In the English business in Japan, we sometimes need to use a PC to create some additional lesson materials for students. Smith’s school has great materials that open the door to student’s learning at many levels. They are created with Japanese students in mind and address areas that are often weak among Japanese students. But [...]
Hello everyone, I got a very nice email from an old student who moved to Tokyo from Kobe last year. He shared a very funny story about conducting business in China so I asked his permission to share his email and he agreed. What makes this student so very special is his great effort to [...]
Yesterday, one of my long-time students showed up with a short essay she wrote about her experience the past weekend. I want to share it because it is quite impressive. There wasn’t much to correct. It was nearly perfect. Wow! Very impressive! I like to think that several years of studying with me has helped [...]
My student over the past year and half wrote a nice comment and I thought I would share it with you all.We recently covered a topic about Mr. Kikuchi who was written about in the Japan Times. Mr. Kikuchi is known as the ‘English Monster’ because he has taken the TOEIC 50 times and never [...]
Language is an important tool. Yes, it is just a tool but as you know having the right tool makes all the difference! You can spend hours trying do something but if you have the right tool, you can finish in minutes. Being able to speak the language when you go travel somewhere or join [...]
About a month ago I experienced for the first time in about 5 years a Japanese shop assistant in a McDonald’s hamburger shop in Umeda, Osaka speaking to me in English. “Good afternoon Sir, Would you like to see the English menu?” Although I have no problem to use Japanese everyday as I have been [...]
This year, I worked during the Golden Week and in exchange I took off 10 days in the middle of June to attend my daughter’s wedding in Maui, Hawaii. It was certainly a great time for everyone who attended and we had 146 attendees so it was a big event! Smith’s School is great to [...]
As an English teacher in Japan, students often ask me why they can’t seem to become better at speaking English or cannot improve more quickly. There are many obstacles but the most important reason is
Today and tomorrow (5/4 and 5/4) the annual Danjiri festival is held in Okamoto (eastern part of Kobe). About ten groups push the ornate Danjiri Carts or Danjiri Guruma slowly down the street while playing traditional music using drums (Taiko) and bells (Kane) and waving to the crowd. You can find out more at the [...]
Life in Japan is actually very good. I can’t imagine a safer and better place to live. Since the major earthquake and tsunami in March 2011, I have gotten so many emails from friends in the U.S. And they worry so much about me and my family. It is heartening. But actually, Japan is a [...]
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