Sheffner's Special English Class

Rare painting of Mary Queen of Scots, cousin to Elizabeth I

2006-08-18T22:24:00.000+09:00

After watching the movie Elizabeth, I was interested to see this article about a painting of Mary Queen of Scots, one of only two paintings of her. This one was underneath another painting and was discovered using the latest state-of-the-art techniques.
Read the story on the Guardian website.

Typhoon Saomai kills over 139 in China

2006-08-17T00:43:00.000+09:00

Typhoon Saomai, born at about the same time as typhoon #9 that hit Japan early August, has been one of the worst storms to hit China in 50 years.
Read about it at the London Times Online site here, and here.
See a satellite picture of three typhoons, including Saomai and Maria (Japan's #9 typhoon) here.
See pictures on the BBC World News website here, and a BBC news story here.
Most Western (English) news sources give the death toll at 130 or so at this time. However, the Chinese news agency Xinhua gives a toll of 319 in this story.

Drought in Inner Mongolia

2006-08-17T00:07:00.000+09:00

Some bad news from Inner Mongolia: lack of rain over several years is causing serious problems for China's 866 million farmers.
Read the story on the Times Online website.

Summer firework festivals in Japan - calendar and map

2006-07-29T11:15:00.000+09:00

Summer is the season for fireworks in Japan. Here's a map and calendar to find out where and when (all in Japanese only).

花火大会の地図とカレンダーはこちら。

Bend It Like Beckham

2006-07-28T18:52:00.000+09:00

I've been showing the movie "Bend it Like Beckham" to some of my students.

I posted recently about a weekly newspaper called 週刊 published by The Japan Times.

The July 28th issue has a big picture of Scarlett Johansson on the front, because her latest movie, Match Point, directed by Woody Allen, will be shown in Japan from August 19th.

On pages 14-15 of the Shuukan ST (July 28th), there are some articles about the movie "Match Point" and some photos. One of the photos shows "Joe, the coach" from "Bend it Like Beckham". Yes! Joe the coach, played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers,
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001667/
also stars in Match Point (he plays Chris Wilton, a retired professional tennis player who wants to become a coach!). Jonathan Rhys Meyers also stars in Mission Impossible III (he plays Declan Gormley).
And Jonathan really is from Ireland, just like Joe, the coach.

Bend it Like Beckham also stars Keira Knightley who played Elizabeth Bennett in the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice, and also stars in Pirates of the Caribbean (1, 2, and 3)

I wish you all a very happy summer holidays. Have fun, and play safely.

Marc Sheffner

Bakuten - house of dominoes

2006-07-24T14:27:00.000+09:00

Here's a fun YouTube video: you get to see what the inside of a typical Japanese apartment looks like (usually minus all the dominoes, of course), and there's a nice Japanese visual "kigo" (seasonal word) at the end.

Hottest day in Britain

2006-07-21T08:23:00.000+09:00

Britain had its hottest day ever yesterday, Thursday July 20th: 36.5 degrees Centigrade. Is this another sign of global warming?

It has been raining heavily in Japan the past few days, and there have been some landslides and floods. A few people have died and more are still missing.

North Korea has also had a lot of heavy rain, and there may be serious floods and yet more serious famine

Indonesia hit by another earthquake and tsunami - July 18th

2006-07-18T16:41:00.000+09:00

Indonesia has been hit by a 7.7 magnitude earthquake and tsunami. Death toll so far has reached 300 (July 18th, BBC website).

News in Japanese on CNN.co.jp

Japan Times magazine 週刊ST

2006-07-14T19:50:00.000+09:00

I just discovered the Japan Times English magazine for EFL students. It's a weekly magazine. I think I will buy a subscription for our students.

You can find it more about it here.

Craig David "Unbelievable"

2006-07-09T19:48:00.000+09:00

Recently I heard Craig David's song "Unbelievable", and I liked it so much I used in some of my classes. Many students liked it.

Here is some information about the singer and the song.

Read the song lyrics here.

Read about (and listen to) the song on Amazon.jp here.

Read about Craig David in English here.

and in Japanese here.

Best goals of the World Cup

2006-07-09T11:33:00.000+09:00

Watch videos of the best goals of the World Cup, and rate them
here.

So, who do you want to win, France or Italy?

July in Britain, Japan, and around the world

2006-07-08T10:44:00.000+09:00

Pictures of what happened around the world in the week July 1-7th, 2006

Why is July 4th an important day in the US?
(In English)
(In Japanese)

July 7th is Tanabata Festival in Japan.
(In English)
(In Japanese)

Did you know that the origins of this festival are Chinese?

Why is July 7th remembered in Britain (especially in London)?

What is Wimbledon?
(In English)
(In Japanese)

Why is July 14th an important day in France?
(In English)
(In Japanese)

Also in France is another sporting event, the Tour of France. Do you know what it is?
(In English)
(In Japanese)

Photos of modern China

2006-06-20T21:41:00.000+09:00

BBC photographer Alex Hofford spent 24 hours in Wenzhou city, in coastal Zhejiang province.

