After listening to today’s presentations and reading what the new Minister of Education in the newspapers. Please read the opinion in the December 6th International Herald Tribune. http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/12/06/opinion/edkumiko.php Do you agree with the writer? Why? Give at least 3 examples to support your answer.
Yes, I think I agree with the writer. I hope I understood the article...
For this global world, using English is needed by many people and many situations. And people in the world already know about it.
We (Japanese people) live in an island which is named Japan, so I am pretty sure that is why some people do not care if they cannot speak English. Some people say “I don’t want to study English because I don’t need it, I will not get out from Japan, so I can still live here even I can’t speak English at all.” I know what the person means. Indeed, we can live without English in here.
We know that English is becoming one of international languages now, but I think many people thinking like “it is not our business”.
In Korea, they need TOEIC score at least 700 points when they do job hunting things. My Korean friend told me that they usually need that much high score because it is nearly always one of requirements to enter a company or so. Of course they have to study English, so they are studying English very hard at least more than Japanese people.
I think Japanese people do not have such like big motivation to study English.
The most of people or most of companies in Japan do not require us to speak English that much as long as we do not get any jobs which are obviously required to speak English. So there are not a lot of chances to use English in Japan. I think this situation is making us feel like “it’s ok if we couldn’t speak English” or something like that. And Japanese people do not have strong mind of “competition” I guess. Even if we couldn’t do something well most of people will think like “oh well…” that’s it. So, I feel that most of Japanese people just think “I wish I could speak English”, but they do not “do” something for the wish, they just wish something.
I think there are too many reasons why the writer thought like that... ;o(
2008年1月21日月曜日
Men and Women
This week's homework is to read an article from the Japan Times and give your opinion. http://search.japantimes.co.jp/member/member.html?ek20060110ks.htm
Do you agree or disagree with the author (who is Japanese). Please explain why in your blog.
Here is my opinion, but I am not sure that I could understand exactly the article…
I have no idea about that. I would like to say I do not agree with the author, but I know what the author means. But, I just cannot understand why there are such guys or men who are like in the article. And I hope I will never meet like that kind of person as my boyfriend, husband or anybody. It is just because it sounds “not nice” to me if there are such kind of guys or men. That is horrible to me!! To me, if people couldn’t “fall in love” with someone from the bottom of their hearts, then they do not have to make any “girlfriends”, do not have to go out of their way to make girlfriends. Why they have girlfriends? Just they should do whatever they want, like work or make money without worry about you do not have any partners right now! In my opinion, guys in the article are just selfish or they have too many things they want. It’s because it seems like the guys want partners, but they do not want to do something like “troublesome”. If they did not want to “waste” their money for girls, then just do not hang out with girls. I guess they are just lonely? They just want to someone “around them”? I think if people love somebody from the bottom of their hearts people will do anything for lovers without any worry, or people feel want to do anything for lovers.
Do you agree or disagree with the author (who is Japanese). Please explain why in your blog.
Here is my opinion, but I am not sure that I could understand exactly the article…
I have no idea about that. I would like to say I do not agree with the author, but I know what the author means. But, I just cannot understand why there are such guys or men who are like in the article. And I hope I will never meet like that kind of person as my boyfriend, husband or anybody. It is just because it sounds “not nice” to me if there are such kind of guys or men. That is horrible to me!! To me, if people couldn’t “fall in love” with someone from the bottom of their hearts, then they do not have to make any “girlfriends”, do not have to go out of their way to make girlfriends. Why they have girlfriends? Just they should do whatever they want, like work or make money without worry about you do not have any partners right now! In my opinion, guys in the article are just selfish or they have too many things they want. It’s because it seems like the guys want partners, but they do not want to do something like “troublesome”. If they did not want to “waste” their money for girls, then just do not hang out with girls. I guess they are just lonely? They just want to someone “around them”? I think if people love somebody from the bottom of their hearts people will do anything for lovers without any worry, or people feel want to do anything for lovers.
Table Manners
Have you ever eaten in a foreign restaurant? Where? What did you eat? Did you make any mistakes? Please explain your experience. Did you learn anything?
Yes, I have eaten in foreign restaurant. It was a Korean restaurant. I ate some Korean food at Korean restaurant with my friend who is from Korean. I think I didn’t make any mistakes, but sometimes there were something made me surprise or made me giggle. First, they have a dish which is for rice (like “rice bowl”) in Korea too as we have it in Japan. Usually, the dish is kind of small, and Japanese people always hold up the rice bowl when we eat rice with the rice bowl because if we didn’t do it, it’s going to be “rude” in Japan. However, Korean people never hold the rice bowl because holding the rice bowl or any dishes when they eat is rude in Korea. So, it looked a little strange to me because nobody even touched or supported the dishes. To me, it was like they didn’t show their “the other hands” which didn’t have chopsticks or spoons. So, I felt like “wow… eating like that is uncomfortable to me…” That is one of what made me surprise.
