▮ Number of Lessons: 70 lessons (please attend as many as you need)
☑ You will be able to easily answer common questions about Japan asked by foreigners. ☑ In the latter part of the course, you can efficiently learn middle school English grammar (Basic Grammar). ☑ Your conversational English skills will significantly improve through abundant reading aloud training and instant English composition exercises. ☑ Improve your speaking test scores in exams like TOEIC and EIKEN G-3 to 2.
▮ Lesson Activities
1. Respond with your own thoughts to questions about Japan (Topic Question).
2. Use key vocabulary and expressions from sample answers to create instant English compositions.
3. Answer questions about the sample answers.
4. Learn middle school English grammar by theme.
5. Use the learned middle school English grammar and sample answers to create instant English compositions.
▮ Try Answering the Question Yourself Think about what monjayaki is, including its ingredients, how it is prepared, and where it is commonly eaten.
▮ Sample Answer
“Monjayaki is a popular Japanese dish similar to okonomiyaki but with a runnier consistency. It is made with finely chopped ingredients mixed into a liquid batter and cooked on a hot griddle. Ingredients often include seafood, vegetables, and meat. It’s a specialty of the Tokyo area, particularly in the Tsukishima district, where you can find many restaurants serving this savory pancake. Diners usually cook the monjayaki themselves at the table, using tiny spatulas to eat it directly from the griddle.”
▮ Words to Learn and Their Meanings about Sample Answer
Ingredients (材料): The foods that are used to make a dish.
Batter (生地): A mixture of flour, liquid, and other ingredients that is used for cooking.
Griddle (鉄板): A flat surface or pan on which food is cooked.
Savory (風味の良い): Having a spicy or salty quality without being sweet.
Spatula (へら): A small tool with a broad, flat, flexible blade used to mix, spread, or lift material.
▮ Answer the Instructor’s 3 Questions Based on the Sample Answer
What is monjayaki?
How is monjayaki different from okonomiyaki?
Where is monjayaki commonly found?
▮ Mastering Middle School English Grammar
next to, between, under, etc.
Next to / between / in front of/ in back of
Alice is next to Bob. or Alice is beside Bob. Bob is between Alice and Carla. Don is in front of Bob. Eric is in back of Bob.
also Alice is on the left. Carla is on the right. Bob is in the middle (of the group).
Across from I in front of
Anne is sitting in front of Bruce. Anne is sitting across from Chris. Chris is sitting across from Anne
By (= next to)
Who is that man standing by the window? Our house is by the ocean. (= next to the ocean) If you feel cold, why don’t you sit by the fire?
Under
The cat is under the table. The girl is standing under a tree. I’m wearing a jacket under my coat.
Above and below
The pictures are above the shelves.
The shelves are below the pictures.
3 Example Sentences Based on the Sample Answer and Grammar Practice:
The monjayaki batter is poured onto the griddle, which is in the middle of the table.
You can find a wide variety of ingredients for your monjayaki next to the griddle.
People enjoy cooking monjayaki on the griddle that sits under the smoke extractor to keep the air clean.
Make Sentences Based on the Above Example Sentences Yourself:
▮ Try Answering the Question Yourself Think about Japan’s geographical location and how it affects the country’s experience with natural disasters, especially earthquakes.
▮ Sample Answer
“Yes, Japan experiences earthquakes frequently due to its position along the Pacific Ring of Fire. This geographic area is known for its high levels of seismic activity, leading to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Japan has developed advanced technology and strict building codes to mitigate the impact of these natural events.”
▮ Words to Learn and Their Meanings about Sample Answer
Geographical location (地理的位置): The specific place where something is located on the Earth’s surface.
Seismic activity (地震活動): Movements within the Earth’s crust that cause earthquakes.
Pacific Ring of Fire (太平洋火山帯): An area in the basin of the Pacific Ocean where a large number of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur.
Mitigate (軽減する): To make something less severe, serious, or painful.
Building codes (建築基準法): Regulations that specify the standards for constructed objects such as buildings and nonbuilding structures.
▮ Answer the Instructor’s 3 Questions Based on the Sample Answer
Why does Japan experience earthquakes frequently?
What is the Pacific Ring of Fire?
How has Japan worked to mitigate the impact of earthquakes?
▮ Mastering Middle School English Grammar
still yet already
Still
still = something is the same as before: ● I had a lot to eat, but I’m still hungry. (= I was hungry before, and I’m hungry now) ● “ Did you sell your car?” “ No, I still have it.” ● “ Do you still live in Los Angeles;” “No, I live in San Francisco now.”
Yet
yet = until now We use yet in negative sentences (He hasn’t come yet.) and in questions (Has he come yet?).
Yet is usually at the end of a sentence:
● A: Where’s Emma? B: She isn’t here yet. (= she will be here, but until now she hasn’t come) ● A: What are you doing tonight? B: I don’t know yet. (= I will know later, but I don’t know now) ● A: Are you ready co go yet? B: Not yet. In a minute. (= I will be ready, but I’m not ready now) ● A: Have you decided what to do yet? B: No, I’m still thinking about it.
Compare yet and still: ● She hasn’t left yet. = She’s still here. (not she is yet here) ● I haven’t finished my homework yet.= I’m still doing it.
