ネイティブが教える英会話のジェムスクール☆Teachers☆

Hello everyone, Benson here. We have reached the halfway point of January, how is everyone doing? Is everyone accomplishing their goals so far? Are you all still excited for the year ahead? I want to talk about staying indoors during January. I am an indoor cat, so naturally I do like staying indoors regardless. However, staying indoors during January is special because you can observe so many interesting winter things happening outside but in the comfort and warmth of your home.

January’s cold days and long nights make staying indoors feel especially inviting. I love the feeling of being wrapped up in a warm blanket with a hot drink in hand, watching the snowfall outside. There’s no rush to go anywhere, no pressure to be productive—January is a time for relaxation and comfort. Whether it’s spending the day reading, binge-watching a favorite show, or just enjoying the quiet of home, this month offers the perfect excuse to slow down. After the busy holiday season, there’s something incredibly refreshing about these cozy, unhurried days. Take care everyone, see you next time.


  

One of my goals for this year is to really focus on learning Japanese. I want to find a class that I can take because trying to learn on my own has really been a struggle. I've picked up a few things over the past two years, but I definitely haven't learned enough to communicate effectively. I want to stay in Japan for if not the rest of my life, then at least for the next three or four years, so I HAVE to get better at speaking and understanding Japanese. So now I need to find a place to take a class. In the mean time, I'm going to practice what I do know, and use what resources I have to learn more. Wish me luck!   

Most of the time when I go to the beach around my area I often look out and see some boats and small islands in the distance. Usually I wish I could see farther, and that feeling kept with me for a long time. So I finally decided to order some cheap but good binoculars in order to make my beach visits more interesting sightseeing wise. I kept on thinking they were defective because my vision became extremely blurred anytime I pushed the binoculars up to my glasses. I looked up some information online and found out if you wear glasses you don't have to wear them when using binoculars. This was the first time I've ever heard of this. After I took my glasses off I had a way better experience. Once again, I thank the internet and it's endless answers in my time of need.


  

Hello everyone! During the Christmas break my family and I visited the Shimanami Bridge! It was pretty awesome! We visited multiple sites to get different angles of the bridge. I've also been told that people will bike their away across the whole bridge! That's insane, but hats off to them and the challenge they want to go for. I also tried to take silly pictures and pretended to hold the bridge up haha!  

The Evolution of American Music: From Jazz to Hip-Hop Trace the history of American music through its diverse genres. Discuss how jazz, blues, rock 'n' roll, and hip-hop have not only shaped American culture but also influenced music worldwide. Highlight key artists and their contributions to the music scene.  

Every year for Christmas I like to bring different snacks from Japan for my family to try. I asked my students what their favorite gummy candy is and here are some that they recommended. Did I choose the right ones??  

Technically this is a phrasal verb and/or collocation, however many idioms, if not all, fall under the umbrella of idioms.



TAKE SOMEONE ABACK

to surprise or shock someone so much that they do not know how to behave for a short time. It's usually used in a positive sense.



EXAMPLES

I was a little taken aback at the directness of the question.

The news really took us aback.



HISTORY

The phrase "taken aback" comes from nautical terminology and originated in the 1700s. It was used to describe when a ship's sails were blown flat against the masts by a sudden shift in the wind, causing the ship to stall or be pushed backward.
The word "aback" comes from the Old English phrase on bæc, which means "at or on the back". The figurative use of the phrase "taken aback" to describe being surprised or shocked by something else began in the early to mid 19th century. For example, "Whigs, Tories, and Radicals, were all taken aback with astonishment, that the Ministers had not come forward with some moderate plan of reform.

  

Pokemon is very popular in America too! Just look at most recent cover of Time magazine. I absolutely loved this franchise growing up and still do!  

I keep seeing more and more cats around town! I’m so happy that they all seem so heathy and happy even though they’re street cats!

  

I went and saw the winter illumination at Mannou Park last month and it was so lovely! I am so glad I got a chance to go and see how amazing it was!
  

