The average number of pages in high school textbooks to be used from next spring will increase by 11.9% compared to those being used now, according to the result of textbook screenings realeased by the Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Ministry.
Based on the new curriculum guidelines, which aim to depart from so-called Yutori Kyoiku (= cram-free deucation), all of the textbooks have more pages.
A total of 69 textbooks contain description of the Great East Japan Earthquake.
In terms of English, of course, new textbooks will shift emphasis from reading and translation to mastering communication skills.
And the number of pages in textbooks rose by 25.2%.
This change of textbooks may be sort of significant for students to aquire English language skills.
But I think what interrupts the most is the system of entrance exams, not exactly the kinds of textbooks...
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Horrible Pic in Kiso1
Some lessons in the March issue of NHK Radio's Kiso Eigo 1 have a horrible illustration.
They are too scary for the English beginners!!
One of my 10-year-old students said that the number of listeners would be less than before.
They are just like in the World of GOLDEN EGGS.
They are too scary for the English beginners!!
One of my 10-year-old students said that the number of listeners would be less than before.
They are just like in the World of GOLDEN EGGS.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Atsuko Maeda to Graduate
Atsuko Maeda, the face of AKB48, has announced her graduation tonight on the final day of the concert in Saitama Super Arena.
She enrolled at AKB48 six years ago.
Since then, she had been in the center position under a lot of criticism and pressure.
Well, the announcement of her graduation must have been a great impact not only for the AKB fans but for Japan's public economy.
Maeda's graduation may be the end of idol war age.
And I wonder how the older members will graduate from the group after her...(^o^;)
She enrolled at AKB48 six years ago.
Since then, she had been in the center position under a lot of criticism and pressure.
Well, the announcement of her graduation must have been a great impact not only for the AKB fans but for Japan's public economy.
Maeda's graduation may be the end of idol war age.
And I wonder how the older members will graduate from the group after her...(^o^;)
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Urawa win the home opener
Coming to Saitama Stadium to see Urawa Reds home opener!!
That was the 400th home game so that all supporters were given a commemorative card.
In the match, Serbian striker Ranko Despotovic scored in the 36th minute as Urawa Reds beat defending J-League champions Kashiwa Reysol 1-0 to earn its first victory under new coach Mihailo Petrovic.
What a fantastic goal!!
All supporters believed his strong motivation, and he made it!!
After the match, of course, we sang "We Are Diamonds" as a winning song, but this time players left the field and sang the song all together.
That was the 400th home game so that all supporters were given a commemorative card.
In the match, Serbian striker Ranko Despotovic scored in the 36th minute as Urawa Reds beat defending J-League champions Kashiwa Reysol 1-0 to earn its first victory under new coach Mihailo Petrovic.
What a fantastic goal!!
All supporters believed his strong motivation, and he made it!!
After the match, of course, we sang "We Are Diamonds" as a winning song, but this time players left the field and sang the song all together.
We are Reds!! ＼(≧▽≦)／
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Late Birthday Present
My friend Segawa gave me a birthday present yesterday.
We've been good friends for more than 5 years, so he knows what I want.
Thanks a lot!! (^^)
We've been good friends for more than 5 years, so he knows what I want.
Thanks a lot!! (^^)
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Japan 2-0 Bahrain to qualify for London Olympics
U-23 Japan booked its ticket to the London Olympic men's football tournament with a 2-0 win over Bahrain yesterday night.
Takahiro Ogihara and Hiroshi Kiyotake scored second-half goals as Japan finished first in group C with 15 points.
I couldn't watch the game, but I just heard that Urawa Reds midfielder Genki Haraguchi's performace had been really nice.
And it means a great deal, you know, that Japan's core Kiyotake has rejoined the U-23 team.
Anyway, Congratulations!!
Takahiro Ogihara and Hiroshi Kiyotake scored second-half goals as Japan finished first in group C with 15 points.
I couldn't watch the game, but I just heard that Urawa Reds midfielder Genki Haraguchi's performace had been really nice.
And it means a great deal, you know, that Japan's core Kiyotake has rejoined the U-23 team.
Anyway, Congratulations!!
Sunday, March 11, 2012
One Year After 3.11
One year after a devastating earthquake and tsunami struck northeast Japan, killing nearly 16,000 people and sparking the world's worst nuclear crisis in 25 years, the country will pause Sunday to remember the exact moment the earth shook.
In many places at 2:46 p.m., a moment of silence was held to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the 9.0 magnitude quake.
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda read out his three promises at the New National Theatre in Tokyo.
① Rebuilding the devastated areas as soon as possible
② Passing down the lesson to the next generation
③ Never forget a lot of suport and cooperation
I was at work when the monster earthquake hit.
I didn't expect that things would changed so much.
