Author Archive: admin

JP pushes for English classes reform

2016年10月28日

  Japanese Education Ministry proposes 70 hours of English studies for incoming 5th and 6th grade students by the year 2020. The education proposal, presented to an advisory board of the Central Council for Education, is set to be carried out nationwide. Such significant English instruction advancement will affect the curricula taught in primary schools, middle schools, and high schools. The proponents suggest that English studies should start as early as 3rd grade. At present, English classes start during the 5th grade. Furthermore, 5th and 6th graders will have 70 hours cumulative of English classes, according to the proposal, all in the hopes of reducing the “cram” study habit. One…
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Expert

JP pushes for English classes reform

2016年10月28日

  Pre-reading questions: Are you aware of Japan’s current English curriculum? Share your thoughts on this. Do you think that changing the curriculum will make the students more competitive? Explain.   English studies for the incoming 5th and 6th grade students in Japan would be increased by the year 2020. The proposal suggested that English studies should start as early as 3rd grade instead of 5th grade. The new proposal aims to reduce the “cram” study habits of the students. There are also additional revisions with general subjects like: Japanese history with world history called General History. The new curriculum will focus on active learning specifically on student’s thinking and…
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Intermediate

JP pushes for English classes reform

2016年10月28日

  Pre-reading questions: When did you start studying English? How long do you study English every day?   The Japanese Education Ministry will increase English study hours to 70 hours starting 2020. This change will affect primary school, middle school and high school students. This change will lessen the need to enrol in cram schools. Other improvements will also be made. There will be improvements on subjects and the Japanese Entrance Examinations. All these changes will be made to improve the English skills of students and will give them the ability to compete with other countries.   Vocabulary: increase – 増える[verb] to (make something) become larger in amount or size…
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Beginner

527 South Koreans file case against Samsung over Galaxy Note 7

2016年10月28日

  Pre-reading questions: How popular are Samsung smartphones are in your country? Do you believe that self-destructing devices will be abundant in the near future?   A total of 527 Galaxy Note 7 owners in South Korea filed a case against Samsung Electronics over the smartphone’s tendency to overheat or catch fire. According to Attorney Peter Young-Yeel Ko, head of the Harvest Law Firm, Galaxy Note 7 users requested to be compensated for the expenses and inconvenience it cost them to return their defective phones. The complainants include someone who claimed to have lost thousands of pictures taken during a family vacation. Another asserted he drove for eight hours round-trip…
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Intermediate

Apple Sets Aside Automotive Goal, Cuts Manpower

2016年10月28日

  Pre-reading questions: What is your idea about a self-driving car? What do you think of a futuristic vehicle that is being built by a company that originally creates smart phones and gadgets? Are you familiar with car manufacturers outside your country?   Apple, Inc. makes adjustments on project Titan which originally aimed to develop a self-driving system and construct vehicles in 2020. The company refuses to pursue automobile manufacturing with the fear of compromising quality which could negatively affect their existing products in the market. The project’s team leaders redesigned the plan to give Apple, Inc. the option to tap car makers instead, or delay building its own vehicles…
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Intermediate

Apple Sets Aside Automotive Goal, Cuts Manpower

2016年10月28日

  Formed in 2014 to innovate an autonomous driving system and manufacture cars in the next 3 years, Apple, Inc. initiates modification on Titanic plan. The technology company headquartered in Cupertino, California fears pressing risk on quality assurance might cause a detriment to the distinguished brand, thus, eases on its initial scheme of establishing an automotive line. Reports say the team leaders made revisions on the previous proposal to pave the way to collaborate with car manufacturers momentarily, or reconsider automotive ambitions in the long run. While some workers were reassigned or let to leave voluntarily, this decision led to termination of hundreds of employees previously participated in the project….
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Expert

527 South Koreans Sue Samsung over Galaxy Note 7

2016年10月27日

Business - B

  Pre-reading questions: Do you like Samsung phones? Are Samsung phone popular in your country?   527 South Koreans who use Galaxy Note 7 sued Samsung Electronics. They sued Samsung Electronics because they are afraid their smartphones might catch fire. The people who sued Samsung want payment or their time in returning their smartphones. They also want payment for the time they spent waiting at the shop and the trouble. Samsung is now giving 50% discount to customers who will buy Galaxy S8 or Note8 next year.   Vocabulary: sue – 訴える [verb] to take legal action afraid – 恐れて [adjective] filled with fear or concern catch fire – 発火する…
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Beginner

More low-cost options for smartphones

2016年10月27日

  Pre-reading questions: What is the difference between an expensive phone and a cheaper one aside from the price? Based on your monthly telephone bills, is having an expensive or a cheap phone model worth it?   In Japan, companies are offering low-cost smartphones to everyone with specific type of data. Comsumers may choose a contract that suits their budget. They can be charged up to 20 yen for 30 seconds for a call charge. NTT Docomo Inc., KDDI Corp. and SoftBank Group may charged consumers up to 7,000 yen with unlimited phone calls and a transmission volume of 5 GB. “Though transmission speeds become slow sometimes, I’m satisfied with…
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Intermediate

More low-cost options for smartphones

2016年10月27日

Japan - Beginner

  Pre-reading questions: What is your favorite smartphone brand? Would you like an expensive phone or a cheaper one? Why?   Cell phone companies in Japan want to offer low-cost services. Customers can choose from a lot of services. NTT Docomo Inc. and KDDI Corp. will be offering low-cost smartphones. People who do not make phones calls often may choose the low-cost smartphones. Monthly fees can be lowered for many people. The monthly fees will be fixed. The new plan is also very good for people who always want to see videos but worry about their bills.   Vocabulary: offer- 提供する [verb] give low-cost- 安い [adjective, adverb] not expensive; cheap…
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Beginner