Author Archive: admin

Japan’s ministry plans to use a speech translation application

2019年2月11日

Japan's ministry plans to use a speech translation application

Pre-reading questions: What are the languages that you know? Do you want to learn a foreign language? Why or why not? Vocabulary: application /ap-li-KEY-shuhn/ [noun] a computer program that is designed for a particular purpose Anyone can download applications on their phone. database /DEY-tuh-beys/ [noun] a large amount of information stored in a computer system They put a password to ensure the security of the database. provide /pruh-VAHYD/ [verb] to give someone something that they need The people provided relief goods for the people. translate /trans-LEYT/ [verb] to change words into a different language They used internet to translate all the words in English. quality /KWOL-i-tee/ [noun] a characteristic of…
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Intermediate

Japan’s celebration for the new emperor

2019年2月6日

Japan's celebration for the new emperor

Pre-reading questions: Do you like celebrations? What events do you like to attend? Vocabulary: emperor /EM-per-er/ [noun] a male ruler He said he wanted to be the emperor of China someday. retire /re-TAHYUHR/ [verb] to leave your job or position and stop working I don’t have any plans to retire yet. well-known /WEL-nohn/ [adjective] popular or recognized by people She was introduced to me as a well-known author. role /rohl/ [noun] a position that something or someone has in a situation, organization, etc. My friend’s role in the wedding is very important. adviser /ad-VAHY-zer/ [noun] someone who gives advice about something My adviser told me not to spend too much…
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Beginner

Japan’s celebration for the new emperor

2019年2月6日

Japan's celebration for the new emperor

Vocabulary: exaltation /eg-zawl-TEY-shuhn/ [noun] the act of raising someone or something to a more important position The new king’s exaltation ceremony was a success. renounce /ri-NOUNS/ [verb] to formally declare one’s resignation from a position Everybody in the department was shocked when Shiela renounced from being a supervisor. commence /kuh-MENS/ [verb] to begin something Let us commence the training next week. respectively /ri-SPEK-tiv-lee/ [adverb] refers to something or someone previously mentioned in the same order as first mentioned Yuri and Yamato went to South Korea and Vietnam last month, respectively. notable /NOH-tuh-buhl/ [adjective] an important or famous person Tatsuhisa Suzuki is one of the most notable Japanese voice actors. An…
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Expert

Japan’s celebration for the new emperor

2019年2月6日

Japan's celebration for the new emperor

Pre-reading questions: Do you like attending ceremonies? Why or why not? What kind of ceremonies have you attended? If none, what kind of ceremony would you like to attend? Vocabulary: enthrone /en-THROHN/ [verb] to put a king, queen, etc. on a throne to mark the beginning of their rule The king was enthroned when he was 55 years old. sovereignty /SOV-rin-tee/ [noun] the power or authority to rule He said that the contract would be a violation of American sovereignty. dignitary /DIG-ni-ter-ee/ [noun] a person in an important position in a society Candance was nervous with her meetings with the dignitaries. meanwhile /MEEN-wahyl/ [adverb] at the same time with something…
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Intermediate

Sakura Ando stars in NHK morning drama

2019年1月30日

Sakura Ando stars in NHK morning drama (2)

Vocabulary: eventual /ih-VEN-choo-uh/ [adjective] happening at a later time His hard work led to his eventual success. eccentric /ik-SEN-trik/ [adjective] tending to act in strange or unusual ways Their neighbor is kind yet eccentric. failure /FEYL-yer/ [noun] lack of success Trying to bake a chocolate cake was a failure. hardship /HAHRD-ship/ [noun] something that causes suffering Families faced hardships during the war. encouragement /en-KUR-ij-muhnt/ [noun] something that makes someone more confident Her coach’s encouragement helped her win the match. Sakura Ando stars in NHK’s (Nippon Hoso Kyokai, Japan Broadcasting Corporation in English) 99th morning drama, “Manpuku”. In this drama, Ando plays as Fukuko, the wife of the eventual inventor of…
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Expert

Sakura Ando stars in NHK morning drama

2019年1月30日

Sakura Ando stars in NHK morning drama (2)

Pre-reading questions: Do you like watching “asadora” (morning dramas)? Who is your favorite actor/actress? Vocabulary: difficult /DIF-i-kuhl/ [adjective] not easy to deal with The teacher helped her students in answering a difficult question. base /beys/ [verb] to use a story or painting on something The movie is based on the popular romance novel. inventor /in-VEN-ter/ [noun] a person who makes a new system or machine A young inventor developed television in 1920. challenging /CHAL-in-jing/ [adjective] difficult, in a way that tests your ability or determination Playing volleyball is challenging but fun. heroine /HER-oh-in / [noun] the main female character in a story Fukuko Imai is the heroine of “Manpuku”. Sakura…
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Beginner

Sakura Ando stars in NHK morning drama

2019年1月30日

Sakura Ando stars in NHK morning drama (2)

Pre-reading questions: Do you watch morning dramas? Please explain your answer. What do you usually look for in a story? Vocabulary: airing /AIR/ [noun] a radio or television broadcast A new drama starring my favorite actor will air this season. twisted /TWIST-ed/ [adjective] mentally or emotionally disturbed The story is about a twisted character who does bad things to his neighbors. struggle /STRUGH-uhl/ [verb] to work hard to do something Mako has been struggling with her entrance exams. model /MOD-/ [verb] to create something by basing its form or appearance on something else The novel is modeled after the author’s personal experiences. founder /FOUN-der/ [noun] someone who establishes an organization…
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Intermediate

Discover a new tropical destination in Kenya

2019年1月23日

Discover a new tropical destination in Kenya

Pre-reading questions: Which do you like better, traveling domestically or abroad? Why? Where would you like to go if you can travel abroad? Vocabulary: tropical /TROP-i-kuhl/ [adjective] from or in the hottest parts of the world Jose Rizal is from a tropical country. safari /suh-FAHR-ee/ [noun] a trip to watch, photograph, or hunt wild animals in their natural environment My niece likes to go on safari in Africa. attraction /uh-TRAK-shuhn/ [noun] something that makes people come to a place or do something Japan has many tourist attractions. various /VAIR-ee-uhs/ [adjective] several and different My brother and sister have various types of music. shade /sheyd/ [noun] a type or a degree…
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Intermediate