When you see some reports and photos on the Internet, you get to know how the recovery's going on.
Actually the rubble at some parts of the devastated area has been cleaned out and gathered into massive piles, but one simple question occured to me: Where is the debris now? Who will deal with them? And how?
Despite the ongoing removal of radioactive contamination, many people still have to be in temporary housing.
We Japan needs more and more help.
I think the worst thing is that we forget the horrible experience and stop supporting for the victims.
Take action, and never forget our "Kizuna" for the future.
In many places at 2:46 p.m., a moment of silence was held to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the 9.0 magnitude quake.
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda read out his three promises at the New National Theatre in Tokyo.
① Rebuilding the devastated areas as soon as possible
② Passing down the lesson to the next generation
③ Never forget a lot of suport and cooperation
I was at work when the monster earthquake hit.
I didn't expect that things would changed so much.
When you see some reports and photos on the Internet, you get to know how the recovery's going on.
Actually the rubble at some parts of the devastated area has been cleaned out and gathered into massive piles, but one simple question occured to me: Where is the debris now? Who will deal with them? And how?
Despite the ongoing removal of radioactive contamination, many people still have to be in temporary housing.
We Japan needs more and more help.
I think the worst thing is that we forget the horrible experience and stop supporting for the victims.
Take action, and never forget our "Kizuna" for the future.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Brother's graduation
My brother graduated from high school yesterday, and soon he'll be a freshman of Chuo Univ.
How time flies!!
I'm so glad his graduation, and I hope he'll enjoy himself in the university.
Anyway, congratulations, my brother!! (^o^)/
How time flies!!
I'm so glad his graduation, and I hope he'll enjoy himself in the university.
Anyway, congratulations, my brother!! (^o^)/
Thursday, March 08, 2012
Disney Songwriter dies
Robert Sherman died in London on March 5th, 2012, at the age of 86.
Sherman and his brother Richard were known as the Sherman Brothers and composed some of the most enduring Disney songs of all time, from "Mary Poppins," "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" and "Winnie the Pooh."
He also authored "It's a Small World," which has been described as the most-played, most-translated and most-hair-pullingly-catchy tune on Earth.
"Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious."
Once heard, it was never fogotten.
In a sense, Robert Sherman must have been the best wizard in Disney.
Sherman and his brother Richard were known as the Sherman Brothers and composed some of the most enduring Disney songs of all time, from "Mary Poppins," "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" and "Winnie the Pooh."
He also authored "It's a Small World," which has been described as the most-played, most-translated and most-hair-pullingly-catchy tune on Earth.
"Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious."
Once heard, it was never fogotten.
In a sense, Robert Sherman must have been the best wizard in Disney.
Saturday, March 03, 2012
Green Jumbo
I bought ten tickets of Green Jumbo Lottery yesterday.
Revenues are expected to total ￥28.8 billion, with ￥8.8 billion to be allocated to municipal governments in the March 11th disaster-hit prefectures and cities.
The lottery will be drawn March 23rd at a public hall in Sendai, which is one of the worst-ravaged areas.
You can buy Green Jumbo tickets by March 14th, Wednesday.
Buy lottery tickets willingly, and support the restoration of the devastated areas!! ＼(^▽^)／
Revenues are expected to total ￥28.8 billion, with ￥8.8 billion to be allocated to municipal governments in the March 11th disaster-hit prefectures and cities.
The lottery will be drawn March 23rd at a public hall in Sendai, which is one of the worst-ravaged areas.
You can buy Green Jumbo tickets by March 14th, Wednesday.
Buy lottery tickets willingly, and support the restoration of the devastated areas!! ＼(^▽^)／
Friday, March 02, 2012
Entrance Exam 2012
Academic Achievement Exam was held in Saitama's public high schools.
My students told me that math had been quite difficult.
English, on the other hand, was a piece of cake.
Tha notification of selection result will be recieved next Friday.
I hope to see my students' smile with a good result.
My students told me that math had been quite difficult.
English, on the other hand, was a piece of cake.
Tha notification of selection result will be recieved next Friday.
I hope to see my students' smile with a good result.
Thursday, March 01, 2012
NBA All-Star Game 2012
Kevin Durant scored 36 pionts to lead the Western Conference to a 152-149 victory against the Eastern Conference in the 2012 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday night, earning MVP honors in the process.
LeBron James had 36 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists for the East, while Miami Heat teammate Dwyane Wade posted a 24-point, 10-rebound, and 10-assist triple-double.
Kobe Bryant scored 27 points, moving past Michael Jordan as the career scoring leader n the game.
He broke Jordan's record of 262 points on a dunk with 4:57 left in the third quarter and now has 271 for his career.
Go to the following link and see their fantastic plays.
→ http://www.nba.com/video/allstar/