What I have done this year that I am proud of

This year will be ended soon. I have been doing a lot of things as one of the college students since I entered this university. Then, I will show you some of the things that I was proud of.

First, I did part-time jobs a lot, especially during the summer vacation. I didn’t have any part-time jobs when I was a high school student, so it was first time for me to do it. I worked as a teacher of the clam school and at the restaurant. During the summer vacation, I did both of them. Therefore, I worked about 5 days a week and it was more than 10 hours per day. It made me so tired, but it was good experiences for me. In short, having done a lot of part-time job is one of the things I am proud of.

Second, I prepared for TOEFL iBT test and I took it. After I entered this department, my feeling that I want to study abroad became higher because many people in this department say the same thing. Then, I found I had to take TOEFL test. To prepare TOEFL test, I bought official textbook and did it at least three days a week. Moreover, I did a lot of homework of the university. In the reading class, we had to read English books more than 10000 words per a week, so I read many English books and make my reading skills improved. Then, I took TOEFL test last Sunday and it was so tough for me. However, it was good experience for me. In short, other things that I am proud of is preparing and taking TOEFL test.

In conclusion, since I entered this university, I have been living a full life for me and I hope it will be continued. (303 words)

What is the most urgent issue Japan is facing

These days, declining birthrate and growing proportion of elderly people has been one of the serious problems in Japan. The news says that the proportion of elderly people will become over 30 percent. I believe it will make more serious problems. Then, I will show you why I think so.

First, declining birthrate means decreasing the population of the generation which work the most, such as 30’s and 40’s. It makes economics bad. Now, Japan has huge sum of debt and we should pay off. However, if the population of working people decrease, we cannot pay off. It will be a serious problems. Japan will happen to become on the verge of collapse like Greece and Spain. If this things happen, people will become panicked. That is, decreasing the population of the generation which work the most will make Japan collapse.

Second, as increasing the proportion of elderly people, burden of tax young people have to pay will be growing. In other words, young generation should pay tax for the pension, medical expenses, nursing care insurance expense and welfare expense of the elderly people. A few young people will become to have to support many elderly people. It will make the strength of Japan weaker. In short, if the popular of elderly people increase, burden of young people will be higher and the strength of Japan will be weaker.

In conclusion, declining birthrate and growing proportion of elderly people will cause many problems as I said. Therefore, we should think this problem carefully and take steps to cope with the situation. (261 words)

Whether having a boyfriend or girl friend make our life better or not

Do you have boyfriends or girlfriends? If you have, do you think it is good things for you? I think it is a nice thing. However, if I don’t have a boyfriend, it is not a big problem. It is not related with whether we can spend our life better or not. Then, I will show you some reasons why I think so.

First, I have friends I can play with and it is enough for me now. I don’t have boyfriend now. However I rarely feel I miss having boyfriend. For me, playing with just my friends is enough. I can go anywhere and anytime I want to go. Moreover I don’t have to care about small things, for example, what to and how to eat or how to behave or where to go or how many times to contact with or so. I want to spend my time with my friends freely. In short, being with just my friends is enough for me.

Second, I have a lot of things to do now and I don’t have time to care about whether I have a boyfriend or not. I have much homework and many part-time jobs. Actually, I have two part-time jobs and I have to work six days a week. Moreover, I want to study abroad as an exchange student and to realize it, I have to study for many things. I have a dream I have wanted to realize since I was an elementary school student. Realizing it is more important for me. In short, I don’t have time to think about another things.

In conclusion, I think having a boyfriend is a nice thing, of course. However, for that reasons, I don’t think having a boyfriend make my life better. (295 words)

TOEFL Whether I agree the idea that children should start learning a foreign language very early or not?

TOEFL Whether I agree the idea that children should start learning a foreign language very early or not?

 

Nowadays, it is becoming international societies. Then, do you agree with the idea that children should start learning a foreign language very early? I agree with the idea and I will show you why I think so.

First, if we start learning English early, our listening skill must be higher than others. Actually, although I have been learning English conversation since I was three years old, my English skill is low. However, of course, it brought me good effects. I learned it only an hour and once a week, but my listening skill is better than my other English skills. It is because I have listened to English something since I was a child. I think listening skill might not be high in a short time, so learning English early is useful to develop our listening skill. In short, if children start learning English early, we can develop our listening skills.

