Photo credit: The author 

 

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

 

Sotoo, a graduate of the Kyoto City University of Arts, traveled to Europe in 1978, 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. That’s amazing, isn’t it? 

 

After arriving in Barcelona, he was so moved by Gaudi’s 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 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

Questions:

 

Q1. When did Sotoo travel to Europe?

a. Straight after he graduated.

b. A little while after graduation.

c. A year before he graduated.

 

Q2. Where can you see many of Gaudi’s works?

a. Barcelona

b. Ritsumeikan University

c. In the Public relations Office of the Government of Japan

 

Q3. How did Sotoo show his passion for Gaudi’s work?

a. He introduced Gaudi to Japanese visitors.

b. He helped to build Gaudi’s greatest work.

c. He looked for stone to use for La Sagrada Família.

 

Scroll down ↓ for the answers 

 

Answers

A1: b

A2: a

A3: b

Photo Credit: cottonbro studio@pexels.com

 

 

In English conversation classes, sometimes the topic turns to “What is the best way to learn English?” Of course, there is no one best way to learn—each person is different, but... as an English teacher, I have my opinions. When someone suggests that watching movies in English is an interesting way to get listening practice, I mostly agree with them. Movies are interesting and a learner can usually hear a lot of English. However, I think that watching television programs is probably better. I have a couple of reasons for this.

 

The first reason is that television shows are both shorter and longer than movies. Why shorter? On one hand, an episode of a TV program is usually between 25 and 60 minutes long—under one hour. On the other hand, a movie might be two hours long. If someone is listening intensely to their second language, a shorter time will be less tiring and more enjoyable. Why longer? An episode of a TV program is like a chapter in a book, but a movie is like a whole book. TV programs tell a story over are the entire series: that could be six episodes or twenty or more! In TV shows, the story can become deeper and more interesting because the person watching spends much more time with the characters.

 

The second reason is that television programs are just talkier. In an episode of a TV program, characters will talk more than characters in a movie. TV programs tell more of the story through dialogue than movies, so a learner will hear more English in ten minutes of a TV program than they will in ten minutes of a movie.

 

Why do I say that television is talkier than movies? This is because of the different histories of the two mediums.

 

Movies are a visual experience. They have always been primarily a visual medium. Until about 1930, movies were silent. A language of visual storytelling was developed for films, and this visual language has continued, changed, and expanded until the present. Television influenced some of the changes to visual storytelling because, when TV began in the 1940s and 50s, people started going to movies less. To get more people into the movie theatres, the movie industry created movies that offered a visual spectacle—colour, widescreen, even 3D—that TV could not match. For these reasons, much or most of the story in a film today will be told through the images and spectacle.

 

Television is more an audio experience. TV came from radio—almost all early TV performers and writers came from radio rather than the movie industry. This made sense because the radio networks already had infrastructure that could be adapted to broadcast television signals and were producing regular programs that could be easily adapted to television. As well, early television sets had small screens that could not show detail like the big screen of the movie theatres: characters had to talk more so the viewer could understand the story. Because television programs were written like radio programs, people listened to the television in the same way they listened to the radio. Someone might cook dinner with the television on or do homework while watching a favourite TV show. No one cooks dinner or reads a book in a movie theatre.

 

The emphasis on using dialogue to tell a story in television shows has continued even until the present day. This is why I think television is better for listening to English than movies. Of course, I always tell students that movies are good... but television is better.

 

 

Blog Quiz

 

Q1. Why are TV programs shorter than movies?

Q2. Why are TV progams longer than movies?

Q3. What kind of experience are movies?

Q4. What kind of experience is television?

 

Scroll down to see the answers below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answers:

 

1.         They are usually less than an hour for one episode, but a movie is usually two or more hours.

2.         There are many episodes used to tell a story. Movies usually tell the whole story in the movie.

3.         Visual experiences

4.         Audio experiences

Photo Credit: Element5 Digital@pexels.com

 

Last time, I wrote that extensive reading is the best way to improve your English in Japan and explained what it is by comparing it with “intensive reading.” Just to make things clear, let me add that what I meant was "the best way to improve English BY YOURSELF.”

 

It goes without saying that language learning should be done through interactions with others whenever possible. (That’s why it’s really important to speak in English with your classmates and teacher as much as you can in class! When you have a chance, you should use the stopwatch function on your smartphone and time yourself and check how many minutes you’re actually speaking in English in one class. Then, you can multiply that time with the number of English classes you have in one semester and calculate the estimated total time. I think a lot of you will be appalled by how short the time is! That’s why you should come to the communication rooms! Sorry, I got carried away. Let’s go back to our topic.)

