Intermediate

Online market competitions

2016年12月16日

  Pre-reading questions: Where do you usually shop? What are the items that you usually buy? Have you tried buying anything online?   Online shopping is now on the rise in Japan. As competition heats up, online shoppers get freebies and perks. Online shopping is faster than spending much time in mall shopping. Different techniques and styles are being offered by different online shoppers.These companies are improving to gain more costumers. E-commerce is expected to grow more and more. The e-commerce market, including online shopping has worth ¥13.8 trillion in 2015 according to the Economy, Trade, and Industry Ministry. The worth 5 years ago has doubled the market. Companies are…
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Intermediate

Naganuma for Olympics 2020

2016年12月16日

  Pre-reading questions: Do you play sports in your school? What is your most favorite sports? Did you ever wish to become a professional athlete?   The planned place for rowing and canoe competitions of Olympics 2020 is in Miyage Prefecture, according to the four parties assigned for the upcoming event. These parties will make a final plan for the venue. Miyagi Naganuma has an advantage since the costs of construction will cut down to ¥15 billion from ¥20 billion. It can also become a symbol of restoration from the Great East Japan Earthquake. But there are possibilities that the plan will split the Olympic Village and this made the…
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Intermediate

University officials say undocumented students studying abroad should go home

2016年12月16日

  Pre-reading questions: Do you want to study abroad? Why? What do you think about immigrants studying in your country? What do you think about this quote by Aldous Huxley?: “To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries”.   Colleges in the United States are asking undocumented immigrant students studying abroad to return home before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January. As part of Trump’s campaign to deport 2 to 3 million undocumented immigrants, he may be able to cancel the Obama Administration’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program which gives young, undocumented immigrants temporary protection against deportation. California State University advised its 23…
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Intermediate

The 90th annual Macy’s thanksgiving day parade

2016年12月16日

  Pre-reading questions: What is your idea about Thanksgiving Day? Have you ever watched Thanksgiving Day parade? What are some Thanksgiving traditions that you know?   Thousands of people waited last Thursday, November 24, 2016 for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. Iconic inflatable balloons floated and marched their way through New York City. Charlie Brown led the balloons as the parade kicked off at 9:00 am. Costumed characters and dozens of celebrities, including singer Tony Bennett and Olympic gold medalist Laurie Hernandez, were among the guests. However, an English Islamic State group magazine called the parade an excellent target, yet more than 3,000 officers walked among the crowds on that…
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Intermediate

Pastry Kitchen in Beijing boost hopes to PWD

2016年12月16日

  Pre-reading questions: How many are you in your family? Do you like bread and pastries? Do you have an orphanage in your area?   Beijing, China – A charity bakery named Bread of Life is giving hopes to persons with disabilities. They are hiring and training people to be creative and productive in the bakery. Established by an American couple, Keith and Cheryl Wyse last 2008, the pair was motivated to build the said bakery to help persons with disabilities. Although China’s economy is rising, experts say that they are lacking in this aspect. A number of parents are not capable of raising their children due to lack of…
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Intermediate

Students refuse going to school

2016年12月16日

  Pre-reading questions: What makes school fun? What is your most unforgettable school experience? Did you ever wish to stay a student forever?   Problems at home and school could lead students to lose interest and motivation to go to school. A number of students in elementary and junior high school who do not go to school are increasing according to statistics. The duration of students’ absences varies widely. Some students miss a few school days, others a month while others give up school entirely to stay at home. Some students also have problems to make friends with other people. Some elementary students are violent toward their peers. This year’s…
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Intermediate

Fake stories might affect Facebook’s earnings

2016年12月14日

  Pre-reading questions: How long have you been using the internet? Do you know Facebook? Do you have friends in the internet?   Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg laid out new schemes on dealing with fake news on their site. The site would include an improved detection system, easier reporting by users, and changes to its advertisement system. This step was triggered by the possibility that the circulation of fake stories on the site influenced the recent U.S. Presidential election. On the other hand, business analysts worry on how the changes to its advertisement system could hurt the social networking site’s revenue. This is amid advertisers’ claim of faulty metrics and…
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Intermediate

Man dies in a speed-eating contest

2016年12月14日

  Pre-reading questions: Do you like Onigiri? What is your favorite festival in your region/country? Have you ever attended a festival?   A 28-year old man fainted in an onigiri speed-eating contest in Shiga Prefecture last November. The man was assisted immediately by medical professionals, but he passed away 3 days after. The onigiri speed-eating contest was done to celebrate the “Friendship Festival” in the said prefecture. Higashibiwako Japan Agricultural Co-operative organized the event to boost Shiga’s agricultural products. The organizers put a notice on their website giving thanks to the medical team who responded right away during the incident. Authorities found out that they are prepared for emergencies and…
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Intermediate

Times University Ranking

2016年12月9日

  Pre-reading questions: Do you think well-known universities are the best? What qualities should we consider in choosing a university? Do you think university ranking is important?   Times Higher Education World University Rankings list the 980 finest universities. The ranking was estimated by professional services firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). The world university rankings justified that Asia’s progress in higher education is developing. Around 289 Asian universities from 24 countries were included in the ranking. The National University of Singapore received the Asian crown in 24th place. The University of Tokyo, which was customarily the top Asian institution, was beaten by Peking University. The University of Tokyo ranked 39th this year….
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Intermediate

World’s First Bollywood Theme Park Opens in Dubai

2016年12月6日

  Pre-reading questions: Have you tried watching a Bollywood movie? Have you gone to a theme park? How was it? You are going to a theme park, who will you go with? Why?   The world’s first Bollywood Theme Park has just opened last November 17. Tourists going to Dubai can enjoy a culturally-rich fanfare inspired by popular Hindi movies. DXB Entertainments PJSC is the proprietor of Dubai Parks and Resorts. Its CEO Raed Kajoor Al Nuaimi stated his pride for its latest venture, which took three years of hard work and perseverance. The 25 million square foot Dubai Parks and Resorts was regarded as “the largest integrated theme park”….
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Intermediate