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10 .30Is Studying Abroad for Two Years Worth It?
Photo Credit: Keira Burton @Pexels.com
I was recently talking to a student who is going to study abroad in Australia. He told me he originally wanted to study abroad for two years and in two different countries, the Philippines and Canada. However, the two-year program was too expensive for him, so he was settling for a one-year program.
Our conversation was brief, and the subject changed quickly since other students were involved in the Communication Room discussion. Later on, I wished I had spent more time encouraging the student to reconsider his original plan. He might not realize it, but I think he is going to miss out on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
If anyone reading this is thinking of studying abroad, I hope you will seriously consider studying abroad for two years, not just one. Why?
I think the biggest reason is that you will have a life experience that very, very few people ever have. Most people live their entire lives in their native country, and many never leave that country, except for a one or two-week vacation. They know their own culture only.
A very small minority of people, ex-patriots, leave their native country to live in another culture. I am one of these people. I am from the United States, but I have been living in Japan for more than twenty years now and am a permanent resident. Of all the people I grew up with and met in the United States, I am the only person I know of who has left America to live in another country. And I have only lived in one other country, Japan.
How many of the billions of people on Earth get the chance to live not only in one other country besides their native land like I have, but two other countries?
This is an extremely small group of people, and a very fortunate one. Think of the new experiences you could have if you lived in two different countries in two years! How much would you learn, about yourself, about your native culture, about English, and about the two other cultures you would live in?
You can learn a lot at a university, but you would learn even more at two different universities in two different countries. This is a chance you will most likely get only when you are a college student, when you are young enough and flexible enough to adapt to changes more easily.
And when it is time to look for a job, you will have experiences that set you apart from literally everyone else who is applying for the same job. How much is that worth?
Yes, studying abroad for two years is expensive, but you will be rewarded for the rest of your life by being able to travel a road that few have travelled.
I hope you will keep these things in mind as you contemplate studying abroad. You have a chance to truly change your life. Don’t miss it!
Questions
Q1. Why did the student decide to study in only one country abroad?
Q2. What are “ex-patriots”?
Q3. What is the main reason the writer gives for studying in more than one country?
Scroll down ↓ for the answers
A1. Studying in two countries was too expensive.
A2. People who leave their native country to live in another country.
A3. You will have a very rare life experience/This is something that very few people ever do.
BBP Staff -
10 .23Chasing the Mop
Photo Credit: Ketut Subiyanto @pexels.com
My twin boys really love to mop. My wife and I got them the same toy mops and they will often mop the floor of our home with them. This is not a pretend mopping—we will stick wet wipes to the mops, and they will very deliberately start mopping everything: while mostly the floor, sometimes the “floor” becomes the top of select items of furniture, stuffed animals, or dinner plates. We usually stop them before it goes too far, but they genuinely want to try and clean.
The main reason for them doing that is because they have seen me do it. Even though I do not feel deserving of such modeling, they notice it and try to do the same. Perhaps the thing they want to do more than mop like me is to mop with me. It is when I enter the mop arena that their kindly mopping activity turns into a competition.
To clarify, it is not just that they want to map with me—they want my mop. They could care less if I use their mop—they want my mop at the same time. That is when there is fussing, fighting, and gnashing of teeth. That is when we are done mopping.
For that reason, I had previously taken apart my mop and kept it out of reach . . . until this morning. One of my sons was very, very persistent in wanting my mop, so I decided to give him a piece of it. Then the other son saw what was happening and then he wanted a piece of the mop. I then realized I could either let this spin out of control, or see if they could work together.
I gave each son a three-minute time limit with my reassembled mini-mop. After that time, the receiver needed to give it to his brother. One of my sons regularly did that, but the other simply refused and the mop needed to be given to his brother by force. He didn’t really want to mop the floor like his brother—he just wanted what his brother had, even if he didn’t know what he’d do once he got it. Eventually he let it go and moved on, as is normal.
In many ways, that seems to be how people act once they enter adulthood. They never quite leave that place of knowing what they want. They are not young children who will eventually find what interests them (as I am keen on doing with both of my kids). It can be easy to chase after someone else’s mop when you don’t intend to clean the floor, but it seems much more difficult to give up chasing after others if that’s all you’re used to doing. Eventually, you need to set down the mop, and pick up something you want to do.
Questions:
Q1. Why do the kids like to mop?
