I used to buy CNN-EE for improving listening skill and getting new phrases. You know, it's conducive to English learners. Recently I've gone over ( I've not finished yet, though...^^;)
While studying, I found that it couldn't satisfy my enthusiasm for English...Of course, it's helpful for me to brush up. But, it's not enough....I may be getting used to listening or a little bit be able to step up...( If so, I'm so in seventh heaven, though...)
Rather than, should I change some ways to study with it??
Actually, Just listening to a volume per month (like NHK news in English which I listen every night) . During the time, I also catch some vocabs, phrases etc. As it's not hard to catch up, understand the summary, now that I'm apt to enjoy listening. I know, there's some elusive content.

I'm keeping going over, however, I'm wondering about " new text books".....Have you any suggestion?

To know your current ability of English, there're several ways such as TOEIC, STEP test etc... Of course I often take them to do so.
On top of them, I also try to go over (CNN-EE) back numbers. I think it's easy way to know how much my ability's improving. Don't you think so?

『これって、意外とよいかも〜〜〜〜！！』と、思いました。当時なかなか聞き取れてなかった記事なんかもクリアに聞き取れてたり、『何となくこんなこと言っているのかなあ、、、』から→『このことについて言っている』と実感できたりして、とりあえずは（ほんの少しずつですが）力はついてきているのかな、、、と少し安心しました。
もちろん、忘れていた語句なども再確認できましたし、本棚に眠らせとくなんてもったいないもったいない、、、、ですね（＾＾；）（経費節約にもなりますし♪）

また、同時にさら〜〜〜〜っと流していたところなんかも、じっくりリスニング、リーディングするようになったりして、学習着目点なんかも変化してきてるんだなあ、、、と感じました♪

結構面白いですね、、バックナンバーをもう一度とりかかるって（＾＾）ｖ

Has your husband ever taken paternity leave? And have you?

Some of companies in Japan have new policies to rear kids, inspire them to have more kids.
The birth-rate's been declining in Japan and it's one of strong anxieties for our future.

According to the article, an certain company has a new policy, which gives some money to employees when they have a baby. Another company offers to pay for fertility treatment. Not only money but another one also has a nursery in the company, some company admit their employees working at each home one day a week.

As a mom who has a 2-year-old boy, I'm so intrigued in it. Cuz, often I feel it that I want my husband to take paternity leave.
(Especially, when our son was 0〜1 year...) In fact, I asked him several times if you could take or not. Of course, I knew that there was no possibility.(^^;)

I really think it that just some " big companies" admit, encourage... Most ones're not willing to carry out even if they understood that it's a important thing. On top of that, most employees also balk at going for it.
I hope that the situation's changing step by step...(^^)b

One of interesting articles in the current issue of CNN-EE.

" Bamboo Ceiling"

A numbers of Asian-American often clash with American culture, value.

According to the article, Even if they were highly educated, it's so hard to get some high positions such as CEO, a manager, etc. One of reasons is " Asian Value", for instance, if you want to success or get a high position in America, you should approach to their bosses. But, they tend not to do so, including Japanese.
You know, if in Japan or Asian countries we did like that or too unique, too articulate, we could be smashed. Moreover, " the reticent" , which is one of Asian cultures, is regarded as " the virtue, especially in Japan.

Indeed, I've heard of that some American or European tend to have a bias against Asian people. (Unfortunately, I've not worked international circumstance, so I've never experienced....)

So, to break the glass ceiling, we should try to do their skills with keeping our values if you want to go forward as a business people abroad.

Every month I purchase the CNN-EE. So even if the magazines're piling up and up, I can't help buying the new issue. lol lol

I recommend it for the people who learn English because of having a numbers of vocabs, phrases, current English and so forth. On top of that, to improve listening, especially for TOEIC, it's an effective magazine, I think...

Yet...Nowadays I have a perception...I should review every a few months..( Too late?? I perceive it?? lol lol)
Anyway, I'll review whenever I can...not to sill the vocabs, phrases I got out.
So, the day when I made up my mind to do something is a lucky-day!! At once I got down to do from today.