Second, if we start learning English early, we can make our outlook broadened. When we learn English, we sometimes need some knowledge about foreign countries. For example, I knew Halloween or Easter is connected with Christianity when I was in a kindergarten because I did Halloween or Easter event at English class. Religion is one of the most important parts to learn other cultures. I also learn many things about foreign countries. These knowledge made my outlook broadened. In short, if children start learning English early, we can make our outlooks broadened.

In conclusion, as I said, we can get many advantages if we start learning English early. Therefore, I think children should start learning English early.

 

 

 

The skill that a person should have in order to succeed in the modern world

The skill that a person should have in order to succeed in the modern world

 

Are you worried about job hunting? I sometimes think about it and at the same time, I think about what is necessary for job hunting. Of course, not everyone can not have jobs which we want to have. Therefore, we should think about what is necessary and make efforts for it.

First, I think English skill is necessary in the modern world. Recently, the world becomes international. Although there are a few foreign people in Japan now, many Asian people will come to Japan to have jobs. Moreover, Japanese company want many people who can speak and read English well to negotiate with foreign countries. English is the main language in the world and more and more people can use English. However, I think English skill of Japanese is lower than other countries and I can’t use English, either. Therefore, I think Japanese should make efforts for it. For that reasons, I think people should have English skill.

Second, I think communication skill is necessary in the modern world. Even if we can do jobs well and we can use English well, it is useless if we can’t communicate each other. Communication skill is important not only for the jobs but also for living. Telling something to people is so important. Maybe, Japanese are not good speaker than people from other countries. I heard some said communication skill is as important as water. I agree with that. For that reasons, I think people should have communication skill.

In conclusion, I think people should have English skill and communication skill in order to succeed in the modern world.

Technology helps us have a better communication is good or not good?

Technology helps us have a better communication is good or not good?

 

Nowadays, many people communicate with the smart phone even if we are next to that person. It sounds convenient and good for us, however, I disagree with the idea that technology helps us have a better communication for the following reasons.

First, I think face-to-face communication is better than talking on the phone or e-mail. When we talk on the phone, we can hear voice but we can’t see the face each other. We have an idiom “eyes are as eloquent as the tongue”. I think it is right. When we try to know the feeling of others, almost all the people judge not by what they say, but by the expression of the face. However, we sometimes judge by their saying. However, when we communicate with e-mail or twitter, LINE, we can’t not only seeing the face, but also hearing the voice. I think it is not good communication especially in the family. In short, I think face-to-face communication make good communication.

Second, I think talking with the smartphone or the Internet cause a misunderstanding. As I said the former paragraph, we can’t see the face and hear the voice. If so, we can’t understand partner’s feelings. Therefore, if we don’t use any pictograph, the partner feels that we are angry. All the more, there are many meaning with one phrase, so we are apt to misunderstand. If that things happens in family, atmosphere will be bad. In short, communicating with technology would cause misunderstandings and it is not good.

In conclusion, I disagree with the idea that technology helps us have a better communication. Face-to face communication is a good way to communicate with others and it doesn’t cause problems.

 

The way to have a good weekend

The way to have a good weekend

 

What do you always do during the weekend? On Saturday, I spend a time to do part-time jobs. I do two part-time jobs, so I work more than ten hours in a day. However, on Sunday, I spend a time to enjoy or relaxing. Therefore, I will show you the way to have a good weekend.

First, wake up early. Maybe, many people want to sleep a long time as you can possible. However, if you sleep until noon or so, you lost your time to do something. I don’t want to waste my time by sleeping, so I always try to wake up until seven o’clock. Then, I have breakfast and relax until eight o’clock. If I do so, I have a lot of rest of time in the morning. We have a lot of things to do, for example homework, studying for something and staff. I don’t want to do the things in the afternoon or night. Therefore, I do the things like that in the morning. In conclusion, if you do so, you can relax or enjoy something the rest of the day.

Second, meet and chat with your friends in the afternoon. I like chatting and going somewhere with my friends so much and it makes me relaxing. Maybe, if you do the same thing, you have a good time. Many people have some troubles or stress in week days, but if you talk with your friends, your friends drive away your trouble or stress you have. In short, if you meet and chat with your friends, you can be relaxing.

Third, watch TV in the night. Watching TV so long time is not good for us. However, some TV programs make us so happy and relaxing. I sometimes laugh because of its fun when I watch variety program, and I sometimes cry because of the moving when I watch drama or documentary. I think both of the feelings are so good for us. I can make me refreshed after laughing and crying. In short, if you watch some TV programs, you can control your feelings.

In conclusion, if you spend a time like the way I described above, you may have a good weekend.

