Beginner

US Inmates Uses Instant Ramen as Currency

World News - Beginner

Pre-reading questions: How do you call your money/currency? Do you think eating instant foods is nutritious? Why or Why not? Today, US inmates uses ramen as their money. In some prisons, meals are only served 2 times a day beacuse of budget shortage. This is the main reason why they use instant ramen as their money. Instant ramen has a high value in prisons so they are using it in exchange for sweatshirts, thermal underwear, fresh vegetables, or cigarettes. Other forms of money that they use are postage stamps, preserved mackerel, and instant coffee. Vocabulary: inmate – 収容者 [noun] a person who is confined in a prison, hospital, etc shortage…
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Programming, a new fun way of learning

Education - B

Pre-reading questions: What is your favorite computer game? Do you think computer is important to people? Many private classses teach programing in a fun way. Programming classes will start in elementary schools in 2020. The classes need to teach creativity in children. A second-grade pupil actually made a computer game, where he used a parrot that helps the monkey by fixing blocks that says change the X coordinate by 10. Programming lets users run a computer program the way they want to. Today, the use of blocks in drawing pictures makes programming easier for children. Vocabulary: parrot – オウム [noun] an animal, a kind of bird computer – コンピューター [noun]…
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Lowest bus service in Tokyo and Narita

Lifestyle

  Pre-reading questions: How’s your experience in riding a bus from the airport? Do you think riding a bus is easier and cheaper?   The newest and lowest bus service started last Monday. It connects Narita International Airport and Osaki Station in Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo. It is the first cheapest bus route with prices from ¥1,000 to ¥1,200. The bus route starts at an airport in Chiba Prefecture to the station in Yamanote Line. People are hoping that it will improve airport access from Tokyo.   Vocabulary: service – サービス [noun] supply of basic needs connects – つなぐ [verb] bring together cheapest – 安い [adjective] low in price route –…
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Human Antibodies Produced in Cows Counter Contagious Diseases

Health - Beg

  Pre-reading questions: Do you know any cow products? How often you get sick in a year?   A company has produced human antibodies from cows. A cow can produce 30 to 60 liters of antibodies a month. Humans can produce only 4 liters a month. This can help fight infectious diseases. They are testing if this can be a treatment for MERS. Scientists tried to use antibodies from other animals but the human body cannot recognize it. They are the only company that can produce antiboides from mammals. It may become available in 3 to 5 years.   Vocabulary: antibodies – 抗体 [noun] proteins which function to identify and…
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Lab grown stem cells are developed

Health - Beg

  Pre-reading questions: What do Japanese scientists developed? What happened to the embryos that didn’t grew normally?   Japanese scientists have developed and fertilized mouse eggs in their laboratory. This is the first report of developing fully matured eggs in a laboratory setting. They said that this may help treat infertility but it will take a long time and will be difficult. This is a great success but will cause problems in the human reproduction. The results show that only a few embryos grew into normal mice and others have abnormalities. It is still not safe to be used on humans. A further study is needed to the mouse embryos…
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Halloween celebrations in Tokyo

Japan - Beginner

  Pre-reading questions: Are you afraid of ghosts or monsters? Do you know Halloween is?   Most of the Halloween celebration this year is spent over the weekend. People join the Kawasaki parade with 2,600 people dressed up. This is not a traditional celebration in Japan but it has been followed since 20 years ago. People all over the world participate in a Halloween party every year with costumes and heavy make up. Places in Tokyo are also decorated with different halloween theme like pumpkins, ghosts and many more.   Vocabulary: Halloween – ハロウィーン [noun] the night of October 31 when children dress up with costumes and go to houses…
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Early Season of Autumn Leaf in Nikko

Lifestyle

  Pre-reading questions: Have you ever been to Nikko? Do you think travelling during Autumn season is fun?   The leaves are about to change its colors in Nikko. The mountainous area is full of maple trees. This gives the small land a warm colorful day. Many tourists go to this place during November. This is the best time for watching the autumn leaves. Enjoy the autumn by looking around the Chuzenji lake. People can also walk around Nikko Toshogu shrine for better viewing places.   Vocabulary: mountainous – 山地の [adjective] having mountains land – 土地 [noun] ground, soil warm – あたたかい [adjective] hot tourists – 観光客 [noun] someone who…
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Secondhand Smoke: Higher Risk of Stroke

Health - Beg

  Pre-reading questions: Government warning says that cigarette smoking is dangerous to anyone’s health. Do you agree that smoking is dangerous? You don’t smoke but you are exposed to sickness because of cigarette smoke. Is this okay with you?   A US research says non-smokers who live in the same house with smokers have a high chance of stroke. Almost 50 percent of the nonsmokers who had stroke are exposed to second-hand smoke at home. Stroke survivors exposed to second-hand smoke can die from any cause. A blood test was done to know the amount of smoke people were exposed to. Research factors include race, sex, education, and income level….
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Kellogg’s Cereal Continue To Lose Sales

Business - B

  Pre-reading questions: What is your favorite breakfast every morning? Have you tried eating breakfast from other countries? Kellogg’s Cereal company loses sales for the seventh time. Their sales is now down to 2.3%. The company thinks it is because most customers in the US and the UK do not want to buy cereals anymore. A business psychologist said the way people eat breakfast is changing now. A lot of people spend five or six minutes only on breakfast. That is why they want to find a quicker way to have breakfast. And, the younger population will replace cereal with smoothies, fresh fruit and yogurt.   Vocabulary: sales – 売上げ…
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Trump speaks disbelief on election results

World News - Beginner

  Pre-reading questions: When did you last vote? Do you think voting is important?   Donald Trump says that there will be cheating in the election. Donald Trump is a businessman. He is running for president of the United States. Donald Trump is the presidential candidate of the Republican Party. Donald Trump is running against Hillary Clinton. Some people believe that Donald Trump only says there will be cheating in the election to distract the voters.   Vocabulary: cheating – いんちき [noun] dishonesty businessman – ビジネスマン [noun] a man who works in business especially in a high position candidate – 候補者 [noun] a person who is trying to be elected…
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