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. How is everyone’s May going? I hope it’s going well and that everyone has exciting plans for May! I really enjoy how alive everything is in May.

By May, the world has fully awakened from winter’s sleep. Trees are no longer just budding—they are vibrant and full, their leaves a fresh, almost glowing green. Grass is thick and soft underfoot, and every bush and vine seems to stretch toward the sun. The deep green of May feels different from summer’s darker tones—it’s bright, full of energy, almost electric. It’s the color of new beginnings, of life in its purest form. Until next time, take care everyone.


  

Hello Everyone! It's Teacher Bear bringing you another blog just for you!


Every blog I post and every picture I take is a testament to places I've visited and experienced fully. I always love to show the adventures I take in this blog because it provides perspective to the reader. Where I've been, where I go, and where I will go in the future. The picture below showcases the hard work Japanese people put into each season. Daisies are beautiful flowers, and this picture will hopefully blow you away with its wonder and enchantment.




  

While my family was visiting, my mom showed me a new app game she's been playing. I decided to download it and I've been having a lot of fun playing it! It's called Zen Color, and it's a color by numbers game. It can be really hard sometimes, because some of the places to color are really small, so you have to do a lot of zooming in and searching but I really enjoy the challenge! Here are some of the pictures I've done!


  

It’s official—frog season has arrived. Every evening, the rice paddies around Takamatsu turn into full-blown amphibian concerts, headlined by the Japanese tree frog. These little green divas belt out their mating calls like they’re auditioning for The Voice: Inaka Edition. Forget white noise machines—just crack a window and let nature’s love songs lull you to sleep (or keep you up until 2 a.m.).
  

Since I first got here in Japan, I've been wanting to go on a huge hiking trip. I was recommended Mount Ishizuchi but I never really had the time. However, during golden week I was finally able to make the trip out there and it was so worth it! It's a life experience I'll never forget and I think I'll hike up it again someday! I got a lot of souvenirs too. By the end of the trip my legs felt like jelly.  

Just like how when people come to visit Kyoto, they often wear kimono, when people go to Seoul, they like to wear hanbok! Even though I`ve been to Seoul a few times before, this was my first time wearing hanbok. It was fun! For some cultural sites such as palaces, they`ll even let you in for free if you come dressed up in hanbok. I think it`s a fun way to keep this beautiful cultural clothing alive- and everyone looks so beautiful.  

DAMPER ON

This idiom employs the noun damper in the sense of “something that damps or depresses the spirits.



EXAMPLES

"The bad weather put a damper on our picnic."

"His bad mood put a damper on the celebration."




HISTORY

The word "damper" is formed from the word "damp" (meaning to make something less strong, active, or exciting) and the suffix "-er" which forms nouns indicating a person or thing that performs the action.
"Damper" can be used figuratively to describe something that discourages or depresses, as in "to put a damper on".
In a mechanical context, a damper is a device used to control or reduce vibration, such as a valve in a chimney or a felt-covered piece of wood used in a piano to stop the vibration of strings.
In Australia, "damper" refers to a simple, unleavened bread often cooked over a campfire, traditionally made by stockmen in remote areas.
In music, a damper is a device that mutes musical tones, particularly in stringed instruments, and a mute for various brass instruments.
  

[Photo:1]This is my all-time favorite spicy noodle restaurant! It’s so delicious!   

I went to Korea for Golden Week and my first stop was at a restaurant for some fried chicken! It was so delicious and so crispy!
  

In Taiwan, there is a famous art piece at the National Palace Museum near Taipei that is a carved, jade sculpture of a type of Chinese cabbage.

If you look closely, you can see that carved into the leaves of the sculpture is a katydid locust. This piece of art was originally thought to be a wedding gift that symbolized fertility. When you gaze upon it, you almost believe that it is a real cabbage. The details are amazing!

The carving was done using the natural colors of the jadeite, turning the green parts into the cabbage leaves and the white parts into the stalk.
  

Card games are also popular for kids to play in America. I think every kid has played Old Maid, Memory, and Go Fish at least. They're very simple games, but kids really enjoy them!



When I play these games with my kids I'm a little bored But it's important for them to have fun doing things they enjoy with me too.

