My interest in foreign countries has not been really traveling but experiencing and feeling different perspectives and ways of thinking in life: understanding different cultural aspects, communicating in the local language, and meeting people in new environments. For me, these are the reasons for exploring or learning foreign languages.

 

I’ve always thought it would be nice if I could speak multiple languages. I was interested in what kind of person I would be if I could manage several languages. When I was younger, right after I started working in Japan, I made up my mind without hesitation to live abroad. I was expecting to live in a European country one day, so I started preparing and learning German (because I learned some German at university) in addition to English by myself.

 

I finally got a chance to do an internship at an international hotel in Belgium. Therefore, I started to learn French a few months before my departure so that I could work there in French. Of course, it was not easy without speaking proper or professional French, and it certainly was an unforgettable struggle at that time. However, after my internship for 6 months, I kept challenging and finally this experience inspired me to move on to the next stage. I worked for other company/organization using both English and French, and eventually I spent nearly 12 years of my life in Belgium.

 

Perhaps the lesson from this experience is that I would say that my curiosity about learning a foreign language brought me unexpected value. Certainly, the emphasis is not merely on perfect language acquisition. So, for myself, in terms of "speaking", "listening", "writing", and "reading", each foreign language has its different level. However, I can say that I am fascinated by learning new languages, and that this new experience enriched my way of thinking about my own life. I always look forward to opportunities to start learning other languages (they are on my checklist) because I feel that this multilingual learning challenge is a great opportunity to change myself and to discover new values and experiences in my life.

 

 

Photo Credit: Anna Tarazevich@pexels.com

 

 

Blog Quiz

Q1. What is the topic of this essay?

Q2. According to the author, what inspired her to start learning French?

Q3. According to the author, what does it mean to have an opportunity to learn a new language?

 

Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quiz Answers

Q1. The essay discusses the challenges of multilingual learning and the value the author received from her own experience.

Q2. The author started learning French in preparation for her internship in Belgium.

Q3. Learning and exploring a new language is a great chance to change yourself and discover new values and experiences in your life.

Unfortunately, the last three that I mentioned aired really late at night, so not too many people were able to watch them. This is why I was so glad to have gotten this most recent chance.

 

October 7: MBS Yonchan. This news program showed my feature at 6:40 p.m., which means more people had a chance to watch. It was the longest corner yet, at roughly 12.5 minutes, and the TV crew even came and filmed me at Ritsumeikan University! By then, I had been filmed so many times that I was not too nervous, but I did sense that students and other teachers were a little shy. Anyhow, I learned something about TV on this day, and it is unfortunate. They are not always accurate and do not always want to portray the truth. They want to tell the story that they think will get them the biggest audience. They also do not always allow the subject of the feature to check it ahead of time and make corrections. There were no fewer than six errors or fabrications on the program, including my age, which they got wrong by 5 years.

 

All in all, I am happy to be getting recognition for the work I am doing to promote the Hanshin Tigers in English to people all over the world. If you want to study English by reading (and hearing) about the Tigers, why not check out my website [www.thehanshintigers.com]?

 

 

Photo Credit: Martin Péchy@pexels.com

 

 

Blog Quiz

Q1. According to the writer, why did more people watch MBS Yonchan than several other programs he appeared on?

 

Q2. What mistake did the most recent TV program make about the writer?

a) Six

b) His age

c) His family members

 

Q3. Overall, is the writer satisfied with his experiences appearing on television?

 

 

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Quiz Answers

Q1. Because it was shown at 6:40 p.m.

Q2. B

Q3. Yes

I cannot believe how lucky I am. I would have never imagined that I would be featured on television in Japan FIVE times in a single year! Let me quickly mention the first four, and then focus on what I learned from the fifth one.

 

January 4: Ikegami Akira no Kansaijin ga Shiranai Kansai. This new year’s special showed me covering the Hanshin Tigers in a special way for English-speaking fans all around the world. Famous panelists that I met in the studio included Black Mayonnaise, High Heel Ringo, Miyu Honda, and Joichiro Fujiwara from Naniwa Danshi.

 

June 17: News Zero. This late-night nationally broadcast news program, hosted by famous anchor Yumiko Udo, was similar to Mr. Ikegami’s program, but I did not go to a studio to talk to famous people. Instead, TV directors recorded me at a separate studio and at a restaurant. Ms. Udo is a huge Hanshin Tigers fan, and she said she wants to meet and go to a Tigers game at Koshien with me. (I would love that!)

