10/19 Free talk
7:30-8:30 3 People
8:30-9:30 5 People
Hello! Sorry about the missed blog!
On that day, many people were tired from work! So we talked for quite a bit about work, and about retirement. We also talked about Tokyo, because two people had been on business trips to Tokyo. We talked about the different ways of going to Tokyo (car, bullet train, or night bus) and also what we liked (and didn't) about Tokyo. We also talked about capsule hotels and other places to stay. It can be hard to find a place sometimes to book. When I originally came to Japan, I had thought I wanted to try a capsule hotel because we do not have them in Canada. I never have, and at this point, don't plan on trying one! We also talked about the banking system in Japan, compared with other countries.
In the second hour, we talked about health. We talked about the pharmaceutical industry. We also talked about getting sick. In Japan, drugs are prescribed much easier than in Canada when you go to the doctor for a common cold. In particular, in Japan, they will prescribe antibiotics. But this has a problem because it creates resistant bacteria. We talked about some of the issues in our current sicknesses in Japan. Finally, we also talked about diabetes because our Dr. H from the class works in that field!
Thank you all for coming!
A few new words/phrases:
TGIF (Thank God/Goodness It's Friday!)
Bait
Pun
Paramedic
Genes
Best,
Michael
8:30-9:30 5 People
Hello! Sorry about the missed blog!
On that day, many people were tired from work! So we talked for quite a bit about work, and about retirement. We also talked about Tokyo, because two people had been on business trips to Tokyo. We talked about the different ways of going to Tokyo (car, bullet train, or night bus) and also what we liked (and didn't) about Tokyo. We also talked about capsule hotels and other places to stay. It can be hard to find a place sometimes to book. When I originally came to Japan, I had thought I wanted to try a capsule hotel because we do not have them in Canada. I never have, and at this point, don't plan on trying one! We also talked about the banking system in Japan, compared with other countries.
In the second hour, we talked about health. We talked about the pharmaceutical industry. We also talked about getting sick. In Japan, drugs are prescribed much easier than in Canada when you go to the doctor for a common cold. In particular, in Japan, they will prescribe antibiotics. But this has a problem because it creates resistant bacteria. We talked about some of the issues in our current sicknesses in Japan. Finally, we also talked about diabetes because our Dr. H from the class works in that field!
Thank you all for coming!
A few new words/phrases:
TGIF (Thank God/Goodness It's Friday!)
Bait
Pun
Paramedic
Genes
Best,
Michael
11/2 Free Talk
7:30-8:30 1 Person
8:30-9:30 3 People
We had only a few people! We talked a bit about Halloween. At the International Pre-school where I work we had a Halloween party, and there was also a party at Velco on the weekend. We talked about the kind of costumes people wore, and we talked about how Japanese people are often shy to wear costumes. Perhaps especially men, though women also.
We talked a bit about beer! And some of the kind of beer we like! Recently craft beer has become more popular in Japan. Already in Canada, craft beer and microbrewery beer is very common. Most people that I know do not drink the big brands, but the smaller local companies.
In the second half, we talked about being a doctor. And we talked about the processes of becoming a doctor. We talked about the University Hospital, and also about the amount of money a doctor makes if they work part-time at a clinic.
A few new words:
tangy
theme
graffiti
authentic
radical
8:30-9:30 3 People
We had only a few people! We talked a bit about Halloween. At the International Pre-school where I work we had a Halloween party, and there was also a party at Velco on the weekend. We talked about the kind of costumes people wore, and we talked about how Japanese people are often shy to wear costumes. Perhaps especially men, though women also.
We talked a bit about beer! And some of the kind of beer we like! Recently craft beer has become more popular in Japan. Already in Canada, craft beer and microbrewery beer is very common. Most people that I know do not drink the big brands, but the smaller local companies.
In the second half, we talked about being a doctor. And we talked about the processes of becoming a doctor. We talked about the University Hospital, and also about the amount of money a doctor makes if they work part-time at a clinic.
A few new words:
tangy
theme
graffiti
authentic
radical
10/26 Free talk
7:30-8:30 5 People
8:30-9:30 6 People
Hello,
We talked only a few things. At first we talked about things in Japan that we would like to teach visitors to Japan. And the example someone suggested was Buddhist things and Buddhist statues. From there we also got on the topic of flying, and particularly airline food. Many people thought that the airline food on Japanese airlines, and other Asian airlines, was much better than the food on Western airlines. I think I agree with that!
