Tag: English

Maps of Miyakonojo Commercial High School, Japan

Miyakonojo Commercial and Agricultural High Schools, Miyazaki Ken, Kyushu, Japan

For a year I taught English at the Miyakonojo Commerical High School, and Miyakonojo Agricultural High School, Miyakonojo, Miyazaki Ken, Kyushu, Japan, with the JET program. Kuyshu is the second largest and most southerly of Japan’s four main islands. Having a minor in East Asian Studies, China and Japan, it was an interesting time for me to learn first hand what I had read in university text books. Living in a foreign country for an extended period of time immerses you into the culture and gives you invaluable first hand experiences.

This is a preview of Maps of Miyakonojo Commercial High School, Japan. Read the full post (638 words, 3 images, estimated 2:33 mins reading time)

Talk like a Native English Speaker

Dean, of Jiaozuo, China, has the ability to become a fluent English speaker. He can learn English like a sponge and will put any adult learner to shame.

Very often I am asked to help a Chinese person improve their English. They have the goal to talk just like a native English speaker. It is a noble goal but very difficult to attain. Even more frustrating is to be able to listen to a 4 year old who can yammer on in both English and Chinese in perfect fluency. The kid can’t even tie his shoes, but can speak much better than his supposedly much wiser and better educated parents. Here’s an excerpt of his blog:

This is a preview of Talk like a Native English Speaker. Read the full post (810 words, 0 images, estimated 3:14 mins reading time)

Google.com loses it’s English voice

I like Google, I really do. It’s my primary search engine. I like their university roots and what they’ve done. There’s no question they have shaped and nurtured the internet in a way no other search engine has done. Searches come back lickety split and Google Scholar is awesome. Their photos and news section are tops.

I can input both English and Chinese (Mandarin, 普通话, 国语) on my computer. Mostly I type English, and every so often I do Chinese. Sometimes I like to torture myself by going to Mainland China and Singapore websites to read Chinese. It’s not often but a little searing pain between the ears helps you appreciate what you have. A reasonable memory for Chinese words. And English.

This is a preview of Google.com loses it’s English voice. Read the full post (597 words, 1 image, estimated 2:23 mins reading time)