Beginner

Students refuse going to school

2016年12月16日

Japan - Beginner

  Pre-reading questions: Do you like going to school? / Did you like going to school? Why should children go to school?   A number of students nowadays are not interested to go to school anymore. A lot of reasons are being considered by teachers and administrators. Some students just want to go to school once or twice a week. The principal have known a clear cause and it’s the mother who always says OK when the student doesn’t want to go. Schools said that it is difficult for them to deal with the situation.   Vocabulary: consider – [verb] to think about carefully twice – [abverb] two times difficult…
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Beginner

Fake stories might affect Facebook’s earnings

2016年12月14日

Business - B

  Pre-reading questions: Do you know Facebook? Do you have an account on Facebook?   Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg made new plans to remove fake news on their site. Facebook would have a system that will identify if the news is true or not. It would be easier for users to report fake news. It would also make changes to its advertisement system. Many people thought that fake stories affected the U.S. Presidential election. Business analysts are worried because Facebook’s plans might affect their earnings. Some advertisers said that Facebook’s records were incorrect. Analysts thought these factors would affect the company’s earnings.   Vocabulary: CEO – 社長[noun] Chief Executive Officer;…
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Beginner

Man dies in a speed-eating contest

2016年12月14日

World News - Beginner

  Pre-reading questions: Do you like onigiri? Have you ever participated on any festival in your country?   A man fainted in an onigiri speed-eating contest in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture. He fainted because of a large onigiri in his throat. He was brought to the hospital right away, but he died 3 days after. The speed-eating was done to celebrate Friendship Festival in their region. Organizers felt sorry about the incident. The event happened last November 13.   Vocabulary: faint – 気が遠くなって[adjective] to lose consciousness. contest – コンテスト[noun] a race or competition. region – 地域[noun] a district or division. organizer – 主催者[noun] a person or group who organize things, events,…
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Beginner

Times University Ranking

2016年12月9日

Education - B

  Pre-reading questions: Have you ever experienced studying abroad? What do you think is the best university in Japan?   The University of Tokyo ranked fourth in best university in Asia. National University of Singapore took the Asian crown. Tsinghua University in China also moved up. The University of Tokyo, was beaten again by Peking University. The rankings set standard for teaching. World university rankings are now in their 13th year.   Vocabulary: rank – ランク[noun] give (someone or something) a rank or place; list; group Asia – アジア[noun] Earth’s largest and most populous continent move up – 初級する[verb] move upward; go up beaten – 負かす[verb] having been defeated standard…
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Beginner

World’s First Bollywood Theme Park Opens in Dubai

2016年12月6日

Lifestyle

  Pre-reading questions: Do you like going to parks? What do you usually do in the park?   People going to Dubai are lucky. A new theme park opened last November 17. The theme park is inspired by famous Indian movies. The name of the park is Bollywood Parks Dubai because Indian movies are called Bollywood movies. There will be many attractions in Bollywood Parks Dubai.   Vocabulary: Dubai – ドバイ[proper noun] a city in United Arab Emirates (UAE) lucky – 幸運な[adjective] good luck; fortune inspired – 感化されて[adjective] come from famous – 有名な[adjective] known by many people attractions – アトラクション[noun] something people want to see   True or False: The…
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Beginner

HIV Test on a USB Stick

2016年11月28日

Health - Beg

  Pre-reading questions: Do you always get sick? Have you heard of HIV?   Scientists found a new way to test HIV by using a USB stick. It was developed by scientists from Imperial College London and the US firm DNA Electronics. It uses a drop of blood on a USB stick to detect the virus. It will give signals to computers or mobile devices. It can give fast and good results. This is the same with monitoring blood sugar levels on diabetic patients.   Vocabulary: HIV – HIV[noun] a virus that causes AIDS USB – USB[noun] a device that stores data virus – ウイルス[noun] something that causes disease mobile…
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Beginner

Ali Baba breaks sales record on Singles’ Day

2016年11月28日

Business - B

  Pre-reading questions: Do you always use your computer? Where do you shop?   The Chinese online company called Ali Baba has sold several products on Singles Day. They have earned 121 billion yuan ($18 billion) that day. It is 12 percent higher than what they earned last year. They said 82 percent of the customers have bought a new smartphone, but some people wonder if it’s true. Also, others say some online sellers sell fake products. Still, analysts think online shopping is a good business because even the people in rural areas have smartphones so they can shop online now.   Vocabulary: Singles’ Day – シングルズ・デイ[noun] November 11, a…
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Beginner

Earthquake strikes New Zealand

2016年11月28日

World News - Beginner

  Pre-reading questions: Have you ever experienced an earthquake? Where is the best place to go during an earthquake?   The impact of magnitude 7.8 earthquake is still not clear. Officials say at least 2 people died. Small towns were inaccessible and roads were blocked by landslides. About 600 people were trapped in Kaikoura, but the government already gave help to the townspeople.   Vocabulary: magnitude – [noun] the great size inaccessible – [adjective] unable to be reached block – [noun] difficult; impossible landslide – [noun] rockslide; mudslide trapped – [verb] cannot move   True or False: The impact of magnitude 8 earthquake is still not clear. Officials say at…
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Beginner

Airport Wi-Fi

2016年11月28日

Lifestyle

  Pre-reading questions: Do you think Wi-Fi is useful for everyone? How important is Wi-Fi to you?   A new list of Wi-Fi speed in airports was issued this year. Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport USA is the first one on the list. These five Asian countries are added: Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Taiwan. Six airports from Thailand are also on the list this year.   Vocabulary: list – 一覧表[noun] a number of connected items or written names speed – スピード[noun] a rate of movement or action airport – 空港[noun] a place where airplanes can land or take off issued – 発する[verb] provided; given national – 国の[adjective] a…
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Beginner

Overworking Issue

2016年11月24日

Japan - Beginner

Pre-reading questions: What is your dream job? What are the most popular companies in your country? In Japan, working conditions are too strict and sometimes they cause employees to commit suicide. An employee from Dentsu Inc. was reported to have committed suicide due to overworking. Overworking can cause depression according to the health office. Now, authorities are inspecting the company and its branches because of the situation. They are also going to have on-site inspections to almost all companies in Japan. Vocabulary: strict – 厳しい[adjective] used to describe a rule or command that must be obeyed employee – 従業員[noun] a person who works for another person or a company for…
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Beginner