Photo Credit: The Author

Phones have been used to connect people with each other for more than a century, and the benefits of technological advances outweigh the drawbacks.

My experience begins as I describe using the phone in the early 1960s in the United States. Take for instance, the physical form (see photo). It was as heavy as one brick and as bulky as a cake box. It hung on a wall in the kitchen or stayed on a desk. Our family phone had a 5-foot cord that kept you standing under it. There was no room for a chair. Unlike the iPhone that you can dial with one touch on someone’s number on the screen, the 1960s’ phone had a rotary dial. That meant sticking your index finger into the hole to drag the wheel around to the “finger stop”, a different distance for each number. For example, if you dialed a “1”, you dragged the wheel 2cm. However, if you had to dial a “zero”, you dragged it around the circle clockwise for about 10 cm. Your dragging technique had to be strong and smooth lest the number not registering, which required starting all over. Dialing the number of course caused a loud ringing sound in the recipient’s house, a ring so loud that made someone in the house jump up to answer it.

Because families only had one phone, somebody had to usually run to the kitchen from a distant bedroom, a comfortable sofa or up from the basement to answer it. Family members sometimes shouted to each other to answer the phone. There were no answering machines, and every caller was a mystery to the recipient until the voice was heard. There was no way to know if the caller was your friend, a family member, a boss or a business. Therefore, all the calls had to be answered.

Messages for family members were written on a piece of paper or maybe not and forgotten. Who called? What was their number?

In contrast to texting communication these days, there was very little privacy 60 years ago. Listening in to my mother’s phone conversations, I knew the names of her friends and what appointments she was planning. I learned to take messages from these other moms and learned formal phone etiquette. I learned from listening to her voice about who she liked. Her chats could last hours in a child’s mind.

When I became a teenager, I competed to use the phone with my mom and two sisters. At that time, the cord in the kitchen became 10 feet long, but I still could not get the privacy I craved. Contrast that with today’s teen who can make calls outside, but probably doesn’t because of the dream invention of texting quietly and privately.

Phones have come a long way. While we have gained in convenience, we have lost by not making connections with others in the public space because everyone’s faces are glued to the screens they hold.

Blog Quiz:

Q1. Why did some phone users have to stand while talking on the phone?

a. Because they wanted to see out the window.

b. Because they talked for a short time.

c. bBcause the cord was too short to sit down.

Q2. Where was the 1960s phone in the house?

a. In the kitchen

b. In the bedroom

c. In the living room

Q3. Which phone number was easiest to dial in the 1960s?

a. One with many 1s.

b. One with many 5s.

c. One with many 9s.

Scroll down to see the answers below.　↓

Answers:

A1. c

A2. a

A3. a

Photo Credit: Charlotte May@pexels.com

College offers a unique opportunity for self-discovery, personal growth, and the acquisition of knowledge and skills. University life is a great experience, however, it is not without its share of challenges. College students will all face different hurdles. These challenges can be academic, personal, or financial in nature.

The transition from high school to college is difficult for many students. The sudden move from external motivation to internal motivation is difficult for many students, especially those who have grown up (and often thrived) under strict schooling regimes.

Fear of failure can often exacerbate stress and can lead to students who did well under a strictly structured high school model to stuggle with the freedoms, and the responsibilty to self, that is part of university life.

Many individuals arrive at college with both high goals and/or a high level of stress (self-imposed or external). Overcoming the fear of failure involves changing one’s perspective, and recognizing that making mistakes is an integral part of learning.

Personal problems include homesickness, loneliness, and the struggle to create a new identity in a new environment. For many, the college experience is their first time living away from home, and homesickness is often common. To overcome this, students should try to participate in campus activities to help form connections with their peers.

Loneliness is another issue many students face. The social landscape of college can be daunting, and the quest for genuine connections can be a challenging one. The key to overcoming this hurdle lies in proactive engagement. By attending social events, joining clubs or organizations, and seeking out like-minded individuals, students can create opportunities to build lasting relationships.

