Beginner

The Royal Family talks about mental health

2018年3月23日

800px-British_Royal_family

Pre-reading questions: What do you do when you feel sad? What makes you happy? Vocabulary: depression [dih-PRESH-uh n] (noun) the feeling of being very unhappy Depression is common today. crash [KRASH] (verb) to hit something hard She crashed the car into a tree, but no one got hurt. tunnel [TUHN-l] (noun) an underground passage Tom passes through this tunnel everyday. royal family [pruh-FESH-uh-nl] (noun) family of a king or queen The Royal Family is loved by everyone. brave [BREYV] (adjective) capable of dealing with danger The brave soldiers fought for our country. Prince Harry admitted that he had suffered from depression for many years. This is following the death of…
Read more

Beginner

Eating may not be effective in blocking stress

2018年3月21日

stress

Pre-reading questions: Do you eat a lot when you are stressed? Please explain your answer. What do you do when you are happy? Vocabulary: stress [STRES] (noun) worry caused by a difficult situation She is under a lot of stress right now. hunger [HUHNG-ger] (noun) feeling in the stomach of needing or lack of food The girl ate the bread because of hunger. weight gain [WEYT geyn] (noun) an increase in body weight Eating too much food causes weight gain. effective [ih-FEK-tiv] (adjective) producing positive results The medicine he took is effective. alive [uh-LAHYV] (adjective) having life; not dead He was lucky to be alive after the car crash. Some…
Read more

Beginner

Fashionable masking tapes, a hit for creative customers

2018年3月20日

satin-ribbons-1939929_960_720

Pre-reading questions: Do you like drawing? Why? What do you like to buy in a bookstore? Vocabulary: craft [krahft] (noun) an activity involving skill in making things by hand I love to do sewing and all kinds of crafts. cover [KUHV-er] (verb) to put something over something else, in order to protect or hide it The students covered their notebooks with plastic create [kree-EYT] (verb) to make something new This man created the first computer. fashionable [FASH-uh-nuh-buhl] (noun) popular at a particular time Black clothes are fashionable these days. tear [teer] (verb) to split or cut Don’t pull the pages so hard or they will tear. Arts and crafts lovers…
Read more

Beginner

Japanese children’s dream jobs

2018年3月15日

chibi-2380489_1280

Pre-reading questions: What was your childhood dream? What do you think is the most interesting job? Vocabulary: survey [SUR-vey] (noun) a collection of facts or opinions about something According to the survey, more people like chicken than pork. academic [ak-uh-DEM-ik] (adjective) related to school or research Jiro has a good academic record. scientist [SAHY-uhn-tist] (noun) someone who studies science or works in science The scientist started a new research. scholar [SKOL-er] (noun) someone who has studied a subject and knows a lot about it The scholars exchanged their ideas on the subject. professional [pruh-FESH-uh-nl] (adjective) relating to a job that needs special training or education Chihaya wants to become a…
Read more

Beginner

Netflix’s growth goes beyond target

2018年3月9日

netflix-2705725_1280

Pre-reading questions: How often do you watch movies? Do you watch movies at home or at the movie theater? Vocabulary: top [TOP] (verb) – to be more than something Her savings topped $100 this month. expectation [ek-spek-TEY-shuh-n] (noun) – a strong belief that something will happen David did not have good expectations from the movie. stream [STREEM] (verb) – to watch movies on the Internet Janis prefers streaming to going to the movie theater. credit [KRE-dit] (verb) – to be responsible for something good The coach credits this win to the whole team. content [KON-tent] (noun) – a thing that is held or included in something The writers posted new…
Read more

Beginner

Twitter begins “Advertising Transparency Center”

2018年3月2日

technology

Pre-reading questions: Do you like using Twitter? Please explain your answer. Which is better, Facebook or Twitter? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: advertising [noun] – the business of making paid announcements She works for an advertising company. transparency [noun] – quality of being easily seen Transparency must always be present in a company. users [noun] – someone who uses something All users were happy with their service. advertisement [noun] – announcements made to convince someone to buy something KFC’s advertisement featured their new chicken flavor. duration [noun] – the length of time something continues or exists We have set the duration of our ad until next month only. Twitter has…
Read more

Beginner

Hospital to allow anonymous childbirth

2018年1月5日

Japan - Beginner

Pre-reading questions: How many children do you want to have in the future? Do you think it’s easy to take care of children? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: drop box [noun] – a box or basket where you can safely leave something Please put the gift in the drop box outside the house. infant [noun] – a baby or a very young child It is difficult to take care of infants. allow [verb] – to let someone do something My mother allows me to go anywhere alone. anonymously [adverb] – in secret I always give gifts anonymously. adopt [verb] – to legally take another person’s child as your own family…
Read more

Beginner

Steven Tyler opens Janie’s House

2017年12月28日

entertainment

Pre-reading questions: Do you usually give money to the poor? Why or why not? Do you like helping the people around you? Please explain your answer. Vocabulary: abuse [verb] – to treat someone in a cruel way Tom abused my friend. rehab [noun] – process of helping someone to give up drugs or any other unhealthy habits He’s better after spending time in rehab. campus [noun] – an area of a school or organization Aiko had a tour of the campus. therapy [noun] – a form of treatment for an illness Massage is a good therapy. victim [noun] – someone who has been hurt or harmed There were a lot of victims…
Read more

Beginner

China warns borrowers to pay up or be shamed

2017年12月13日

World News - Beginner

Pre-reading questions: Is it easy to borrow some money in your country? Please explain your answer. Is it a bad habit to borrow money from friends? Please explain your anwer. Vocabulary: credit [noun] – a method of buying products that allows you to pay for them in the future The bank offered her a small business credit. behavior [noun] – the way someone acts Anna is tired of her brother’s behavior. borrower [noun] – a person who owes money A borrower should always pay what he owes. billboard [noun] – a large outdoor board for displaying advertisements I saw my friend’s picture on billboard. ban [verb] – to prevent someone…
Read more

Beginner

Google keeps a list of everyone’s search history

2017年12月12日

technology

Pre-reading questions: Do you use Google Chrome? What are the popular websites in Japan? Vocabulary: search [verb] – to look for something I will search for my cellphone. website [noun] – a page on the internet with information about something I opened a website about food. search history [noun] – a list of websites the user has visited You can remove your search history on Google Chrome. information [noun] – facts learned about something The teacher gave us some information about the project. advertisement [noun] – a paid notice that tells people about a product or service There are a lot of advertisements at the mall. Google keeps a list…
Read more

Beginner