Author Archive: admin

Talking to yourself in third person can help you succeed

talking to self

Vocabulary: introspection /in-truh-SPEK-shuhn/ [noun] examination of and attention to your own ideas, thoughts, and feelings My mother always told me that too much introspection may lead to depression. acumen /uh-KYOO-muhn/ [noun] skill in making correct decisions and judgments in a particular subject Apart from his great works of art, his political acumen is very noticeable. rumination /ROO-muh-ney-shun/ [noun] the act of thinking carefully and for a long period about something Sometimes, rumination is not good for mental and physical health. rhetorical /ri-TAWR-i-kuhl/ [adjective] rhetorical speech or writing is intended to seem important or influence people When I was a student, my favorite English topic was about rhetorical devices. dispassionately /dis-PASH-uh-nit-lee/…
Read more

Seeking modernization enhances life at work, according to a Japanese company president

Pre-reading questions: In your opinion, what is the important quality that a company should possess? How do you keep yourself motivated at work? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: promote /pruh-MOHT/ [verb] to encourage or support something The new campaign launched last week promotes safe driving. mention /MEN-shuhn/ [verb] to speak about someone or something You always mention your boss whenever we converse. willingness /WIL-ing-ness/ [noun] the quality of being happy to do something She shows willingness to learn in everything she does. impede /im-PEED/ [verb] to make it more difficult for something to happen Struggles are impeding her to achieve her dreams. administer /ad-MIN-uh-ster/ [verb] to manage or control the…
Read more

Seeking modernization enhances life at work, according to a Japanese company president

Vocabulary: labor /LEY-ber/ [noun] practical work The labor to produce a new AI robot is intensive. drive /drahyv/ [noun] energy and determination to achieve something My manager is looking for someone who has the drive to make a difference in the company. hinder /HIN-der/ [verb] to limit the ability of someone to do something She doesn’t need more emotions to hinder her decision making. flourish /FLUR-ish/ [verb] to grow or develop successfully The city keeps on flourishing because the mayor is well-trained. intensify /in-TEN-suh-fahy/ [verb] to make something stronger or more extreme She intensified her workout, running 65 miles a week. The president of a Japanese company that provides daily…
Read more

Seeking modernization enhances life at work, according to a Japanese company president

Pre-reading questions: What do you enjoy doing? What are your skills? Vocabulary: daily /DEY-lee/ [adjective] happening on or relating to every day It is important to have daily supplies. skill /skil/ [noun] a special ability to do something We have to improve our skills every day. switch /swich/ [verb] to change suddenly or completely from one thing to another Joanne switched her major from Communication to Information Technology. create /kree-EYT/ [verb] to cause something to exist or to make something new She created a new bag design. fulfilled /fool-FILED/ [adjective] feeling happy because you get everything you want from life Her mother feels fulfilled because she graduated from college. The…
Read more

Astonishing 2D Cafe in Tokyo attracts customers

Pre-Reading Questions: Do you like going to cafes? Do you like drinking coffee? Vocabulary: seem /seem/ [verb] to appear to be John seems so sad today. flavor /FLEY-ver/ [noun] the particular way a substance, esp. food or drink, is recognized from its taste and smell I like the flavor of coffee. popular /POP-yuh-ler/ [adjective] liked, enjoyed, or supported by many people Cherry Blossom is popular in Japan. extraordinary /ik-STAWR-dn-er-ee/ [adjective] very unusual, special, unexpected, or strange Holly made an extraordinary story. relax /ri-LAKS/ [verb] to become or cause someone to become calm and comfortable The park downtown is a good place to relax. The new 2D cafe in Tokyo’s Shin…
Read more

Astonishing 2D Cafe in Tokyo attracts customers

bar-984527_960_720

Vocabulary: two-dimensional /TOO-di-MEN-shuh-nl/ [adjective] flat, having width and length but not depth He is known for his two-dimensional artworks. facade /fuh-SAHD/ [noun] the front of a building The building’s facade is decorated with colorful hats. monochrome /MON-uh-krohm/ [adjective] using only black, white, and grey, or using only one color They moved out of their monochrome house because they thought it was dull. interior design /in-TEER-ee-er dih-ZAHYN/ [noun] the art of planning the decoration of the inside of a building such as a house or office The interior design of the building was planned by the famous architect. deception /dih-SEP-shuhn/ [noun] a statement or action that hides the truth, or the…
Read more

Astonishing 2D Cafe in Tokyo attracts customers

bar-984527_960_720

Pre-Reading Questions: Do you like visiting cafes and restaurants? Why or why not? Do you think anime themed cafes and restaurants are famous in Japan? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: transport /trans-PAWRT/ [verb] the act of taking you to a different time or place, making you feel as if you were in it The film transports you back to how New York City was back in the 1950s. reality /ree-AL-i-tee/ [noun] the state of things as they are, rather than as they are imagined to be He could not believe it when his dream became a reality. vast /vahst/ [adjective] extremely large A vast majority of musicians played together for…
Read more

WeChat puts restriction on face-swapping app Zao

faceswap

Vocabulary: spark /spahrk/ [verb] to cause the start of something, especially an argument His false accusation sparked a heated argument between the two. dispute /dih-SPYOOT/ [noun] an argument or disagreement I advised my friend not to let a petty dispute ruin a great relationship. ownership /OH-ner-ship/ [noun] the right or state of being an owner Many have claimed ownership of the bookstore several times in five years. restriction /ri-STRIK-shuhn/ [noun] an official limit on something The employees consider the new regulation as a restriction on their freedom of speech. memorandum /mem-uh-RAN-duhm/ [noun] a written report prepared especially for a person or group of people that contains information about a particular…
Read more