 

June 28: Sekai wo Chotto Dake Kaeru Summit. For this one, I had to go to the studio for a recording, and sitting right next to me was fellow guest Takeshi Tsuruno. We talked before the recording started, and he was a really nice guy! This program had nothing to do with my areas of expertise (English education and Hanshin Tigers), so I was nervous throughout.

 

July 7: MBS Ballpark. This was the first time a TV program visited my home, which made me (and my whole family) a little nervous. Still, it was interesting to watch the program and hear Tomonori Jinnai and Reni Takagi (Momoiro Clover Z) say that “Hanshin should acquire Trevor-san.” (I would love that!)

 

 

Q1. How many times was the writer featured on Japanese TV in 2022?

 

Q2. Who said she wanted to go to a Hanshin Tigers game with the writer?

a) Reni Takagi

b) High Heel Ringo

c) Yumiko Udo

 

Q3. On which two dates did the writer mention feeling nervous during the recording session?

 

Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quiz Answers

Q1. 5

Q2. C

Q3. June 28 & July 7

In the past, how we listened to music was fairly simple. Personally, I listened to the radio, watched music TV channels, and bought music in stores to listen to on cassette players or CD players. Then came the technological changes of MP3 players, such as the iPod by Apple. The rest is history. But has this changed how we consume music?

 

Growing up in the United States, a big emphasis was put on listening to the radio. Radio was simple, and each radio station had its own themes: top 20 music, country, hip-hop, classic rock, classical, and so on. People listened to what they were interested in, and this was the best way to listen to the newest music. Now people listen to playlists online that are curated by the music apps or services to listen to the latest music. Now listening to specific artists is easier than ever. However, listening to a new playlist is not so different from what I did when I was younger, listening to the radio. Each playlist is like a different radio station with its own music genres and music selection that brings the same excitement as when I was young.

 

I’ve recently found new types of music I like and found songs that I’d never imagined I would enjoy. For example, I’ve been enjoying country music for the last few months. As a young boy, I’d never have imagined enjoying country music, but listening to a “New Music” playlist, sometimes country music is played, which has caught my ear. So maybe you can even find something new you might like, or there might be a genre of music you thought you didn’t like that might grow on you.

 

From listening to playlists for studying, top music, or even new genre playlists, there are so many new and old types of music that are more easily accessible. Instead of listening to the radio in the car or using a radio at home, we can listen to the newest music on our PCs or on our phones. However, the joys of hearing new music have never been more easily accessible. Even though the radio has lost popularity, finding new music will continue to be something that excites all people. The next time you open up your music app, try a new playlist. Listen to something new or something different. Give it a try. You never know what you might enjoy.

Photo Credit: Charlotte May@pexels.com

Blog Quiz

 

Q1. How did people listen to new music in the past?

a. Music applications

b. Concerts

c. Radios

 

Q2. In the past, what device did the author use to listen to music?

a. Smart phone

b. CD player

c. MP3 Player

 

Q3. What genre of music did the author like after listening to a new music playlist?

a. Top 20 music

b. Rock music

c. Country music

 

Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quiz Answers

Q1. C

Q2. B

Q3. C

If you like watching and listening to authentic spoken World Englishes or first language content with English subtitles, you’ll love the YouTube channel Great Big Story (GBS). It’s a great archive for discovering a diverse variety of people, places, and things all over the world. Each short video allows the viewer to experience new perspectives and widen their understanding and imagination, not only about what occurs on this planet daily, but also the new possibilities they may adopt in their own lives.

 

GBS had described itself as “a global media company devoted to cinematic storytelling”. Based in New York with an office in London, GBS was creating micro-documentaries (about 5 minutes long) and short films and releasing them on YouTube. This came to an end after five years in October, 2020, when the parent company CNN shut them down, citing dwindling advertising revenues due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Sadly, the weekly YouTube uploads stopped. Despite this, GBS still has an amazing 6.03 million subscribers, demonstrating that the available content continues to maintain popularity. The topics featured in the videos are mostly obscure, niche vignettes which are compelling and fascinating to watch.