World Cup news

2006-06-18T12:03:00.000+09:00

The BBC Sports World Cup site is one of the most popular websites in the world at this time. It has video, audio, text, and photographs.
Check it out!

Can you answer this question, using the information on the BBC site?
Why did 1,000 Dutch fans watch a World Cup game without their trousers?

Find the answer here.

Funny Chinese characters and funny English

2006-05-31T15:04:00.000+09:00

"Chinese characters" means "kanji" 漢字 in Japanese. In Japan, many T-shirts and bags have English writing. Sometimes it's just "writing"; it's not really English.

Well, guess what? Westerners also like to use foreign writing on their T-shirts and ... other places. Some people have Chinese characters tattooed on their skin. (David Beckham's wife Victoria was famous for her tattoo of "ai" 愛 on her arm.) But sometimes they make mistakes.

Here are two websites about funny language: Engrish.com　(funny English)
and
Hanzi Smatter: 一知半解 (funny Chinese characters)

More student blogs

2006-05-20T09:20:00.000+09:00

Aaron Campbell has posted a list of his Kyoto Sangyo University (Japan) students' blogs and their Flickr.com pages.

Go and visit and leave a comment. Encourage EFL students to blog!

About this class blog project (updated)

2006-05-13T14:16:00.000+09:00

students' geographical location: Nara, Japan. However, not all the students are Japanese, some of them are from other Asian countries; none of them are native speakers of English.

beginning/end of course: April 11th - July 14th 2006

links to student weblogs or equivalent interactive work: see blogroll in RH sidebar on this page

students' age and their competency in English: a wide range from false beginners to post-intermediate/advanced, though most are false beginners/pre-intermediate. Ages range from 18-26

number of class sessions per week: this class is a speaking/listening class meeting 6 times a week, however, just 1 of those meetings per week is in a computer lab and devoted to reading and writing on the Internet

And here are their Flickr pages:

megu.ru_n

shimanechocolate

endlisan-8

k8_k6_n7

admission1126

tezua06091

yama11guchi

dead5193

makototo1

issey11yamaguti

satocchan51base

gaogeriletu1212

guess1363

yuuki7_8

yaponsk11

yappiy_happy

friend5215212003

Welcome to the new bloggers!

2006-05-10T19:42:00.000+09:00

Hi, everyone,
Welcome to the wonderful world of blogging! I hope you will enjoy blogging and teach me many things.

Here're some pictures I took during Golden Week.
Please leave a comment on 1 of the pictures.
Please find ONE picture on Flickr (not just mine, there are THOUSANDS of photos!) that expresses your feelings or your Golden Week, and write about it on your blog.

Last week, I told you about "Level 1" and "Level 2" questions, and I asked you to make Level 2 questions.
Here are my examples of Level 1 and level 2 questions:
LEVEL 1

What is the capital of London?
Who is Prime Minister of the United Kingdom?
Which 2 universities have a boat race in April?

LEVEL 2
Explain how to take a Japanese bath.
Explain why Japanese people eat rice and use chopsticks.
Explain the meaning of "wabi-sabi" (or "Yamato-damashi").

How to improve your English

2005-09-28T20:58:00.000+09:00

How to improve your English
効果的な学習のため

語学を習得するには３つの基本的条件があります。まず忘れてならないのは、会話は実際に話しをすることの積み重ねによってうまくなるのだということです。他人の会話を聞いていても話せるようになりません。ＣＤを聞いていてもピアノが弾けるようにならないと同じです。できるだけ話す機会を作るために、常にもう一人と組になって学びます。また、授業中は習っている言語しか使えません。日本語を話しながら英語を、英語を話しながらフランス語を身につけることは不可能です。英語を学ぶためには英語を話さなければなりません。勿論初めはうまく行かないでしょうが、気にせず続けましょう。上達はあなたの努力次第です。さらに言語取得には、実際の会話練習にどれだけ時間が費やされたかによって、けっかは大きく異なります。

２番目の条件は、感情をこめて話す練習をすることです。教材の練習問題は、ペアを組んだ相手に話しかけるように作られています。オウムのように機械的に文章を唱えるのではなく、指示に従って短い会話をするのです。話をする時は向き会って相手の目を見、本当に話しかけます。相手に質問する時は額にしわを寄せ、分からないという表情をしましょう。驚きを表現する時は、本当に驚いた風を装います。上手に演枝すればするほど上達がはやいのです。

３番目の条件は、間違いを恐れないことです。間違いをしないとすれば、それはあなたのレベルが高すぎるからで、この教材はあなたの役には立ちません。もししゃべらないから間違いをしないのならば、上達は望めません。３歳の子供が話すのを聞いてみましょう。母国語でもよく間違いをしています。その都度直されてはいないのに、大人になれば正しく話せるようになります。

４番目の条件は、ストレスからの開放
以前は、学習といったら、静かな部屋で、集中力を発揮して、緊張して勉強に励むって感じだったけど
学習の効果が上がるのは、かえってリラックスした状態の時です。

効果的な学習のために
テキストを読むとき　練習にテキストが必要な時は、まずテキストの質問やセリフを読む心の中で繰り返します。次にテキストを閉じ、相手の目を見て質問やセリフをします。