I have noticed that on long-distance, crowded buses and trains (bullet train, etc,) here in Japan, that there are quite a few people that place their luggage on an adjacent and open (free) seat next to them. It appears that the person does not wish for anybody to sit next to them, so they occupy the nearby seat with a piece of luggage.

My observation has apparently been noticed by at least one bus company in Japan. While traveling on a special bus recently, I saw a sign located in front of the seat behind the bus driver. The sign clearly stated (in Japanese) that you should not leave your luggage on the seats, and to remove it if somebody needs the seat. The person sitting there had luggage on the empty seat, and the bus was full. The driver politely notified the passenger that they would have to remove their luggage so that somebody could sit there.

Possibly a sign on the train is next.
  

Mom, Josie and I spent Christmas in Kochi. My mother really liked our Japanese room and brought a tiny Christmas tree. We opened presents together and I got a lot of socks! That's okay, I needed socks. We went to Kochi castle and ate at the market. My favorite thing I bought was some chocolate pudding. I noticed lots of whale things in Kochi.


  

One of Tony's students gifted us these neat Starbucks reusable cups which showcase their new product--"Origami" pour over brew coffee pouches. I've been using Max Value's equivalent product, which is equally tasty, but this was a fun experience, and the internet has made me cup-obsessed, so I can't deny the appeal of a new cup. I never expect gifts from our students, but it's always a sweet surprise when they think of us, especially when it's one of Tony's students who I haven't even had the chance to meet yet! This reflects my experience with the kindness and thoughtfulness of Japanese people that I have experienced while living here so far.

P.S. Making this coffee reminded Tony of an old song we used to LOVE and listen to all the time. The joy of rediscovering this song I had forgotten was so fun! Origami by Capital Cities

  

After having being back from the U.S. for a little while, at the start of winter vacation, I decided to put my cherry blossom legos together to add a little finesse to my place on top of adding a little razzle dazzle to my Pac-man collection.





  

Hello everyone, Benson here. How is everyone’s January going so far? It’s still quite early in the month but I hope the fresh start has been nice. Today, I will talk about sunlight. Now, I am somewhat of a vampire but I do enjoy basking in the sunlight every now and then. Especially sunlight during the winter. There’s a special quality about it, contrasting with the crisp, cold air. I like it, does everyone else like winter sunlight? Do you also think I’m a vampire?

Winter sunlight has a special quality to it. In January, the light is often soft and golden, casting long shadows and creating a serene atmosphere. I love how the low sun glints off the snow, making everything sparkle. While the days are short, the few hours of sunlight feel precious, and I try to spend as much time outside as possible, soaking in the natural beauty of the season. There’s a certain stillness in the winter air that makes the sunlight even more striking, reminding me that even in the coldest months, there’s warmth and beauty to be found. I hope everyone has a great week ahead, take care.


  

Streaming services have drastically changed how we enjoy entertainment in the modern age compared to the media options of our ancestors. In the past, we were limited to watching whatever was on television at the time or whatever we could find at our local Blockbuster or Movie Gallery but now we have access to a vast library of movies and TV shows on demand (Lotz, 2017). Blockbuster and Movie Gallery are kind of like GEO, except they didn't have manga or comic books. Now, thanks to such services as Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ and Amazon Prime, we have a huge selection of movies and TV shows to watch whenever we want. This is super convenient, but it also has some important consequences for the entertainment world - there are concerns related to the entertainment industry as a whole due to the changes of this new phase of our media consumption.

One concern is that streaming services are contributing to the decline of traditional television and films. Just as the radio was killed by television, television is dying as more people "cut the cord" and switch to streaming services. Television networks are losing viewers and advertising revenue in record numbers, but they're not alone as some giants such as Netflix lose portions of their userbase as prices hike upwards (Cohen, 2022). This could lead to a decline in the quality of television programming, as networks may have less funding for production - there is already some concern that some public networks such as PBS (The Public Broadcasting Station) are going to have their funding cut with the advent of such people as Elon Musk meddling in the American government.