Q2. According to the author, one son wants to mop the floor. Why does the other one want to use the mop?
Q3. What is the article about?
Scroll down ↓ for the answers
A1. Because they have seen their father do it.
.
A2. Because he wants what his brother has.
A3. Choosing what interests you; not just copying what others do.
Jessie Patterson -
10 .16The Importance of Setting Goals
Photo Credit: The Sunday Collection @pexels.com
The importance of goal setting for university students cannot be overstated. Without clear goals, individuals will lack a clear direction and lack motivation.
Goals can (and should) change throughout your life. The goals you have as a 20-year-old university student are probably different from the goals you had when you were a junior high school student. The goals you have when you are 40 years old will be different from when you are 20.
There are several reasons goals are important. Research shows that dopamine (the chemical in the brain that makes us feel happy and motivated) is directly connected to movement towards a goal. So, if you do not have strong, clear goals, that means dopamine will be lower in the brain. To put it simply:
Movement towards goals = more dopamine = greater happiness! :)
No goals = lower dopamine = sadness/ depression :(
It is interesting to note that after the achievement of a big goal, individuals often suffer from depression (again, caused by lack of dopamine). This is shown in such examples as astronauts when they return from space, and professional athletes when they retire. Therefore, it is also important to think about (and write down!) some goals that you want to aim for after you achieve your primary goal. This will allow you to avoid the “post-goal blues” (a feeling of depression that occurs when you finally achieve a longed-for goal).
Goals can also act as benchmarks for measuring progress and celebrating achievements. By setting specific, measurable goals, we can measure our growth and development. Each milestone reached becomes a cause for celebration and can help spur us to create and reach new peaks. This sense of accomplishment reinforces our belief in our abilities and motivates us to continue pushing forward, becoming better and stronger individuals.
Most importantly, the simple act of setting (and writing down) goals actually increases motivation. When we have a clear target in mind, our determination is bolstered, and our commitment deepens. Goals provide us with a sense of purpose and urgency, fueling our drive to overcome obstacles and persevere through challenges. Goals serve as a constant reminder of what we are striving for and help us push beyond our comfort zones and unlock our full potential.
Setting goals plays a pivotal role in shaping our lives and shaping who we become. By providing clarity, motivation, and a sense of purpose, goals enable us to navigate life and give us the strength to carry on when things get hard. Goals can guide us towards personal growth, fulfillment, and success. They can also make us feel happier. With each step taken towards our goals, we embark on a journey of personal growth. Who knows what we can become, and the levels we can reach?
Questions:
Q1. What does the author suggest doing to foster personal growth?
Q2. What is the chemical in the brain that is associated with goal setting / movement towards goals?
Q3. Why is it important to create secondary goals?
Scroll down ↓ for the answers
A1. Setting goals
A2. Dopamine
A3. Avoiding post-goal blues /avoiding a dopamine crash / preventing depression after achieving a goal.
BBP Staff -
10 .09Create Your English Environment
Photo Credit: Andrea Piacquadio @pexels.com
It's probably true that successful language learners make the most of opportunities to interact with the target language they want to master. This means seeking out meaningful practice in the language outside of the traditional classroom. One practical way of doing this is to join the BBP 'Communication Room' at the various campuses of Ritsumeikan University. You might also book a one-to-one study skills session with an experienced instructor via the same BBP program. But what are some other ways to expand your language learning opportunities away from the classroom? How can you create your 'English Environment'?
The concept of an English Environment (EE) refers to the language learning 'space' you make for yourself where exposure to English* (or French, Spanish, Chinese, etc.) is the goal. This 'space' might refer to an hour or more concentrated on your favourite western series on Netflix with the sound AND subtitles switched to English; it might be the hour of your commute to campus where you only listen to English language podcasts; or it might be a daily language practice task on a popular application like English Central, Duolingo or Speakly. What is the point of thinking of this as an 'environment'?
Immersion is the key feature. It is only you and the language. There are no other distractions. To this end, it is better that you choose the habitual daily moments where you are alone in which to create the ideal environment for exposure to English. As mentioned before, the commute to school, a Netflix binge in your bedroom, or opening an app on your smartphone while waiting for the bus are all times when you can watch, listen, read, and absorb the target language at your own pace and to your own amusement. And that's key...
