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Every week throughout the year, a blog written by a Ritsumeikan language facilitator will be posted here. These blogs cover a wide range of topics: language learning tips, stories from daily life, travel recommendations, and more.
By clicking on the ‘CATEGORY↓’ tab on the right, you can search for subjects you’d like to read about. Whatever your tastes, we are sure there will be something here for you!
コラム一覧 / Blog List
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02 .05The Story of Narcissus and Echo
Photo Credit: Engin Akyurt @Pexels.com
The ancient Greeks told stories about their gods and heroes. These stories, or myths, helped to form western culture. There are many English words that come from Greek mythology. Two such words come from the story of Narcissus and Echo. Below is a retelling of the myth based on the writing of Ovid, a Roman poet.
Once there was a youth named Narcissus, who was 16 years old but appeared to be a man. He was so handsome that others fell in love with him. However, Narcissus cared only about himself and spurned the many youths who sought his attention and love.
Hera, the queen of the gods, was looking for her unfaithful husband, Zeus. She saw the nymph Echo playing in the woods. Hera was envious of Echo’s gaiety, or cheerfulness, and so she cursed her by making it impossible for her to speak except for repeating what others said.
Echo would often see Narcissus walking through the woods alone or with friends and, like all the other maidens, she fell in love with him.
One day, when Narcissus was in the forest alone, he heard Echo step on a branch. “Who is there?” he called out. Echo could only respond by repeating his words, “Who is there?”
Narcissus responded, “Come to me.”
And Echo replied, “Come.”
“Why?” replied Narcissus. “Why are you avoiding me?”
“Avoiding me,” replied Echo.
“Come and introduce yourself,” said Narcissus, “I wish to meet you.”
“Meet you,” replied Echo.
She came out from behind a tree and up to Narcissus. She put her arms around his neck and looked him in the eyes. But Narcissus pushed her away and ran.
Echo disappeared into the forest and found a cave where she hid herself--her heart still loved Narcissus. Eventually, Narcissus’ arrogance angered the gods. One day, he grew thirsty and found a small pond. One of the gods made the pond silvery bright so that, when Narcissus bent over to take a drink, he saw his own reflection, which was so beautiful that it matched that of the god Apollo. Narcissus fell in love with the image of his own face. He stared into the pond and forgot all else, including food. He remained for days until his body grew weak. Narcissus knew he was close to death and called out, “Farewell.”
Echo heard him and responded, “Farewell.” She went back to her cave and lived there all alone. Her body wasted away and shriveled up until it was gone. The only thing that remained was her voice, which still repeats back what is said.
From this story, we get the English words narcissist and echo. What do you think they mean?
Glossary
myth: a traditional story often involving supernatural beings, such as gods, faeries, and nymphs.
spurn: to reject because you think the other person is unworthy
nymph: a nature spirit
arrogance: thinking that you are better and more important than others; overbearing pride
reflection: the image of something in a mirror or clear body of water
Questions:
Q1. After reading the story, what do you think the word narcissist means?
a. a handsome young man
b. someone who thinks about or admires only him or herself
c. someone who enjoys walking in the forest
Q2. What is an echo?
a. someone who lives in a cave
b. a young woman who is in love
c. the sound that repeats back to you when you call out
Q3. Why did Narcissus die?
a. He didn’t eat because he couldn’t stop looking at his own reflection
b. Because Echo no longer loved him
c. He had nothing to drink
Scroll down ↓ for the answers
Answers
A1. b
A2. c
A3. a
Rex Stewart -
01 .29Studying Doesn't Have to be Boring
Photo Credit: Armin Rimoldi @Pexels.com
As university students, you often find yourself very busy with studying. And often, it can be difficult and not very exciting. Personally, when I was a student, I dreaded studying. It became so bad that my grades suffered in high school and even in my first year as a university student. I had to make changes! Studying doesn't always have to be such a tiring process. You can take steps to make it just a little easier and fun. Here are a few things that I have used to make my university life more exciting and allowed me to be a great student.
