Monthly Archive: May 2017

How North Korea makes its money

World News - Beginner

Pre-reading questions: Do you think your country is making enough money? Why? Or Why not? What does your country do to make money? North Korea is one of the most closed economies in the world. They earn money from selling tons of coal to China every year, trade basic goods abroad, hack banks in 18 countries, and force their citizens to work abroad. John Park, the director of the Korea Working Group at Harvard Kennedy school, believes Pyeongyang has kept a lot of money in China. These money can support North Korea’s weapons programs. Moreover, North Korea can easily avoid penalties from the global financial system by keeping their money…
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Retiring seniors go on working

Japan - Beginner

Pre-reading questions: Are you still working? At what age do you want to retire? Is it good to work even if you are already 70 years and up? Why or why not? Retiring seniors can now work again. They will receive help from the education ministry. It is common for retired seniors to continue working in the same company, but with easier tasks. There are still so many things people can do as long as they are healthy. Vocabulary: retire – [verb] to leave your job or stop working because of old age or bad health senior – [noun] older and more experienced than the other members of a team…
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Tokyo taxis lowered fare

Japan - Expert

Riders delightfully welcomed the new Tokyo taxi fare, which is fairly affordable for people who use cabs for short distances. Leaflets were handed out to the public to introduce the new fare system to interested passengers at taxi stands. Commuters, especially elders, were so pleased to know about the new and improved fare system. The new fare for the first 1.052 kilometers is ¥410. It used to be ¥730 for the first two kilometers. Taxis have stickers of the new fare system in both English and Japanese. This fare revision was set in motion to address the continuous plunge in the the number of taxi passengers. Taxi companies also hope…
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Tokyo taxis lowered fare

Japan - Intermediate

Pre-reading questions: How often do you ride a taxi in a week? Have you ever had a bad taxi ride? How does one become a taxi driver in your country? People in Tokyo who love taking short taxi rides will enjoy the lowered fare. The initial fare for taxis in Tokyo used to be ¥730 for the first two kilometers. The new initial fare for taxis in Tokyo is ¥410 for the first 1.052 kilometers. The new fare system started in the cities of Musashino and Mitaka. An 85-year old Tachikawa resident appreciates this new fare system as this would allow her to move around Tokyo with more ease. She…
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Tokyo taxis lowered fare

Japan - Beginner

Pre-reading questions: Do you usually ride a taxi? Is riding a taxi convenient? Is it safe to ride a taxi in your city? Tokyo taxis have lowered their initial fare. The taxi fare used to be ¥730. It is now ¥410 for the first 1.052 kilometers. The taxi fare has been lowered to attract more passengers. The new system started in the cities of Musashino and Mitaka. This is going to be good for passengers. Vocabulary: lower – [verb] to move down initial – [adjective] at the beginning fare – [noun] the money paid for a public transport attract – [verb] to make someone interested in something passenger – [noun]…
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Standford University offers program for older professionals

Education - E

  Stanford University opened a new course for retirees who are planning their careers for the next 20-30 years. A former Stanford Dean, Dr. Phil Pizzo, believes that the transition from middle age to retiring age is overwhelming so he opened up an opportunity for retirees to study and do more in life. The Stanford’s Center of Longevity agrees to this plan, saying that universities are not only for people starting their careers, but also for people who successfully ended their careers. Students, also known as fellows have flourished from their chosen careers. Fellows like David Gensler from Gensler, Mary Ittelson from Ittelson Consulting, and Pradeep Jotwani from HP Inc….
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