An ideal EE is immersive and absorbing. It's a podcast series you cannot live without; it's a drama series you're hooked on; it's a language learning application that gives you just the right tasks in the right amount of time to keep you motivated to use it more and more. In your regular English class at university, your teacher chooses most of the material to be studied. In the EE you create, you are in charge, so try out all kinds of podcasts, series, and applications until you find some that motivate you to come back again and again.
It might feel to some language learners that studying abroad or having a partner from another culture is the only way to properly immerse yourself in your target language. In fact, it's easy to create an environment to rival these opportunities by devoting a little time in your everyday habitual movements (commuting, waiting, relaxing) to exposing yourself to the language you desire to master. Your EE will make you, in time, a better reader, speaker and listener. Get started today!
Questions:
Q1. 'Immersion' is a noun. What is the adjective form? What is the verb form? Search the text for the answers.
Q2. Can you guess the meaning of 'binge' in terms of 'a Netflix binge'?
a. to buy a Netflix series and watch it
b. to watch one episode and stop
c. to watch many episodes in a row
Q3. Do you need to study abroad to create your English Environment?
Scroll down ↓ for the answers
A1. 'Immersive' is the adjective form; 'immerse' is the verb form.
A2. c
A3. No. You can create an immersive and absorbing exposure to the target language in your daily life.
BBP Staff -
10 .02Watching TV and Movies to Improve Your English
Photo Credit: cottonbro studio@pexels.com
Learning English as a second language can be challenging, but one way that Japanese students can improve their language skills is by watching English-language TV shows and movies. While it may seem like a passive activity, watching TV and movies in English can actually be a highly effective way to improve listening comprehension, vocabulary, and pronunciation.
Firstly, watching English-language TV shows and movies can help improve listening comprehension skills. By hearing spoken English on a regular basis, Japanese students can become more familiar with the sounds of the language, as well as the rhythms and intonations used in conversational English. This exposure to authentic spoken English can help learners to better understand spoken English in real-world situations, which is critical for effective communication.
Secondly, watching English-language TV shows and movies can also help improve vocabulary skills. Many English-language TV shows and movies use everyday vocabulary and expressions that are not typically taught in language classrooms. By watching these programs, Japanese students can learn new words and phrases in context, which can help them to better understand and use the language in everyday situations.
Finally, watching English-language TV shows and movies can also help improve pronunciation skills. Hearing native speakers pronounce words and phrases can help Japanese students to mimic the sounds and intonations of spoken English. This can be particularly useful for students who are struggling with specific sounds or accents, as it allows them to practice in a low-pressure environment.
Of course, to get the most out of watching English-language TV shows and movies, it's important to watch actively, rather than passively. This means paying attention to new vocabulary, practicing pronunciation, and trying to understand the context of the program. Subtitles can also be a helpful tool for learners who are struggling to understand spoken English, although it's important not to rely on them too heavily.
In addition to watching TV shows and movies, Japanese students can also practice their English by discussing what they've watched with classmates or online language exchange partners. This can be a great way to practice speaking and listening skills, as well as to learn new vocabulary and expressions from others.
In conclusion, watching English-language TV shows and movies can be a highly effective way for Japanese students to improve their English skills. By regularly exposing themselves to authentic spoken English, learners can improve their listening comprehension, vocabulary, and pronunciation skills, ultimately making them more confident and effective communicators in the English language. So, the next time you're looking for a way to practice your English, why not turn on a TV show or movie in English and see how much you can learn?
Questions:
Q1. What are some benefits of watching TV shows and movies for Japanese students looking to improve their English language skills?
Q2. What is a key tip for getting the most out of watching TV shows and movies for language learning purposes?
Q3. In addition to watching TV shows and movies, what is another way Japanese students can practice their English language skills?
Scroll down ↓ for the answers
A1. Some benefits include improving listening comprehension, vocabulary, and pronunciation skills.
A2. To watch actively, rather than passively, by paying attention to new vocabulary, practicing pronunciation, and trying to understand the context of the program.
A3. By discussing what they've watched with classmates or online language exchange partners to practice speaking and listening skills, as well as to learn new vocabulary and expressions from others.