Find a study buddy: studying with a friend or classmate can make the time go by faster and make it more fun. You can quiz each other, discuss the material, and help each other stay motivated. Finding friends from class can help you enjoy your social life and study life much more.
Take breaks: don't try to study for hours on end without taking a break. Get up and move around, stretch, or grab a snack every 20-30 minutes. This will help you stay focused and avoid getting burned out. There are even some methods invented to help concentration while studying such as the Pomodoro Method (25 minutes of work then take a short 5-10 minute break and repeat. After a few rounds, take a long break).
Make studying fun: if you're not enjoying yourself, you are less likely to remember the material. Try to make studying more fun, such as listening to music, taking a walk, or doing something else you enjoy while you study. One way I started enjoying classes was to dig deeper into the materials. I asked questions and volunteered to answer in class as much as possible. Being wrong is okay as long as you try.
Take care of yourself: make sure you are getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, and exercising. When you're taking care of yourself, you will have more energy and focus, which will make studying more enjoyable. Often, we study late at night and don't sleep enough. Try to make a sleep schedule. Also, this will help you not feel so sleepy during classes.
Find a quiet place to study: if you can, find a quiet place where you won't be interrupted. This will help you focus and avoid distractions. Listening to instrumental music may also help you focus. Personally, I like to listen to Lo-Fi music when I need to concentrate.
Don't be afraid to ask for help: when you are struggling with the material, do not be afraid to ask for help from your teacher, a tutor, or a friend. Requesting help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Especially when studying languages, don't be afraid to come to the BBP and ask for tips on studying languages. You may also find some study buddies there.
Studying doesn't have to be all work and no play. Take some time to enjoy learning. Ask questions, explore new ideas, and challenge yourself. The more you enjoy yourself, the more you will learn.
Questions:
Q1. How long do you study before a short break when using the Pomodoro method?
a. 15 minutes
b. 20 minutes
c. 25 minutes
Q2. When studying you should:
a. eat junk food
b. make sure to get enough sleep
c. study only late at night
Q3. What type of music does the author like to listen to when studying?
a. Hip-hop
b. J-pop
c. Lo-Fi
Scroll down ↓ for the answers
Answers
1. c
2. b
3. c
BBP Staff -
01 .22The Best Way to Improve Your English in Japan
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“What is the best way to improve your English in Japan?” If someone asked you this question, what would your answer be? My answer is simple: “BE ACTIVE AND STUDY HARD IN YOUR ENGLISH CLASSES!”
… Alright, alright, I see the fed-up look on your face, so I will stop joking around and give you another answer. (Oh, but I am NOT joking about being active and studying hard in your English classes. Please be active and study hard!) Whenever I’m asked that question, my answer would always be “extensive reading.” Do you know what extensive reading is? Some of you might be disgusted by the thought of reading in English. Have no fear. Extensive reading is very different from what you did in high school and maybe what you are doing now in your reading classes. In fact, the reading done in a lot of English reading classes in Japan is the opposite of what extensive reading is. That kind of reading is often called “intensive reading.”
Intensive reading is about … ・reading difficult reading passages, ・reading in detail, ・reading with a dictionary, ・translating a lot into Japanese, ・trying to understand 100% of the reading passages, ・and focusing on learning grammar and vocabulary.
Are you feeling sick and about to throw up? Again, don’t worry. Extensive reading is completely different.
Extensive reading is about … ・
reading a lot, ・reading easy books, ・reading enjoyable books, ・understanding 80~90% of the book, ・reading without using a dictionary, ・and reading without translating.
As the name suggests, extensive reading is about reading a lot. But also, it’s about reading books that are easy and interesting for you. That is why another name for extensive reading is “pleasure reading.”
I hope you have become interested in extensive reading. Next time, more about why we do extensive reading and how to do it! To be continued!
Q1. What is intensive reading?
Q2. What is extensive reading?
Q3. What is another name for extensive reading?
Scroll down ↓ for the answers
Answer
A1. It is reading difficult passages and trying to understand everything by using a dictionary and often translating. The focus is learning grammar and vocabulary.
