ネイティブが教える英会話のジェムスクール☆Teachers☆

Golden Week is just around the corner and I must say, I am getting excited!!! This will be Sam's and my first official vacation since being together. It will also be our first time traveling far away since coming to Japan. We will be heading to Tokyo Disneyland for this vacation, which is amazing because I have never been to any Disney theme parks in my life. We will spend a few days there and then wing the rest of our time. Our goal in this trip is to see Japan (well, what is between Tokyo and Kagawa anyway *giggles*). I must admit that I have been squealing like a school girl because of this exciting adventure that Sam and I will be taking together. What are your plans during Golden Week? Will you be spending time with your family or someone important to you? I hope everyone has an amazing Golden Week. Have fun!!!

As always, thanks for reading! Enjoy your vacation!!!

Leigh   

I love having class clowns. Class clowns are students that aren't afraid to be silly and make mistakes. They enjoy life and help others around them feel more relaxed and comfortable. This relaxed environment is very important for language learning because students feel free to ask questions and participate in other important ways. My students enjoy role playing. For a recent lesson they pretended to be models as we had other students in the class talk about what they happened to be wearing that day. I think you can tell which students feel the most comfortable ;)  

I love to have fun. I love amusement parks, roller coasters, and going fast. Last weekend I went to Round One. I had been there before but I had never ridden the miniature motorcycles. I finally got to ride them and it was very fun. In America I have to electric miniature motorcycles. They're very fun and go about 24 kph (15 mph). The lighter you are the faster you can go.

  

I live in Saijo, and I think it's one of the most beautiful places I've ever been. Whenever I get a chance I like to get on my bike and explore. Sometimes I ride for hours. I try to find new things. Last weekend I found Ishizuchi shrine. It's amazing and has a great view of Saijo. It also is in a very peaceful setting up on a hill. If you haven't been, I recommend you go!   

Baseball is great American pastime and I found out that baseball is a great Japanese pastime as well. Let me tell you that American fans can take a few lessons from Japanese fans. The Ehime Mandarin Pirates fans cheer all the time while the Pirates are at bat. They have custom cheers for each player and it shows that they are energetic. I don't usually don't go to baseball games and I find them very boring but a Japanese game is pretty much amazing. Who is your favorite team?  

I can't wait. I love the Marvel Universe and watching movies. Also movies here come out very late. My friends tell me about movies before I get the chance to watch it in the theater . Iron Man 3 will come out in Japan one week before my friends get the chance to see it in America. This is going to be great. I get the chance to tell them if it is good or bad before they can see it   

There has been a revolution in thinking about language,, based on the revolution in our knowledge of human biology. In the old days, it was thought you learned a language by being exposed to, and mimicking as many examples of sounds, forms, and words, until you had a big enough collection of them to parrot back in some way set phrases. That neglects the fact that the number of possible sentences or statements in any given language is infinite. You could never learn them all, nor has anyone ever done so. Instead it became clear that there is root structure, deep structure, in many ways common to all languages of any kind, expressed in a way peculiar to the language in question, and which is in turn based on biological structures of the human body. Things we say are structured, woven together, according to underlying analogous patterns, that are intertwined with the situation we are trying to communicate in. Seen this way, language consists not just of rows of sounds, but woven webs of signs pulled together in a way that the partner understands new information in the way the utterance is passed on to him/her by the speaker. Only a holistic approach to language can ever succeed. It's not just words that make a language but what's happening between them that is the communication.

  

Two devastating events rocked the soils of America this week. On April 15, 2013, three backpacks were left in the crowds of the Boston Marathon, all of which held a bomb. Two bombs were detonated but the last was found and deactivated before it could go off in the crowd. The first picture shows the first bomb as it is going off. The second event, which happened on April 18, 2013 in the small town of West, Texas, a town my family frequents because of our family heritage, was shaken by an explosion at a fertilizer outlet. A fire started at the outlet and later the outlet exploded, leveling 4 blocks around the building and releasing an earthquake throughout North Texas with a magnitude of 2.1. Many people were injured, some were killed, and even more were left shocked. This week in America is known as Tax week, and in our history this week has always held some event that has shaken America. Let's hope for a better tomorrow for America.

Thank you for reading,

Leigh  

I ran with a very fun group of people for this year's Mannou 88km Marathon! The weather was a little chilly and it even rained at one point but we still enjoyed a relaxed day of healthy fun. Everyone on the team did an excellent job of running. We were able to finish the entire race in the amount we were allowed. I was happy after my last lap because it was my fastest time. I really pushed myself because I wanted my team to finish the race. Some of my teammates dressed up in costumes like Spiderman or Doraeman. I highly recommend creating a team and doing this race. I've done it two years in a row now and I would love to do next years!   

I studied graphic design in college and I like making art. I love art however it comes. I love drawings, paintings, graphics, sculptures, music, and so much more. Some of my students draw pictures of me sometimes and I like to take pictures of them if I can. Here is a picture that one of my students drew of me. The student drew it on the whiteboard and I was able to take this picture. I love their art even if they don't think much of it.

  

Golden week is almost upon on us. What are you going to do? I thought about traveling but then I got an email from my best friend in America saying that he would be able to come visit. On April 26th Sean will arrive in Japan. I don't know exactly what we are going to do but I'm certain that we will have a good time and as most of my students know I play video games. Lots and LOTS of video games and my buddy plays them as well. So we might just spend the time catching up on things in America and showing him the greatness that is Iyo-Saijo. We are going to have a wonderful time together. Any ideas about where we should go?
(Sean is the one in the middle)  

This weekend I went to a baseball game. I watched the Ehime Mandarin Pirates play the Tokushima Indigo Socks. I was surprised how much cheering Japanese fans do at baseball games. It was really fun to join in chanting for Ehime's players to do well. The weather was beautiful and the Mandarin Pirates won the game 6-2! I was a little sad there weren't any hot dogs, but we had tasty Japanese food instead. I hope they play in Niihama again soon.  

