News
BBC English
The BBC has a learning English website. If you have never taken a look, click on the link below. There are a variety of activities, and listening development areas to explore. BBC Learning English
British English? What's that?
The UK has many regional accents and dialects. Take a look at the Brtiish Library site where they have recorded a variety of voices from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. See if you can understand what they are saying.
Interactive stories
I've completed three interactive stories, where you choose what happens. The stories continue until there is a choice. You click on the way you want the story to continue. Try one by clicking on the image. Or in the menu bar.
Study in England
Until recently, I said to students in Japan that Britain is a great place to study English, but is too expensive. However, the exchange rate has changed and now there is no reason not to go to the UK to study. That said, I don't recommend London. It's a fantastic city to visit, but living there is not so comfortable. Instead, I recommend Bristol to the west of the capital.
It is a city of 400 000 people with a rich history and many attractions. I lived there for three years and loved it. I even went back to do my teacher training as it is such a comfortable and friendly city. Follow the following links to find out more about it. There is also a link to The Language Project, which is a great school where you can meet people from many different countries. Take a look!
Travel Suggestion - Secret England!
In Japan, many people are interested in visiting Le Mont Saint Michel in northern France. I've been there, and it is a fantastic place. However, few Japanese have heard of Saint Michael's Mount. This is England's version of the famous French site, and is a big surprise to most people as it is very similar, but without the crowds. Admittedly, it is smaller, but is nonetheless impressive and worth visiting. Click on the links to find out more about it, then plan your trip to Cornwall in England!.
St.Michael's Mount (Wikipedia)
St.Michael's Mount (Official website)
St.Michael's Mount (National Trust website)
Le Mont Saint Michel (Japanese Wikipedia)
English
My writing: short stories
Click on the link below to read my short stories. These stories introduce new vocabulary and are hopefully entertaining! Let me know what you think. I write at seven different levels of difficulty for foreign students of English; level 7 is 'native' level, with no adjusted grammar or vocabulary. At the moment there are over 45 stories to read.
Your writing: essays and stories
Click on the names below to read essays from students of English here in Japan.
Other authors
Click on the link below to read a short story by Ben Gilbert. It introduces new vocabulary at level 7! And so is 'native' level, with no adjusted grammar or vocabulary. Good luck!
Tsunagaaru
Tsunagaaru is a website for secondary school students around the world. It was created by The Japan Forum and is a 'social networking service' and cultural communication site. Students from many countries interact by posting essays, creating communities and replying to others. Each member has a profile and can upload photos and other images.
This forum is particularly useful for students who are learning other languages. For example, an Australian girl can write in Japanese and receive replies in Japanese or English. A Japanese boy may write in Korean and receive replies from Korea or elsewhere in Japan. Although The Japan Forum (TJF) is Japan-based, there are participants in many countries, and the number of countries is expanding. Helpfully, there are links to translation websites to aid communication, but students are encouraged to try to use another language.
Parents may be concerned about security, but they need not worry as the site is very secure. No personal details are revealed (each member uses a nickname) and every post is read before going online. Almost all users are based in schools and there are security checks to ensure that an application is valid.
Check out the website, although you will find access is restricted to members for security reasons. If you have a child at secondary school, studying English, Japanese, Korean or Chinese, why not ask their teacher to become involved. It's a great way to improve the children's language skills through real communication with others around the world. The links are to Japanese sites, but you can easily click onto the English or other versions.
Showcase
Here you will find examples of the creatively and flair of a selection of my students. If you have anything you would like to share with the world, please tell me. I'll do my best to display it for you here.
Ritsuko Ishikawa - Ceramic Art
Ritsuko Ishikawa, who is one of my advanced students at KGC in Mitaka has been studying ceramic art for many years. She creates beautiful flowers to compliment any home using painted clay and resin. The colours of the petals and leaves are vivid and life-like and they look elegant and sophisticated in any room. She kindly created an arrangement for the wedding of my friends Etsushi and Fumiko. Being clay, these flowers can be placed anywhere and have the advantage of being washable. Of course, they will also last for years. If you are interested in seeing more of her work, please contact me and I will let her know of your interest.
Click on the image below to see a gallery of her work.
Ayumi Mizoguchi - Illustration
Click on the image below to enjoy examples of the art and illustration work of Ayumi Mizoguchi who works as a nurse. she has several styles and enjoys working in ink and acrylics.
