Katie Melua

For those of you who liked the Melody Gardot link, you might also enjoy Katie Melua, another talented, young singer.  Katie was born in Georgia (the country, not the US state) so English was not her first language.  Her family moved to Northern Ireland when she was in her early teens and she lives in London nowhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHQG6-DojVw  （後ろ、ちょっといたいかな？）

Introducing Steve Kaufmann

As I have been promising for several weeks, here is the link to Steve Kaufmann's webpage.  It's in Japanese!  Have a look around and see what you think of his ideas about learning languages.  Even if you don't agree with him, it certainly is impressive what he has accomplished.  It seems he is currently trying to master Russian, I think he's up to about 10 languages now. http://www.thelinguist.com/ja/en/my-method/

Japanese and English more similar than German and English?

Read an interesting article that claims Germans don't really make small talk.  I didn't know this!  Also it seems that Germans are more direct than English speakers.  So I know that Japanese make small talk, does this mean in this way English and Japanese cultures are more similar?http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-13545386

Something silly, but makes you smile!

A friend sent me this on Facebook and I really laughed!  I hope you enjoy.  Who ever thought that you might be able to study English by watching talking animals!  There is a whole channel on Youtube of  just talking animals.  Be careful, you might not get other things done once you start watching.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGeKSiCQkPw

Do you know about TED?

TED is a great place that is concerned with the sharing and exploring of new ideas.  Most of the speakers are in English, but with a click of the switch at the bottom of the screen, many of the lectures have Japanese subtitles.  Also many have English and Japanese transcripts available on the side of the screen.  Go check it out!  Here is a short lecture by Carolyn Steel, a British woman asking us to think about our relationship with food and the relationship between food and the modern city.http://www.ted.com/talks/carolyn_steel_how_food_shapes_our_cities.html

Vegetarian Sushi

Seems the first 100% vegetarian sushi shop has opened in Japan.  It's in Roppongi and looks a little expensive, but I'm hoping to try it one day soon.  Have a look at the link and tell me what you think.  Does it look like something that you would try?http://www.sushi-potager.com/

Melody Gardot

Here is a wonderful singer from nearby my hometown in New Jersey.  I've wanted to introduce her in class, but never seem to get around to it.  Please watch the video and tell me what you think of her!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Eb651s_o1Q

Welcome all!

Here is the beginning of our English blog.  Feel free  to comment, add your own topics and links.  The blog becomes more interesting the more we all take part.  Don't worry too much about making mistakes.  Have fun, challenge yourself and believe that you are becoming a better English communicator each time you participate!