Beginner

Kellogg’s Cereal Continue To Lose Sales

2016年11月4日

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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Beginner

Trump speaks disbelief on election results

2016年10月28日

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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Beginner

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 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

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

Nintendo gives sneak peek at new portable console

2016年10月27日

Japan - Beginner

Pre-reading questions: Do you play video games? What is your favorite video game? Nintendo posted a short video about their new product. Nintendo calls its new product “Nintendo Switch.” It is a gaming device that can be played in any place. The Nintendo Switch is like a tablet, but with controllers. It will be sold in March next year. Vocabulary: post – 投稿する [verb]- make information available on the Internet product – 製品 [noun] something that is manufactured call – 呼ぶ [verb] to name gaming device – ゲームをするための機器[noun] a gadget used for playing (games) controller – コントローラー [noun] a device that manages or directs (the flow of data) True or…
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Beginner