Did you like these kinds of card games when you were young?
  

One of my very favorite anime has just turned 30! Gundam wing posters adorned my walls when I was a high school student. I had all of the soundtracks and can sing the themes well at karaoke. It was the first serious and political anime that I had ever seen.
Gundam Wing would air in the afternoon but it would be a little bit edited because anime was still looked at in the same light as cartoons. If I set the vcr or watched at midnight, I could see the unedited version. There wasn't much difference, just some violent scenes.

Gundam Wing is so special to me, and it kickstarted my love of anime. I'm so glad it aired in America.

  

One of my favorite places to go is Nagoya. It's peaceful and relaxing but one of my favorite things to do in Nagoya is to visit my friends who I've known for almost 10 years and going. We like to reminisce about the past but also talk about the present and out future. We like to see how much each of us has changed and improved from previous times. One of our fondest memories is to recreate the picture we took when we first met. It'll continue to be a great memory and an even more beautiful tradition.



  

Hello everyone, Benson here. How was everyone’s April? I hope everybody is looking forward to May! I find the evenings in May to be refreshing, which makes it ideal for evening walks.

As the days grow longer, May invites us to take leisurely walks in the evening light. There’s a golden glow that lingers just a little longer, casting soft shadows and making everything feel peaceful. The temperature is just right—not too hot, not too cold—creating the perfect atmosphere to wander without a destination. I love listening to the soft rustle of leaves, the distant chirping of birds, and the hum of the world settling down for the night. These moments of quiet remind me to slow down and enjoy the simple beauty of the season. Until next time, take care everyone.


  

Hello Everyone! It's Teacher Bear making a blog just for you!


Today is the last day of Golden Week, but I wanted to share an unforgettable moment in Tokushima prefecture. As stated before, I believe Tokushima prefecture is a hidden gem among the four prefectures of Shikoku. That being said, I saw a beautiful store located at the center of tourism near Mt. Bizan. If you happen to find yourself in these parts of Shikoku, feel free to visit this center; it is packed with an awesome store that sells unforgettable goodies.







  

Hello Everyone! It's Teacher Bear making a blog just for you!


Today is the last day of Golden Week, but I wanted to share an unforgettable moment in Tokushima prefecture. As stated before, I believe Tokushima prefecture is a hidden gem among the four prefectures of Shikoku. That being said, I saw a beautiful store located at the center of tourism near Mt. Bizan. If you happen to find yourself in these parts of Shikoku, feel free to visit this center; it is packed with an awesome store that sells unforgettable goodies.








  

Golden Week was so much fun! I really needed that break, I feel much more energized for going back to work tomorrow! I went to Osaka for three days, and then I went to Tokyo for two days this year! I had a great time in each place, spending time with my boyfriend and Katie. I can't wait to see what happens for the rest of the year, I can't believe we're already 1/4 through 2025!




  

Nestled near Kanonji Port, Sanuki Ramen Ibuki Iriko Center offers a unique ramen experience that showcases the rich culinary heritage of Kagawa Prefecture. This charming eatery is a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

The star of the menu is the Deep Flavor Ibuki Soba, featuring a robust broth made from locally sourced Ibuki iriko (dried sardines) and medium-thick flat noodles that harmonize beautifully.

The café’s retro Showa-era ambiance adds to its charm, providing a cozy setting to enjoy a hearty meal. Whether you’re starting your day early or seeking a satisfying lunch, Sanuki Ramen Ibuki Iriko Center is a must-visit for ramen enthusiasts exploring Kanonji.

  

This last week I ended up going to Nara! I had a lot of fun at the deer park, and I walked around so much that I was completely exhausted by the end of 1 day. I wanted to take a better picture but I think with all the Golden Week people around most of the deer were really excited and didn't want to calm down. The deer in this photo tried to eat my hair, so that's why I didn't get close. Still fun, no regrets.

  

Before all the Sakura tree petals fell off, I decided to go to mount Shiuede. It was so beautiful! I made sure to take my time and really live in the moment. I liked how varied the colors were too. I parked at the bottom and had a nice hiking trip up the mountain. Next time they bloom I'd like to visit a place with a ton more trees!