Jason Henwood -
09 .25Taking Insta Worthy Images (Part 2)Photo Credit: AuthorVisual literacy has been defined “as a set of abilities that enables an individual to effectively find, interpret, evaluate, use, and create images and visual media” (University of Birmingham, 2021, para. 6). When taking photographs, it is important to be aware of the visual elements of brightness, color, contrast, texture, and the human element (Reddy, 2022), and these elements are often referred to as focal points within an image. Knowing that the human eye is drawn to the effective use of these visual elements can help photographers make arresting images that tell a story, which communicate emotion (Reddy, 2022) and are Insta worthy.Let’s look at visual elements. Brightness is the overall lightness and darkness of an image. It conveys tone, mood, and atmosphere. Colors can convey a mood and catch a viewer’s attention. Have you ever noticed that red stands out in a photograph? That is because red is a warm color, and warm colors, including yellow and orange, are dominant ones. We see them before we see cooler colors, such as blue and green. Blue is a calming color, and I am always impressed when blue in a photograph has an ethereal quality to it. Fortunately, colors can complement each other. Pink and green are considered complementary colors because they are opposite each other on the color wheel, and in Figure 1, you can see how the pink lotus stands out against the green background. Contrast refers to a range of brightness in an image. (Please see Figure 2.) Various colors, shapes, and depth on the surface of an object describes texture. The pink lotus is also a good example of texture. Finally, including a human element in a photograph can help to convey a mood. The color of the ginko leaves on the asphalt and the texture of the moss that is on the wall communicate that it is autumn and conveys the mood that is depicted in Figure 3. The lines in the photograph help to draw the viewer’s eye to the human element - a solitary figure who is walking away from the camera. What kind of emotion does this photograph evoke in you?As you can see, the visual elements of a photograph can be used to convey a mood and/or tell a story. To learn about photography tips from a student who attends the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, U. S. A., you can click on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Sn2LkSn80wCan you use these tips to take photos of Insta worthy subjects here on campus? Why not take a break from studying, take out your camera gear, invite your friends, and have some fun while you give it a try? Be sure to keep in mind that harsh shadows from the sun will create contrast when you photograph the tables and chairs you can see on campus at midday. If you find that this light is too harsh, you can photograph your friends in the shade. Can you use the light to photograph the texture in the foliage you can see? At what time of the day do you think your friends’ bodies will cast shadows on the walls of one of the buildings on campus? These are all things to think about as you work to improve your visual literacy to capture photos you and your friends will love and ones that are Insta worthy!ReferencesReddy, S. (2022, Aug. 6). How to effectively communicate through photography. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xx4vYgU_MBYUniversity of Birmingham (2021, June 28). Visual literacy. https://libguides.bham.ac.uk/asc/visualliteracyQuestions:1. What are the five visual elements that were discussed in this article?2. Which two colors did the author say were complementary ones?3. Which of the three photographs consists of a human element?Scroll down ↓ for the answersAnswers:1. Brightness, color, contrast, texture, and the human element.2. Pink and green.3. Figure 3.Dawn O’Day
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09 .18Taking Insta Worthy Images (Part 1)Photo Credit: AuthorInsta worthy: “When a picture is good enough to be posted on Instagram.” (Urban Dictionary, 2014).Do you like taking pictures? Do you appreciate looking at or creating a good photograph that’s Insta worthy? Do you know that you can learn to effectively communicate through images? What does the English language have to do with photography, and how can it help photographers to master visual literacy? Let’s take a moment to explore this.First, in much the same way that English is a language, we can think of photography as a language, too. In fact, it can be argued that photography is a universal language because photographs can depict certain things that are shared by people from many countries and cultures. For example, in photographs, most people can recognize a chair, a tree, a boat, etc. Also, because we all share similar emotional experiences across cultures, many people recognize happiness and sadness when they see people smiling or crying in photographs. The most important thing that photography and the English language have in common is that they are tools we use to communicate with others.These tools consist of building blocks that help us to convey messages. As you know, the English language consists of the alphabet, syllables, and words, which are used to create sentences. The alphabet is the foundation of the English language. According to a landscape photographer who specializes in effective communication through photography, when photographers learn how to use their camera and their gear (e.g., a tripod), it is fundamental to gaining the skills needed to communicate through photography (Reddy, 2022). Just as using syllables in the English language helps us to create words, understanding and using the fundamentals of exposure help photographers to create images (Reddy, 