A2. It is reading a lot of easy and enjoyable books without using a dictionary and without translating. The focus is enjoying reading the books.
A3. Reading for pleasure
Ryo Kurose -
01 .15Cooking
Photo Credit: Ksenia Chernaya @Pexels.com
I started cooking for myself when I was studying abroad in France. My French roommate often cooked French food with great pride, and that influenced me to become an admirer of French cuisine. I was just a beginner at the time, so I just enjoyed making sauce or dressing. However, at the end of the stay, I could grill meat well and make dishes using ingredients which had been unfamiliar to me, such as sour cream and herbs.
Before studying abroad, I had no interest in food at all. I had no appetite, didn’t enjoy eating, and so I had no interest in cooking. However, after returning to Japan, my parents said that I ate far better. I may have learned the joy of eating in the country of gastronomy. In addition, I was interested then in well-balanced meals and ingenuity for delicious food.
And after I left my parents' house and started living alone, I naturally started cooking. I was still a beginner. Sauteed vegetables weren't as crispy as I had hoped, and I didn't grill meat enough well to get the ideal tenderness. In particular, I still needed to study French cuisine. I also learned to analyze the food served every time I ate out. How fully are they grilled? What ingredients combined with what? What do they make the sauce with?
About 20 years have passed since then. Nowadays, cooking is essential for my better life. Now I know a lot of recipes and I can prepare the dishes for dinner, thinking of keeping a little for the next day's lunch box. I can also meal prep so that I can eat as soon as I get home. I’m looking forward to going to the supermarket thinking, "What dishes will I be able to eat this week with today's shopping?" Of course, I don't forget to take a break by eating out or getting takeout and learn a lot from the food made by professionals. I couldn’t have imagined that I would cook so much. People change.
Questions
Q1. When the author started cooking, she made
A. sour cream
B. sauce or dressing
C. a grilled steak
Q2. After returning to Japan, ...
A. the author ate better
B. the author started cooking well
C. the author lost interest in food
Q3. In order to eat as soon as she gets home, the author
A. buys some takeout.
B. goes to supermarket.
C. meal preps.
Scroll down ↓ for the answers
Answers
A1. B
A2. A
A3. C
BBP Staff -
01 .08How to Improve your English Speaking and Listening Skill
Photo Credit: Tima Miroshnichenko @Pexels.com
With the development of the Internet, we now have more opportunities to come into contact with authentic English. But some people may still not know how to learn it. So here are two study methods I recommend. First of all, speaking practice can be done by yourself alone without studying abroad. You can practice by explaining something and checking it with an English-English dictionary. For example, imagine trying to explain to an alien (who somehow knows English) what a table is. What would you say in English? First, explain it somehow in English, then try looking up “table” in an English-English dictionary - I recommend the Oxford Learner's Dictionaries on the Internet. As a definition of “table”, you'll see "a piece of furniture that consists of a flat top supported by legs". (When explaining to aliens, however, I recommend adding “It’s” at the beginning of the sentence, like “It’s a piece of furniture that consists of a flat top supported by legs”.) You might understand the sentence when you read it, but you might not have explained it so well. If so, this study method is perfect for you. Remember the sentence and you will be able to use the phrase "consists of" and the adjective "supported" from now on. Then, next time you see a table, say aloud “it's a piece of furniture that ...”.
In addition to defining vocabulary, Oxford Learner's Dictionaries also tells us how to use the vocabulary. For example, for a “table” that we checked above, you can see on the same page fixed expressions such as “at a/the table” and “set the table” and their simple example sentences. Since it is a learner's dictionary, the example sentences are short and simple. In other words, by memorizing example sentences and saying them over and over again, you can practice speaking and master many expressions. And in order to improve your listening skills, it is important to listen to a large number of enough easy sentences which you already know the meaning of. To do that, I recommend Motion Pictures Videos produced by Disney. Since they are made for children, they speak English slowly and clearly. I’m sure you remember the story of your favorite movie, so you can listen knowing the meaning of the sentences. And above all, the biggest advantage of this method is that you can enjoy it.
