Lesson 9(November 25th)

 I learned about communicative language teaching (CLT) in this class. I have heard this word before but I didn’t know the meaning well. I was able to understand origins of CLT today. Moreover, we did communicative activities. I couldn’t do it very well so I would like to improve my English skills. I think CLT is good way to improve English skills because communication is most important. If I don’t know grammar and words well, I try to tell what I want to tell to partner somehow. Of course I think grammar and words are also important so I should have good balance between them.

Incredible Earth

 I read “Incredible Earth” this week. This book consists 10 chapters. 

1. Earth’s Crust 

2. Oceans 

3. Rivers and Waterfalls 

4. Glaciers and Icebergs 

5. Hot Water 

6. Mountains and Lakes 

7. Caves 

8. Earthquakes and Tsunamis 

9. Deserts 

10. Erosion 

This book taught me a lot of interesting things but especially I was interested in earthquakes and tsunamis in chapter 8 because I experienced the Kumamoto earthquake. So I will explain the contents of chapter 8.

Usually, Earth’s crust moves very slowly- only a few millimeters every year. Sometimes, two pieces of the crust move suddenly in different directions, and then there’s an earthquake. Earthquakes are dangerous because buildings sometimes fall down. Moreover, there are earthquakes under the ocean, too. Sometimes an earthquake under the ocean makes a giant wave called a tsunami. It can be very dangerous. 

There were Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, Kumamoto Earthquake and Great East Japan Earthquake. We experienced some earthquakes and tsunami in Japan. I think the power of nature is very big and dangerous. So we should prepare emergency goods for earthquakes. 

Lesson 8 (November 18th)

I learned the importance of intercultural communication. It is normal to experience culture shock because there are a lot of differences between Japan and foreign countries. I have never been to foreign country but I must experience if I go to abroad. However, I think I don’t have to be afraid to experience culture shock. Even if I experience culture shock and make mistakes in foreign countries at first, I will be able to adapt English and the environment little by little. So I think it is important to communicate with people in foreign countries and experience various things. I would like to study English harder from now on. 

Sounds And Music

I read “Sounds And Music” this week. I will introduce some things from it.

We can hear low sounds and high sounds everywhere. The following are examples of low sounds and high sounds. A plane, the thick strings of a guitar  and a truck make low sounds. On the other hand, cries of birds, the thin strings of a guitar and a baby’s cry make high sounds. I didn’t know there are low sounds and high sounds so I was surprised to know it. 

Around the world we can find thousands of different musical instruments. In Bali, there are orchestras called gamelans. The players in a gamelan usually sit on the floor. The bandoneon is a type of wind instrument. In Argentina, we can listen to it in the streets. Moreover, the sitar is a stringed instrument from India. It isn’t easy to play and have 23 strings. Like these there are a lot of musical instruments in the world. I would like to listen and enjoy them!

Lesson 7(November 11th)

 I learned the ways of study from other students following last week. There were some ways which I didn’t try but I think they will be effective ways so I want to try the ways from now on. I don’t like studying but if it is enjoyable, my motivation will be increase. So I should study using some teaching materials which is interesting and I can continue. Last week and today’s classes were very interesting and they became opportunity to study English harder. I will continue my way of study and I would like to challenge other ways other students recommended. 

Animal Life Cycles

I read “Animal Life Cycles” this week. There are a lot of animals in the world so this book writes various life cycles of them for example insects, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. This book has a lot of information so if you read this, your knowledge will increase. 

Especially, I’m going to write one thing of them. It is insects. Many people know that insects change in amazing ways during their life. Almost all insects start their life in an egg. The young insect grows inside the egg and then it hatches. And they have a hard cover, called an exoskeleton. When the exoskeleton is too small for the young insect, it breaks open and comes off. A new exoskeleton grows under the old one. This is called molting which we know. Then, some insects grow wings that get bigger every time they molt. After the insect molts for the last time, it becomes an adult that can fly and produce young. This is called incomplete. Insects change their shapes one after another. I think it is interesting to change shapes and grow up quickly to produce young. 

I could get a lot of knowledge from this book! 

Lesson 6 (November 4th)

 I listened to other’s how to learn. I was very interested in them because I could know the new ways. I thought it was important to find learning ways which suits me and continue them. I enjoyed today’s class so I’m looking forward to next week!!