Yes, I have eaten in foreign restaurant. It was a Korean restaurant. I ate some Korean food at Korean restaurant with my friend who is from Korean. I think I didn’t make any mistakes, but sometimes there were something made me surprise or made me giggle. First, they have a dish which is for rice (like “rice bowl”) in Korea too as we have it in Japan. Usually, the dish is kind of small, and Japanese people always hold up the rice bowl when we eat rice with the rice bowl because if we didn’t do it, it’s going to be “rude” in Japan. However, Korean people never hold the rice bowl because holding the rice bowl or any dishes when they eat is rude in Korea. So, it looked a little strange to me because nobody even touched or supported the dishes. To me, it was like they didn’t show their “the other hands” which didn’t have chopsticks or spoons. So, I felt like “wow… eating like that is uncomfortable to me…” That is one of what made me surprise.
2007年12月10日月曜日
Wedding
Since Japanese weddings are expensive, do you think having a massive wedding like Korea or UAE is a good idea? Eloping? Having it in a foreign location like Hawaii?What is your ideal wedding? What would you definitely do or wear or go to on that big day? Why is that important?
I think having a massive wedding like Korea or UAE is a good idea, but it’s not really important because “wedding” is just a “party”, so to me, if everybody (including groom, and his family and friends) had great time with me I am happy. I don’t care how gorgeous my wedding is. I just want all my family and all my friends to be there for me. That is one of my ideal weddings. And, I definitely would like to wear a white beautiful wedding dress because it’s always a symbol of a bridal suit. I would like to have my wedding in my country, not in a foreign country like Hawaii. If I could have it in a foreign country, it sounds very wonderful and lots of fun, but I don’t think it’s an easy place to everyone come. If I marred a person who is not from Japanese… I hove to think about the wedding place! haha
I think having a massive wedding like Korea or UAE is a good idea, but it’s not really important because “wedding” is just a “party”, so to me, if everybody (including groom, and his family and friends) had great time with me I am happy. I don’t care how gorgeous my wedding is. I just want all my family and all my friends to be there for me. That is one of my ideal weddings. And, I definitely would like to wear a white beautiful wedding dress because it’s always a symbol of a bridal suit. I would like to have my wedding in my country, not in a foreign country like Hawaii. If I could have it in a foreign country, it sounds very wonderful and lots of fun, but I don’t think it’s an easy place to everyone come. If I marred a person who is not from Japanese… I hove to think about the wedding place! haha
Superstitions
We talked about many superstitions in many countries, but do you think it is important to talk about them? Why?Is communication affected by superstitions?Do you believe in Japanese superstitions? If so, what superstitions, what do they mean and why do you do,use, or believe in them?
Yes, I think to talk about superstitions of our own countries is important because they came from kind of cultural things, so to tell about superstitions which you believe is the one good way to know or understand each other to me.
Yes, I believe some superstitions, but I am not sure they are Japanese superstitions or not. For example, when I get new shoes, it said “don’t wear new shoes after the sun set or your foot will get hurt with the new shoes.” I have believed it since when I was little, so I don’t go out with new shoes in the evening and when it’s not fine day because my Mom and my Grandmother taught me about that when I was little. I guess my Mom got the superstition from my Grandmother when she was kid. When I wear new shoes after the sun set my toe or leg usually got some hurts actually. I am not sire this superstition is one of Japanese superstitions. Maybe, it’s believed only in my family.
Yes, I think to talk about superstitions of our own countries is important because they came from kind of cultural things, so to tell about superstitions which you believe is the one good way to know or understand each other to me.
Yes, I believe some superstitions, but I am not sure they are Japanese superstitions or not. For example, when I get new shoes, it said “don’t wear new shoes after the sun set or your foot will get hurt with the new shoes.” I have believed it since when I was little, so I don’t go out with new shoes in the evening and when it’s not fine day because my Mom and my Grandmother taught me about that when I was little. I guess my Mom got the superstition from my Grandmother when she was kid. When I wear new shoes after the sun set my toe or leg usually got some hurts actually. I am not sire this superstition is one of Japanese superstitions. Maybe, it’s believed only in my family.