2022). Furthermore, the use of words helps English language speakers and writers to convey ideas, and the visual elements found in images help photographers to communicate their ideas, too (Reddy, 2022).Both English language users and photographers can communicate a wide array of things, including emotions, ideas, etc. The more words and skills English language users have and the better understanding of visual elements the photographer has, the more literate both will become. An English language student can improve reading literacy, for example, while a student of photography can improve visual literacy. Please look over the three photos that are in this blog. What kinds of emotions do these photos communicate to you? Do you think that they are Insta worthy? Why, or why not?If you want to learn more about the visual elements photographers use to convey their ideas, emotions, and more, please go to Part 2 of Taking Insta Worthy Images.ReferencesReddy, S. (2022, Aug. 6). How to effectively communicate through photography. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xx4vYgU_MBYUrban Dictionary/. (2014, Nov, 2). Insta worthy. In Urban Dictionary. https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=insta%20worthyQuestions:1. What does it mean to have an Insta worthy photograph?2. Why is photography considered a language?3. In what ways is the English alphabet similar to a photographer's camera and gear?Scroll down ↓ for the answersAnswers:1. An Insta worthy photograph is one that others consider good enough to be posted on the Instagram App.2. Photography is considered a language because photographers use it to communicate with others.3. They are the foundation upon which communicating ideas is built.Dawn O'Day
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09 .11: The Best Part of Classical BalletPhoto Credit: Hudson Hintze @ Unsplash.comHave you ever seen classical ballet? What kind of image comes to mind when you hear classical ballet? Some might imagine the unique costumes that the dancers wear on stage, a pair of toe shoes, or the scene of dancers are spinning several times. Some might remember pieces such as Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, or The Nutcracker. It is said that the origin of classical ballet goes back to the 16th century in Italy. Then it was introduced into France and Russia between the 17th and 19th centuries. It is also said that classical ballet started to become known around the world thanks to the great Russian composer Pyotr llyich Tchaikovsky, who wrote not only symphonies but also classical ballet music. Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, and the Nutcracker were all composed by him. Classical ballet came to Japan in the Taisho era and Japanese people started to enjoy seeing the performances of classical ballet after World War II.According to a survey conducted in 2016 by the Showa University of Music, and Toyo University, approximately 360,000 people are learning classical ballet in Japan. They explain that there are some advantages to learning classical ballet both for younger and older people. If we look at classical ballet as children’s accomplishments, it can include both physical and cultural elements. This means that practicing at the bar or dancing for a few hours on stage can build physical strength, and understanding the story behind the scenes can teach dancers about the foreign culture. In addition, dancing in front of many people on stage can give the feeling of self-approval. Some older people may learn classical ballet since it can help them keep fit and improve their memory because classical ballet dancers need to remember so many steps and the choreography with the music.As a person who has experienced learning classical ballet, here are some tips to enjoy watching your next performance of classical ballet. First, simply enjoy the dance and music in your own way. Music can often be played by a professional orchestra and the sound of toe shoes touching the ground can be quite fantastic. Second, enjoy guessing the story by looking at the dancers carefully, because they do not speak but use mime to tell the story and express their feelings. For example, pointing to the third finger on the left hand with the right hand means to get married. This mime originates in European culture, where people wear a wedding ring on their ring finger. Finally, imagine how the dancers spent many long hours and endured hardships while preparing for just this one performance so that you can be more impressed by their beautiful dance on stage.Questions:Q1. Who composed the music of Swan Lake?A. Pyotr llyich TchaikovskyB. MozartC. BachQ2. How many people are learning classical ballet in Japan?A. 3,600,000B. 720,000C. 360,000Q3. What sound can be fantastic when you see a performance of classical ballet?A. dancers singingB. Toe shoesC. piano soloScroll down ↓ for the answersAnswers:Q1. AQ2. CQ3. BRyoko Ozaki