With the internet and good audio equipment, there are many ways to study English. I hope you find the perfect way for you.
Questions
Q1. Which is not mentioned as something you can check in the English-English dictionary?
A. the definition of the word
B. the sentence examples
C. the pronunciation
Q2. Which is mentioned as a reason why movies for children are good to listen to?
A. because their English is simple
B. because the story is easy to understand
C. because there are no rude expressions
Q3. What is the biggest advantage to listening to the movies?
A. It is authentic English.
B. It is easy to remember the phrases.
C. It is fun.
Scroll down ↓ for the answers
Answers
A1. C
A2. B
A3. C
BBP Staff -
12 .25Moving
Photo Credit: Ketut Subiyanto @Pexels.com
I have moved five times in the last 20 years, so I got the hang of the various tasks involved in moving. Now, I’ll let you know my tips for finding a good apartment and moving well.
If you plan to move at the end of March, you should start looking for your apartment in November. First, research online. Check the terrain and hazard map of the new location. Check also the locations of supermarkets and convenience stores. Find out if express trains stop at the station and how often trains come. Then, research the market price of the rent and work out which apartments you can rent.
If possible, go to a real estate agent in December to see the apartments. One of the reasons to go so early is that real estate agents are not busy during this period and take their time to talk with you. If you go in February or March, they are too busy to be as helpful.
In December, they already know that some apartments will be available at the end of next March. In that case, you cannot see the inside of the room because someone lives there, but you can check the entrance or surroundings of the building. You can do that even if you go there in February and March, but the difference is that your real estate agent has time to spare, so you can consult with them. If your real estate agent has seen another room in the same apartment, you can ask what it’s like inside. Also, you can ask them about the security of the area or how busy it is after dark, and, if the rent is cheaper than that of others, they may be able to tell you why.
In addition, some apartments are already available in December, and if you find an available apartment you like, you are lucky. Some kind apartment owners sign the contract in December but let you start paying the rent from the end of February or March. That's the main reason I recommend to start apartment-hunting in December. Owners want to make sure that you take the apartment from the next April, so they hope that you make a decision quickly, so this gives you an advantage. (It is also important to make a good impression on the real estate agent. The real estate agent may let the owner know what you’re like. So, don’t forget to be neat and polite when you see your real estate agent.)
There is one more benefit when you decide in December; you are sure of moving. Some people cannot move at the end of March because there are so many moves in Japan then that they cannot find an available moving service. When you decide early, you can also choose the day and the time you want to move. The only downside to signing a contract in December is the rent. Even if the owner waits until the end of February or March, in March you will have to pay double rent; you need to pay for your current apartment and your new apartment. But if you can get over that, I’m sure it's best to sign in December.
Questions
Q1. If you plan to move at the end of March, you should start looking for your apartment ...
A. in November
B. in December
C. in March
Q2. If possible, it’s better to go to a real estate agent …
A. in November
B. in December
C. in March
Q3. The only downside to signing a contract in December is ...
A. that the real estate agents are busy
B. that you have to pay double rent
C. that the owners are not in hurry
Scroll down ↓ for the answers
Answers
A1. A
A2. B
A3. B
BBP Staff -
12 .18Making Sweets
Photo Credit: Pixabay @Pexels.com
It was during the coronavirus pandemic that I started baking sweets. I heard that the library in the neighborhood would close for a while because of the pandemic, so I borrowed a cheesecake recipe book just because I liked its cover. And a year of mastering cheesecakes began.
I had only a whisk, but no other tools or ingredients. I went to the store to buy cake molds, flour and so on. I was nervous then not only because I was in an unfamiliar sales floor for utensils, but also because I thought there might be a mysterious virus floating around. (Now it’s clear I was too nervous. It was before the virus spread, so it could not have been there at that store.)
Anyway, I got what I needed, and enjoyed making all sorts of cheesecakes for about a year. Making Cheesecakes is deep. You can make an endless variety of cheesecakes, changing the quantity of different ingredients such as cream cheese, sugar, eggs, lemon, fresh cream and cookies. Each time I made it, I made improvements, pursuing my ideal sourness, sweetness, firmness and the base (that is the bottom part of the cookie dough).
