分の糧を得る方法
例文！
A: Do you play baseball?
野球をしますか。
B: Play it? It's my bread and butter!
するかい。それは俺の人生を支えているのものだ。
A: Is fishing popular in Tara?
太良町では、みんなが魚釣りをしているんだ？
B: Yes, you could say it's our bread and butter.
ええ、まるで我が命のように大切だ。
November 16, 2007
Last Time I Checked
今日の言葉はchecked
繰り返して
checked の意味は点検した
今日の表現はLast time I checked...
繰り返して
文字通りの意味は前回チェックしたときは
表現としての意味は
当たり前じゃんとかもちろんさ。
その後、動詞の過去形くることが多い。
ところで調子によって、皮肉なことも多い。
例文！
A:Are you American?
アメリカ人ですか。
B:Last time I checked I was.
ええそうだよ。
A:Can you speak Spanish?
スペイン語話せますか？
B:Last time I checked I could.
もちろん話せますよ。
A:Didn't she dump you?
彼女をお前にふられたでしょう。
B:Yeah, last time I checked I was indeed dumped, thanks to your meddling.
ええ。そうだったよ。あんたのおせっかいのおかげで。
繰り返して
checked の意味は点検した
今日の表現はLast time I checked...
繰り返して
文字通りの意味は前回チェックしたときは
表現としての意味は
当たり前じゃんとかもちろんさ。
その後、動詞の過去形くることが多い。
ところで調子によって、皮肉なことも多い。
例文！
A:Are you American?
アメリカ人ですか。
B:Last time I checked I was.
ええそうだよ。
A:Can you speak Spanish?
スペイン語話せますか？
B:Last time I checked I could.
もちろん話せますよ。
A:Didn't she dump you?
彼女をお前にふられたでしょう。
B:Yeah, last time I checked I was indeed dumped, thanks to your meddling.
ええ。そうだったよ。あんたのおせっかいのおかげで。
November 13, 2007
A successful announcement lesson
(I never had anybody check the Japanese in this script; if you see a mistake let me know.)
英語表現を使うぜSHOW!
きょうの言葉はwayだ
繰り返して…
じゃきょうの表現はNo way!
繰り返して
意味はいろいろが含めての意味は：
決して～ないとか嘘だ！とか
やだとか絶対だめ！とか仕方がない
じゃいくつかの例文で行くぜ！
A: Billy, take out the garbage.
A:ビリ君、塵を捨てて。
B: No way! I’m playing video games!
B:やだ！テレビゲームしているんだぞ！
A: Won’t you date me?
A: デートをしてくれませんか
B: No way!
B: きもい！
A: Are you going to fail?
A: 失敗するかい
B: No way! I’ll definitely win!
B: 絶対そのことないよ。僕の勝ちだ。
----
Unrelated: I like this picture.
--
Also, I am going to try to hook my ipod up to the school announcements and play some golden eggs.
英語表現を使うぜSHOW!
きょうの言葉はwayだ
繰り返して…
じゃきょうの表現はNo way!
繰り返して
意味はいろいろが含めての意味は：
決して～ないとか嘘だ！とか
やだとか絶対だめ！とか仕方がない
じゃいくつかの例文で行くぜ！
A: Billy, take out the garbage.
A:ビリ君、塵を捨てて。
B: No way! I’m playing video games!
B:やだ！テレビゲームしているんだぞ！
A: Won’t you date me?
A: デートをしてくれませんか
B: No way!
B: きもい！
A: Are you going to fail?
A: 失敗するかい
B: No way! I’ll definitely win!
B: 絶対そのことないよ。僕の勝ちだ。
----
Unrelated: I like this picture.
--
Also, I am going to try to hook my ipod up to the school announcements and play some golden eggs.
January 23, 2007
Most boring post ever.
I get nostalgic about math. Dunno why, I guess it was like a game back when I was a kid. A game they bored me to tears with by too much repition, but still. I kinda think it would be fun to do algebra sometimes. Anyways, I saw a Japanese teacher showing a student how to find square roots by hand. I was intrigued, cause we don't even bother with that in the U.S. (use the almighty calculator, student!). Soon, I had figured out how to do square roots using the Japanese method. It's simpler than I ever suspected.
May 7, 2006
Asian girls
I spent the better part of golden week in the company of several Asian American JETs, as well as with my new, native Nipponese girlfriend. Things were interesting; girls are usually much more chill to hang out with than guys of course. I learned that Asian Americans don't get a lot of my cultural refrences and jokes. One of them explained to me that this is because they are raised differently though they are in the same country. So things like Johnny Cash are a mystery to them, but I am sure they have things I am ignorant of as well. It kind of opened my eyes to a little world I never knew existed right in my home country.
As for the girlfriend thing: no questions are allowed. Not even by mum. Just know that she is funny, and pretty good at English, and we have agreed to sustain certain values that I have brought into the relationship, and her support in that was really refreshing. In return, I won't complain that she refuses kisses in public ("No! We can't do that here! This is Japan!").
As for the girlfriend thing: no questions are allowed. Not even by mum. Just know that she is funny, and pretty good at English, and we have agreed to sustain certain values that I have brought into the relationship, and her support in that was really refreshing. In return, I won't complain that she refuses kisses in public ("No! We can't do that here! This is Japan!").
April 4, 2006
Things I've learned recently
"Mine name is Svanhelda. I have come to crush za democratic people's front vith mine guns and mine hogg. Those who make fun of mine princess Leia hair vill be sorry." Yeah, that is actually a really insensitive parody, and I bet her accent is nothing like a Valkerie's. Speaking of insensitive linguistic views...December 18, 2005
Things I've learned in Thailand
There are legitimate massages.
The foot massage is the best.
The full body massage leaves you sore.
It may have something to do with the full nelson.
Being sick doesn't help the soreness.
The older and dirtier an old man looks, the better the chance that a young (working) girl will be on his arm.
It helps if he has a limp.
There are seven elevens in every country.
Falafel stands serve good pitas.
Take lots of spices on your pita just to be safe.
The foot massage is the best.
The full body massage leaves you sore.
It may have something to do with the full nelson.
Being sick doesn't help the soreness.
The older and dirtier an old man looks, the better the chance that a young (working) girl will be on his arm.
It helps if he has a limp.
There are seven elevens in every country.
Falafel stands serve good pitas.
Take lots of spices on your pita just to be safe.
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