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: Elviss Railijs Bitāns@pexels.com

 

 

The term ‘audiophile’ refers to someone who is passionate (often obsessively so) about the high-fidelity reproduction of sound. Audiophiles will sometimes go to great lengths to find the best sounding albums from their favorite music artists. Whether you call them LPs, records or vinyl, many times the Japanese recordings of albums are considered the greatest and most sought after by many audiophiles. Let’s take a look at just some of the reasons why.

 

1. Quality Control: Especially during the 1960s to the 1980s, Japanese record pressing factories were regarded as having much better and stricter quality control than record pressing factories in the West. Japanese factories also tended to press records in much smaller quantities meaning that the overall quality was better.

 

2. Virgin Vinyl: While other factories around the world tended to use recycled vinyl, Japanese plants initially began using new vinyl for each press. This was called ‘pure virgin vinyl’ and resulted in records with less surface noise. In the 1960s and 70s, the electronics company, Toshiba, pioneered their ‘Everclean’ vinyl, which is easily distinguishable because of its shiny red color. These Toshiba red records are still highly sought after by collectors because of their rarity, but also because these records were made to reduce static electricity and dust buildup, producing a clearer sound.

 

3. The Obi: Japanese vintage records usually came with a small strip of paper wrapped around the outside of the album called the Obi, or ‘sash’ in English. Because album covers were usually all in English, the Obi was the perfect solution to present the Japanese consumer with information about the artist/album printed in Japanese on the Obi strip. Records with the Obi still intact are often highly sought after by collectors for their rarity and in some cases for their beauty.

 

4. Quality and Condition: In the case of Japanese records, not only is the vinyl of higher quality than most, but the jacket of the record was made of higher quality materials. Many Japanese records have a jacket made from thick, strong cardboard, rather than the thinner cardboard found on western releases. This means that Japanese records tend to be much heavier than their western counterparts, but also means that they are typically in better condition and last much longer.

 

It is also true that culturally Japanese people tend to value their possessions more, especially given that these records were quite expensive to buy at the time they were made. For example, a 2,000 yen record in 1960 is more than 10,000 yen in today’s money. This fact, combined with the higher quality of materials used, is the reason many Japanese records that are 50-60 years old now can still be found in superb, sometimes ‘as new’ condition.

 

 

 

Blog Quiz:

Q1. What is an Obi called in English?

Q2. What type of vinyl did the electronics company, Toshiba pioneer?

Q3. A person who is passionate about high quality reproduction of sound is

 known as an:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answers:

A1. A sash.

A2. Everclean vinyl.

A3. Audiophile.

Photo Credit: Cottonbro Studio@pexels.com

 

 

Staying healthy is very important for university students. College can be a hectic time with lots of studying and busy schedules. But if students stay healthy, they can do better in school and enjoy their lives more.

 

First of all, being healthy means taking care of your body. It's making sure your body is in good shape. When you're healthy, you're less likely to get sick. You won't have to miss classes or exams because of being unwell. This way, you can focus on your studies and do your best.

 

Healthy students also have more energy. When you eat well and exercise, you feel more active and ready to focus your tasks. You won't feel tired all the time, and you can stay awake and alert during your classes. This can help you understand your lessons better. Moreover, staying healthy is good for your mood. College life can be stressful, and it's easy to feel down or anxious. But when you're healthy, your body releases feel-good chemicals called endorphins that boost your mood. You'll feel happier and more relaxed, which is great for dealing with the pressures of university life.

 

Eating right is a big part of staying healthy. A balanced diet with fruits, veggies, protein and healthy fats can keep you in good shape. It gives your body the vitamins and minerals to function well. Plus, it helps you keep a healthy weight, which is important for your overall well-being.

 

Exercise is another key to staying healthy. Moving your body regularly keeps your muscles and bones strong. It can also help resuce stress and make you feel more energetic. You don't need to be a pro athlete; simple activities like walking, riding a bike, or using the stairs instead of an elevator can make a big difference.

 

Lastly, staying healthy helps you sleep better. A good night's sleep is crucial for your brain to work well. It helps with memory and thinking. When you're well-rested, you can concentrate on your studies and perform better in your classes.

 

In conclusion, being healthy is vital for university students. It means looking after your body and mind. When you're healthy, you can stay focused on your studies, have more energy, and be in a better mood. Eating well, exercising, and managing stress are all part of staying healthy. So, it's essential for students to prioritize their health during their college years.

 

 

Blog Quiz

 

Q1. According to this essay, what four types of food are part of a balanced diet?

 

Q2. What are three simple ways you can get exercise?

 

Q3. What are the chemicals in your body that make you feel good called?

 

 

Scroll down ↓ for the answers to the quiz.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quiz Answers

A1. Fruits, vegetables, protein, and healthy fats.

A2. Walking, riding a bike, or taking the stairs instead of the elevator.

A3. Endorphins.

Photo Credit: Kseniya Budko@pexels.com

 

I really love salty pickled plums called umeboshi. I have loved them since I was a little child. When I was young, I was pretty picky about food, so I mainly ate plain white rice, miso soup, and umeboshi. My grandma had some plum trees in her garden, and every year, she would make umeboshi by hand. Her umeboshi were more sour than salty, and they were soft and had a natural red color because of an herb called red shiso.

 

I thought my grandma's umeboshi were perfect, and she kept making them until she was ninety years old. I always say umeboshi is my favorite food when people ask, but I never thought about making them from scratch until after my grandma passed away ten years ago.

 

When my mom, aunt and uncles, and I were going through her things, we found her recipe notebook, and it had an umeboshi recipe. Plums are harvested in June, so if I missed that time, I would have to wait a whole year to make umeboshi. That year, I decided to give it a try. I bought some plums at the store and picked some from my parents' trees. I have been making them every year since then.

 

Making umeboshi is simple. All you need is plums, salt, a little bit of distilled alcohol to clean the container, red shiso, and some heavy stones. First, you weigh the plums and measure out about twelve percent of their weight in salt. Then, you wash and dry the plums and clean the container with alcohol to prevent mold. Next, you layer salt and plums in the container, adding more until it is full. Place a plate and heavy stones on top, cover it, and leave it for about a week.

 

After a week, a sour and salty liquid comes out and covers the plums. That is when you add red perilla leaves. Wash them with salt and mix them into the container. The liquid turns bright red because of the leaves. Leave the plums for three to four weeks until the rainy season ends in Japan. Finally, on a sunny day, put the plums outside in a bamboo basket to dry and soften. I love seeing the red plums on my veranda.

 

I know many people, especially young ones, don't like umeboshi. But when you cook them with meat, fish, or vegetables, they lose their weird smell and add a rich flavor to the dish. I am always amazed at how people in the past made this preserved food with so few ingredients and simple steps. Umeboshi, for me, is a connection to my past and a wonderful tradition that I still enjoy today.

 

 

Blog Quiz:

Q1. Did the author like many foods when she was a child?

Q2. About how many weeks are required to complete the pickled plums?　

Q3. Why do you need shochu, a distilled alcohol, for making umeboshi?

 

Scroll down to see the answers below. ↓

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answers:

A1. No, she was a picky eater.

A2. About four to five weeks altogether.

A3. To clean the container to prevent mold.

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