What is my goal of this semester

What is my goal of this semester

 

I have many goals which I have now. From now, I will show you the main goals I want to come true in this semester. I have never been abroad for studying and I have had a dream to do study abroad since I was a high school student. However, I should take TOEFL and take high score to come true the dream. Actually, I want to go study abroad to the U.K. as an exchange student. The score the university in the U.K. demand people is so high. Therefore, I want to take the high score in TOEFL in this semester and I will show how to do it.

First, I have to get used to speak in English because TOEFL has speaking section. Now, I go to ECC in which I learn English conversation. However, it is only for 80 minutes and once a week. I am also able to speak English in OC class, but it is a few chances. Then, I decide to go to the World Plaza where we have to speak all things in English many times. I think it is the best way to have many chances to speak in English in order to advance my English conversation skill. In short, I will go to the World Plaza many times and advance my English conversation skill and moreover, I will take a high score in speaking section.

Second, I have to write something in English more fluently and no mistakes because TOEFL has writing section. I write something in English only in the writing class in the university. Therefore, my English writing skill is so bad. Then, I try to write a diary in English as the teacher said. I started just 3 days ago. I will continue it and I want to advance my English skill. In short, I continue to write a diary in English and I will take high score in writing skill.

In conclusion, I continue to do the way to advance my English skills as I described and I want to take high score in TOEFL in this semester.

My summer vacation

My summer vacation

 

During summer vacation, I went to many places. I did two part-time jobs. Therefore, I had a lot of money and wanted to spend money for trip. Then, I will show you three things I chose.

First, I went to Nara to see my high school friend. It had been half of the year since I met her last. Therefore, I was so glad to meet her. In Nara, I saw many historical things. For example, I visited Nara park, Kasuga taisha and so on. There were a lot of foreign people there. Half of the tourists must have been foreign people. That’s why I had to talk to foreign people when I wanted some people to take a picture. It was so nice experience for me. In short, in Nara, I was so glad to meet my friend after a long time and talking with foreign people was so good memories.

Second, I went to Nagasaki with my friend. It was second time for me to visit Nagasaki. We visited many sightseeing places. For example, we went to Graver Garden, glasses bridge and so on. We also went to Iki Island which is located near Nagasaki. From Iki Island, we went to uninhabited island by a ship. We could see very beautiful ocean like in Okinawa. I was so glad to visit there. In short, we experienced a lot of rare things and learned many things.

Third, I went to Tokyo Disney Resort twice. I like there so much. Therefore, I was really glad to visit there twice. In the first time, I went there with 5 friends and I rode many attractions. We rode 14 attractions in 1 day. In the second time, I went there with 1 friend. It held Holloween event, so we enjoyed that event. In short, I had really good time like a dream there.

In conclusion, I went to many places and I had really good time each places. I want to spend next summer vacation with a sense of fulfillment like this year.

Comment of the movie, "The Help"

Today, I watched the movie “The Help”. This movie is about the Jim Crow which is the discrimination to black people in the U.S. It was first time for me to watch it and I couldn’t watch the all of the movie. Therefore, let me show you some comments the movie I watched half.

First, I was shocked at the movie and the fact. Before I watched the movie, I expected that I knew about Jim Crow. However, it was my misunderstanding. I had never watched the real situation, but in the movie, the real situation developed in my face. I was ashamed me because I pretended to know all about the Jim Crow actually, I didn’t know any things.

Second, I learned a lot of things from this movie. When I was a high school student, I watched the movie about the discriminations of Aborigines. Aborigines also have black skin. There are a lot of discriminations related to the skin color. Both of the stories seem to finish before. However, emotions of discriminations of people remain now, I think. I could learn the fact of the problems and I could understand the problems by watching the movie. Therefore, it was so nice opportunities.

In short, I think it is so important things that we know this fact and understand about it and think the solutions. I could learn the fact by watching this movie, so I will try to think more deeply about this problems.

 

Should college students have a part-time jobs?

Do you have any part-time jobs? I have two part-time jobs. Maybe, many people say college students have to concentrate on study. I think it is true too. However, I think having part-time job is also important. From now, I will show you some reasons why I think so.

First, I want to make money and go abroad by myself. I want to learn a lot of things which I can’t learn from the class and broadened my outlook remarkably during my college life. There are many students who want to do like me. Of course, it can be realized that we go abroad by money of our parents. However, it is not good thing we rely on our parents forever and I think making money to go abroad by working hard by ourselves has truth meanings. In short, I think students should make money ourselves by working hard.

