When you speak in English, which way do you use??

 ①think the things in English→speak English

 ②think the things in Japanese→translate in English and speak

When I was a junior high and high school student, I use ②. Teachers also asked me to do ②. However, it cost a lot of time and I couldn’t concentrate on the story because I had to use both Japanese and English hastily in my head. It’s not effecient way.

On the other hand, thinking in English and speak is very simple and the best way.  English is all that needed in my head.  We can concentrate on the story we talk and enjoy conversation.

Yet, it is a little difficult to think in English. Then, my recommendation for getiing the skill of thinking in English is using English-English dictionary.  When you are free or a bit bored in class, why don’t you look up a word in a dictionary?? Very easy words are OK! Soon you can find it interesting.

Let’s try it!!

Today, I introduce you some information about A Taste of Hakata!!

 A Taste of Hakata is a walking tour which invites foreign tourists to take a walk with local volunteers.  This weekend, I’m going to participate in the event as one of the volunteers. So, I give some information about it below;

(Remainding) Date: Nov. 9,10 Start 10:00&14:00

                                    Nov. 11     Start 10:30 only

Duration: 2 hours

Fee: 500 yen

Itinerary   Kushida Shrine → Jotenji Temple → Tochoji Temple → Hakata Machiya Folk Museum

 If you have afree time, plase visit around the area!! You will see many foreigners and have chances to talk with them.

Today I introduce you to the information about STEP and TOEIC test.

I think taking some tests is very important thing to fuel our motivation to study English. We can also determine our current skill level in English.

Here some information about the most popular English tests in Japan. 

The Society for Testing English Proficiency (STEP)

[Application] December 1st – December 25th

[1st-stage test] January 27th, 2008

[2nd-stage test] February 24th

If you want to know more, click here; http://www.eiken.or.jp/index.html

Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC)

Official test; 

[Application] November 5th – December 6th

[Test] January 13th, 2008

IP test at FWU;

[Application] now being accepted

[Test] November 17th

If you want to know more, ask Tanoue-san.

Today, I introduce you to some useful sites on the internet!! I learned about them in the night class at FWU.

1. eigozai.com

     This site intruduces VOA Special English and shares some listening materials. When we study English conversational expressions, it’s better to learn  from a little lower level than your skill. This site provides us some easy english expressions we can use in the daily life!! But most of the words are learnt in a junior high school, so if you feel it’s too easy, please go to the next site. The link here; http://www.eigozai.com/index.htm

     In this site, we can listen various conversations in various situations. Each conversation has Pre-Listening Exercises, Listening Exercises and Post-Listening Exercises, so we can learn more deeply!!If you are interested in it, please click here; http://www.esl-lab.com/index.htm

3. BBC learning English

     This is one of the BBC Learning English sites. The Flatmates is a radio drama consists of easy English. We have many exercises and quiz, so we can enjoy studying with them. Moreover, storyline is decided by the votes. It’s interesting, isn’t it?? So, if you want to know more, click here; http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/flatmates/

No Music No Life!!

1. You Raise Me Up

 Celtic Woman

2. Ai No Corrida

 Quincy Jones

3. Can’t Take My Eyes Off You

 BOYS TOWN GANG

 4. Girlfriend

 Avril Lavigne

5.  Built To Last

 Melee

6. Won’t Go Home Without You

 Maroon 5

7. Because Of You

 Ne-Yo

8. You’re Beautiful

James Blunt

9. Running

 Sarah Brightman

10. Umbrella

 Rihanna

Do you love MUSIC??

If your answer is YES, why don’t you enjoy studying English with MUSIC?

There are many Japanese people who have studied only by English songs and mastered English very well.

Also there are many ways of studying English with songs.

For example, if you listen to the songs, you can improve your listening skill.

If you  read the lyric sheets, you’ll find many new words and phrases. Then, you can learn about them.

If you remember the lylics and sing a song, you can express your feelings with attractive words.

It’s nice, isn’t it?? So, let’s enjoy studying English with music!!!

I’ll introduce an example that I usually do when I study with songs.

①Choose one song you are interested in.

②Listen to the song and take dictation of it.

③Check ther lyric and learn about new words and phraises.

④Listen to and sing the song many times and enjoy the music!!

So, let’s try!!!

Lyrics Search Engine; http://lyrics.astraweb.com/

No Music No Life!!

1. You Raise Me Up

 Celtic Woman                                                                                                      

2. Ai No Corrida

 Quincy Jones

3. Girlfriend<Radio Edit>

 Avril Lavigne

4. Because Of You

 Ne-Yo

5. Running (Single Version)

 Sarah Brightman

6. Can’t Take My Eyes Of You

 BOYS TOWN GANG

7. Bad Day (Album Version)                                                                        Daniel Powter

8. Won’t Go Home Without You

 Maroon 5

9. Dancing Queen

 ABBA

10. I Fell In Love With The DJ

  CheNelle

The “Oxford Bookworms Library” can be considered as the core series in Oxford’s extensive reading program. It is published by Oxford University Press, and now it has large variety of stories. There are 7 levels provided more than 150 stories according to your own ability.    Each book includes an Activities section of “Before Reading”, “While Reading” and “After Reading” exercises, so you can read and enjoy the story more deeply.

If you are interested in the “Oxford BookwormsLibrary”,

the link here; http://www.oup-readers.jp/students/bookworms/index.shtml

If you’d like to buy it, 

the link here; http://www.amazon.co.jp/s/ref=nb_ss_fb/503-1259554-2058333?__mk_ja_JP=%83J%83%5E%83J%83i&initialSearch=1&url=search-alias%3Denglish-books&field-keywords=Oxford+Bookworms+Library&Go.x=11&Go.y=11