9/28 Free Talk
7:30-8:30 1 Person
8:30-9:30 2 People
Hi all,
In the first half we talked about celebrity marriages recently in the news. We also talked about ballet, gymnastics and other exercises. We talked about the kind of injures we can get from these sports. Recently, I have had wrist problems from working out.
In the second half, we talked first about whisky. We then talked about family. The week before, I missed the lesson because I had an event to celebrate my father-in-laws 70th birthday. We talked about what everyone did on their Silver Week.
There was only a couple of new words:
buff
nauseous
Best,
Michael
8:30-9:30 2 People
Hi all,
In the first half we talked about celebrity marriages recently in the news. We also talked about ballet, gymnastics and other exercises. We talked about the kind of injures we can get from these sports. Recently, I have had wrist problems from working out.
In the second half, we talked first about whisky. We then talked about family. The week before, I missed the lesson because I had an event to celebrate my father-in-laws 70th birthday. We talked about what everyone did on their Silver Week.
There was only a couple of new words:
buff
nauseous
Best,
Michael
9/14 Free Talk
7:30-8:30 1 Person
8:30-9:30 3 People
Hello all,
First we discussed the recent typhoon. In particular, there was a great dealing of flooding and this caused a controversy surrounding possible fraud. It has been big in the news, but personally I have not watched the news. I was told that it is at 11pm on Osaka TV and 9pm on NHK.
We spent quite a while talking about world economics. We talked about Abe's policys and so-called abenomics. We talked about neoliberalism in the world. Personally, I am opposed to neoliberalism, but others in the class thought it was a good thing. This got me talking a bit because it is close to the field I studied, anthropology, and the work of a prominent professor at my university, David Graeber, who wrote a book called "Debt: The First 5000 Years."
We talked about Germany, and the recent influx of refugees. These refugees really started increasing in August and September, and this has made another controversy in Europe. We also talked about other countries like Australia. I think I wouldn't mind living there, except that the UV rays are too strong! I would get sunburned.
New words and phrases:
casualties
constitution
parliamentary
anthropology
neoliberalism
debt
slavery
Best,
Michael
8:30-9:30 3 People
Hello all,
First we discussed the recent typhoon. In particular, there was a great dealing of flooding and this caused a controversy surrounding possible fraud. It has been big in the news, but personally I have not watched the news. I was told that it is at 11pm on Osaka TV and 9pm on NHK.
We spent quite a while talking about world economics. We talked about Abe's policys and so-called abenomics. We talked about neoliberalism in the world. Personally, I am opposed to neoliberalism, but others in the class thought it was a good thing. This got me talking a bit because it is close to the field I studied, anthropology, and the work of a prominent professor at my university, David Graeber, who wrote a book called "Debt: The First 5000 Years."
We talked about Germany, and the recent influx of refugees. These refugees really started increasing in August and September, and this has made another controversy in Europe. We also talked about other countries like Australia. I think I wouldn't mind living there, except that the UV rays are too strong! I would get sunburned.
New words and phrases:
casualties
constitution
parliamentary
anthropology
neoliberalism
debt
slavery
Best,
Michael
9/7 Free Talk
7:30-8:30 3 People
8:30-9:30 4 People
Hello all,
On 9/7, we talked first about blackberry black label. I did not know it was a special label only available in Japan, and much cheaper. But too bad it went out of business! We also talked about purchasing used clothing, and from there a discussion of charity. In the UK and in Canada, charity shops are very common. These are stores that sell old clothes and use the money to help some cause, such as cancer, orphans, homeless people, developed countries, religious causes, and so on. From there we talked about lemonade stands, because over the summer I was part of a lemonade stand project to help people with cancer. Children sell lemonade, and the money goes to the charity.
We also talked about posture and shoulder pain. We had some ideas about why it is very common for elderly Japanese, women especially, to have very poor posture. Most of the students thought that Japanese people have worse posture than Western people. We also talked about the way that high-heeled shoes seem more popular in Japan, at least to me.
We talked about some of the recent issues surrounding the Olympics in Tokyo. I was interested to learn about the controversy surrounding the new stadium, and how it was reduced in scope because of the cost. We also talked about the emblem controversy. From there we talked about Japanese politicians, and some of the stranger things they say. They couldn't say those things in Canada, I don't think!
Words and phrases
out of curiosity
charity
passerby
chores
mow the lawn
posture
Best,
Michael
8:30-9:30 4 People
Hello all,
On 9/7, we talked first about blackberry black label. I did not know it was a special label only available in Japan, and much cheaper. But too bad it went out of business! We also talked about purchasing used clothing, and from there a discussion of charity. In the UK and in Canada, charity shops are very common. These are stores that sell old clothes and use the money to help some cause, such as cancer, orphans, homeless people, developed countries, religious causes, and so on. From there we talked about lemonade stands, because over the summer I was part of a lemonade stand project to help people with cancer. Children sell lemonade, and the money goes to the charity.
