Photo Credit: Dawn O’Day (author)

 

 

As an architect and a designer, Antoni Gaudí has, for many years, spoken to countless people through his many creations, most of which can be seen in Barcelona. Do you know that one of the people who used to attend a university in Kyoto and to whom Gaudí’s work has spoken quite loudly and eloquently? This person is the Japanese stone cutter, Etsuro Sotoo.

 

Sotoo, a graduate of the Kyoto City University of Arts, traveled to Europe in 1978, which was one year after he graduated. As you can see, he was not much older than most of the students at Ritsumeikan University when he did that. Isn’t that amazing?

 

After arriving in Barcelona, he was so moved by what Gaudí communicated through his masterpiece, La Sagrada Família, that Sotoo chose to stay and learn about him, his genius, and his work. He said, “I just came to Europe to carve stone. I was looking for stone and stone introduced me to La Sagrada Família, and La Sagrada Família introduced me to Gaudí” (National Geographic, 2013).

 

Sotoo strove to understand Gaudí and honor him through his own stone cutting work. In so doing, he has, for more than 40 years, made significant contributions to the construction of La Sagrada Família. This includes the work Sotoo did on the east façade (side) of the basilica. It is there, in the Nativity scene, that we can see fifteen statues of angels that Sotoo created. He even created a few of them with Asian faces. After all, according to Sotoo, angels from the east are needed, too (Public Relations Office, Government of Japan, 2012). (A photo of Sotoo’s angels can be seen above.)

 

Sotoo’s passion for Gaudí’s work caused him to reconsider his values and to become Catholic. As you can see, art can be a very powerful language. Does it speak to you? If so, which medium (language) do you prefer to listen to, or with which one do you prefer to create?

 

References

National Geographic (2013, Dec. 14). Unorthodox sculpting. [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MW5Us3E--0

 

Public Relations Office, Government of Japan (2012, Dec.) Realizing Gaudi’s Unfulfilled Wishes: Etsuro Sotoo (Spain). https://www.govonline.go.jp/eng/publicity/book/hlj/html/201212/201212_05.html

 

 

Blog Quiz

 

Q1. What is one reason Etsuro Sotoo traveled to Barcelona?

a) To attend a university

b) To visit family

c) To study modern art

d) None of the above

 

Q2. Which famous work of Gaudí deeply influenced Etsuro Sotoo?

a) Park Güell

b) Casa Batlló

c) La Sagrada Família

d) Casa Milà

 

Q3. What motivated Etsuro Sotoo to stay in Barcelona after his arrival?

a) He wanted to pursue a degree in architecture.

b) He was inspired by Gaudí's work, particularly La Sagrada Família.

c) He had family living in the city.

d) He was invited to participate in an art exhibition.

 

 

Scroll↓down for answers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quiz Answers

Q1. d

Q2. c

Q3. b

Photo Credit: Dawn O’Day (author)

 

 

“Each art speaks an idiom that conveys what cannot be said in another language and yet remains the same (Dewey, 1934).”

 

Certainly, there are many ways to communicate. For example, we can communicate with our voices, through writing, and through body language as well. I love to communicate through writing, but I also love to express myself using photography.

 

What do you think about language and art forms, such as photography? Do you want to learn more about them? Are you inspired to create great works of writing or art? What do you think that art and language have in common? Think about these questions; then I will attempt to answer the last question.

 

Just as language has a three-way relationship, so does art. According to the American pragmatist, John Dewey, the act of communicating language involves a speaker, words that are spoken, and a person to whom the words are spoken; therefore, if we think of an object of art as words that are being communicated, then we have an artist who is communicating, the object of art, and the person who is looking at the art (Dewey, 1934). As you can see, one thing that language has in common with art is that they are both expressive forms of communication.

 

There are countless artists throughout history who have used numerous forms of media to express themselves. (You can think of a medium as a language.) Antoni Gaudí, a famous Spanish architect, is one such artist who expressed himself while he created art using various media (e.g., stone, ceramic, iron, and glass).

 

Perhaps Gaudí is most famous for his design of La Sagrada Família, which, as you probably know, is in Barcelona. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site, La Sagrada Família is a basilica that has been under construction for more than 140 years and will likely continue to be under construction for many years to come. (Please see the photo above for a view of the inside of the basilica.)

 

Please look forward to reading next week’s blog, Part Two: Language and Art.

 

Reference

Dewey, J. (1934). Art as experience. New York: Berkeley Publishing.

 

 

Blog Quiz

 

1. According to the reading, what is La Sagrada Familia?

a. A museum.

b. A park.

c. A basilica (a church).