Another concern is that streaming services are controlled by a small number of large corporations (e.g., Netflix, Amazon, Disney) and this monopoly, as with all monopolies pose a myriad of issues (Wayne, 2021). This concentration of power could lead to a lack of diversity in the content that is available to viewers and these corporations could use their influence to shape public opinion and suppress dissent (Havens & Lotz, 2012).

Despite these concerns, streaming services have also had some positive effects on the entertainment industry. For example, they have made it easier for independent filmmakers to get their work seen by a wider audience (Lobato, 2019). Additionally, streaming services have produced some high-quality original programming that would not have been possible without their support such as 'Stranger Things' on Netflix or 'The Handmaid's Tale' on Hulu. As streaming services continue to evolve, it is important to be ever mindful of both the positive and negative implications of this technology. By understanding the potential impacts of streaming services, we can make informed decisions about how we use them and what the future of our entertainment industry may look like as these platforms and services continue to change.


Here's some key terms/vocabulary from my ranting, with extremely simplified definitions:


Vocabulary:

Streaming service: A platform that provides video and audio content over the internet. (e.g., Netflix, Hulu, Spotify)

Revolutionized: Changed something fundamentally.

Consume/Consumption: To use, eat or experience something.

On demand: Available whenever the user wants it.

Implication: A possible consequence, meaning or effect.

Decline: A decrease in quality or quantity.

"Cut the cord": To cancel a cable or satellite TV subscription.

Advertising revenue: Money earned from showing advertisements.

Monopoly: When one company or group controls most of a market.

Diversity: A range of different important meanings, but variety is the use here.

Suppress: To prevent something from being seen or expressed.

Dissent: Disagreement with a common opinion.

Independent filmmaker: A filmmaker who is not affiliated with a major studio.

Original programming: TV shows or movies made specifically for a streaming service.

Evolve: To change and develop gradually.

Mindful: Aware and conscious of something.



Here are sources and references used in the text I constructed, otherwise known as citations:

Cohen, J. (2022, April 21). Netflix is losing subscribers for the first time in a decade. Consumer Federation of America. https://www.cfpublic.org/2022-04-21/netflix-is-losing-subscribers-for-the-first-time-in-a-decade

Havens, T., & Lotz, A. D. (2012). Netflix nations: The geography of digital distribution. Rutgers University Press.

Lobato, R. (2019). Netflix nations: The geography of digital distribution. New York University Press.

Lotz, A. D. (2017). Portals: A treatise on internet-distributed television. Michigan Publishing.
  

Now that the holidays are over, it's time for me to really buckle down and start planning what we're going to do when my mom, aunt, and aunt's partner come to visit me in April! They're going to be here for just over two weeks, so there's a lot we want to try and do in that window of time. We're going to start off in Tokyo, then come back here to Takamatsu, then hit Osaka and Kyoto before they have to fly home. Or at least that's the plan as of now, I won't be surprised if things end up changing again depending on what everyone wants to do. I'm going to have to make a list with them and figure out everyone's must do/see places and go from there. I'm really excited to show them my life here in Japan! For now though, I've got to focus on the first day back in classes!  

This morning, I prepared nanakusa gayu, the traditional seven-herb porridge eaten on January 7th. It’s a simple, nourishing dish meant to bring health and balance into the new year after the indulgence of the holidays. As I chopped the herbs—seri, nazuna, gogyo, hakobe, hotokenoza, suzuna, and suzushiro—I thought about their symbolism: renewal, vitality, and connection to the earth’s cycles. Eating it feels like a small but meaningful way to honor tradition and invite a fresh start.

  

Recently I've gotten back into studying Japanese. Living in Japan is a lot easier when you can speak to the locals, so I want my language skills to get better. I found a set of study flashcards attached to a ring, and since there's a lot, I can easily store and study a lot of new words! It would be more convenient if I didn't have to make the cards myself, but that part is actually kind of fun in itself. I'm looking forward to getting WAY better at Japanese this year!

  

During the end of the year break, my family and I went to Manno Park to see the amazing lights! We all really enjoyed it and it was truly unforgettable. I was surprised to see how many paths there were to take. I think I remember reading somewhere that there are over 600,000 lights. I took so many pictures and made sure to take my time.