We also talked about posture and shoulder pain. We had some ideas about why it is very common for elderly Japanese, women especially, to have very poor posture. Most of the students thought that Japanese people have worse posture than Western people. We also talked about the way that high-heeled shoes seem more popular in Japan, at least to me.
We talked about some of the recent issues surrounding the Olympics in Tokyo. I was interested to learn about the controversy surrounding the new stadium, and how it was reduced in scope because of the cost. We also talked about the emblem controversy. From there we talked about Japanese politicians, and some of the stranger things they say. They couldn't say those things in Canada, I don't think!
Words and phrases
out of curiosity
charity
passerby
chores
mow the lawn
posture
Best,
Michael
8/31 Free Talk
7:30-8:30 5 People
8:30-9:30 5 People
We talked about a few things. We talked about Gunma, where one student is from. Apparently, Gunma is well-known for having very strong women. He explained that he is not married, but he did say that his mother is a lot stronger than his father!
We talked about different languages, because one person who I had met for the first time is Chinese. We talked about China and Chinese for a while. We talked about whether it is easy or hard for Chinese people to learn Japanese. We also discussed the sound of different languages and which are easy and difficult for speakers of other languages. From here we also talked about Japanese pronunciation too.
In the second half, we spent a long time talking about education. We talked about the Japanese education system. Japan, and other countries in Asia, have very high ratings on standardized tests. But people asked me what I thought, and my worry is that Japanese students do not get enough exposure to critical thinking. This means the opportunity to consider something, express their opinion, and make that opinion into an argument with logic. So I guess many different education styles each have their advantages and disadvantages.
8:30-9:30 5 People
We talked about a few things. We talked about Gunma, where one student is from. Apparently, Gunma is well-known for having very strong women. He explained that he is not married, but he did say that his mother is a lot stronger than his father!
We talked about different languages, because one person who I had met for the first time is Chinese. We talked about China and Chinese for a while. We talked about whether it is easy or hard for Chinese people to learn Japanese. We also discussed the sound of different languages and which are easy and difficult for speakers of other languages. From here we also talked about Japanese pronunciation too.
In the second half, we spent a long time talking about education. We talked about the Japanese education system. Japan, and other countries in Asia, have very high ratings on standardized tests. But people asked me what I thought, and my worry is that Japanese students do not get enough exposure to critical thinking. This means the opportunity to consider something, express their opinion, and make that opinion into an argument with logic. So I guess many different education styles each have their advantages and disadvantages.
8/24 Free Talk
7:30-8:30 5 People
8:30-9:30 6 People
Hello all!
We first talked about the incoming typhoon. From there I told a story about the time I went to Koya-san, and I had to stay inside the temple for the entire night because of the typhoon. I had nothing to do, but it was a kind of zen experience!
We talked about a few of the people's work, mainly our Trial Student's. He works in semiconductors. We also talked about his interest in a game called sepak takraw, which is popular in Thailand. This sport seems to be a mixture of volleyball and hacky sack.
We talked about pro sports, and which sports people liked. We talked about pro sports in Japan, and also in Canada.
In a discussion of Obon, we talked about the different customs in different parts of Japan. One person talked about her experience with Obon customs in Kyushu. She explained that people have a long gathering at the grave, where they eat or drink, and it is nothing like what she has ever done in Kansai.
We also discussed exercising and health. Recently, I have been working outside in the park. We talked about the difference exercise routines different people do, such as dance. We talked about the way that all Japanese people learn to spin around an iron bar in school, and how these bars are in all Japanese parks. When I was a child in Canada, I never learned such a thing. We also talked about Japanese radio calisthenics.
Finally, we talked about alcoholic drinks and what people like, and also someone's discussion of Yasukuni shrine.
New words:
sepak takraw
inning (baseball)
seed
lenient
patriotic
calisthenics
investment bankers
.
8:30-9:30 6 People
Hello all!
We first talked about the incoming typhoon. From there I told a story about the time I went to Koya-san, and I had to stay inside the temple for the entire night because of the typhoon. I had nothing to do, but it was a kind of zen experience!
We talked about a few of the people's work, mainly our Trial Student's. He works in semiconductors. We also talked about his interest in a game called sepak takraw, which is popular in Thailand. This sport seems to be a mixture of volleyball and hacky sack.
We talked about pro sports, and which sports people liked. We talked about pro sports in Japan, and also in Canada.
In a discussion of Obon, we talked about the different customs in different parts of Japan. One person talked about her experience with Obon customs in Kyushu. She explained that people have a long gathering at the grave, where they eat or drink, and it is nothing like what she has ever done in Kansai.
We also discussed exercising and health. Recently, I have been working outside in the park. We talked about the difference exercise routines different people do, such as dance. We talked about the way that all Japanese people learn to spin around an iron bar in school, and how these bars are in all Japanese parks. When I was a child in Canada, I never learned such a thing. We also talked about Japanese radio calisthenics.
Finally, we talked about alcoholic drinks and what people like, and also someone's discussion of Yasukuni shrine.
New words:
sepak takraw
inning (baseball)
seed
lenient
patriotic
calisthenics
investment bankers
.