テキストを床に　　必要のない時は、テキストを床に置いておきます。自由に身動きするためです。

身振り　　身振りや表情を付ける事によって練習の度合は１０倍にもなります。誰の役をするにしてもスケッチやシーンの通りに座ったり立ったりして下さい。誰かを指差す動作があれば、ためらわす同じように指差しましょう。その役に成りきらなくてはいけません。

最初に出会う困難　　学習を始めるとすぐ次の問題にぶつかるでしょう。
指示に従わない。買った機械をまず動かし、問題が起こって初めて説明書を読んだりするものです。でも、学習効果を最大限にあげるためには、まず指示に従わなければなりません。
パートナーと上手く行かない　初めのうちは一人が早く進みだがる等、衝突が起こりがちです。パートナーうまくやって行く事も語学学習の目的と同じ、要はコミュニケーションの問題です。

(ディダスコ・ラーニング・センター）

Independent Learning Association Conference

2005-09-28T20:45:00.000+09:00

Hi, everyone.
The second semester starts this week. Did you enjoy your summer vacation? I wonder what you did?
I stayed in Japan all summer, except for a 5 days in New Zealand. I went with Rodney Dunham to Auckland, in the North Island, for a conference on Independent Learning. Here is a photo taken of us during our presentation.
(Some more photos are here).

MDN: Unseen Japan Contest

2005-06-27T18:45:00.000+09:00

MDN: Unseen Japan ContestSome interesting pictures of Japan here. Which one do you like? Which one do you think is the best?

RSS?

2005-06-26T08:31:00.000+09:00

Today we will learn about RSS. What is RSS?
Here are some links (in Japanese) for you. You don't have to read all of them. Probably just one or two will do.

http://hotwired.goo.ne.jp/webmonkey/2003/26/index3a.html

http://www.gluesoft.co.jp/NewsGlue/RSS.aspx

http://www.ofukuronoaji.com/rss/

http://www.toktok.serio.jp/rss-s/koramu/

NEXT! You need an RSS Reader:
First, read this
or this.

NEXT! Choose an RSS Reader! You want one that is NOT hosted on your own computer, but which you can access from any computer. DON'T DOWNLOAD ANYTHING!!

I use blogline:

bloglines

Can you find a good one? Please tell me by email the RSS reader you choose. Also, please blog it, so your classmates know, too.

Questions for Harry

2005-06-23T13:30:00.000+09:00

Hi, everyone.
Here are some of your questions, and Harry's answers.

Q:Why do you study at Tezukayama University?
A:My teacher at Japanese language school was advising me this school. And I think this University is good.

Q:Why are you come to Japon?
A: As my hobby is to get as much experience in different cultures and societies, i have an interested in Japanese too.

Q:What's your favorite singer?
A: Tom Delonge i think... woooWWW he`s cool, like me =P

Q:Who is the most singer in your country?
A:The most famous? Krisdayanti.

Q:What is your favorite Japanrese food?
A:Takoyaki =)

Q:What are it the most much surprise at coming to Japan, and gladness?
A: make-up on train!!

Q:What languages can you speak?
A: Indonesian of course, a little bit Japanese and English.

Q:Will you go back to your hometown during summer vacation?
A:It must be nice =(

Q:Why did you select to study Japanese?
A:I want to be a Japanese teacher in international school.

Q: Can you sell and buy a cow's meet in your country?
A: HaaahhHH?? are you kidding (".)

Q: Do you like sum41?
A:Yes, sum41 is one of my favourite band.
Q: Why did you select to study Japanese?
A: I love it.

Q: Where have you visit in Japan?
A: Not yet =(

Q: Where will you visit in Japan?
A: Hokkaido.

Q: Where do you live ?
A:In Kyoto.

Q: Do you have a girl friend?
A: I`ve broked up with her when i decided to continuing my study to
University, but our relationship`s still like before. So, i don`t know the status certainly. But i still love her.

Q: What Japanese food do you like ?
A: Takoyaki... uummmHHHH yummy :P~

Q: What the weather like in your contry?
A: It`s humid.

Q: What's your hobby?
A: MUSIC & SKATEBOARDING.

Q: How is Japan?
A: It`s convenience.

Q: Do you enjoy the college life?
A: I hope so.

Why blogs?

2005-06-23T10:42:00.000+09:00

What do you think about Japanese education?

There are many good points about Japanese education, but two weak points (in my opinion) are:

students are poor at self-expression

students have poor critical thinking skills.

What is critical thinking? Critical thinking means thinking about what you are doing; it means asking the question why.

I think blogs can help with these two skills - self-expression and critical thinking. Unfortunately, schools and universities don't teach these skills, so if you want to improve, you will have to do it by yourself. Blogs can be a great way to do this.

Blogs are also very good for finding other people who are interested in the same things as you; people who are doing things you like doing; people who are doing things you want to do in the future.

For example, are you interested in surfing? Or in the movies? Maybe you can find other people with the same interests by using livejournal or blogger.

Sheftezclasses

2005-06-22T15:45:00.000+09:00

sheftezclasses

This photo was taken somewhere in the university. Can you guess where? A prize to the first person to guess right!