 

2. According to the reading, what kind of media did Antoni Gaudi use when creating art?

a. Marble, ceramic, concrete, and glass.

b. Stone, ceramic, iron, and glass.

c. Stone, marble, wood, and steel.

 

3. According to the reading, what is one thing that language has in common with art?

a. They are both primarily used for scientific documentation.

b. They both require formal training in mathematics.

c. They are both expressive forms of communication

 

 

 

Scroll↓down for answers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quiz Answers

Q1. C

Q2. B

Q3. C

Photo Credit: Pixabay@Pexel.com

 

 

"Have you ever lived abroad?" It’s a question I’m often asked, and the answer is, "No."

 

I’ve studied at language schools in Australia and Ireland, but both times it was only for up to six weeks during my university spring break. I wanted to study abroad for a full year, but since I was enrolled in the Teacher Training Course, it wasn’t possible. So, 19-year-old Ran set out on a little project of her own, which I called "Studying Abroad in Japan." I made a point of always surrounding myself with English, both input and output.

 

Here’s a rundown of what I did each day:

Write all schedules and to-do lists entirely in English. This helped me plan things properly and stay on top of tasks each day, while improving my everyday English.

 

Download speeches and interviews featuring your favourite actors. Listening to a range of topics is important, of course, but I found I was more motivated to listen to things I was interested in, so I started with subjects I wanted to know about.

 

Watch dramas or films in English. I’d watch a 45-minute episode of a drama over dinner. The first time, I’d watch it with Japanese subtitles, then watch it again with English subtitles. I always kept a notebook on hand so I could write down any phrases or vocabulary I wanted to try using in conversation.

 

Listen to a 5-minute English radio programme. Each night at 10:30 p.m., I’d listen to a five-minute English programme. I’d learn just one phrase a night, but imagine – if you did that every day for a year, you’d pick up over 300 useful phrases!

 

Output, output, and more output! I used to take an online English practice nearly every day, where I’d chat casually or practise for the Eiken speaking test. On top of that, I made a habit of talking to myself in English, and I went out of my way to join activities with international friends. It was scary at times, but I’ve built lasting friendships through it.

 

So, do you have to study abroad to become fluent in a foreign language? I’d say, "No." If you’re truly determined, anything is possible. Let’s take it one day at a time and go for it!

 

 

Blog Quiz

Q1. What two things did she write entirely in English?

Q2. What did she keep with her when watching English films?

Q3. What did she do every day for 5 minutes to improve her English?

 

 

Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quiz Answers:

Q1. Her schedule and to-do lists.

Q2. A notebook.

Q3. Listened to an English radio programme.

Photo Credit: Tara Winstead @Pexels.com

 

Let's try thinking about "memory." First, please try playing the game at the following link. The rules are simple: memorize the numbers that appear momentarily, then click to answer. Free Working Memory Tests [https://www.memorylosstest.com/free-working-memory-tests-online/]

 

How did you do?

 

The human brain has two types of memory: "short-term memory" and "long-term memory." This game is a test of short-term memory. Short-term memory is also known as "working memory," and refers to memories that are stored temporarily in the brain.

 

According to research conducted by Princeton University psychologist George Miller, short-term memory is retained for only about 20 seconds. After that period of time, it is considered unnecessary and forgotten. Try to answer the questions in the previous game 20 seconds after you see the numbers. It should be much more difficult for you to do so.

 

We can expect to achieve increased efficiency in language learning if we understand and utilize this characteristic of memory.

 

In fact, George Miller made another important discovery: the fact that “humans can only commit 7±2 pieces of information to memory at a time." In other words, we are able to memorize 5–9 pieces of information. This is known as the “magical number”.

 

Up until now, many people have been tested to see how many digits they can remember, and there are almost none who can remember more than 9 digits. This seems to be the limit of human beings.

 

So, how can we remember an 11-digit phone number? We can do this because we use a method known as chunking. For example, we can divide the phone number 08012345678 into 3 groups, "080," "1234," and "5678," and memorize them as 3 pieces of information. By doing so, we can get around the short-term memory limit of 7±2 pieces of information at a time.

Put another way, a person can only memorize 7±2 "chunks of information" at a time. By applying this knowledge, we can make it easier to memorize longer English sentences for English presentations, and so on. For example, the sentence "I object to the idea that classical music and popular music should be dealt with as totally different categories." can be divided into the following groups:

 

"I object to the idea"

"that classical music and popular music"

"should be dealt with"

"as totally different categories."

 

It is easier to memorize sentences by dividing them into groups in the manner shown.

 

 

Questions:

Q1. For how long is short-term memory retained in the brain?