Financial hurdles are yet another facet of the college experience that students must navigate. The rising costs of tuition, textbooks, housing, and living expenses can be a daunting obstacle. Scholarships, grants, and financial aid are essential tools in reducing the financial burden. It is vital for students to explore all available options, both need-based and merit-based, to secure financial assistance. Additionally, prudent budgeting and financial literacy enable students to manage their expenses more effectively. Moreover, students should also seek part-time employment to alleviate their financial pressures.

Students face many difficulties when they first enter college. Knowing that other students have faced (and overcome) the same or similar difficulties is the first step in overcoming hurdles in university life. Following the example of other students who have thrived at university by joining clubs and getting part-time jobs is the first step in creating a lasting and worthwhile college experience.

Blog Quiz:

Q1. What are the 3 main general areas of difficulties students may face?

Q2. The first step to overcoming fear of failure is to …

Q3. What is a good way to overcome loneliness?

Scroll down for the answers.

Answers:

A1. academic, personal, or financial

A2. changing one’s perspective (AND/OR) recognizing that making mistakes is an integral part of learning

A3. Clubs // Part-time jobs

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: Bich Tran@pexels.com

Keeping track of important tasks is difficult if you are a busy person like me. On any given day, I have 3-4 classes to teach and lots of preparation and marking. I also do volunteer work, have meetings, and household/family obligations. I have found a solution that you might want to try, and I recommend it to all of my students: Make a Bullet Journal [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fm15cmYU0IM], or ‘Bujo’ as some aficionados call it!

The Bullet Journal method was developed by a man named Ryder Carroll. It seems he had trouble organizing his daily life and probably he found iCalendar, Google calendar, or paper planners to be ineffective for him. I certainly do. For some reason, I don’t like to use digital tools to organize my life. I always forget to check them and I find important notes disappear easily. I prefer to use paper but I can never find a paper planner that works for me. I have many paper organizers at home that I have never used. It’s a waste of money! But then I discovered the Bullet Journal. So, what is it?

A Bullet Journal is a customizable notebook that YOU design in a way that helps you remember important tasks and events. Mine contains a calendar, a to-do list, and a notetaking space. I use a regular lined notebook from the Muji store and decorate it with colored pens. I use Flexion pens and colored markers to make lesson plans and lists of things to do. If I need to erase something, these pens allow me to do so. My Bullet Journal is messier than the ones you can find online, like the ones here in this blog post [https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/work-money/a32155559/how-to-start-a-bullet-journal/] or this one [https://bulletjournal.com/blogs/bulletjournalist/your-bullet-journal-your-rules] but it works for me. Give it a try!

Here are some Instagram pages you might follow if you are interested in this topic: @bujoaddictblog, @Bujo_with_Fran, @dulcetbujo, @productivedoodling. Or Google these search terms to get started: “bullet journal ideas”, “bujo”, “bullet journal calendar ideas”. Good luck and happy journaling!

Blog Quiz

Q1. What is a nickname for a Bullet Journal?

Q2. How does Gretchen waste money?

Q3. Why does Gretchen prefer Flexion pens?

Scroll down for the answers to the quiz…

Answers:

A1. Bujo.

A2. She buys planners that she does not use.

A3. You can erase the text if you need to.

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: Vera Bomstad @pexels.com

Amanohashidate is located in northern Kyoto, in Miyazu, on the Sea of Japan and is known as one of the Three Famous Views in Japan or Nihon Sankei. It is essentially a land bridge, a sandy strip of pine forest and beach which stretches for 3.5 km across Miyazu Bay, with the sea on either side. Approximately 8,000 pine trees line the white sand beach and there is a lovely walking/bicycle path leading from one end to the other. For those who do not wish to walk, a ferry crosses the bay every 15 minutes offering a view of the pine forest during the 12-minute ride.

