Traveling abroad!

I think that traveling abroad is one of the most enjoyable things in life. Our planet is full of amazing places, people and surprises! Of course, going to a foreign country and interacting with people from a different culture can be scary but I think that we learn the most when we go out of our comfort zones. Traveling is the best way to learn amazing things about the world and yourself while having fun!

Of course, it can be difficult to plan and pay for a trip abroad when you are 16 years old…  it is still a great time to become interested in other countries, dream about your future trips and maybe plan one already!

If you have an opportunity to take a trip, take it! I don’t know anyone who ever regretted visiting a new place.

Can you guess where I took these pictures?

English tip! 

Try to use synonyms (words that mean almost the same thing).

When you need to write a text about a specific subject, try to find a list of synonyms for the main words that you will use. This way, you will avoid using the same word too many times. 

For example; if you write about cars, try to find as many synonyms of the word "car" as you can:

car, automobile, auto, motor vehicle

Depending on your text, maybe you can also use informal synonyms: wheels, lemon (a bad car), clunker (an old and bad car), rustbucket (a rusted car), motorcar (that`s an old way to call a car).

Examples;

X I really love cars. So the other day I went to see a car show. I was a bit shy to get there with my old car since all the best and newest cars will be shown at the car show. 

O I really love cars. So the other day I went to see an auto show. I was a bit shy to get there with my old clunker since all the best and newest motor vehicles will be shown at the auto show. 

Winter Fun!

On January 4^th, I had the chance to participate in a special activity at KJ: it was もちつき. It was a lot of fun. I had the opportunity to pound the mochi and also to eat the delicious mochi. I ate three different kinds of mochi: azuki mochi (red bean), kinako mochi (soybean flour) and oroshidaikon (grated daikon).

In Québec City (where I was born), there is a very big winter festival every year. It is usually in late January and early February. It is called: Carnaval de Québec (Quebec’s Carnival). There are a LOT of things happening during this festival: ice sculptures, a snow bath, a parade, sledding…

One of the most impressive things though is  the ice hotel that they build every year. People can go spend a night in that hotel that is built completely out of ice. The walls, the floor and even the beds are made of ice. There is also a bar where you can drink out of glasses made of ice!

There are also many people celebrating weddings there. Can you imagine getting married while wearing your winter coat?

English tip of the week:

When you talk about yourself and other people, make sure that you put the other people before you. It’s a way of showing that you consider other people as being important and you do not put yourself before them.

Example: ( O = Correct, X = Incorrect )

O – My brother and I went to the movies.

O- My father, my mother and myself really enjoy playing games together.

O- Mr. Miyazaki, Ms. Kinoshita and me will give a class tomorrow.

X – Me and my sister are playing video games.

X – Myself and my parents will go skiing next weekend.

Have a great weekend! I will see you next week!

JD

There is so much snow in Urasa!!!

As you know, I am from Québec in Canada. There, we also have a lot of snow during the winter. Usually, it accumulates gradually (そろそろ) all winter and we end up having a lot of snow. I am very impressed by how quickly (さっと) the snow accumulates here in Minami Uonuma. I am very happy to have good snow boots!

Snow in Urasa

Snow in Quebec

 If you would like me to talk about special things or if you have any questions, don`t hesitate to leave a comment under this blog post. Also, you are always welcome to come see me at the teacher`s room!

English tip of the week:

When you list things, make sure to use commas (,) to separate each items in your list and use “AND” only for the last one instead of the comma.

Examples: ( O = Good :  X = Not Good)

O – I like apples, oranges, bananas and grapes.

X – I like apples, oranges, bananas, and grapes.

X – I like apples and oranges and bananas and grapes.

When you want to say that there are more things in your list, you should use “and so on” ONLY IF people know what the other things are.

Examples:

O – The letters of the alphabet are: A, B, C, D and so on. (People already know what the other letters are)

X – I like apples, oranges, bananas and so on. (People cannot really guess what other fruits you like)

You should use “and other things” or “and some others” or “and many more” instead of “and so on” if people don’t know the other things in the list.

Examples:

O – I like apples, oranges, bananas and some other fruits.

O – I really like music. I like the Beatles, Michael Jackson, Led Zeppelin and many more.

I hope this can help you!

See you next week for another blog post!

JD

Welcome to my corner!

Hi everyone!

You found my blog!
This is where you will be able to read about many interesting things... in English ;)
I want to tell you some interesting facts about Canada,  tell you about what I'm doing in KJ, Muikamachi and Shiozawa, give you some tips about learning English, etc.

I will write a new post every friday afternoon, so you can read it during the weekend.

This week, I will tell you about my winter holiday.

Preparing the cake at Muikamachi's Christmas party! 

It was a very good cake!

Preparing the "Pouding Chômeur"

The maple syrup sauce! humm! おいしい！

Mia chan!

First, I had the chance to have a nice christmas party with the students from the English Club of Muikamachi High School. We made a cake and exchanged gifts. It was a lot of fun.

 Then, I introduced a typical French Canadian desert to KJ's UNESCO Club. It's a very sweet cake that uses a lot of Maple Syrup. It's one of my favorite desserts! Everyone in the club managed to make a tasty "Pouding Chômeur" (that's how we call call this cake in French; in English it would mean "unemployed pudding").




During the holidays, I also spent a lot of time with my daughter Mia.

In January, I want to begin a Pen Pal programme between you (Japanese students) and the students that I had in Canada. If you are interested, I'll tell you more soon!

As always, don't hesitate to come and talk with me at any time!
And don't be afraid to use your English ;) 頑張れ！

A very happy new year 2011!

JD