 

Q2. How many pieces of information can a person memorize at a time?

 

Q3. How can we make information easier to memorize?

 

Scroll down↓for answers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A1. Approximately 20 seconds

A2. 7±2 pieces

A3. By dividing it into chunks

Photo Credit: Julia M. Cameron @Pexels.com

 

How do you study English? Do you take regular lessons as part of your university courses? Do you join free communication sessions like those offered by the BBP Communication Rooms on campus? Do you have a pen friend or a private tutor? There are many conventional ways to learn a language, but have you ever considered these ‘alternative’ ways to get better at a language?

 

Is talking to yourself a sign of genius or an indication of craziness? By ‘talking to yourself’, it means speaking softly (or louder) when it’s only you present. You might talk to yourself in the shower or taking a walk or washing the dishes. It’s a sign of an active mind and a happy disposition. How about if you started talking to yourself in another language? Start with simple words like describing the things around you or exchanging imaginary pleasantries. As you get better at it, start commentating on live TV news or sports you’re watching. Keep it light and fun and spontaneous. It will help you grow in confidence as a speaker in your target language.

 

That’s the speaking way - now how about the writing way? Start a micro blog on Threads or Bluesky or other such social media platform. Micro blogs are short, topical comments which help start interaction with other users on the same site. Create a page with your name in English and a few words about yourself and the kind of topics you’re interested in blogging about. Search for similar topic blogs and comment on them regularly. You will soon build up a small community of followers and be able to practice your writing in the target language in a fun and spontaneous way.

 

These are two simple, fun ways to use your target language on a daily basis and inject a little spontaneity into your language learning.

 

Questions:

Q1. Is a ‘pen friend’ someone you speak with or write to?

 

Q2. What word best matches ‘disposition’ from the text?

a: Hope

b: Manner

c: Intention

d: Place

 

Q3. Does being “spontaneous” mean acting slowly or acting quickly?

 

 

Scroll ↓ down for answers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A1. A friend you write to

A2. B. (Manner)

A3. Acting quickly

Photo Credit: Cottonbro Studio @Pexels.com

 

As with learning anything - the guitar, calligraphy, yoga, cooking - a new language takes time to acquire. If you’re going to be a good guitarist, writer, yogi, cook or foreign language speaker, you need many hours of practice over a long period of time. Many people feel motivated to start learning a language in the beginning, but that motivation often falls away as time goes on. What are some simple ways to keep motivation up?

 

At the beginning, habitualise your language learning. Embed it in your day. Set your alarm in the morning to play a new English song every day. Prepare an alert on your smartphone every morning to read that day’s news or weather in English. Listen to regular English podcasts on your commute into school. These are three technology-based ways to bring language learning into your daily routine in a simple, regular, automatic way.

 

Further to this, reward yourself if you do these three things in any one day. Keep a record of it in your smartphone calendar or ‘notes’ app. At the end of the month, if you have done these listening / reading tasks every day of that month, buy yourself a prize like an English magazine or book. Rewarding yourself on a regular basis for your language learning efforts is a smart way to keep up your motivation.

 

Lastly, set a tangible goal. Download the next year’s calendar for the EIKEN or TOEIC tests in your area. Pencil in a few target test dates over the course of the year - for example, EIKEN in January; TOEIC in June; TOEFL iBt in November. Many of the most popular language proficiency tests are spread at different dates throughout the year. Having a few concrete test dates and a sensible target level will give you sufficient motivation to keep up your language learning all through the year. Measure your progress by taking practice tests along the way too.

 

Questions:

Q1. An action that you ‘habitualise’ is something you do…

a: At your own pace

b: On a regular basis

c: Only in your free time

d: Sometimes

 

Q2. True or False? Rewards enhance motivation.

 

Q3. A goal is ‘tangible’ when it is…

a: Sensible, achievable, measurable

b: Ambitious, difficult, expensive

c: Clever, motivating, impossible.

 

Scroll↓down for answers

 

A1. On a regular basis (B)

B2. True

C3. Sensible, achievable, measurable (A)

Photo credit: Nancy Guth @ pexels.com

 

I used to think, until a few years ago, that the idea of dogs understanding people's feelings and words was just a subjective notion held by dog lovers. However, once I got a dog as a pet, it didn't take me long to realize that dogs are incredibly intelligent and emotionally rich creatures. In fact, I have become convinced that dogs can, indeed, understand human feelings and language.