Already = earlier than expected: ● “ What time is Joe coming?” “He’s already here.” (= earlier than we expected) ● “ I’m going to tell you what happened.” “That’s not necessary. I already know.”
3 Example Sentences Based on the Sample Answer and Grammar Practice:
The government is still evaluating the damage from the last earthquake.
Have you felt any tremors yet today?
The emergency response team has already been dispatched to the affected areas.
Make Sentences Based on the Above Example Sentences Yourself:
Topic Question: Why do people take off their shoes inside the house in Japan?
▮ Try Answering the Question Yourself Think about the reasons behind this Japanese custom. Consider its implications for cleanliness, tradition, and respect for the home.
▮ Sample Answer
“In Japan, people take off their shoes before entering a house as a sign of respect and to maintain cleanliness. This custom is deeply rooted in the tradition of preserving the purity of the indoor living space, preventing dirt and germs from outside from contaminating the home.”
▮ Words to Learn and Their Meanings about Sample Answer
Custom (習慣): A traditional and widely accepted way of behaving or doing something that is specific to a particular society, place, or time.
Cleanliness (清潔さ): The state or quality of being clean and free from dirt.
Tradition (伝統): The transmission of customs or beliefs from generation to generation.
Purity (純潔): The condition or quality of being pure; freedom from contaminants.
Contaminate (汚染する): To make something impure or unsuitable by contact or mixture with something unclean, bad, etc.
▮ Answer the Instructor’s 3 Questions Based on the Sample Answer
What is the main reason people in Japan take off their shoes before entering a house?
How does this custom affect the cleanliness of the home?
What does this tradition signify in terms of respect?
▮ Mastering Middle School English Grammar
a person who… a thing that/which…
Who is for people (not things):
A thief is a person who steals things. Do you know anybody who can play the piano? The people who work in the office are very friendly
That is for things or people. An airplane is a machine that flies. Emma lives in a house that is 100 years old. The people that work in the office are very friendly.
You can use that for people, but who is more common
Which is for things (not/ people): An airplane is a machine which flies. (not a machine who…?) Emma lives in a house which is 100 years old.
Do not use which for people ●Do you remember the woman who played the piano at the parry’ (not the woman which . ..)
3 Example Sentences Based on the Sample Answer and Grammar Practice:
A tatami is a type of flooring that requires you to remove your shoes to prevent damage.
The person who cleans the house appreciates this custom greatly.
Shoe cabinets, which are found in the genkan, store shoes neatly away from the living spaces.
Make Sentences Based on the Above Example Sentences Yourself:
Topic Question: Why do Japanese people like to ask people’s blood type?
▮ Try Answering the Question Yourself Think about the reasons behind this unique Japanese cultural practice. Consider how it relates to personality traits and compatibility in relationships and social interactions.
▮ Sample Answer
“In Japan, asking someone’s blood type is common because many believe it can predict personality traits and assess compatibility with others. This belief is similar to horoscopes in Western cultures. For example, Type A is thought to be diligent and kind, whereas Type O is seen as outgoing and sociable.”
▮ Words to Learn and Their Meanings about Sample Answer
Cultural practice (文化的慣行): A habit or tradition that is part of the culture of a group of people.
Personality traits (性格特性): Characteristics that help to define how a person behaves, feels, and thinks.
Compatibility (相性): The ability of two things or people to exist or live together without problems or conflict.
Diligent (勤勉な): Showing care and conscientiousness in one’s work or duties.
Sociable (社交的な): Willing to talk and engage in activities with other people; friendly.
▮ Answer the Instructor’s 3 Questions Based on the Sample Answer
What is the reason Japanese people ask about blood type?
What can blood type predict according to Japanese belief?
Give examples of personality traits associated with two blood types.
▮ Mastering Middle School English Grammar
from … to until since for
From… to… ● We lived in Japan from 1996 to 2005. ● I work from Monday to Friday.
You can also say from… until… : ● We lived in japan from 1996 until 2005.
Until…
● They’re leaving town tomorrow. They’ll be away until Friday.
● I went to bed early, but I wasn’t tired. I read a book until 3:00 a .m.
● Wait here until I come back.
You can also say till (= until): ● Wait here till I come back.
Compare:
● ‘How long will you be away)” “Until Monday.” ● “When are you coming back?” “On Monday.”
Since + a time in the past (to now) We use since after the present perfect (have been/ have done, etc.):
● Joe is in the hospital. He has been in the hospital since Monday. (= from Monday to now)
● Sue and Dave have been married since 2002. (= from 2002 to now)
● It has been raining since I arrived.
Compare: ● We lived in Japan from 1996 to 2005 We lived in Japan until 2005. ● Now we live in Denver. We came to Denver in 2005. We have lived in Denver since 2005. (= from 2005 until now)
We use for (not/ since) + a period of time (three days / 10 years, ere.): ● Joe has been in the hospital for three days. (not since three days)
For + a period of time
● Gary stayed with us for three days. ● I’m going away for a few weeks. ● They’ve been married for 10 years.
3 Example Sentences Based on the Sample Answer and Grammar practice:
Let’s find out our blood types and see if we are compatible.
Don’t rely only on blood type to understand someone’s personality.
We’ve been discussing the importance of blood types in Japanese culture since the beginning of our lesson.
Make Sentences Based on the Above Example Sentences Yourself:
