Author Archive: admin

University entrance examinations across Japan

2017年2月8日

The National Center for University Entrance Examinations says a dozen examinees were caught cheating during the annual two-day unified college entrance examinations across Japan. The assessment ended at 691 sites last Sunday. Some sites had to hold off the tests because of the dreadful weather. A student who took the exams at the Tokyo Institute of Technology said she is exhilarated that it was finally over, and she will work hard to prepare for the next round of assessment for the university she hopes to get into. Another student said he isn’t good at math and couldn’t answer all the problems, but he still feels reassured. Vocabulary: dreadful – [adjective] causing…
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Expert

Onsen adds sake into baths

2017年2月7日

  A new kind of service is being offered to customers of various ryokan inns located in Niigata Prefecture. Customers can now enjoy taking a bath in an onsen hot spring together with sake in it. The so called furosshu is being offered on the 26th of every month in 10 onsen districts in the said prefecture. Hotel Senkei Corporations’s Vice President, Takeshi Iida, is the person behind this idea. Takeshi Iida says he hopes guests can enjoy the uniqueness of Niigata through the sake-infused onsen. The said service is indeed a big success, gaining more praises and compliments from satisfied customers. The management is also considering to expand their…
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Expert

Onsen adds sake into baths

2017年2月7日

  Pre-reading questions: Do you often visit hot springs? What are the benefits of bathing in a hot spring? Tell me about the last time you visited a hot spring.   Some ryokans (japanese inns) have introduced “furosshu”, which offers guests the experience of bathing in an onsen (hot spring) where local sake (rice wine) is combined. Visitors get the chance to soak in a sake-onsen every 26th of the month in ten onsen districts located in Niigata Prefecture. Sake-onsen guests will benefit from different skin treatments. Amino acid in sake is a potent moisturizer which is good for brightening the skin. Satisfied customers continue to rave about the positive…
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Intermediate

Onsen adds sake into baths

2017年2月7日

Japan - Beginner

  Pre-reading questions: Do you like visiting an onsen? Why or why not? When is the perfect time to visit an onsen? Tell me about the best onsen you know.   Furosshu is a word used in Niigata prefecture. This word means to bathe in an onsen (hot spring) where local sake (rice wine) is added. Eighteen Ryokan inns have this service. Every 26th of the month, visitors get the chance to bathe in a sake-onsen. Bathing in sake is said to be good for skin.   Vocabulary: bathe – [verb] to wash in a container filled with water inn – [noun] a house where people can eat and rent…
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Beginner

Modernization puts Chinese tea houses under threat

2017年2月6日

The outdoor tea houses were considered as the “traditional men’s club” during the Qing Dynasty where political issues and business arangements were talked about. The remaining traditional outdoor Chinese tea houses can be found within Buddhist monasteries, Taoist temples, and public parks. Few of these traditional tea houses remain in the western city of Chengdu. Majority of the tea house goers are the older generation. Tea drinking vivifies the day-to-day chess match or catching up on daily news. Presently, China’s traditional tea-houses are under threat from the country’s fast modernization. Since the early 1990s, hundreds of Chinese tea houses were annihilated in the city as renovations took place. The supervisor…
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Expert

Modernization puts Chinese tea houses under threat

2017年2月6日

Pre-reading questions: How often do you visit a coffee shop/tea house? What do you enjoy doing while sitting in a tea house/coffee shop? Which do you prefer more: traditional tea house or modern coffee shop? Why? Traditional tea houses were built for relaxation and excitement during Qing Dynasty. Before, it was an exclusive place for males in politics and business. Nowadays, the common guests in tea houses are tourists and the older generation. Guests can enjoy scented teas and play card games or chinese chess. They can also experience traditional ear cleaning, eye brow plucking, and shoe shining. Today, tea houses in Chengdu, China are at risk from the country’s…
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Intermediate

Modernization puts Chinese tea houses under threat

2017年2月6日

Lifestyle

Pre-reading questions: Do you like going to tea houses or coffee shops? Why? Have you ever visited a Chinese tea house? A tea house is a place where people can get refreshments and pastries or even play a chess game. It started in Qing dynasty many years ago. They built tea houses in Chengdu, China as a place for relaxation or just to pass the time. However, it is now under threat because of the new cafes rising all over China. Modern Chinese people prefer new cafes such as Starbucks and Seattle’s best over traditional tea houses. Vocabulary: refreshment – [noun] a light snack or drink pastry – [noun] sweet…
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Beginner

University entrance examinations across Japan

2017年2月2日

Pre-reading questions: Do you get nervous when you take tests? What do you do after taking a difficult exam? Have you ever cheated on a test? High school graduates in Japan have completed the unified college entrance examinations. It is a 2-day examinations that ended last Sunday at 691 sites. Due to the stern weather, some sites were forced to reschedule. According to a student who took the tests at Tokyo Institute of Technology, she was delighted that the tests were over and will work harder in preparation for the next lap of examinations for the university she hopes to study in. Some sites encountered delays in starting the tests…
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Intermediate