Within the Smith’s English curriculum is an advanced section in which our students of English conversation are asked to read a news article and then discuss it. The first in the set is about the mysterious crop circles of Australia, Europe and America which inspired the blockbuster hit “Signs” starring Mel Gibson and Joaquim Phoenix. In [...]
One of the best things about owning your own English school is that you can have any kind of events you like. Every year, Smith’s school of English in Otsu hosts 4 major events: Hanami in spring, BBQ in summer, Halloween party in autumn, and Christmas party in December. We also host many minor events, [...]
I grew up watching a program called The Nature of Things, hosted by Japanese-Canadian eco-icon David Suzuki. As my hometown is near Suzuki’s hometown of Vancouver, BC, he was also considered a local and my family and friends were all fans of his. The Nature of Things was a program dedicated to educating the world [...]
At the far end of the platform at JR Otsu station is a large globe, and I always wondered what it was. So the other day I walked out to the end of the platform and had a look. Apparently (this was unknown to me beforehand), Otsu is sitting right on the 35th parallel! The [...]
I was reading a photography magazine recently and came across an article about digital double exposures. The idea was quite simple but unfortunately I don’t have the necessary software to do it as they suggested. So I did my own thing (as usual). Now, in the pre-digital days, a double exposure involved taking a picture, [...]
The summer heat and humidity has once again forced the air-conditioners on in homes, offices and schools across the nation. Every year at this time I think about how we can save on energy and also help the environment. Are my home and school as eco-friendly as they could be? Are we doing everything that we can [...]
Back around New Years, Chiharu and I were in Canada visiting family, ad we received an interesting gift from my family. This gift was a set of paper party cups. What’s unique about these cups is that they have noses printed on them, so if you hold them just right while drinking from them, it [...]
Creativity is key in expanding your vocabulary, and some students really use their creative potential to the max. Recently in class, 2 students were trying to figure out the meaning of the acronym TGIF. They tried their best, coming up with some very creative ideas. Chiharu helped them by giving some examples of where they [...]
I want to thank ALL of the students at my school, Smith’s School of English Otsu. That’s right. A big thank you to all of you. You are all wonderful, and you make me feel proud to be an English teacher. Proud to be YOUR English teacher. As an English teacher I am happy every time a [...]
Below is a story about a recent trip to Germany written by one of my student’s at my English school, Smith’s school of English Ohtsu. My student’s name is Kimiko. She is a retired swimming coach and mother of 3 and a very determined English student, as English helps her with her travels all over [...]
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