 

I first heard about GBS from a former English teaching colleague way back in 2016, about a year after the channel had been launched. I realized immediately it was a gold mine of content for English lessons and wasted no time hitting the subscribe button. In no time, I’d binge-watched at least half a dozen videos and was well and truly hooked! Very quickly it became much more than a go-to-site for English language lesson content. I was watching every upload as soon as it was available. I still remember my first Great Big Story with its punchy title, “I live in a plane.” This particular two-minute documentary tells the story of a Portland-based aeronautics enthusiast, Bruce Campbell, who lives in a converted 1960s Boeing 727 jet deep in a forest. It was mind-blowing to see how spacious the plane’s interior was when all the seats and fixtures had been removed. Campbell had installed basic living necessities and improved on existing features to make a home out of something that had been destined for the scrap heap. In just two minutes, I had a concrete understanding of the idea of “repurposing” which as we move forward into our climate-challenged future is something we need to take heed of. Watch a Great Big Story video today, and have your eyes opened!

 

 

 

Photo Credit: Joyce Busola@unsplash.com

 

 

 

Blog Quiz

 

Select the meaning of the word or phrase as it is used in the text.

 

Q1. dwindling

a. increasing

b. decreasing

c. neither increasing or decreasing

 

Q2. a gold mine

a. a good source of something

b. a money maker

c. an underground place where gold is found

 

Q3. go-to-site

a. travel website

b. preferred and often used website

c. English learning website

 

 

Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quiz Answers

Q1. B

Q2. A

Q3. B

Have you ever experienced culture shock? You may be familiar with the term as a description of the emotions you feel while traveling or living abroad and encountering feelings of shock, disappointment, or loneliness due to differences from your home country and culture. More shocking than regular culture shock, however, is another type of culture shock known as “reverse culture shock.”

 

Reverse culture shock is the shock you feel when returning to your home country after spending time living abroad. Reverse culture shock is interesting because not everyone experiences it, but for those who do, it can be a very strange experience bringing about many complex emotions.

 

Five years ago, I visited my hometown in the United States, and I experienced very strong reverse culture shock. What is very normal in the US made me feel shocked after living many years in Japan. Below I have described three of my reverse culture shock experiences:

 

Reverse Culture Shock Experience #1: Everyone in the US Is Always Smiling

One thing I forgot about the US from years of living in Japan is that everyone in the US is always smiling. In Japan, you may only smile in photos or when you feel happy, but in the US, it is common for people to smile often as a sign of friendliness. It is common in the US to smile at strangers, and staff at stores and supermarkets frequently smile at customers. I felt strong reverse culture shock when I saw complete strangers everywhere in the US smiling at me so often!

 

Reverse Culture Shock Experience # 2: Everyone Does Small Talk and Even with Strangers

Small talk is a normal way to “break the ice” when speaking to people, but what about doing small talk with complete strangers? It may sound strange, but small talk with complete strangers is very normal in the US. People frequently do small talk and strike up conversations with each other while out shopping, at the gym, or even while waiting at a bus stop. Once while shopping during New Year’s Eve at my neighborhood mall, the cashier began asking me about my plans for the night. Another time, while waiting at a bus stop reading a book, another person who had also read the same book, began asking me about my thoughts on it! It might be strange in other cultures, but small talk and talking to complete strangers in the US is very common and a sign of friendliness.

 

Reverse Culture Shock Experience # 3: Everyone Dresses Very Casually

Another source of reverse culture shock for me whenever I visit the US is how casual everyone dresses. Jeans, T-shirts, sneakers, and sweatpants are a common outfit for many Americans. Compared to Japan, where many people are often focused on their appearance and looking very nice before going outside, it almost feels like everyone in the US is competing against each other to dress in the most casual way possible!

 

 

Photo Credit: Ketut Subiyanto@pexels.com

 

 

Blog Quiz

Q1. What is culture shock?

Q2. What is reverse culture shock?

Q3. What are the three examples of reverse culture shock mentioned in the

 

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Quiz Answers

A1. The emotions you feel while traveling or living abroad and encountering feelings of shock, disappointment, or loneliness due to differences from your home country and culture.

A2. Reverse culture shock is the shock you feel when returning to your home country after spending time living abroad.

A3. 1. Everyone in the US is always smiling. 2. Small talk is very common. 3. Everyone dresses very casually.

At Ritsumeikan, we are very fortunate because two of the most famous temples in Kyoto, Kinkaku-ji and Ryoan-ji, are just a few minutes walk from our campus. As most people know, Kinkaku-ji is famous for the Golden Pavilion, and Ryoan-ji is famous for its karesansui garden. In English, karesansui gardens are known as dry landscape gardens or Zen gardens.

 

There are many famous dry landscape gardens in Kyoto, and many of them, like Ryoan-ji, were made hundreds of years ago. However, did you know that some of the most famous Zen gardens in Kyoto were made less than a hundred years ago? And they were designed by the same person? Do you know who that person is?

