No- not the British Broadcast Corporation. I am being featured on a profile piece on Biwako Broadcasting, the local cable network in Shiga prefecture. I thought some of my students and friends might like to catch it live. I don’t know if the channel is available everywhere in Japan or only in Shiga, but don’t [...]
The other day I had some time between classes at my English school, スミス英会話天神橋筋六丁目 so I went shopping in nearby Umeda (梅田). It is just 2 stops on the Tanimachi line (谷町線). There is a lot of construction going on! The recently completed new JR Osaka station (JR 大阪駅) is really amazing. Also, betwen Yodobashi [...]
Having been a teacher for 20 years now I think I know what it takes to learn a language. I have worked with over 2000 students and one thing becomes evident – the people who succeed in mastering a language all share similar qualities. Just what are they? Determination is a big one. It’s not something [...]
Karasuma School recently acquired a transfer from another school of a lovely and intelligent lad of nine years old. Honestly, I have never met such a courteous child in my life. “Teacher, I have a question, please.” He catches onto the concepts quickly and is well mannered at all times. His mother says that he [...]
HAPPY HALLOWEEN EVERYONE! Another fantastic Halloween at Smith’s school of English in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture. Our 4th annual Halloween party was held this Saturday, with pizza, snacks, pumpkins, jack-o-lantern carving, games, Halloween videos and more. Check out a few of the jack-o-lanterns that our students carved below. Students came in a variety of creative costumes- [...]
One of my students is from a rural area north of Kyoto and last weekend we had the pleasure of visiting his fathers house while returning from the beach along the Japan Sea coast. Plenty of other bikers, like myself, were out touring in the sunshine, especially from Osaka. It appeared that I was the [...]
It is so beneficial to be cordial and friendly in the neighbourhood. A friend told me once that it is not necessary or expected to speak to convenience store staff when they greet you. I disagreed with my friend and continue to greet and talk with the staff. I try to be joyful and uplifting. [...]
Due to an ongoing pile-up of scandals and problems in the sumo world, sumo coverage has been limited on Japanese TV recently. Fortunately, Japan’s national sport and my personal favorite sport to watch is available via YouTube. What most people in Japan probably don’t know is that NHK broadcasts in other countries as NHK World, [...]
Below is a story about a recent trip to Eastern Europe written by one of the student’s at my English school, Smith’s school of English Ohtsu. Two of my student’s traveled to four European countries together, along with 20 other people, a tour guide, and their cameras! My students’ names are Masako and Kimiko. This [...]
Below is a story about a recent trip to Eastern Europe written by one of the student’s at my English school, Smith’s school of English Ohtsu. Two of my student’s traveled to four European countries together, along with 20 other people, a tour guide, and their cameras! My students’ names are Masako and Kimiko. This [...]
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