Photo credit: @unsplash

Christmas is the most important holiday of the year in the United Kingdom. It has many traditions that help to make the time special. People decorate their homes, and many of the themes of decorations will be familiar to people in Japan. Two of these are: snowmen and Father Christmas. Both of these are also well-known because of the work of the British illustrator and author, Raymond Briggs. 

Like Japan, in many parts of the UK, it snows in winter, and children enjoy building snowmen in their gardens. In his picture book, The Snowman, Briggs tells the story of a boy who builds a snowman that magically comes to life. As the book has no words, only pictures, it is easy for everyone to enjoy.

The Snowman was also made into an animated film, and the song, “Walking in the Air” from the film is now a classic in the UK at Christmas time. Many families watch the film every year, and it has become part of British Christmas culture.

While the story of The Snowman is quite simple, Raymond Briggs is also famous for another character – Father Christmas, who is a bit more complicated. His Father Christmas is a little grumpy and doesn’t like the cold – he's very human. You can also find this book in Japan: the original title “Father Christmas” has been translated as 『さむがりやのサンタ』. It, too, was made into an animated film which has also long been a favourite on TV at Christmas. Interestingly, when the film was shown in the USA, the voice of Father Christmas was changed – he was no longer grumpy, but jolly. He didn’t say “Blooming Christmas” but “Merry Christmas”, and he certainly didn’t drink too much when he went on holiday. 

Both of these characters show how old traditions can be updated and renewed, keeping the spirit of Christmas alive. 

Merry Blooming Christmas!

 Questions

1.  Which book(s) mentioned were made into films?

2.  What is unusual about Raymond Briggs’ book The Snowman? 

3.  How is Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas different from the traditional Santa Claus?

Scroll down for answers

1. The Snowman, Father Christmas

2. It has no words.

3. He is grumpy and doesn’t like the cold.

Photo credit Negative Space @ pexels.com

Learning a new language takes time, patience, and consistent practice. One of the most effective and enjoyable ways to improve your English skills is by writing a diary. It’s a simple habit that anyone can start, and the benefits are much greater than you might expect. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, keeping a diary can help you build your vocabulary, improve your grammar, and become more confident in expressing your thoughts in English.

Why Write a Diary in English?

1. Practice Writing Every Day

Writing regularly is essential when learning a new language. A diary gives you the chance to practice English every day in a relaxed, pressure-free way. You don't need to worry about being judged. It's just you and your thoughts. Even 5-10 minutes of writing each day can make a big difference over time.

2. Learn from Your Mistakes

When you write in a diary, you may make mistakes — and that’s a good thing! Mistakes are part of the learning process. After writing, you can review your entries and look for errors. Use tools like grammar checkers, or ask a teacher or a friend to read a few entries and give you feedback. Over time, you’ll notice your grammar, sentence structure, and vocabulary getting better.

3. Build Your Vocabulary

Writing about your daily life will encourage you to learn new words. For example, if you want to describe what you ate for dinner, you might need to look up food-related vocabulary. Over time, you’ll naturally expand your vocabulary by writing about different topics like your hobbies, feelings, travel experiences, or goals.

4. Thinking in English

When you write your diary in English, you start to “think” in English. This is a big step toward fluency. At first, you might translate from your native language. But with practice, you’ll begin forming sentences directly in English. This helps improve your speaking and listening skills too, because you’re training your brain to use the language naturally.

5. Track Your Progress

A diary is also a record of your English journey. When you read old entries, you’ll be surprised at how much your writing has improved. You’ll also see how your thoughts and expressions have become more complex and natural.

Tips to Get Started

Set a routine: Write at the same time each day — before bed, during lunch, or in the morning.

Start simple: Don’t worry about writing perfectly. Focus on expressing yourself.

Use prompts: If you’re not sure what to write, use prompts like “Today I felt…”, “One thing I learned was…”, or “Something funny that happened was…”

Be honest and personal: The more personal your writing, the more meaningful the practice will be.

Writing a diary may seem like a small step, but it can lead to big improvements in your English. So grab a notebook or a computer, and start writing. Your future self will thank you!

