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In this blog I would like to share with you some of the things I think about motivation. In my life I have been able to become a gold medalist in a national competition and a silver medalist in two sports (weightlifting and athletics). In addition, I have also won a world championship in weightlifting. In order to do this, I had to stay motivated for long periods of time to achieve my goals. This wasn’t just weeks or months but years of sustained practice. I have identified 2 factors that helped me stay motivated and might help you reach your goals. 

First, when I want to try to achieve a big goal, I break it down into smaller goals. These are on a weekly and monthly basis. Many people have suggested this step in the past but the real trick is to accept your failures as steps towards progress. No one progresses towards a goal on a straight line. Often times it is two steps forward and one step back in order to get to where you want to go. You absolutely must not be discouraged by failure and instead understand that all efforts have purpose. 

Secondly, I would advise you to make habits that you can sustain every week. Many people struggle to find time to practice but if you make it part of your daily or weekly routine it is much easier to sustain because it is just what you do. In my opinion people begin to stress when they are continually looking for time instead of establishing a routine that can be followed. 

In conclusion, although these two factors might not work for everyone, they can be simple but powerful tools in achieving larger goals. Breaking down a larger goal and establishing a routine are not groundbreaking ideas but they are easy enough to follow. By reducing the stress of trying to achieve something, you can instead focus on actually achieving it. 

 Questions:

1. What is the first key to motivation?  

2. What is the second key to motivation? 

3. What is the one thing you shouldn't do when trying to achieve a goal?  

Scroll down ↓ for the answers 

Answers

A1. Break it into smaller pieces. 

A2. Create a routine. 

A3. Be discouraged. 

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As university students, you often find yourself very busy with studying. And often, it can be difficult and not very exciting. Personally, when I was a student, I dreaded studying. It became so bad that my grades suffered in high school and even in my first year as a university student. I had to make changes! Studying doesn't always have to be such a tiring process. You can take steps to make it just a little easier and fun. Here are a few things that I have used to make my university life more exciting and allowed me to be a great student. 

Find a study buddy: studying with a friend or classmate can make the time go by faster and make it more fun. You can quiz each other, discuss the material, and help each other stay motivated. Finding friends from class can help you enjoy your social life and study life much more. 

Take breaks: don't try to study for hours on end without taking a break. Get up and move around, stretch, or grab a snack every 20-30 minutes. This will help you stay focused and avoid getting burned out. There are even some methods invented to help concentration while studying such as the Pomodoro Method (25 minutes of work then take a short 5-10 minute break and repeat. After a few rounds, take a long break). 

Make studying fun: if you're not enjoying yourself, you are less likely to remember the material. Try to make studying more fun, such as listening to music, taking a walk, or doing something else you enjoy while you study. One way I started enjoying classes was to dig deeper into the materials. I asked questions and volunteered to answer in class as much as possible. Being wrong is okay as long as you try. 

Take care of yourself: make sure you are getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, and exercising. When you're taking care of yourself, you will have more energy and focus, which will make studying more enjoyable. Often, we study late at night and don't sleep enough. Try to make a sleep schedule. Also, this will help you not feel so sleepy during classes. 

Find a quiet place to study: if you can, find a quiet place where you won't be interrupted. This will help you focus and avoid distractions. Listening to instrumental music may also help you focus. Personally, I like to listen to Lo-Fi music when I need to concentrate. 

Don't be afraid to ask for help: when you are struggling with the material, do not be afraid to ask for help from your teacher, a tutor, or a friend. Requesting help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Especially when studying languages, don't be afraid to come to the BBP and ask for tips on studying languages. You may also find some study buddies there. 

Studying doesn't have to be all work and no play. Take some time to enjoy learning. Ask questions, explore new ideas, and challenge yourself. The more you enjoy yourself, the more you will learn. 

Questions:

Q1. How long do you study before a short break when using the Pomodoro method?  

a. 15 minutes  

b. 20 minutes  

c. 25 minutes 

Q2. When studying you should:  

a. eat junk food  

b. make sure to get enough sleep  

c. study only late at night 

Q3. What type of music does the author like to listen to when studying?  

a. Hip-hop  

b. J-pop  

c. Lo-Fi 

Scroll down ↓ for the answers 

Answers

1. c

2. b

3. c

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“What is the best way to improve your English in Japan?” If someone asked you this question, what would your answer be? My answer is simple: “BE ACTIVE AND STUDY HARD IN YOUR ENGLISH CLASSES!” 

… Alright, alright, I see the fed-up look on your face, so I will stop joking around and give you another answer. (Oh, but I am NOT joking about being active and studying hard in your English classes. Please be active and study hard!) Whenever I’m asked that question, my answer would always be “extensive reading.” Do you know what extensive reading is? Some of you might be disgusted by the thought of reading in English. Have no fear. Extensive reading is very different from what you did in high school and maybe what you are doing now in your reading classes. In fact, the reading done in a lot of English reading classes in Japan is the opposite of what extensive reading is. That kind of reading is often called “intensive reading.” 

Intensive reading is about … ・reading difficult reading passages, ・reading in detail, ・reading with a dictionary, ・translating a lot into Japanese, ・trying to understand 100% of the reading passages, ・and focusing on learning grammar and vocabulary. 

Are you feeling sick and about to throw up? Again, don’t worry. Extensive reading is completely different. 

Extensive reading is about … ・ 

reading a lot, ・reading easy books, ・reading enjoyable books, ・understanding 80~90% of the book, ・reading without using a dictionary, ・and reading without translating. 

As the name suggests, extensive reading is about reading a lot. But also, it’s about reading books that are easy and interesting for you. That is why another name for extensive reading is “pleasure reading.” 

I hope you have become interested in extensive reading. Next time, more about why we do extensive reading and how to do it! To be continued! 

Q1. What is intensive reading?  

Q2. What is extensive reading?  

Q3. What is another name for extensive reading?  

Scroll down ↓ for the answers

Answer

A1. It is reading difficult passages and trying to understand everything by using a dictionary and often translating. The focus is learning grammar and vocabulary. 

A2. It is reading a lot of easy and enjoyable books without using a dictionary and without translating. The focus is enjoying reading the books.  

A3. Reading for pleasure

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.