Study Contest
02/26/2013
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Hello, I am Yoshi from NILS Japanese language school.
We had the Study Contest last Friday. All classes successfully performed their plays and presentations.
Teachers evaluated their performances according to the following criteria.
1. Words and phrases, grammar. Can they correctly and properly use what they have learned so far?
2. Pronunciation and intonation. This is very important. Do t…
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Man or Woman?
02/21/2013
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Hello, I am Yoshi from NILS Japanese language school. Today's topic is men's and women's name in Japanese.
Do you know which one is man's name an which one is woman's among the names shown below?
(さらに…)…
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Preparing for Study Contest
02/19/2013
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Hello, I am Yoshi Tanaka of NILS Japanese language school.
All of our students are preparing for the Study Contest which will be held on this coming Friday. Each class is making short dramas, preparing presentations, etc. based on a certain topic. These topics are about the differences between Japan and their countries, their hobbies, and some of the social concerns in advanced classes. NILS s…
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梅見
02/18/2013
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Hello, I am Yoshi from NILS Japanese language school.
It is now a very good season to view ume (plum) blossoms in Fukuoka. Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine is the most famous spot for ume (plum) blossom viewing.
Ume trees were introduced from China to Japan in the 8th century. Many Japanese artists in the period loved them, and you can see a lot of ancient poems about ume written in the 8th and 9th cen…
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Valentine’s Day in Japan
02/14/2013
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Hello, I am Yoshi from NILS Japanese language school. Today's topic is "Valentine's Day" in Japan.
We, in Japan, have a unique Valentine's Day custom, that is, women give chocolate to men to show their affection.
Honmei-choco 本命チョコ, a chocolate for the favorite, is given to someone very special, and Giri-choco 義理チョコ, oblgation chololate, is given to your male family members, friends, co-workers…
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Build up your kanji sense #4
02/13/2013
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Hello, I am Yoshi from NILS Japanese language school. Today's topic is kanji again.
How can I have nice kanji handwriting?
[Point 1]
Follow the stroke order. Stroke order for kani was developed to help people write characters neatly. Basic stroke order goes from 1) left to right, and 2) top to bottom. Following stroke order is the best way to write kanji neatly. Even we Japanese cannot wri…
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建国記念日（けんこくきねんび）
02/08/2013
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Hello, I am Yoshi from NILS Japanese language school.
February 11th is a holiday to wish for the development of Japan as a nation. According to teh ancient historic legend, it was the day that Emperor Jinmu or the first Emperor of Japan ascended to the throne. His reign is said to have started in 660 B.C. Emperor Jinmu built his capital in Yamato, presently an area in Nara Prefecture.
(さらに&h…
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Improve Your Kanji Sense #3
02/06/2013
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Hello, I am Yoshi from NILS Japanese language school. We have many students from non-kanji countries, and kanji is one of the most difficult parts of the Japanese language. They are asking, "What's the best way to learn kanji?"
[Point 1]
Start with basic dashes and lines. All kanji, even ones that look complicated, only use six different kinds of line. Knowing basic structure makes learning …
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After NILS
02/05/2013
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Hello, I am Yoshi from NILS Japanese language school. Our students will start applying for the EJU (Examination for Japanese University Admission for International students) from next week. Before applying for the exam, we explained to new students (starting their study here after October 2012) about how important the EJU is to get admission from colleges/universities in Japan. Most of the coll…
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節分 Setsubun
02/01/2013
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Hello, I am Yoshi from NILS Japanese language school. Today's topic is 節分（せつぶん）, one of the traditional annual events in Japan.
Setsubun lieterally means "the day between two seasons." People celebrate Setsubun on either February 3rd or 4th, the last day of winter, and the day before the spring season on the present calendar. Bean throwing called mamemaki is done at home on the day of Setsubun…
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