 

For example, my dog can distinguish simple words such as his name, 'food,' and 'walk.' My dog's name is Blue. He does not turn around when I say Taro. He doesn't like taking a walk very much, so when I say, 'Let's go for a walk,' he runs away in a heartbeat. Or even if I don't say, "Let's go for a walk," he runs away as soon as he sees me with a walking pouch hanging from my neck. This shows that he not only recognizes his name but also recognizes the context and meaning of the word 'walk.'

 

What is even more surprising is that my dog remembers our family members' names. One day, my daughter hid somewhere and I said to Blue, 'Huh? Where's Hana (my daughter's name)?', he stopped playing and started scurrying around, going from room to room, earnestly looking for Hana. Isn't it a real surprise?

 

Furthermore, I often see videos on social media of dogs seemingly conversing with their owners. These dogs communicate using verbal information by pressing buttons that play pre-recorded sounds such as their owner's name, 'walk,' 'cuddle,' 'water,' 'later,' 'now,' or other phrases. It's fascinating to see how some dogs can string together multiple words to form simple sentences.

 

Scientific studies also support the idea that dogs can understand human emotions and language. Research has shown that dogs can recognize human facial expressions and vocal tones, reacting differently to happy, sad, or angry cues. This ability to empathize and respond appropriately suggests a deep emotional bond between humans and dogs.

 

In conclusion, the belief that dogs can understand human feelings and language is not just a romantic notion held by dog lovers. It is supported by both my personal experiences and scientific research. Dogs' ability to comprehend and respond to human emotions and words highlights their remarkable intelligence and the profound bond they share with us. Whether it's recognizing their name, responding to commands, or empathizing with our feelings, dogs consistently demonstrate their amazing capabilities.

 

Questions:

Q1. How did the author's perspective on dogs' understanding of human emotions and language change over time? Why?

 

Q2. What are two examples that show the author's dog can understand language?

 

Q3. What have some scientific studies found regarding dogs’ understanding? How do these studies contribute to the overall argument presented in the essay?

 

 

Scroll down ↓ for the answers

 

Answers:

A1. The author’s thinking changed when she got a dog as a pet. After she got the dog, she felt that it could understand some words and concepts.

 

A2. When the dog hears the word “walk” it tries to escape since it doesn’t like going for walks. Also, the dog could seemingly understand that “Where’s Hana?” meant she should look for Hana.

 

A3. Studies show that dogs can understand some language and emotions. These findings support the author’s observations.

Photo Credit: Anna Shucks @pexels.com 

 

Incorporating music into your language learning journey can be an enjoyable and effective way to improve your English skills. Whether you're a fan of pop, rock, hip-hop, or jazz, there's a wealth of musical resources waiting to help you on your path to fluency. Here are some tips on how to harness the power of music to enhance your English learning experience.

 

1. Choose Songs You Enjoy: Start by selecting songs in English that you genuinely enjoy listening to. Whether it's your favorite band or a catchy tune you heard on a streaming app, choosing songs that resonate with you will make the learning process more enjoyable and motivating.

 

2. Focus on Lyrics: Once you've chosen a song, take the time to listen to the lyrics carefully. Read along with the lyrics while you listen, and pay attention to the pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar used in the song. You can find lyrics online on websites like Genius or AZLyrics. Many streaming apps will also provide lyrics.

 

3. Break it Down: Break down the lyrics into smaller chunks and focus on understanding the meaning of individual words and phrases. Look up any unfamiliar words in a dictionary and try to learn their meanings in context.

 

4. Sing Along: Don't be afraid to sing along with the music! Singing along can help improve your pronunciation, intonation, and rhythm in English. Even if you're not a confident singer, singing along with your favorite songs can boost your confidence and pronunciation over time.

 

5. Study Grammar and Syntax: Pay attention to the grammatical structures and syntax used in the lyrics. Analyze how sentences are formed, and identify different tenses, prepositions, and conjunctions used in the song. This will help reinforce your understanding of English grammar in a fun and engaging way.

 

6. Use Music for Listening Practice: Make listening to English music a regular part of your daily routine. Create playlists of your favorite English songs and listen to them while you're commuting, exercising, or relaxing at home. The more exposure you have to English music, the more you'll improve your listening skills.

 

7. Explore Cultural References: English songs often contain cultural references and idiomatic expressions that can provide valuable insights into English-speaking cultures. Take the time to research the cultural context behind the songs you're listening to, and you'll gain a deeper understanding of the language and its cultural nuances.

 

By incorporating music into your English learning routine, you can make language learning more engaging, enjoyable, and effective. So plug in your headphones, turn up the volume, and let the music guide you.

 

Questions:

Q1. Which stage should you look up unknown vocabulary?

Q2. What are two benefits of singing along?