But I don’t make cheesecakes today. I finally found and realized my favorite cheesecake, but I quit because it was hard to clean up. There were a lot of used large tools to wash that were covered with sticky cream cheese. However, my cheesecake-making boom led me to the next step. I started baking many other sweets and now I make scones, muffins, American soft cookies, apple pie, tarte tatin (which resembles apple pie), ganache, rocky road fudge (chocolate mixed with nuts and dried fruit), and more. Before the pandemic, I couldn’t have imagined that I would make so many sweets.
Maybe I wouldn’t have started making sweets without the pandemic. Since then, I spend my days off in a different way, so I think it was a turning point in my life.
Questions
Q1. The author borrowed a cheesecake recipe book because ...
A. she liked its cover
B. she was asked to do that
C. she always wanted to make a cheesecake
Q2. When she went to the store to buy cake molds, she was ...
A. happy
B. sad
C. nervous
Q3. She stopped baking cheesecakes because ...
A. she was too busy
B. it was hard to clean up
C. she was tired of cheesecakes
Scroll down ↓ for the answers
Answers
A1. A
A2. C
A3. B
BBP Staff -
12 .14Living in a Clean Room (3)
Photo Credit: Christian Diokno @Pexels.com
The world is full of advice on how to live in a clean room. I’m sure you have sometimes been disappointed comparing your room with someone’s nice, clean room on the Internet. I introduced two important points for cleaning in a blog titled "Living in a Clean Room (1)" and "Living in a Clean Room (2)". But before anything, don't forget that people have various stages of life.
To tell the truth, I used to live in a messy room, full of things. There were many things that I thought were important. I needed them because I felt like they shaped me. There is no way you can throw away things that are related to your identity. What is more, I couldn't clean at all because I was so busy every day. The room was overflowing with things, and I couldn’t tidy them up, so I couldn’t vacuum my room. What a mess! I knew that my family and friends were astounded and I didn't like that. But I could do nothing.
However, I have far fewer things now by having let go of things. I also have come across wonderful cleaning tools. So, today I proudly declare that I am able to clean and keep my room tidy.
I need here to emphasize that I just happened to be able to do that. In a few years or so, I might not be able to clean my room. In other words, people have various life stages, and along with that, I think there are times when you can clean your room and times when you can't.
Look at KonMari (Marie Kondo). She became world-famous by her own methods of tidying up. However, now she has a small child and she says she cannot tidy up like she used to. As much as she enjoyed parenting, I think it would be difficult for her as a tidying professional to accept the fact that she cannot clean up enough. Perhaps you are longing for a clean room right now, but you may not be able to clean it. If so, maybe now is not the time. That’s all. Even if you can't clean your room now, don't be so sad. You might think you would be happier when you have a clean room, but just find some other ways to be happier. There are many ways to be happier, and cleaning is just one of them.
Questions:
Q1. The author couldn’t let go of things because
A. those were expensive
B. those seemed related to her identity
C. she didn’t know how to throw those away
Q2. Marie Kondo is
A. a famous tidying expert
B. a famous strict housekeeper
C. a famous kind nanny
Q3. Cleaning a room
A. is only way to be happier
B. is just one of the ways to be happier
C. has nothing to do with happiness
Scroll down ↓ for the answers
Answers:
A1. B
A2. A
A3. B
BBP Staff -
12 .11Living in a Clean Room (2)
Photo Credit: Tim Douglas @Pexels.com
Even if you're not a minimalist, even if you can't declutter, you can keep your room clean. Last time, I wrote about the importance of having the right cleaning tools for you. Now I would like to introduce another important thing: the cleaning cycle.
Cleaning regularly is the first condition to keep a room clean. Of course, whether you can do it regularly depends on the cleaning tools, as mentioned in the last blog. But another important thing is preparing your cleaning tool for the next use.