Second, students should learn how to get along with various kinds of people for the future. I think studying is really important for students. However, I have a dream and I can’t realize the dream only by studying. If you want to be a teacher, studying is so important thing and you don’t have to have part-time job. However, my dream is not becoming a teacher. Therefore, I want to study a lot of things about system of societies by working part-time jobs. If students have dreams like me, it is the same thing.

In short, according to the reasons as I described, I think college students should have part-time jobs.

The goals I want to achieve during my college days

What goals I want to achieve during my college days

 

Do you have a dream? Do you have specific goals? I have a dream, but I have not thought about my dream specifically. Therefore, I try to think about my dream and set my goals in this opportunity.

First, I want to speak English more fluently and say my opinion in English. I want to get a job connected with English. I had learned English conversation for a long time. However, I can not say my opinion in English. There are a lot of opportunities I should say my opinion in English in classes, so I make good use of this opportunity and I want to be able to do that.

Second, I want to be more positive person. The job I want to do has the need for action on my own. When I am with my close friends, I am so active person, but when I am with stranger or the person who is hard for me, I am so negative person. I want to revise my personality. In university, of course, there are a lot of person I don’t know or I don’t like. However, on the contrary, I use this situation and I want to be an active person even if I am with stranger or hard person.

In short, I make good use of my college life and I want to say my opinion in English and be an active person.

About my concern as a college student

About my concern as a college student

 

Do you accustom to college? It has passed for about 2 month since we entered Nanzan University. I am getting used to this university. However, I have a lot of concerns as a college student of Nanzan University. From now, I will show you the concern I worry the worst and solution to overcome it.

First, let me tell about my concern. I am so worried about English conversation skill. Honestly, I had been learning English conversation for long years. However, it was only once a week and there was a few opportunities to talk with foreign people. Nevertheless, I had a confidence to speak in English because of the long English career and that was my favorite thing. However, almost all the people major in British and American can speak English very well. Therefore, I lost all the confidence of speaking in English. Moreover, I can not say any good opinions when we discuss something, so I want to speak English more fluently and I want to discuss something very well.

Second, I want you to show solution I do. I try to go to World Plaza, there, we should speak only in English. When I go there, I try to speak more and more English and I also try to say my opinions. There, of course, I can’t speak Japanese, so I try to speak everything in English. It is a good stimulation for me.

In short, I can’t speak English very well. However, I go to World Plaza and I want to be a good English speaker who can say own opinions, too.

About my favorite class in Nanzan

About my favorite class in Nanzan

 

    Do you enjoy your class in Nanzan University? I enjoyed a lot. I have many classes I like, but from now, I will show you the class I like the best. My favorite class is Oral Communication class. Then, I will show you two reasons why I like that class.

    First, I can talk with a lot of friends about various things in English at the OC class. We have the OC class three times a week and members of the OC class are also same class at the reading class. I can meet these members at least four times a week, so we know each other very well. Of course, in other English class, I have a lot of opportunities to speak in English. However, the more we know each other, the more things we can say. In other words, we can speak fluently and we can say anything if we know each other very well. In short, I can talk a lot in that class, so I like the OC class.

    Second, I can learn about not only conversation but also how to use and how to make the conversation effectively. My teacher is Mr. Andrew. He always says us” you should be smile when you talk with your friends” or “ you should use more response words, for example, I think so too.” He always teach us a lot of things how to make our conversation effectively. In short, I can improve my conversation at this class, so I like this class so much.

    In short, as I said, because of two reasons, I like the OC class so much and I want to continue trying to improve my English skills at the OC class.

About my best friend

                                     About my best friend

 

Do you have any friends? I have many friends. However, I will introduce my friend I trust and I like the best.

First, I will show you why I and she are best friend. The name of my best friend is Lisa. Of course, she is Japanese but she change the alphabet R into L for understanding to foreign people. I have known her for only 3 years. I met her when I was a high school students and I and she were the same class of 1 and 2 grade. The club activity of me and her were also not the same. I was a member of dance club and she was a manager of men’s basketball club. Our common points are so a few. However, I think she is the best friend. She goes to Meijo University. Although we go to different university, I have met her for 5 times since I entered the University. Of course, meeting a lot does not mean she is a best friend. However, I want to meet her and talk with her soon when something has happened to me, especially, something bad. She also confide her secret or worries to me. We can stay naturally together and we can talk anything. Therefore, I think she is my best friends.