2007年12月9日日曜日
Time
Today we talked about time in different societies and the English words associated with them. For homework, answer the following question:The English language has many proverbs and sayings about time.Please explain what you think are the meanings of each of the 4 expressions.
1. Time is money.
I know this saying form in Japanese, so it is like the person is saying "Don't waste my time, use it wisely." Usually, people who say things like this are people who are really busy, in a hurry and probably over stressed?? haha This saying formed probably because people tend to think that time is limited, important and valuable, so it is like money. Business people tend to say this, because in business, the longer something takes, the more money it costs.
2.A stitch in time saves nine.
We have this saying form in Japanese too. It sounds more like, if you do something now, it will save you a lot more trouble later, so do something now, and don't wait. "It would be in your best interest to do it now, not later. You might regret waiting, later."
Just for a silly example, pretend you have a basket of fruit. And in this basket of fruit, you notice some fungus or mold growing on a piece of fruit. If you take care of just that one piece of fruit, now, the other fruit will stay okay. But if you wait, you'll have to look at all the pieces of fruit and throw away or clean all of them, not just one. So by waiting, you get more trouble.
3.There's no time like the present.
I think we have many (not just one) this kind of saying form in Japanese. The word This means, "If there's anything you want to do, now is the time to do it. There is no better time than now. Why bother waiting? Live every day like it is your last day alive. Don't let anything stop you or hold you back from doing what you REALLY enjoy and want to do."
4. Fashionable late.
I guess we don’t have this kind of saying form in Japanese. If you are fashionably late, you are usually like 30 min-1 hr late?? (maybe later, maybe 15 min) This saying is used as a way to make sound “ok” This is maybe usually used like, "Tom showed up fashionably late at last week's party." Or, if your friend commented that you were late again, maybe you could say, "I'm just fashionably late!" as a joke.
1. Time is money.
I know this saying form in Japanese, so it is like the person is saying "Don't waste my time, use it wisely." Usually, people who say things like this are people who are really busy, in a hurry and probably over stressed?? haha This saying formed probably because people tend to think that time is limited, important and valuable, so it is like money. Business people tend to say this, because in business, the longer something takes, the more money it costs.
2.A stitch in time saves nine.
We have this saying form in Japanese too. It sounds more like, if you do something now, it will save you a lot more trouble later, so do something now, and don't wait. "It would be in your best interest to do it now, not later. You might regret waiting, later."
Just for a silly example, pretend you have a basket of fruit. And in this basket of fruit, you notice some fungus or mold growing on a piece of fruit. If you take care of just that one piece of fruit, now, the other fruit will stay okay. But if you wait, you'll have to look at all the pieces of fruit and throw away or clean all of them, not just one. So by waiting, you get more trouble.
3.There's no time like the present.
I think we have many (not just one) this kind of saying form in Japanese. The word This means, "If there's anything you want to do, now is the time to do it. There is no better time than now. Why bother waiting? Live every day like it is your last day alive. Don't let anything stop you or hold you back from doing what you REALLY enjoy and want to do."
4. Fashionable late.
I guess we don’t have this kind of saying form in Japanese. If you are fashionably late, you are usually like 30 min-1 hr late?? (maybe later, maybe 15 min) This saying is used as a way to make sound “ok” This is maybe usually used like, "Tom showed up fashionably late at last week's party." Or, if your friend commented that you were late again, maybe you could say, "I'm just fashionably late!" as a joke.
2007年11月9日金曜日
The Language of Clothes
1. Do you judge people according to what they wear? Why?
Yes, sometimes I judge people according to what they wear. But I don’t judge if they are nice, smart, or rich from their clothes. I judge their clothes because it helps me understand a little about what kind of person they are, what color the person likes, what kind of design the person prefers, or something like that. From the color or design people wear, we can usually assume many things about the person, but it’s not always right. So I can judge you from your clothes, but I want to talk with you to know why you prefer the color or design of your clothes!
2. Do you think Japanese society puts an importance on clothing when judging other people from another country?
I don’t think so. In my opinion, Japanese people care about only their own clothes, or maybe only care about what clothes Japanese people wear. Japanese people sometimes care about their own clothes too much, so when they judge other people who come from another country, I don’t think they care about other people’s clothes. It’s because Japanese people usually know that some people from other countries don’t care about their clothes as much as Japanese people care about theirs. So I don’t think Japanese society puts an importance on clothing when judging other people from another country.
