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How language shapes the way we think
In Pormpuraaw, a young girl effortlessly points north, while scholars worldwide struggle with the same task. This disparity hints at a profound connection between language and cognition.
Centuries ago, linguists like Sapir and Whorf proposed that languages shape thinking. Recent research confirms this, showing how languages profoundly influence perception and cognition.
Languages differ in their demands on speakers. For example, Kuuk Thaayorre speakers describe space using cardinal directions, fostering exceptional spatial awareness. This linguistic influence extends to concepts like time, where language dictates how events are perceived and remembered.
Moreover, language affects fundamental cognitive processes, from color perception to social attitudes. Bilingual individuals even exhibit shifts in biases based on the language they speak.
Language's influence reaches deep into thought itself, affecting tasks like distinguishing colors or counting objects. This suggests that language permeates nearly every aspect of human cognition.
In essence, the diversity of languages reflects unique cognitive toolkits shaped by cultural evolution. Understanding how language shapes thought unveils the essence of human cognition and the richness of linguistic diversity.
source: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-language-shapes-thought/
Sashiko: The Timeless Japanese Art of Upcycling
Sashiko, a 300-year-old Japanese technique, is making a comeback for its simplicity and beauty. Originating from a need to repurpose textiles in rural Japan, it involves reinforcing fabrics with neat running stitches, creating quilted patterns known as boro. Today, sashiko's appeal extends globally, with workshops and social media showcasing its charm. With basic tools like sashiko thread and needles, anyone can try their hand at this craft. What makes sashiko special is its adaptability to various fabrics and stitching patterns, allowing for endless creativity. Modern practitioners like Atsushi Futatsuya add their own twist while honoring tradition. As sustainability gains importance, sashiko stands out for its eco-friendly ethos and timeless elegance, embodying the beauty of upcycling and preserving Japanese heritage.
source: https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20231013-the-300-year-old-japanese-method-of-upcyling
ゴールデンウイーク中はどこかへお出かけをしたり、お友達と遊んだり、楽しい事が沢山ありそうですね。その日にあった事を、少しでもいいので英語で書いてみてはどうでしょうか。まだ文章が書けない年齢の生徒さんは、絵と一緒に英単語を書いてみる。文章が少しでも書ける生徒さんは一般動詞を使って簡単な文章を書いてみる、など、方法は様々です。英語に触れながら楽しい思いでを形に残しましょう！
Cultural Contrasts: Golden Week Observance in Japan and the Philippines
During Golden Week in Japan, which typically occurs from the end of April to the beginning of May, there's a notable cultural difference compared to the Philippines in terms of how the holiday is observed and its significance in each society.
In Japan, Golden Week is one of the most important holiday periods of the year. It's characterized by a series of national holidays, including Showa Day (April 29), Constitution Memorial Day (May 3), Greenery Day (May 4), and Children's Day (May 5). Many Japanese people take advantage of this extended break to travel domestically or abroad, visit family, participate in cultural activities, or simply relax. It's a time when cities become quieter as people leave urban areas for vacation spots or return to their hometowns.
On the other hand, in the Philippines, there isn't a cultural equivalent to Japan's Golden Week. While the Philippines celebrates various holidays and festivals throughout the year, there isn't a concentrated period like Golden Week that sees a series of consecutive holidays with significant cultural and societal impact. Instead, holidays in the Philippines are dispersed across the calendar and often revolve around religious or historical events.
This cultural difference highlights the contrasting approaches to holidays and leisure time between Japan and the Philippines. In Japan, Golden Week is deeply ingrained in the national consciousness as a time for rest, recreation, and reflection, whereas in the Philippines, holidays are spread throughout the year and may not carry the same level of collective significance as Golden Week does in Japan.
新学期もはじまり、今年の教材フェアもスタートします！
まだ昨年度のドリルが残っているみなさんは、ゴールデンウィークのお休み中に進めていきましょう。オンデマンドも、1回だけでなく、何度も繰り返して練習ができるチャンスです。お休みの期間を有効に使ってくださいね。
5月6日(月)までお休みとなっております。
無料体験レッスン、学習カウンセリングのお申込は、HPより24時間受付しております。
こちらから！お申込下さい。
5月7日(火)以降にこちらからご連絡をさせていただきます。
6月スタート生受付中！今月のキャンペーンでは大人気のオリジナルスクールバッグをプレゼントいたします。この機会をお見逃しなく！！
ゴールデンウィーク期間のお休みをお知らせします。
休校期間：4/28（日）～5/6（月）
通常レッスンは5/7（火）より再開します。
お休み明けには家庭学習教材フェアがスタートします📚
英語は継続学習が大切です。お休み期間中も学習のペースを落とさず、
お手持ちのドリルを進めておきましょう。
新生活に慣れそろそろ英語を始めようと思っている方必見👀！！
本日18時までのお申込みで5月よりレッスンにご参加いただけます♪
体験レッスン＆クラス見学は
本日17時にご案内が可能です。
締切間近につき、お申込みはお電話にて承っております☎
こちらをクリック⇒0586-73-2610
Earth Day 2024: Uniting for Our Planet's Future
Every year, Earth Day offers a global platform to reflect on our planet's health and the pressing challenges it faces. From industrial pollution to climate change, the threats are numerous and urgent. Celebrated annually on April 22nd, Earth Day engages an estimated one billion people worldwide, spanning from schoolchildren to world leaders. It serves as both a sobering reminder of environmental threats and an opportunity to appreciate the Earth's beauty and resilience.
Rooted in history, Earth Day traces back to the aftermath of a 1969 oil spill off the coast of California. Senator Gaylord Nelson's call for environmental action led to the inaugural Earth Day in 1970, galvanizing millions across the United States. The momentum catalyzed significant environmental legislation, including the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency. Over the years, Earth Day evolved into a global movement, inspiring action in 141 countries by 1990. Today, it remains a pivotal moment for environmental advocacy and international cooperation.
In 2024, Earth Day's theme, "Planet vs Plastics," spotlights the pervasive issue of plastic pollution. With the UN expected to negotiate a landmark plastics treaty, Earth Day organizers are pushing for a 60% reduction in plastic production by 2040. Clean-up events worldwide rally communities to tackle plastic pollution, emphasizing the critical need for collective action. As Earth Day continues to evolve, it remains a beacon of hope, inspiring individuals and nations to unite in safeguarding our planet's future.
source: https://www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/earth-day-2024-date-history-b2532775.html
今月、邦人クラスでは英語で名前や職業を質問したり答えたりする構文を学習しています。生徒皆さんの職業はstudentですが、I am a student. だけでなくI am an elementary student.I go to ○○ elemntary school. My younger brother is a kindergartner.My mother is a nurse.など、学習した構文を使って自己紹介をしてみるのもいいですね。英語は実践的に使うのが上達の秘訣です！