 

The answer is Mirei Shigemori (1896-1975). Shigemori studied traditional Japanese culture growing up, including flower arrangement, tea ceremony, and philosophy. However, his gardens are famous for being a mixture of the traditional and modern. He designed more than 200 gardens, including many at temples and shrines, both in Kyoto and in other places in Japan.

 

He thought gardens are art forms like painting and sculpture. In fact, one of his disciples said that Shigemori viewed gardens as works of art, not living environments. In fact, some of his gardens were influenced by the paintings of famous European artists, such as Kandinsky, Matisse, and Mondrian.

 

Some of Mirei Shigemori’s most famous gardens in Kyoto are at Tofuku-ji; Zuiho-in, a sub-temple of Daitoku-ji; and Matsuo Taisha Shrine. All of these gardens are quite unique.

 

At Tofuku-ji, he designed both the “Garden of the Big Dipper” and the “Garden of Eight Phases.” The “Garden of the Big Dipper” is based on the constellation the Big Dipper, and Shigemori used seven columns taken from the temple’s outhouse to represent the stars in the constellation. The “Garden of Eight Phases” is named after the eight phases in the life of the Buddha and features stones that represent islands in a sea of white gravel.

 

At Zuiho-in, Shigemori made the “Garden of the Solitary Meditation” and the “Quietly Sleeping Garden.” Both are Zen gardens, but the design of the “Quietly Sleeping Garden” takes inspiration from Christianity, not Buddhism. In the garden, there are seven stones that form the shape of a cross. Shigemori designed the garden this way because Otomo Yoshishige, the founder of Zuiho-in, was baptized as a Christian.

 

Mirei’s last masterpiece, the “Garden of Ancient Times,” can be found at Matsuo Taisha Shrine. The design is quite simple, with only stones and bamboo grass, but it is quite modern and beautiful. If you’d like to know why, I suggest you visit the shrine and see for yourself!

 

If you are at all interested in traditional Japanese culture, these gardens are well worth a visit, whether you are a Japanese or international student. These gardens are great places to learn about culture, but also wonderful places to just sit quietly and relax without having to think about anything, especially your classes!

 

 

 

 

Blog Quiz

True or False?

Q1. Mirei Shigemori was a Christian.

Q2. Mirei Shigemori used pieces of a temple bathroom in a garden design.

Q3. Mirei Shigemori designed the gardens at 20 different temples and shrines in Japan.

 

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Quiz Answers

Q1. False

Q2. True

Q3. False

University is a very important part of our lives as it marks the move towards independence as adults. For many students, it is the first chance to live away from home, with all the challenges that involves. For others, even though they may continue to live with their parents, it provides new stimuli and exposes them to new people, new ideas and new ways of dealing with life.

 

I am always impressed when I hear about the creative endeavours of my students. Many of them like to branch out and try something new at university. For example, some of them learn to play a musical instrument; others become involved in photography or art. I feel these kinds of activities are especially valuable and serve as more than a way to simply kill time or make new friends (although these are important benefits, too.)

 

Including something creative in your life can benefit you in many ways. It can open up new worlds and new experiences, help you to experience different emotions and develop a broader understanding of people, inspiring you to widen your own interests and make your life richer. Such activities offer an ideal way to put aside worries and relax, and even if you are a beginner, online tutorials and videos on YouTube have made it much easier to develop your skills. Creative hobbies can help you stay mentally and emotionally healthy, learn new skills, and get more enjoyment out of life.

 

Creative work, whether it is painting a picture, making a dress, or writing a song, requires you to think in different ways. How can I make this better? What would happen if I did this? Is there another way to do it? You become aware of different qualities in your work; it opens your mind to subtleties of expression and feeling, as well as technique and often you find yourself making unexpected discoveries. It also sharpens your judgement – is it better like this or like that? – and helps you to look and listen more carefully.

 

It can be frustrating, too. When things don’t go right, when you realise you’ve wasted hours and hours of your time and will have to start over again, you might wonder why you started at all. But when it goes well, when you finish and show it to an admiring audience (even if it’s just your best friend or your mum), you get a tremendous sense of satisfaction. Suddenly, all the hard work seems worthwhile!

 

 

Photo Credit: Tiana@pexels.com

 

 

Blog Quiz

Q1. The writer is impressed by ________________.

a. his students’ musical abilities

b. videos on YouTube

c. the creative activities of his students

 

Q2. What is one reason it is becoming easier to develop creative skills?

a. There are many helpful videos on YouTube.

b. It helps you to think differently.

c. It can help you to enjoy life more.