3. What colors are you wearing now? Do they reflect your mood?
Right now, I am wearing pink. I am not sure this pink reflects my mood today or not because I only hurriedly picked this when I woke up this morning. :o)In my opinion, the colors people choose usually reflect their mood. It’s because everyone has their own favorite colors, and they choose them by themselves. Also, colors have special powers to make us happy or calm. Maybe that’s why sometimes we feel like “Oh I want to wear something red today!”, “I don’t want to wear green today… ”, or something like that. I think we are always considering the color of our clothes when we choose our clothes in order to reflect our mood, and also our clothes’ colors are considering our mood when choosing us. ;o)
Next week we will discuss friends, please prepare by answering the following questions
1. What are some subjects that you will never discuss with a friend?
It’s interesting question. I think it depends on how close we are. I guess I would never discuss weight with friends because Japanese girls particularly hate the topic. We talk about dieting, but we never talk about exactly how much we weigh, like “How much do you weigh now?” It’s always a top secret topic.
But yea, I think it really depends on how close we are because I am a girl, and all girls in the world love talking, as you know.
2. Do you have different friends for different parts of your life? If so, how are they different to you? Do you talk about different things? Go to different places? Give me some examples.
Yes, I think so. I hope I understood this question.
But, I will not choose friends for different parts of my life. I want to let people do whatever they want. For example, I have some friends who like going out at night, like to drink or dance, and they always ask me to go with them. I will go out with them because they want me to go with them and because I want to go out with them too. However one of another my friends, she doesn't like drinking, so she never asks me to drink with her. She loves to go on walks, so she always asks me if I want to go for a walk together. I will go because she wants me to with her, and because I want to go with her, too. I talk with her about drinking, so it's not any secret, even though she doesn't like drinking.
So, I prefer to accommodate myself to my friends rather than to choose friends for myself (or different parts of my life).
Yes, sometimes I judge people according to what they wear. But I don’t judge if they are nice, smart, or rich from their clothes. I judge their clothes because it helps me understand a little about what kind of person they are, what color the person likes, what kind of design the person prefers, or something like that. From the color or design people wear, we can usually assume many things about the person, but it’s not always right. So I can judge you from your clothes, but I want to talk with you to know why you prefer the color or design of your clothes!
2. Do you think Japanese society puts an importance on clothing when judging other people from another country?
I don’t think so. In my opinion, Japanese people care about only their own clothes, or maybe only care about what clothes Japanese people wear. Japanese people sometimes care about their own clothes too much, so when they judge other people who come from another country, I don’t think they care about other people’s clothes. It’s because Japanese people usually know that some people from other countries don’t care about their clothes as much as Japanese people care about theirs. So I don’t think Japanese society puts an importance on clothing when judging other people from another country.
3. What colors are you wearing now? Do they reflect your mood?
Right now, I am wearing pink. I am not sure this pink reflects my mood today or not because I only hurriedly picked this when I woke up this morning. :o)In my opinion, the colors people choose usually reflect their mood. It’s because everyone has their own favorite colors, and they choose them by themselves. Also, colors have special powers to make us happy or calm. Maybe that’s why sometimes we feel like “Oh I want to wear something red today!”, “I don’t want to wear green today… ”, or something like that. I think we are always considering the color of our clothes when we choose our clothes in order to reflect our mood, and also our clothes’ colors are considering our mood when choosing us. ;o)
Next week we will discuss friends, please prepare by answering the following questions
1. What are some subjects that you will never discuss with a friend?
It’s interesting question. I think it depends on how close we are. I guess I would never discuss weight with friends because Japanese girls particularly hate the topic. We talk about dieting, but we never talk about exactly how much we weigh, like “How much do you weigh now?” It’s always a top secret topic.
But yea, I think it really depends on how close we are because I am a girl, and all girls in the world love talking, as you know.
2. Do you have different friends for different parts of your life? If so, how are they different to you? Do you talk about different things? Go to different places? Give me some examples.
Yes, I think so. I hope I understood this question.
But, I will not choose friends for different parts of my life. I want to let people do whatever they want. For example, I have some friends who like going out at night, like to drink or dance, and they always ask me to go with them. I will go out with them because they want me to go with them and because I want to go out with them too. However one of another my friends, she doesn't like drinking, so she never asks me to drink with her. She loves to go on walks, so she always asks me if I want to go for a walk together. I will go because she wants me to with her, and because I want to go with her, too. I talk with her about drinking, so it's not any secret, even though she doesn't like drinking.
So, I prefer to accommodate myself to my friends rather than to choose friends for myself (or different parts of my life).
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