 

Outside your English classes and communication rooms, and after you graduate and start working, what can you do to keep on improving your English? Since trying to master a language is a life-long endeavor and challenge, you need something that is easily accessible so that you can continue for a long time. That’s why extensive reading is the best way to go. As long as you have a book with you, you can do it anytime and anywhere. Nowadays, you might even be able to find extensive reading books at your local libraries. Therefore, if you’re lucky, you can do extensive reading for free! Yes, free! Isn’t that amazing?

 

Another key word that will keep you motivated and help you pursue the long-term goal is “fun.” As I wrote in the last blog, extensive reading is also called “pleasure reading,” and it should be something that you enjoy doing. This is the other reason why extensive reading is a great way to develop your English skills. How could you ever continue doing something if you can’t enjoy it?

 

I have written the two main reasons why extensive reading is the best way to enhance your English ability in Japan. For more specific reasons why you should do it, here is a list of benefits that extensive reading researchers have found in their studies:

 

If you do a lot of extensive reading …

- you will gain confidence,

- you will be able to read English faster,

- you will learn more vocabulary,

- you will improve your overall English ability (= grammar, listening, writing, and speaking),

- and you will get higher scores on tests.

 

I hope you have enjoyed reading this blog and hope that you are more interested in doing extensive reading. I have written the “why’s” this time, so next time I would like to write the “hows” so that you understand how you can actually start and do extensive reading. To be continued!

 

 

 

Blog Quiz:

Q1. Why does the writer suggest that you check the time you speak English in

 your English classes?

Q2. How can you do extensive reading for free?

Q3. What are the two main reasons that you can continue doing extensive

 reading for a long time?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answers:

A1. So that you can realize how much you are actually speaking in English.

A2. You can do it for free if you can find a library that has extensive reading

 books.

A3. It’s easy to do and fun!

Photo Credit: Taryn Elliott@pexels.com

 

 

The most effective study methods are fun. If you enjoy something, you are more likely to continue doing it, so why not use this idea for studying? Watching a TV/net series is a great way to study both vocabulary and pronunciation. Here is an idea for studying each.

 

1. Pronunciation

Choose one line of dialogue in the series and watch it with English subtitles. Focus on any tricky words and practice them individually first. Then focus on how the words are connected when spoken, and practice saying those words together. Start slowly and gradually build up to the same speed as the actor. Once you have practiced individual words, and connected words, try saying the whole line or multiple lines of the dialogue. One method to practice is called shadowing. Shadowing is when you read the dialogue at the exact same time as the actor, and try to copy their intonation and rhythm. You can try this with subtitles first, and then without if you are feeling confident. Another method is to record your own voice saying a line. Then listen to it and compare it to the actor's voice. Try to get as close as possible.

 

2. Vocabulary

The good thing about watching a series is that the context is very clear. This means that if an unknown word appears, you may be able to guess its meaning by watching what's happening in the scene. Try watching a short scene with the English subtitles on. If a word you don't know appears, write it down and try to guess the meaning. When the scene is finished, you can check by watching the scene with Japanese subtitles, or by looking up the words in a dictionary. Guessing the meaning of vocabulary words you don't know is a great skill to practice for language learners because you don't want to always rely on a dictionary or translation software, especially when you are mid-conversation. This method also provides you with a clear example sentence and a natural way of using the vocabulary.

 

These methods work especially well if you have a streaming service like Netflix or Hulu, but it will also work with a DVD and there are also videos available on YouTube that provide subtitles. If you find studying to be a chore, consider trying something fun that will motivate you to keep doing it.

 

 

 

Blog Quiz

 

Q1. What are two things you can improve by watching a series?

Q2. What is ‘shadowing’?

Q3. What is a big advantage of studying vocabulary with a series?

 

 

Scroll down for the answers to the quiz…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answers:

 

A1. Vocabulary and pronunciation

A2. Reading along aloud at the same time as you listen.

A3. The context is clear.

Photo Credit: Liza Summer@pexels.com

 

 

Have you ever wanted to join a volunteer group or to help others? I often hear from students who have worked as volunteers helping others abroad. One of the benefits of doing this is to forge relationships with other students and with other volunteer workers. Often times, students can also use and develop their English language skills while volunteering. Volunteer experiences can help students to broaden their horizons, too! Of course and most importantly, others benefit from students’ help, and the students, themselves, acquire life skills, gain experience from traveling abroad, learn about the plight of others who are less fortunate than themselves, and they gain satisfaction from helping others, too.