Comprehension Questions

1. Why is writing a diary in English helpful for language learners?

2. What can learners do if they make mistakes in their diary writing?

3. How does writing a diary help improve vocabulary?

Scroll down for the answers.

1. Writing a diary in English is helpful because it allows learners to practice regularly, improve grammar, build confidence, and track their progress without pressure.

2. Learners can review their writing, use grammar checkers, or ask someone for feedback to learn from their mistakes.

3. Writing about daily life encourages learners to look up and use new words related to different topics, which helps expand their vocabulary.

Photo credit: Djamel Ramdani (pexels)

Recently, I visited an exhibition about the French fashion house Louis Vuitton. With a 170-year history, the brand is well-known around the world. In this blog, I’ll introduce a few of my favorite parts of the exhibit, focusing on the topics of travel, fashion, and art.

To enter the exhibit, visitors passed through an arch made of Louis Vuitton travel trunks before entering a room about the history of the fashion house. When the first trunks were sold, they were primarily bought by wealthy people traveling by sea or rail. However, I was surprised to see some unique trunks in the exhibit. One was a library trunk from the 1940s which was full of books and even a typewriter! Another trunk folded out into a writing desk. It made me imagine what it was like to travel with these trunks long ago.

In another section of the exhibit, visitors could see dresses that had been worn by celebrities. One of my favorites was a dress worn by Cate Blanchett. The long black dress had white fabric draped on both sides, and she wore it to the Cannes Film Festival in 2023. At that time, she was promoting a movie set in Oklahoma in the 1920s called Killers of the Flower Moon. It was an unforgettable experience to see so many beautiful dresses that had been worn on the red carpet.

Of course, Louis Vuitton is also known for its luxury handbags which come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and designs. To create unique bags, accessories, and other goods, they sometimes work with other brands or artists. For example, they partnered with the brand Supreme and the artist Takashi Murakami to create attractive designs. In 2023, they collaborated with artist Yayoi Kusama. Around that time, I remember seeing some pictures online of the main store in Paris. It was decorated to look like the artist was painting polka dots on it! Also, at that time, there were robots designed to look like Kusama at some of the stores in major cities around the world.

By collaborating with Japanese artists, LV created fresh, new designs that people loved. In fact, there is another interesting connection to Japan—the LV monogram flower was inspired by Japanese designs! As you can see from these examples, cultural exchange between Japan and France has been an important at different times throughout the history of Louise Vuitton. 

Comprehension Questions

1. What was the company’s original product? Who bought it?

2. Which artists collaborated with Louis Vuitton?

3. What influenced the design of the logo?

Scroll down for answers

Answers

1. Travel trunks. Wealthy people who travelled by ship or train

2. Takashi Murakami and Yayoi Kusama

3. Motifs from Japan

Photo Credit Karola G @ pexels.com

Let’s be honest—most of us spend a lot of time looking at screens. Phones, tablets, computers, and TVs. They’re everywhere and are central to our lives. We use them to chat with friends, play games, watch videos, and, of course, do work. While technology is really useful (and fun), too much of it can make us feel tired, stressed, or even a little bit down.

That’s why taking a break from screens every now and then is essential. No, you don’t need to throw your phone in the sea! Just taking a short break each day can help your mind and body feel better.

Why Should I Take a Break?

Have you ever looked up from your phone and realized an hour has passed? Or noticed your eyes hurt or your neck aches? That’s what happens when we use screens too much. Taking breaks from these devices helps your brain relax. It can also help you sleep better, focus more, and feel calmer.

How Can I Take a Break from Technology?

Here are some easy ways to take a little time away from screens:

*No Screens in the Morning or Before Bed: Try starting your day or ending it without looking at your phone. You could read a book, eat breakfast slowly, draw something, or just relax. It might feel strange at first, but it can help you feel more relaxed and ready for the day (or ready for sleep).

*Take a 1-Hour Tech Break Each Day: Pick one hour in your day to stay off all screens. Go outside, talk with your family, play with a pet, or listen to music without looking at a screen. You might be surprised how fast the time goes.

