Homework # 12 Do you agree with the writer??

After listening to today’s presentations and reading what the new Minister of Education in the newspapers. Please read the opinion in the December 6th International Herald Tribune. http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/12/06/opinion/edkumiko.php

Do you agree with the writer? Why? Give at least 3 examples to support your answer.

I am not so sure, mabey I misunderstand the article, but I agree with the writer, becuase our English skills are behind in Asia. And also, Japanses government started 'Yutori' education (education free from stress), but it made so bad result. Japanses mark was worse in nation-wide examination. What is educaiton free from stress?? why did the government make the system? I don't understand, becasue entrance exam is still stressful to children, but school hour is decreased, so I think it is kinds of contradiction in the education system.

However, I think Japan should start teaching children English in elementary school. but I know a lack of teachers, teaching skills, and so on. However, English education is behind in Asia. When I went to England, I met many Chinese people who are teacher in China. They are not only English teacher but also math, computer, social studies and so on. And they study English in England for a month by goverment's money. Some of them speak very fluent English, the other of them speak low level, but they keep studying English. I know it is hard for Japanese goverment to do like Chinese goverment, but goverment have very different idea to English Education, I think.

In addition, in Korea, many parents want their childen to speak English, so they try to study abroad or immigrate to America when their children are elementary school students. Can you image when you are elementary school student you want to study abroad??? Almost all 80% of students who are at elementary, junior high, and high schools take private lessons to study English in Korea. Each of rate is elementary school student is 84.6%, junior high school student is 88.4%, and high school student is 64.9%. It is rate of 32.6% that their parents immigrate to education. Wow!!

However, I'm afraid to start early education of another language, not just English, because many students avoid Kanji and reading difficult books like Oogai Mori, Souseki Natsume, and so on. There are many difficult Kanji in those books, so some student can't read those Kanji. Inculding me, we should not only English but also Japanese too, don't you think?

Homework # 11 What do you think the article from the Japan Times

This week's homework is to read an article from the Japan Times and five your opinion. http://search.japantimes.co.jp/member/member.html?ek20060110ls/htm

Do you agree or disagree with the author ( who is Japanese). Please explain why in your blog.

I agree with the author, because recently couple are strange for me. I think recently couple styles are too close. I sometime saw some guy brings girl's bag... It is a kind of ladies first?? It is OK to bring shopping bag, but why does he bring girl's stuff?? He wants to be a girl?? It is joke, but if I see those couple, I think some guy is a kind of her servant. And also, it is common to have own cell phone each other, so it is easier keep in touch than ever. However, that things make each other too close. In my opinion, relation of love needs to have comfortable distance, but its distance depends on each couples. close distance give them stressful.

And also, another reason is I think men not only change but also women change too. recently women have jobs and have much money to live by themselves and they are independent than previous women. Then, they enjoy living alone. I think women's spirits are more stonger than ever. It is good for them to be strong, but they enjoy living alon too much, so if she lives with someone, she cannot make a new relationship in life because she already has own lifestyle. However, it is not only women, men enjoy living alon too and he already has own lifestyle too. So it is too difficult to built new relationship in couples, I think.

Homework #10 Table Manners

Today we discussed table manners from all over the world. Please answer the following questions in your blog.

Have you ever eaten in a foreign restaurant? Where? What did you eat?

Yes, I have. I went to China and England. When I went to China, I ate traditional Chinese food. there is 56 race in China, so you can eat many type of food in China. almost people say part of south is very spicy and hot food. Most food is included in many black pepper and red pepper. part of north is salty and acid food. And also, staple diet is different by area.

When I went to England, I ate fish and chips, puddings and something like traditional food, too. Almost all people say British foods are so bad, but I like those food.


Did you make any mistakes? Please explain your experience. Did you learn anything?

When I went to England, I did homestay. then, my hostmother tought me how to use knife and fork. I surprised that a knife was hold like gribing pencil but more softly.
However, I don't know what table manner is in China, but I think almost all manner in China is same in Japan.