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09 .04Are You a Luddite?Photo Credit: Florian Schmetz @ Unsplash.comAre you familiar with the term Luddite? A Luddite is a person who is not comfortable using technology, in many cases because they do not trust technology. In extreme cases, the person wants to destroy technology. The term refers to the participants in a rebellion in England that occurred from 1811 to 1816 during the industrial revolution. Many weavers in England were upset that they were being replaced by machines. Traditional weaving shops could not compete in price with the textile products the factories were producing. The leader of the rebellion was supposedly a weaver named Captain, or King, Ludd, and his followers were referred to as Luddites. They broke into the factories and destroyed textile machinery. These days, referring to someone as a Luddite means you recognize that the person is avoiding, or speaking out against technology because that person thinks it is harmful rather than beneficial.Seems like many people are coming to that conclusion. Recently I've been reading a book called Stolen Focus by Johann Hari. In the book, he explains the many ways that his attention, particularly his ability to focus, has been reduced by use of his cell phone. For example, he complains that he has lost his ability to read anything for more than a few minutes, so now it takes him a long time to finish a book. In particular, he blames social media apps, which constantly demand that we give them our attention. He decides the best thing to do is to leave his phone in his apartment in New York and to move to a small town where he can stop using the Internet for three months. In the book, he describes the many positive effects that occur when he stops allowing the Internet and social media to command his focus. {Stolen Focus – Book Summary [https://medium.com/learning-by-proxy/stolen-focus-book-summary-b433453a0383]}I was surprised to learn that even a few teenagers are concluding that using social media is not in their best interest. “'Luddite' Teens Don't Want Your Likes,” an article recently published in the New York Times, is about a group of teenagers at a high school in New York who have voluntarily decided not to use smartphones. Most of them have flip phones, and a few of them have no phones at all. These students formed a circle called the Luddite Club in their high school, and they meet outdoors to read, paint and draw, and to have discussions about the ideas presented in books they are reading. All of them are critical of society's reliance on social media, especially the need to post and get ‘likes’. Describing the benefits of abandoning social media, one of the students says “when I got my flip phone, things instantly changed. I got my brain back. It made me observe myself as a person.” {New York Times [https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/15/style/teens-social-media.html]}So, what do you think? Are you happy with your smartphone and your access to social media, or have you been starting to question the benefits of being connected? If you have your doubts, it might be time to consider the taking the Luddite challenge, and see if it works for you.Questions:1. What is a Luddite?A. a dull soundB. a person who does not like technologyC. a type of rock2. How did the author of Stolen Focus attempt to regain his focus?A. he moved to a small town and did not use the internetB. he took medicineC. he did yoga3. What is the name of the circle formed by the high school students who have given up their smart phones?A. Joy Luck ClubB. Breakfast ClubC. Luddite ClubScroll down ↓ for the answersAnswers:1. B2. A3. CJohn Kuzel
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08 .28A way to learn English that is out of this world!Photo Credit: AstroAi @ PixabayIf you want to make learning English a more fun and rewarding experience, one way is to learn through your interests and hobbies. If, like me, you are a science fiction fan, for example, you can use this genre as a tool to improve your English skills. Here are some tips on how to do that. Start by reading short stories or novellas in English. Science fiction is known for its imaginative and thought-provoking stories, such as Kurt Vonnegut’s short story, Harrison Bergeron, or some of Isaac Asimov’s robot stories. However, you should choose stories that are at your level, so one good place to start is at the Ritsumeikan library in the graded reader section, or at the BBP.Watch movies and TV shows in English with subtitles. Science fiction is a popular genre in both mediums, and there are many great films and TV shows that you can watch to improve your English. Some great examples are Star Trek, Star Wars, or Interstellar. As you watch, pay attention to the dialogue and try to imitate the way the characters speak. If you watch on some streaming services such as Netflix and Disney+ you can even watch with English subtitles to help improve your listening and reading at the same time!There are also online communities or forums where people discuss science fiction in English. This can be a great way to practice your English skills in a real-life setting and learn from others who share your interests. You can also share your own thoughts and opinions on the stories and characters that you love.Use science fiction to learn about new topics and expand your vocabulary. Science fiction often explores futuristic or hypothetical scenarios, and reading or watching these stories can introduce you to new ideas and concepts. There is even a new science fiction dictionary online that explains science fiction words and where they first appeared. {Dictionary of Science Fiction [https://sfdictionary.com/]} As you encounter new words and phrases, make sure to look them up and add them to your vocabulary list.Have fun! Learning English through science fiction can be a fun and engaging way to improve your language skills. Don't be afraid to experiment and try new things, and remember to enjoy the process. With dedication and practice, you can become a proficient English speaker and a true science fiction fan.Questions:Q1. What is the name of the short story by Kurt Vonnegut mentioned in the blog?Q2. How can you enjoy reading and listening to English at the same time?Q3. Where can you find meanings to words that commonly appear in science fiction novels?Scroll down ↓ for the answersAnswers:A1. Harrison BergeronA2. Use English subtitles while watching TV series and movies.A3. In the online dictionary (sfdictionary.com).BBP Staff