Q3. What are the outcomes of stage 7

 

Scroll down ↓ for answers:

  

 

  

ANSWERS:

A1. In the third stage

A2. It boosts confidence and improves pronunciation.

A3. You gain cultural understanding.

Photo Credit: Oz Art @pexels.com

 

Here, I will introduce a powerful technique to improve both your listening and speaking skills at the same time! It's a method called shadowing, where you practice repeating the English you hear, as if you are its shadow.

 

Let's take The Beatles' "Let It Be" as an example for our explanation.

 

The Beatles - Let It Be

You can find the song at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDYfEBY9NM4

 

When you hear "When I find myself in times of trouble," you immediately repeat "When I find myself in times of trouble." As you repeat this, the next phrase, "Mother Mary comes to me," will play, so you quickly start repeating that phrase. You continue in this way with "Speaking words of wisdom..." and so on.

 

Shadowing is an excellent exercise for both listening and speaking practice. It is great for listening because it trains you to hear and understand English directly, without translating it into Japanese in your head. Additionally, being able to shadow well means you can accurately mimic the unique rhythm of English.

 

For example, if you can pronounce "When I find myself in times of trouble" in sync with the audio, that means you are able to follow the rhythm rules of English: You stress and elongate content words (words that carry meaning) like "find," "myself," "times" and "trouble," while pronouncing function words (words that indicate grammar) like "when," "I," "in" and "of" weakly and briefly.

 

If you take too long to pronounce function words like "when" or "I," you won't be able to say the line in sync with the audio. Now, let’s actually try shadowing this song.

 

As you shadow, avoid looking at the text as much as possible, and focus only on the audio. It might feel difficult at first, but it’s important to practice the same material repeatedly until you can do it.

 

Observing the rhythm of English in songs and mimicking it is a highly effective learning method. You can practice shadowing with other pop songs, nursery rhymes, and even jazz when you've gotten the hang of it. However, not all English songs are suitable for shadowing, so be selective.

 

Here, we used a song for shadowing, but anything can be suitable as long as it matches the learner’s vocabulary level and an English script is available for reference if needed. You can practice shadowing with things you enjoy, like dramas or movies. Be sure to incorporate this into your English learning!

 

Questions:

 

Q1. What skills improve with shadowing?

 

Q2. What is the typical rhythm in the English language?

 

Q3. What tips are given for shadowing?

 

 

Scroll down ↓ for the answers

 

 

A1. Listening and speaking skills.

A2. Content words are pronounced strongly and are longer, while function words are pronounced weakly and are shorter.

A3. Focus only on the sound/ Repeat the same material multiple times.

Photo Credit: Ivan Samkov @pexels.com

 

Risk is an essential part of our human journey. We take risks all through our lives as we grow up. Think about how you learned to speak your native language. You experimented with sounds and meanings all the time. You used humor and emotion and wild ideas. You took risks. And it felt natural to do so.

 

How can you imitate that natural risk taking in your learning of a new language?

 

Firstly, think about the environment you have cultivated around your language learning. Do you study alone? Do you mostly read or listen to the target language? Are you a passive learner in this sense? Or do you prefer to interact with others in the language and use it primarily to communicate and connect and share? In this way, you might be a more active learner.

 

Everyone is different in their approach to learning, but what is essential is that you take a risk by stepping out of your comfort zone and challenging yourself to use the target language in new settings and in new ways as much as possible. Join a discussion circle in the BBP Communication Room on campus, make friends with students from other countries, set up a social media account in the target language and chat with other accounts in real time online (chatting during live sports matches is a great way to do this). All these activities involve a certain amount of risk taking.

 

Secondly, set challenging goals. Use one of the many online level checks for a language proficiency test. If it’s English, there is EIKEN, IELTS, TOEIC, or TOEFL. Ideally, target a level that is a little beyond your current ability. As extra motivation, register for a test at the same time as a friend for some friendly competition. Set achievable and measurable goals that push you harder. If it’s within your ability to remember 10 new words a week, try 10 new words a day. If it’s easy for you to write 100 words without pausing, try writing 1000 without looking at a dictionary or erasing any words. Using an official language test as a goal and targeting a level that is currently a little above your ability is a great way to add more risk to your language learning.

 

Adding an element of risk is a great way to become a better language learner. And maybe it’s easier than you think.

 

Questions:

 

Q1. True or false: it is unnatural to take risks in life.

 

Q2. True or false: commenting online in a foreign language about a soccer game is a fun way to interact.

 

Q3. True or false: language learners should only take aptitude tests that match their levels.

 

Scroll down ↓ for the answers

 

A1. False

A2. True

A3. False