At the top of the hills located on either side of the bay are observation decks (accessible on foot or by lifts) that allow one to look down on the entire stretch of the land bridge and the bay for a spectacular view from above. It is recommended to bend over and look at the view from between your legs (as many people do, so you won’t look strange to others around you). From this position, the sea and sky are reversed and the scene resembles a ‘bridge to heaven’, or Amanohashidate.

As well as the sea and beach, there are a number of famous shrines and temples in the area and the small town on the east side of the bay (where the train station is located) has a large number of small cafes and shops, and a natural onsen bathhouse. Most famous of the shrines are Amanohashidate Shrine, where one can pray for luck in romance, and Motoise Kono Shrine, which at one time enshrined the Sun Goddess (Amaterasu) now enshrined at Ise Shrine in Mie. Chionji Temple, located near the train station, has one of the oldest pagodas in Japan. And don’t forget to keep an eye on the small bridge crossing from the town to the beach, which sometimes rotates to allow boats to pass through, making for a great picture or video. Amanohashidate is accessible by train from Kyoto city and is a perfect day trip for those wishing to know more about the northern area of Kyoto prefecture while enjoying a day at the beach, or visiting shrines and temples, or eating some seafood dishes, and relaxing at some cafes.

Blog Quiz

Q1. Why is the land bridge called Amanohashidate?

A. Because it is a good place for a date.

B. Because when you bend over and look at the view from between your legs, the sea and sky are reversed and the scene resembles a ‘bridge to heaven’, or Amanohashidate.

C. Because it is where Amaterasu used to be enshrined.

Q2. From where is it best to see the entire land bridge of Amanohashidate?

A. At the top of the hills located on either side of the bay.

B. From the ferry that runs every 15 minutes.

C. From the small bridge that leads to town.

Q3. What is the relationship between Motoise Kono Shrine in Amanohashidate and Ise Shrine in Mie?

A. They are two of the top three shrines in Japan.

B. They are both accessible from Kyoto Station.

C. Motoise Kono Shrine in Amanohashidate at one time enshrined the Sun Goddess (Amaterasu) now enshrined at Ise Shrine in Mie.

Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.

Quiz Answers

Q1. B

Q2. A

Q3. C

Photo Credit: Cottonbro Studio @pexels.com

One of the realities of getting older is knowing when you can reach your limit in certain areas. Whether it’s the ability or interest to try something new, or not adopting certain things that become a norm from year to year, it can be a blessing or a curse. I have learned about myself that a lot of things I may not show much interest in these days are largely because there are so many other things pulling my attention. I don’t necessarily doubt my ability to do something because of my age, but there are simply other things already in my orbit.

My family is one of those spheres orbiting my life, in particular my kids. For them, I am thankful they haven’t learned the idea of limits yet. That doesn’t mean my wife and I just let them run around, stalking the neighborhood like wild animals. Rather, we try not to stifle their interests before they realize what they want. Children’s lives do not need to be an amendment to their parents—they have their own lives that need to be understood on their own terms.

At the same time, there are some limits that are healthy for kids to have and wouldn’t hinder their imagination. The biggest one lately is my kids simply slowing down and resting. They currently still need to take naps. When they don’t, they are floating in the wind, bouncing around and responding to even the least little things. The fact that they are twins only heightens their reactions since they are also repeatedly bouncing off each other.

What does it mean for my kids to learn the limits of their bodies, those times in their day where it’s “okay” to take it easy and rest? As much as this is something for my young kids to learn, the world continues to pull at us to react strongly to anything and everything, to jump to conclusions without taking a breather or questioning what we’re doing. The world sometimes invites us to fall into the habits we had as children when we were weaker and less in control of ourselves.

During those times when we’re confronted with something new, we’re invited to be young children again. We don’t always take the time to question what we’re doing or why, or how far we should go. What makes the difference for me when I get older is knowing when to let go and move onto something else, and when it’s something worth fighting for. Then, it’s not about limits so much as it is understanding what’s most important, and that cannot really be taught.