 

While it is exciting to participate in experiences like this abroad, not everyone can afford to do so. Also, students might want to gain some volunteer experience on a local level before venturing off to participate in volunteer activities on a global level. Do you know that you can find and/or create such opportunities for yourself right here on campus?

 

In fact, years ago, I helped students do this on another campus. We went to the International Center on that campus, and students introduced themselves to some of the foreign students. Then they asked them what challenges they were dealing with while living abroad. Based on the answers they received, they offered to help the foreign students with various things. For example, two foreign students needed help with learning kanji, so my students helped them. Some needed help with language barriers that made shopping, using home appliances, etc. difficult for them. Still others didn’t need help, but they expressed an interest in learning more about Japanese culture.

 

As a result, some of my students offered to spend a day with some foreign students to introduce them to various shrines and/or temples. After learning about where they wanted to go, my students did research, learned about the place they decided to visit, checked their use of English with me, and practiced what they would say in English when they visited the place. They often made a day of it and went out to lunch or coffee, too. Sometimes the foreign students thanked my students by inviting them over for dinner. In fact, in two cases, the visiting students invited Japanese students to their homes in the United States! These volunteer students had a wonderful time visiting them abroad. As you can see, helping others can bring about positive experiences and long lasting friendships can be forged without being far from home. If this sounds like something you would like to do, why don’t you reach out to international students on campus to see if you can be of help to them? It seems to me that the Beyond Borders Plaza would be a great place to start!

 

You also might like to try volunteering for the Expo 2025 Osaka. Recruitment is currently taking place, and volunteers will be able to help Japanese and foreign visitors, too. You can learn more at about volunteering for Expo 2025 Osaka at the following website: Expo 2025 Osaka [https://www.expo2025-volunteer.com/pr/]

 

 

 

 

Blog Quiz

 

Q1.List three ways students can benefit from doing volunteer work.

 

Q2.Where would be a great place for students to gain volunteer experience on Ritsumeikan campus?

 

Q3.What event is coming up where volunteers are currently being recruited?

 

 

Scroll down for the answers to the quiz…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answers:

 

A1. Develop relationships with others, develop English language skills, and broaden their horizons.

 

A 2. Beyond Borders Plaza

 

A3. Expo 2025 Osaka

 

Photo Credit: Patrick Case @pexels.com

 

 

Have you noticed how well Japan has been performing at numerous international sports competitions in recent years? Japan has notable athletes and players in many of the world’s most popular sports. There has been medal winning efforts in the World Athletics Championships, title winning displays in top soccer leagues, and most recently, the ‘Brave Blossoms’ rugby team performing with great passion in the Rugby World Cup in France. If you want to improve your skills in a foreign language AND love following sports, there are many reasons you can benefit from these dual interests.

 

 

 

Firstly, sports is a community - local and global. If you follow a soccer team, for instance, you become a member of a community around that club. Maybe you are lucky enough to have ‘season tickets’ to go to the ground every match day and support the team vocally. Most fans, however, are armchair fans, which means they support the team online via social media instead of being present in the stadium. How about becoming an armchair fan of several sports teams and engaging with fellow fans on online forums and the club’s official SNS streams? You can comment and respond to fans in the language you are learning and benefit from the feeling of community it creates.

 

 

 

Furthermore, sports are regular calendar events, so you will be urged to interact in your target language on a weekly basis - or on a daily basis in a big tournament like the Rugby World Cup or the Olympics. Regularity of engagement with the target language is essential for language learners. If you feel compelled to engage with fans across the world on a regular Saturday match day for your favorite team, you are embedding valuable language learning opportunities in to your weekly routine, which is always a good thing.

 

 

 

Lastly, the kind of language you will encounter in fan chat zones and forums is likely to be colloquial, casual, and sometimes very passionate (!), so the range and variety of words and phrases you will learn is a bonus. This is particularly true if you are chatting in real-time during a live match. Try posting your opinions and reactions in real-time when your favorite team is playing a match. It makes you have to think quickly and write spontaneously, which is valuable practice for language output.

 

 

 

The community aspect of following a sports team encourages you to engage regularly with other fans, encounter real world slang expressions, and cultivate good language learning habits. If you love sports AND wish to improve your language ability, follow a favorite player or team today and immerse yourself in a fun and rewarding community.

 

 

Blog Quiz

 

Q1. Armchair fans buy season tickets to watch their team play live. True or False?

Q2. Sports events are occurring all the time, every week, according to their team calendar. True or False?

Q3. Fans use formal language when discussing their teams online. True or False?

 

 

 

Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quiz Answers

Q1. False

Q2. True

Q3. False

Photo Credit: Martin Pechy @Pexels.com 

 

“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

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

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.

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.