Intermediate

A day to experience history

club-2492013_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How is the Constitution Memorial Day usually celebrated in Japan? What do you know about Japan’s constitution? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. sovereignty /SOV-rin-tee/ [noun] – the power of a country to control its own government The question of who should have sovereignty over the island is being debated. symbol /SIM-buhl/ [noun] – something that is used to represent a quality or idea Water is a symbol of life. state /steyt / [noun] – a country or its government The drought is particularly severe in the state. human rights /HYOO-muhn…
Read more

The Golden Week

a house-shaped blackboard with the text golden week written in it and a flag of japan, against a pale green rustic wooden background

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What holidays do you always look forward to? Please tell me more about them. What do you think is the most important holiday in your country and why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. date back /deyt bak/ [phrasal verb] – to have existed for a particular length of time or since a particular time Washington’s official snowfall records date back to 1884. honor /ON-er/ [verb] – to show great respect for someone, esp. in public Mother’s Day is a special day to honor motherhood. entrance /EN-truhns/ [noun] – the right…
Read more

DOLE opens 12,000 jobs for Filipinos on Labor Day 2022

business-man-g1327f005d_1920

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. What are some popular job-hunting websites in your country? In which of these industries are you most interested to work, electronics, fishing, or tourism? Why? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. nationwide /NEY-shuhn-WIDE/ [adverb] – existing or happening in all parts of a particular country The clothing store offers delivery service nationwide. overseas /OH-ver-SEEZ/ [adjective] – in, from, or to other countries The overseas students will arrive in the city at 8:00 a.m. demand /dih-MAND/ [verb] – to ask for something forcefully, in a way that shows that you do not…
Read more

Argentines rely on cryptocurrency for their basic needs

bitcoin

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How important is it to invest? In what kind of things would you like to invest? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. repeat /ri-PEET/ [noun] – a situation in which something happens or is done more than once There will be a repeat of this event next year. debit card /DEB-it kahrd/ [noun] – a small plastic card that can be used as a method of payment, the money being taken from your bank account automatically I would like to pay with my debit card, please. affordable /uh-FAWR-duh-buhl/ [adjective] – not…
Read more

Japanese Era to reminisce

tori-gba243a559_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How do you usually celebrate a holiday? What were the moments in your life that you want to reminisce about? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. unlike /uhn-LAHYK/ [preposition] – different from Unlike his father, Dan is a very pleasant person. reflect /ri-FLEKT / [verb] – to think carefully, especially about possibilities and opinions The boss demanded time to reflect on what to do. debate /dih-BEYT/ [noun] – (a) serious discussion of a subject in which many people take part Education is the current focus of the debate. look back /look…
Read more

Japanese researchers create electric chopsticks to boost salty tastes

http___cdn.cnn.com_cnnnext_dam_assets_220419011644-03-electric-chopsticks

©Issei kato via Reuters Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How often do you eat salty food? Do you use metal chopsticks? Why or why not? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. heighten /HAHYT-n/ [verb] – to increase or make something increase, especially an emotion or effect TV commercials heightened the interest in food products. sense /sens/ [noun] – an ability to understand, recognize, value, or react to something, especially any of the five physical abilities to see, hear, smell, taste, and feel Mina lost her sense of smell after catching a cold. intake /IN-teyk/ [noun] –…
Read more

Four ways to be a sustainable fashionista

clothes

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. How would you describe your fashion sense? How often do you go shopping for clothes? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. minor /MAHY-ner/ [adjective] – having little importance, influence, or effect, especially when compared with other things of the same type There were some minor changes to the schedule. fashionista /fash-uh-NEE-stuh/ [noun] – a devoted follower of fashion She is known as the stylish fashionista of the group. outfit /OUT-fit/ [noun] – a set of clothes worn for a particular occasion or activity Alice went out to buy a new outfit…
Read more

MPs worry that a labor shortage in agriculture could lead to an increase in prices

tractor-g125966436_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Does your country prioritize agriculture? Please elaborate on your answer. Why does labor shortage happen? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. lead to /leed too/ [phrasal verb] – if an action or event leads to something, it causes that thing to happen or exist Reducing speed limits should lead to fewer accidents on the road. imported /im-PAWRT-id/ [adjective] – (of goods or services) brought into a country from abroad for sale The imported cigarettes were bought by my dad. seasonal /SEE-zuh-nl/ [adjective] – relating to or happening during a particular period…
Read more

Twitter implements a “poison pill” against Elon Musk’s offer

twitter

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. When did you first join a social media platform? Please tell me more about it. What do you think are the pros and cons of social media? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. billionaire /bil-yuh-NAIR/ [noun] – a person who has money, property, etc. that is worth at least 1,000,000,000 dollars, pounds, euros, etc. The newly appointed mayor is actually a billionaire. stake /steyk/ [noun] – a share or a financial involvement in something such as a business Charles holds a 10 percent stake of the company. strategy /STRAT-i-jee/ [noun] –…
Read more

Companies to face clean-up costs for dumped litter

garbage-can-gd5b3ba941_1280

Pre-reading questions: I will read each question. Then, please answer them. Are you in favor of recycling? Why? What do you do when you see litter around you? Vocabulary: I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me. regulation /reg-yuh-LEY-shuhn/ [noun] – an official rule or the act of controlling something To increase profits, corporation executives disregard safety regulations. target /TAHR-git/ [noun] – a level or situation that you intend to achieve The government’s 3.5 percent annual growth target appears to be within reach. implement /IM-pluh-men/ [verb] – to start using a plan or system Changes to the national health system will be implemented the following…
Read more