Blog Questions:

1.     Why does the author not put many limits on his kids?

A.   His kids do not yet know what they are interested in

B.   His kids do not do many things

C.   His kids are too old

2.     How does life currently make us act more like children?

A.   We are childish people around those we love

B.    By people making decisions for us

C.    By reacting to everything without thinking about it; information overload

3.     What is different about limits when you get older?

A.   People have different hobbies when they are young

B.    Knowing when to let go and when to fight

C.    When you get older, you forget your limits

Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.

Answers:

1.       A - his kids do not yet know what they’re interested in

2.       C - by reacting to everything without thinking about it; information overload

3.       B - knowing when to let go and when to fight

Photo Credit: Marcel Hergaarden @pexels.com

Being born in the northwest UK seaside town of Blackpool and still maintaining family connections there, and then moving to the southeast coast’s Brighton as an eight-year-old, more than qualifies me to make a comparison of these two iconic British holiday destinations. While their similarities in things such as their beaches and amusement parks unite them, they both have some obvious differences that make them particularly unique.  

The northwest’s Blackpool is in the county of Lancashire. Primarily known for its iconic, 158-meter Blackpool Tower, built towards the end of the Victorian age in 1894, Blackpool has become something of a favorite destination for northerners wishing to take a holiday by the sea. Blackpool Pleasure Beach, one of the most popular amusement parks in the UK, has entertained northern families for generations long before Disneyland was even a possibility for Brits. Blackpool is known for its lively, if somewhat tacky, atmosphere with many bars, clubs, and restaurants catering to stag and hen parties.  

Head down to the south-coast county of East Sussex to discover Brighton. Brighton’s image is a product of its vibrant arts scene and at times bohemian atmosphere. One major tourist attraction in the town is the 19th century Royal Pavilion. This small palace, famed for its exotic Indian-style architecture, is also a popular venue for events and concerts. Brighton Pier, which offers a variety of traditional British seaside arcade games and carnival rides, is a big hit with both Brits and overseas tourists.  

Both Blackpool and Brighton have long stretches of beaches that are popular with tourists and locals. Blackpool's beach is wide and flat, making it perfect for sunbathing and building sandcastles for kids. On the other hand, Brighton's beach is a bit more rugged, with pebbles rather than sand, and perhaps feels more romantic as you stroll along the promenade while looking out over the English Channel to France.  

The accommodation and restaurants of the two resorts is another big difference. Blackpool has “cheap and cheerful” traditional seaside B&Bs, while Brighton boasts a selection of more upmarket boutique hotels, guest houses, and self-catering apartments. Brighton also has a larger selection of quality continental-style restaurants, with a wide range of food on offer for most budgets. In Blackpool, low-cost fish and chips, £1 burgers and pies are the preferred option of big working families.  

Love them or hate them, Blackpool and Brighton are both popular seaside resorts that have a wide range of attractions to keep tourists happy. In the end, choosing which one to visit is all down to what you want from a seaside holiday experience. 

Questions:

Q1. What is the main focus of the text?  

a. Comparing two famous UK seaside resorts  

b. Describing the history of Blackpool Tower  

c. Discussing the architecture of the Royal Pavilion  

d. Exploring traditional British seaside arcade games  

Q2. What is one similarity between Blackpool and Brighton mentioned in the text?  

a. Both have pebble beaches.  

b. Both are located in Lancashire.  

c. Both offer a variety of continental-style restaurants.  

d. Both have iconic amusement parks.  

Q3. Which resort is known for its lively atmosphere and catering to stag and hen parties?  

a. Blackpool  

b. Brighton  

c. Lancashire  

d. East Sussex  

Scroll down ↓ for the answers 

Answers  

A1. A  

A2. D

A3.A