I was surprised one day when somebody asked me about "culture shock" in Japan. What is usually meant is that upon moving to a different country with different customs, uses, and traditions, one feels somehow disoriented, bewildered, and uncomfortable. It usually suggests that it is felt more strongly the more the new culture is radically different from one's own. Having spent a lot of time in Southeast Asia, where many people still live in very poor conditions in the country I have a different take on that. It is true that one feels the contrast much more in places with serious problems like extreme poverty, water shortages, poor health facilities, etc. However, one can feel that just as much within one's own country, and we don't label it as "culture shock". Any trip to some of the really poor parts of the States like Arkansas or Louisiana, would make one feel strange. The high living standard of the Japanese means that one doesn't really experience it that way at all. There is the strangeness of the new language and of course the writing system, but otherwise, I don't think that's the case for North Americans at least. On the contrary, it's more of a fun experience being in a modern, high tech society, but with a different often times pleasing differentness, that can only make you grow. It's fun to be in Japan, isn't it?   

I was surprised one day when somebody asked me about "culture shock" in Japan. What is usually meant is that upon moving to a different country with different customs, uses, and traditions, one feels somehow disoriented, bewildered, and uncomfortable. It usually suggests that it is felt more strongly the more the new culture is radically different from one's own. Having spent a lot of time in Southeast Asia, where many people still live in very poor conditions in the country I have a different take on that. It is true that one feels the contrast much more in places with serious problems like extreme poverty, water shortages, poor health facilities, etc. However, one can feel that just as much within one's own country, and we don't label it as "culture shock". Any trip to some of the really poor parts of the States like Arkansas or Louisiana, would make one feel strange. The high living standard of the Japanese means that one doesn't really experience it that way at all. There is the strangeness of the new language and of course the writing system, but otherwise, I don't think that's the case for North Americans at least. On the contrary, it's more of a fun experience being in a modern, high tech society, but with a different often times pleasing differentness, that can only make you grow. It's fun to be in Japan, isn't it?   

Mother Nature is nature personified as a creative and controlling force. When I say Mother Nature, I refer to the events that happen in this world that are out of our hands. Natural disasters are a force that we humans can not fight against. We can put certain plans in place to protect and guard ourselves, but we can never fight against such a strong force as Mother Nature. Throughout our lives we are faced with many challenges that seem terrifying and hopeless, sadly, many fall to these challenges, but many also live through these challenges, and continue on into tomorrow. I have been through many natural disasters in my life, from flooding to tornadoes, and yes, I fear these events when they occur, but I also know that whatever happens in life, happens, and all we can do is move forward, looking back at the events that occurred and create a plan to prevent such devastating things from occurring again in the future. This may seem like a very deep and saddening subject matter for a blog, but this is what is on my mind currently. I was woken, abruptly, to a rather large earthquake this morning. Initially, I didn't think the earthquake happened. I Googled it and couldn't find any information on it, then on Facebook my co-worker posted something about it and I knew that I wasn't dreaming it all up. It was the strongest earthquake I have ever been in and it was an awakening of my senses. Back home, in Texas, there were often tornadoes, drought, or really bad storms, so I lived each day expecting something bad to happen, and I think living in Japan has made me lose focus of those things. This earthquake was a true wake up call for me because even though I live in, probably, the safest area of Japan, natural disasters could still occur here.  

Hi everybody! I have always been a big video game fan. When I was a kid I had practically every console that was released. As I have gotten older I have continued to play video games, though not quite with the same zealous nature. Though I usually am I console man, I have dabbled in computer games as well. Recently, I purchased Civilization 5 (Civ5) for my Mac. Man this game is super addicting. I find myself spending hours playing this game. There is something about exploring the world and creating your own nation that appeals to me. Anyway, if you are into turned based games, I really suggest that you check it out.  

Every year, thousands of Hindus participate in the festival Holi. The festival has many purposes. First and foremost, it celebrates the beginning of the new season, spring. Originally, it was a festival that commemorated good harvests and the fertile land. Hindus believe it is a time of enjoying spring's abundant colors and saying farewell to winter. It also has a religious purpose, commemorating events present in Hindu mythology. During this event, participants hold a bonfire, throw colored powder at each other, and celebrate wildly.  

I mentioned before that I like biking. I showed you some of the instruments I use while I'm biking but I didn't show you my bike. Here is a picture of my bike. It is a Momentum (made by Giant) street bike, 700 mm tires, 8 speed, 11.8 kg bicycle. It is pretty fast and light and it wasn't very expensive. It has quick release tires so I can pack it up to take it on the train very quickly. I like my bike very much. What do you think.

  

In Shikoku the most common natural disaster is probably an earthquake or a typhoon. In Michigan, where I'm from, it's probably a tornado. They are most likely to happen in April, May, or June, which is referred to as "tornado season". What should you do if you hear tornado sirens? Immediately go to the basement. If the building you're in doesn't have one, head to the bathroom or a windowless hallway. These are the safest places. Usually tornadoes don't last very long, so once the sirens stop it's safe to come out. If you want to be sure, turn on a radio or the TV to find out the news.   

The University of Michigan went to the Final Four. The most prestigious tournament in college basketball. It was a hard journey but they made it to the last four teams and then to the final two teams. The game was intense with Michigan leading by 12 points before the end of the first half but then Kentucky picked up the slack and came back to win the game with a score of 82-76. I am proud of U of M (University of Michigan) that they made it as far as they did. It makes you feel good about where you are from. Has a team from your hometown ever made it to a championship?