*Suggest to Your Friends that you ALL Try a Phone-Break: Try spending time with friends without looking at your phones all the time. When you’re with other people, you could suggest that you all put your phones away for 30 minutes or so. Make a game of it. Who can survive the longest without checking their phone!

*Try a “No-Tech Afternoon” Once a Week: Pick one day (or just a few hours) each week where you don’t use social media or video games. Think of it like a mini-vacation for your brain.

Remember…

Technology is great—but your brain needs a break sometimes. Taking time away from screens can help you feel more focused, more creative, and more connected to the real world. Give it a try! You don’t have to give up your phone forever—just for a little while. You will feel the benefit.

Comprehension Questions

1. Why is it a good idea to take breaks from screens?

A. So you can save your phone battery

B. So you can spend more money on books

C. Because breaks help your brain relax and help you feel better

D. Because screens are no longer useful

2. What is one suggestion given for reducing screen time?

A. Watch videos with your eyes closed

B. Take a 1-hour tech break each day

C. Check your phone every 5 minutes

D. Use your computer and your phone at the same time

3. What is the main message of this blog post?

A. Technology should be avoided completely

B. Using more screens will make you smarter

C. Taking short breaks from technology can help you feel more calm and focused

D. You should throw your phone in the sea

Scroll down for the answers.

1. C. Because breaks help your brain relax and help you feel better

2. B. Take a 1-hour tech break each day

3. C. Taking short breaks from technology can help you feel more calm and focused

Rare Earths: The New Gold 

Photo Credit: Peggy Greb

When people hear the word “gold,” they often think of jewelry, money, or treasure. But in today’s world, another group of materials is just as valuable — the rare earth elements. These are a group of 17 special metals found deep in the earth. They have strange names like neodymium, yttrium, and dysprosium, but they are everywhere around us — inside smartphones, electric cars, wind turbines, and even headphones. 

Rare earths are called “rare,” but they are not actually very rare. The problem is that they are difficult and expensive to separate from the rocks where they are found. Most of the world’s rare earths come from China, which produces about 60–70% of the global supply. This gives China a lot of power in the technology world, because modern devices cannot be made without these elements. 

Japan, like many other countries, is trying to find new sources. Scientists have discovered large rare-earth deposits on the ocean floor near Japan’s coast. However, it is still very costly to mine them under deep water. Recycling old electronics is another way to recover these valuable materials. In fact, Japan is a leader in “urban mining” — collecting metals from discarded devices. 

So why are rare earths sometimes called “the new gold”? 

Because, just like gold, they are essential, valuable, and limited. But instead of symbolizing beauty or wealth, they represent technology and the future. Without rare earths, we could not have green energy, high-performance computers, or advanced electric cars. 

However, there are challenges. Mining rare earths can damage the environment, and recycling technology is still developing. Governments are now trying to balance economic growth with environmental protection, so that the world can use these materials responsibly. 

As we move toward a cleaner, more high-tech world, rare earths will play a key role. They may not shine like gold, but in the 21st century, they are every bit as precious. 

Vocabulary List 

Rare earths  レアアース（金属） 

Element 元素（げんそ） 

Valuable 価値のある（かちのある） 

Technology 技術（ぎじゅつ） 

Supply 供給（きょうきゅう） 

Recycle 再利用する（さいりようする）

Deposit 鉱床（こうしょう）／埋蔵量（まいぞうりょう） 

Environment 環境（かんきょう）

Pollution 汚染（おせん） 

Precious貴重な（きちょうな） 

Comprehension Questions 

1.     What are rare earth elements used for in modern life? 
 

2.     Why are they called “rare” if they are not truly rare? 
 

3.     Which country produces most of the world’s rare earths? 
 

4.     How is Japan trying to get more rare earths? 
 

5.     Why are rare earths compared to gold in the article? 

Scroll down for answers 

They are used in many modern technologies, such as smartphones, electric cars, and wind turbines. 
 

Because they are hard and expensive to separate from the rocks they are found in. 
 

China, which controls around 60–70% of global production. 
 

By exploring deep-sea deposits and recycling old electronics through “urban mining.” 
 

Because they are valuable and essential, just like gold, but important for technology and the future instead of jewelry or money.