For example, consider a work counter in your kitchen. Every time you prepare dinner, the counter gets dirty. So, you will wipe it off with a dishcloth. Then, how do you make the dirty cloth clean again so that you can use it later? Maybe you think, “I don't want to wash this with my favorite clothes, so I'll put it aside for now and wash it with other dirty dishcloths later'', and a few days later, you have many dirty dishcloths and you may become reluctant to touch them or put them in the washing machine. In the meantime, you'll run out of dishcloths to wipe your counters with, and your counter will be dirty. You have no choice but to buy other cloths. And here is a vicious cycle of dirty dishcloths and new dishcloths that increase.
So, making sure your cleaning tools are ready for the next use is essential to regular cleaning. When it comes to dishcloths, I recommend washing them in the very next use of the washing machine, even if you have to wash them with your favorite clothes. In fact, if you clean regularly, your dishcloth won't get so dirty, so you won’t be so sad to do it. If you think your dishcloth is too dirty, simply wash it by hand immediately after use and throw it into the washing machine. If the cloth is so dirty that you don't want to wash it with your hands, use disposable wipes for a while. You might feel guilty about cleaning in an unsustainable way, but it would be nice to start using dishcloths later when you get into the habit of cleaning the kitchen.
So, when you buy new cleaning tools, you need to think about how to clean them to use them again.
Questions
Q1. The first condition to keep a room clean is ...
A. waking up early
B. having a large trash can
C. cleaning regularly
Q2. The author recommends washing dishcloths
A. in the very next use of washing machine
B. a few days later
C. in a bucket
Q3. Before you get into the habit of cleaning the kitchen, you can use
A. new dishcloths
B. old and dirty dishcloths
C. disposable wipes
Scroll down ↓ for the answers
Answers
A1. C
A2. A
A3. C
BBP Staff -
12 .06Living in a Clean Room (1)
Photo Credit: Pixabay @Pexels.com
Keeping a room tidy seems to be a common challenge for people in the world. The world is full of information for aiming for a tidy room. For example, minimalism and elimination (Danshari, 断捨離 in Japanese) are famous keywords for decluttering. It is true that fewer things make a room easier to tidy up and therefore easier to clean. But not everyone can live as a minimalist right away. Some people feel things are so precious that they can't throw them away, and others are still in the process of getting rid of things (for years!). Even so, however, we can keep our rooms clean. That's why I want to write here about the importance of choosing the right cleaning tools. Cleaning tools are your important partners in getting your ideal room. Cleaning tools don't have to be branded or trendy. The important thing is to find a cleaning tool that suits you.
I used to hate vacuum cleaners. You cannot imagine the melancholy I had when carrying that loud, heavy machine and banging its blunt head all over the place! But one day my life changed when I got a small cordless cyclone vacuum cleaner.
It turns out that I didn't hate vacuum cleaners, but I just didn’t like that it was noisy, heavy, and that I often had to squat down to plug and unplug the cord. (But I have to admit the last point comes from my personal laziness.) The new vacuum is made of cheap plastic and underpowered. But it soon became one of my best friends. It's quiet and light, and cleans the room as if I were taking a walk with it. Moreover, I can see the garbage that it collects in its cylinder every time I use it. And I quickly throw the collected garbage into the trash can. I got a perfect partner to clean my room!
Thanks to my new vacuum cleaner, I also gained confidence. It's not that I'm too lazy to clean. As long as I have the right tools, I can enjoy cleaning and keep my room tidy. Perhaps the previous vacuum cleaner was more expensive and had more power. But it didn't suit me. In order to continue cleaning without difficulty, you need a tool that suits you. It will be an important partner and will work with you to provide a clean and tidy room.
Questions
Q1. Minimalism and elimination are famous keywords for ...
A. learning
B. decluttering
C. sharing
Q2. The author liked the new vacuum cleaner because it was
A. cheap
B. powerful and gorgeous
C. quiet and light
Q3. The new vacuum cleaner gave the author
A. confidence
B. a chance to get a job
C. a break to think
Scroll down ↓ for the answers
Answers
A1. B
A2.C
A3. A
BBP Staff