How Things "Used To Be": A Look at Our Changing Lives.
Our Interchange 2 adult discussion class has been having some fascinating conversations lately! We've been studying the phrase "used to," and it's been a wonderful way to reflect on how much things have changed, both in our own lives and in the world around us.
"Used to" is a useful tool for talking about habits, situations, or states that were true in the past but are no longer true now. It brings up so many memories and points of comparison!
We've been sharing stories about:
Past routines: "I used to wake up much earlier when I was younger," or "We used to eat dinner together every night as a family."
Hobbies and interests: "He used to play a lot of baseball in high school, but now he prefers golf."
Places and environments: "This area used to be all rice fields," or "The train station used to be much smaller."
Personal habits: "I used to drink a lot more coffee, but now I prefer tea."
Technology and daily life: "People used to rely on landlines much more than cell phones," or "Kids used to play outside all day, not on tablets."
It's been really interesting to hear everyone's perspectives and to see how dramatically some things have shifted. From local changes in Kure to broader societal transformations, using "used to" has given us a clear way to articulate these differences. It's also sparked some great debates about whether these changes are for the better or worse!
Best wishes,
Michael.
Our P9 High School class has been learning something new lately: the present perfect tense, which is really just a way to talk about things we've done!
We use "have" or "has" and then a special form of the verb to describe experiences. For example, instead of saying "I went to Tokyo," we can say "I have been to Tokyo." This shows that the trip happened in the past, but it's still connected to us now.
We've been sharing all sorts of things we have done:
Trips: "I have visited a new city this year."
Hobbies: "We have played a lot of basketball after school."
Movies & Books: "I have seen that movie already!"
New Skills: "She has learned a new song on the piano."
It's been fun to hear about everyone's adventures and accomplishments. The present perfect helps us talk about our lives in a clear way, connecting our past actions to who we are today. We're getting much better at it, and it's exciting to see how much we have learned!
Best wishes,
Michael.
今週と来週は参観日があります！
日頃お子様たちがどのように英語を勉強しているのか、クラスの雰囲気はどんな感じなのかを見ていただく絶好の機会です！
いつも、皆さんとても積極的に英語を話そうと取り組んで下さっていますので、
お子様たちのかっこいい姿、頑張っている姿をぜひご覧いただければと思っております。
私たちも精一杯、サポートさせて頂きます！
川口
It's been fantastic watching "H" dedicate himself to his TOEIC studies each week. He's making very encouraging progress, diligently working through the listening and reading sections, and really getting to grips with the test's structure and timing. It's not always easy, especially when tackling new vocabulary and complex grammar, but he consistently shows up ready to learn.
Even when we hit a particularly challenging concept, "H" doesn't back down. We'll slow down, break it apart, and he'll put in the effort to understand it. His persistence is really paying off. I've been giving him a mix of practice exercises for different parts of the test, and he always amazes me with how thoroughly he approaches them. He's recently seen a great improvement in his practice test scores, which is a clear sign that all his hard work is coming together. He's only getting better!
Well done H!
- Michael
"T" is making consistent, steady progress in his weekly Eiken lessons.
It's been great to see her English skills develop as he tackles Grade 2 writing and new vocabulary.
Though the pace can feel slow, he improves every week.
In the lessons we address his struggles, re-evaluate, and he pushes through. I'm very proud of his diligence and continued effort. He adapts remarkably well to varied homework covering writing, reading, and vocabular and his recent jump from 88% to 95% on her school test is a testament to his ongoing improvement!
Well done T!
- Michael.
今週に入って、天気がすぐれない日が続きますね、、、
生徒の皆さんがレッスン前に「今日はめっちゃrainyだった～！」と、よく教えてくれています☂
しかし、英語学習においては、"sunny"だけでなく、"cloudy"や"rainy"を使える機会が沢山あるのは良いことなので、
ぜひご自宅でも、英語を使って、天気の確認をしてみてください！
川口
Hello,
Some more on parent observation and why it's necessary.
By quietly observing their English lessons, parents gain invaluable insights:
They their struggles firsthand: Are they confused by a particular grammar point? Do they hesitate with certain vocabulary? Their observation helps them identify areas where they need extra support.
They notice their breakthroughs: Witnessing that "aha!" moment when they grasp a new concept is not only heartwarming but also shows you what learning methods click for them.
They can reinforce at home: Knowing what was covered in class allows them to create a supportive English-speaking environment at home, using new words and phrases in daily conversation.
They become an active partner: Observation empowers them to have more informed conversations with their teacher and work together effectively to support their child's progress.
- Michael
Hello,
Recently we are preparing for parents observation lessons.
This gives the chance for the parents to see exactly what goes on in the classsroom and how the language is taught.
Of course, the "observer effect" means that the chgildren may act differently because their mother or father is in the same room.
Nevertheless, oit is an opportunity for the parent to witness the how the teaching theory is helping their child develop all areas of English skill.
I hope they enjoy the classes.
- Michael.
Following up from the previous post, here are some more memory techniques that may be useful;
Connect with Stories: Make up short, silly stories using new words.
Group Words: Learn words that are similar or opposite together.
Label Things: Put English word stickers on items at home.
Talk to Yourself: Describe your day in English using new words.
Watch and Listen: Enjoy English movies, shows, and music.
Write Them Down: Keep a list of new words and look at it sometimes.
When I'm trying to remember new Japanese phrases I often go for long walks, repeating the pharses over and over again.
It's very effective but people might think you are mad.
Best wishes,
Michael.
Recently some students were talking about how difficult it is to remember new words.
These were some of the activities I suggested to help remember.
Connect It: Link the new word to a picture in your mind, a feeling, or something you already know.
Say and Write: Speak the word aloud and write it down. This uses more of your brain.
See it Used: Read and listen to English to see how words are used in real situations.
Make it Fun: Use flashcards, play word games, or use apps to learn in an enjoyable way.
Review Often: Look at the words you've learned regularly so you don't forget them.
Use the Words: Try to speak and write using the new words.
Best wishes,
Michael.