Second, I will show you some personality about my best friend as I showed a short time ago. I show you her personality after I showed you why we are best friend because I want to emphasis her personality. I admire her personality so much. She is really cheerful and outgoing person. And she is also funny. I am so shy in front of stranger, but she is not. Therefore, I was helped by her personality so much. And the thing I like the best about her is kindness of her. She is always kind and she always helps me.

In short, I and she are really good friend, best friend. I know about her so much and anyway, I like her so much. I am grad that she thinks so, too. (355 words)

Write about what I like and I don’t like about Nanzan

What do you think of Nanzan University? I go to Nanzan University now. Therefore, Nanzan University is especially for me. Honestly, I wasn’t going to Nanzan University. I failed the examination of the school I wanted to go. However it is, now, I like Nanzan University and I think I am glad to enter this university. From now, I will introduce about Nanzan University.

First, I will introduce strong points of Nanzan. I like the atmosphere of Nanzan. Of course I like school tradition. Nanzan has a lot of nature. Therefore these are also strong points of Nanzan. However, people in Nanzan . People in Nanzan are really great and kind including students and teachers. And also Nanzan is really international school. I can take a lot of classes in English. Therefore I can improve my English ability.

Second, I will introduce weak points of Nanzan. I don’t have any complaint about Nanzan. However, if I have to compare them, I think the food of Nanzan is not good, but expensive.

In short, I like Nanzan University very much. From now on, I want to more about Nanzan University and I want to find more strong points. Now, I am happy to be a member of Nanzan University.

                                                                                                       219 word

About my hobby

 

Do you have any hobbies? I have many hobbies.  From now, I’ll show the things I like the best. I like traveling, and playing the piano. I will introduce about two things and I also introduce why I like the things.

 

First, I like traveling. I have ever been to a lot of places. In Japan, I have ever been to almost all of the area, Hokkaido, Kanto, Chubu, Kansai, Chugoku, Kyushu, Okinawa. Of course, I like to travel, but I also like to make plans for the trips. I feel excited when I imagine the trip. Traveling makes me happy and relaxed. I am also able to widen my views when I travel somewhere. When I went to Hokkaido, I was impressed with a vast plain, and when I went to Nagasaki, I was impressed with exoticism places. In short, I can feel something when I trip to anywhere.  

 

Second, I like playing the piano. I had played the piano for about 10 years. Now, I don't go to piano lessons anymore, but I sometimes play the piano as hobby. When I went to the piano lessons, I only play the classical music, but now, I can play anything I want to play. Playing the piano makes me so relaxed. I can make my feeling calm, when I play the piano. Anyway, I like playing the piano so much.

 

In short, I really like traveling and playing the piano, and both of them makes me happy and relaxed.

 

 

 

 

My hometown

Write about my hometown

My hometown is in Nagoya. From now, I’ll introduce my hometown.

First, there are some places in Nagoya. For example, Nagoya castle, Nagoya port aquarium, and Higashiyama zoo. Nagoya castle is famous for its gold shachihoko, it is like a fish. Although it is not a world heritage, it is famous all over the world. Nagoya port aquarium is one of the biggest aquariums in Japan. There are many people who go to that place every year. It is famous for its dolphin show. It is very nice and dolphins are very cute. Even killer wales can be seen at this aquarium. Higashiyama zoo is also one of the biggest zoos in Japan. It is famous for its koala. There are a few zoos which has koalas in Japan. It is in really convenient places. Therefore, people can come to this places without reserve.

Second, there are a lot of delicious food in Nagoya. For example, shrimp fry, uiro, and tebasaki. Uiro is like a rice cake. They have various flavors. Tebasaki is a fried chiken. It flavored with soy source and sweet sake. Nagoya is also famous for ogura toast. All of them are really delicious. 

In short, Nagoya is a good place to enjoy some historical places, amusement places, and food. 

                                                                                   

Sayaka Takahara

Writing

Aplil ,17,2014

Self Introduction

My name is Sayaka. I’m from Nagoya, and I live near Nanzan University. I walk to school and it takes 15 minutes. I’m from Meito high school. And I really enjoyed my high school life. I was a member of dance club and I danced in front of a lot of people. And my best memory is school trip. I went to Kobe and Hiroshima and Osaka, and I really enjoyed staying in Nanba and in Itsukushima shrine. During my high school life, I used to go to Tokyo Disney Resort. I have been there for 8 times since I entered my high school. I’m a big fan of Tokyo Disney Resort.  I also like to travel. Especially, I like to go to Okinawa. And this summer vacation, I will go to Okinawa with my friends. I also like listening to music. I like One Direction, Yui, Aquatimes and so on. If you like them or interested in them, please talk to me.