 

Q3. According to the writer, a negative feeling that may be connected with creative activities is __________ .

a. admiration

b. satisfaction

c. frustration

 

 

Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quiz Answers

Q1. C

Q2. A

Q3. C

Week 3 We continued our trip to fabulous Lake Titicaca. This Lake with several islands is the highest lake in the world, and it has both traditional and modern things. Especially the Uros Islands are unusual and were made from plants by the Uros people. We learned from the indigenous people that the plants originated in the lake, and when their islands were damaged, they just made new ones and moved in there. Many of them made a living from fishing. Surprisingly, there were big solar panels on the roofs of their simple houses on the islands. With an abundant energy supply, they seemed to enjoy the latest technology and manage a hotel business for tourists too. On the other naturally made islands, the local people were engaged in community tourism, and tourists were able to visit and stay with them at their homes. Unfortunately, our stomachs still felt uneasy, and we stopped by just for lunch, but they were very friendly and welcomed us. The next time we go there, we will surely plan to stay with the local family and enjoy the shining stars.

 

At the end of our itinerary, we came back to the capital Lima, an urban and exciting city nearby the ocean. We could not believe that we were traveling in the same country. Peru is unique geographically and culturally. There are just so many things to see and to do. One of my friends introduced me to a local teacher, and we had a great conversation about education in Peru. We wanted to spend more time with her, but we had to leave. In the future, we definitely want to go back to the country, meet more people, and explore more places—including the Amazon!

 

 

Photo Credit: Author

 

Blog Quiz

Q1. What do the Uros people make from the plants in Lake Titicaca?

Q2. Did the writer and her husband stay overnight on the island in Lake Titicaca?

Q3. Is Lima located in the mountains?

 

Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quiz Answers

Q1. They make their islands (Uros Islands).

Q2. No, they didn’t. They just had lunch there.

Q3. No, it isn’t. It’s on the coast.

We always wanted to visit Peru, the country of wonders and mysteries, and finally our dream came true about ten years ago. Peru has three distinct regions: the desert, the Andes, and the Amazon. In about three weeks, my husband and I made a trip to the capital Lima; the Nazca Lines in the desert; and Cuzco, Machu Picchu, and Lake Titicaca in the mountains. We were able to make precious and unforgettable memories.

 

Week 1 The Nazca Lines were just amazing. First, we arrived in the desert and did not see anything there. I wondered where the Lines were. Then we climbed a tiny tower and found some patterns, but I still did not get it. I was kind of disappointed because we traveled all the way from Japan for almost nothing. However, the next day we saw something incredible from the sky, and more than one hundred– including big and small–drawings were below us. They were simply too big to recognize while standing on the ground. I understood why people could not find them for a long time. According to our English-speaking guide, no one knows exactly when, why, and who created them. Animals, birds, insects, and even humans were depicted in the desert. I liked the ‘Monkey,’ and my husband liked the ‘Condor.’ As the time went by, the Lines became unclear, and some researchers and organizations have been trying to preserve them with the local people. I hope the mystery will stay forever.

 

Week 2 Our next destinations were Cuzco and Machu Picchu in the beautiful mountain areas. Since we flew to Cuzco, the historical city more than 3,000 meters high, we got mountain sickness. A special tea made from coca leaf helped us to recover, and three days later, we were ready to go to Machu Picchu, the Incan ruins, by train. Just like the Nazca Lines, people were not able to find Machu Picchu for a long time either. The village was made on top of the mountain so that it could be protected from the enemies. The ruins were well preserved, and some people were working in the field and even keeping alpacas. We felt as if we were in the time of Incas. Before the trip, we practiced Spanish and ocarina to prepare for the moment at the ruins. I was very excited to have a chance to talk to one of the workers in Spanish about the history of Machu Picchu. My husband was allowed to play the famous Peruvian music, ‘El Condor Pasa’ (The Condor Passes) on the instrument from Peru. These experiences made our visit even more special and memorable.

 

Photo credit: Author

 

Blog Quiz

Q1. What can we see in Nazca Lines?

Q2. How did the writer and her husband recover from the mountain sickness?

Q3. What did the writer’s husband do at Machu Picchu?

 

Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quiz Answers

Q1. Animals, birds, insects, humans, monkey, condor

Q2. They had coca tea.

Q3. He played the ocarina.