We talked a bit about hobbies, specifically playing tennis. One person was telling us about the nice company tennis court in Juso.
We started on a discussion of anthropology, and my background. I explained a bit about my research, and about the field of anthropology. I guess the subject is a bit difficult! So we finished with a chat about television shows we like.
New words/phrases:
attention span
pilates
bodyweight
strict
anthropology
devious
deceiving
8:30-9:30 6 People
Hello,
We talked only a few things. At first we talked about things in Japan that we would like to teach visitors to Japan. And the example someone suggested was Buddhist things and Buddhist statues. From there we also got on the topic of flying, and particularly airline food. Many people thought that the airline food on Japanese airlines, and other Asian airlines, was much better than the food on Western airlines. I think I agree with that!
We talked a bit about hobbies, specifically playing tennis. One person was telling us about the nice company tennis court in Juso.
We started on a discussion of anthropology, and my background. I explained a bit about my research, and about the field of anthropology. I guess the subject is a bit difficult! So we finished with a chat about television shows we like.
New words/phrases:
attention span
pilates
bodyweight
strict
anthropology
devious
deceiving
10/12 Free Talk
7:30-8:30 1 Person
8:30-9:30 3 People
Hi all!
We discussed a few things. In the first hour, we spoke about ballet, because the student had just gone to Tokyo to see a ballet performance. She is very into ballet, and she said this performance was better than the last time she saw the troop.
We aso spoke about some holidays in October. The day happened to be Canadian thanksgiving, which is the second Monday of October. This is one month earlier than in the United States. We talked about the kinds of things we do on Thanksgiving, which mainly center on the turkey dinner. We also spoke about Halloween.
In the second half, we talked about some other sports. We talked about rugby, and we talked about soccer/football in the UK. We talked about living in the UK also, because one student had just come back from Manchester. We talked about homestays as well.
Not many new words/terms:
claymation
clay
hassle
Best,
Michael
8:30-9:30 3 People
Hi all!
We discussed a few things. In the first hour, we spoke about ballet, because the student had just gone to Tokyo to see a ballet performance. She is very into ballet, and she said this performance was better than the last time she saw the troop.
We aso spoke about some holidays in October. The day happened to be Canadian thanksgiving, which is the second Monday of October. This is one month earlier than in the United States. We talked about the kinds of things we do on Thanksgiving, which mainly center on the turkey dinner. We also spoke about Halloween.
In the second half, we talked about some other sports. We talked about rugby, and we talked about soccer/football in the UK. We talked about living in the UK also, because one student had just come back from Manchester. We talked about homestays as well.
Not many new words/terms:
claymation
clay
hassle
Best,
Michael
10/5 Free Talk
7:30-8:30 3 People
8:30-9:20 5 People
Hi all!
Thanks for coming.
Today we talked a lot about living and travelling overseas. We talked about living in America, and some of the differences between Japan and America, such as the 'freedom' in America. We also talked about the way people live in Japan, and particularly how people in Kansai are more open or sociable than people from other parts of Japan. We talked about how in Canada or America, often staff and cashiers will chat with you, but that is not very common in Japan.
We talked also about the safety of Japan, and the danger of some other countries.
In the second half, we mostly continued a similar kind of talk. We talked about people's trips to Spain and Italy recently. This gravitated towards the food they ate and the food of those countries. And we began talking about food. We had an extended discussion of pizza, and the kinds of pizza in Canada, Japan, and other parts of the world.
A few new words:
craving
commemorate
memorialize
Best,
Michael
8:30-9:20 5 People
Hi all!
Thanks for coming.
Today we talked a lot about living and travelling overseas. We talked about living in America, and some of the differences between Japan and America, such as the 'freedom' in America. We also talked about the way people live in Japan, and particularly how people in Kansai are more open or sociable than people from other parts of Japan. We talked about how in Canada or America, often staff and cashiers will chat with you, but that is not very common in Japan.
We talked also about the safety of Japan, and the danger of some other countries.
In the second half, we mostly continued a similar kind of talk. We talked about people's trips to Spain and Italy recently. This gravitated towards the food they ate and the food of those countries. And we began talking about food. We had an extended discussion of pizza, and the kinds of pizza in Canada, Japan, and other parts of the world.
A few new words:
craving
commemorate
memorialize
Best,
Michael
