This morning I visited an English learner's house to have time for studying together. The learner is eager to study English to improve her English skills ( I'm also..;D) even if she has two kids, one of whom is a 3-year-old girl and the other is an 1-year-old girl. She always manages to have time to study.

This time, she picked up an interesting article from a newspaper: "Primary teachers readying for English."

According to the article, as the nation's teaching guideline for primary school were revised earlier this year, English will be made compulsory for 5th- and 6th-year students beginning from April 2011. However, most primary school teachers were not trained how to teach the language when acquiring their licenses; Many were unable to come up with proper instructions in English.
In fact, a certain teacher said "I've observed model lessons ( taught by other teachers), but I now realize how difficult it is to offer one on my own.

To prepare for the implementation of the new guidelines, the Education, Science and Technology Ministry has designated what it calls " base schools" nationwide, or model schools to learn how to teach English. In addition to that, it offers some suggestions and ideas. But, it seems not to work well toward teachers.

Not only active teachers, prospective teachers also feel anxious, so a certain professor said " as it's been decided to make English compulsory at the primary school level, the ministry should offer us some guidances as to whether it would be OK to keep the training system for prospective teachers as it is now."

Actually, I've taken part in several English classes at a primary school as an assistant. At that time, some teachers said that we didn't have enough time to prepare for our English classes and didn't know whether our classes would be OK.

I feel there are some gaps between the ministry and teachers.

Last night, a certain news surprised me: Junichiro Koizumi expressed his resignation from politics. He is counted among remarkable politicians although he caused diplomatic tensions with Asian countries due to the visit of Yasukuni shrine.
At any rate, I can say that he played a key role on the politics.

According to an article, his second son who is 27 will run for the next election and he's already started to visit local supporters, so his resignation might be matter of time: Mr. Koizumi might intend to take over his Lower House seat.

It's just like him to retire point-blank, isn't it?

This morning, I attended an English club after I took my son to his school. We hold the club a few times a month. It's one of my indispensable English meetings.

Today, luckily, there were 4 of us in total, so I had chances to speak more than usual. hehehe. ( Uh? Who said that I spoke too much!? haha)
Well, we discussed " Practice produces effective English writers." I also picked it up this time.
I quoted the author as saying that "much teacher red ink and many subsequent rewrites!" The author has a point!
In fact, when I started to write my diary in English, I didn't care about grammar or sentences: I thought readers could understand what I meant. However, I was wrong. If I make efforts in a bid to achieve advanced level, I should write appropriately to reinforce my English foundations because I realized my basis was so bad...
Since then, I've kept writing diaries or essays in English. I can review grammar and get many better expressions through writing in English.

To improve English skills, there are numbers of ways. In my case, I read newspapers and essays; listen to CNN or other news in English; write diaries and essays in English. Although I often need grammar books to confirm or look up, I don't learn grammar through just these books. ( You know, it's boring and ineffective, isn't it?) Through the ways, I can learn all skills. ;D
To confirm how much I've understood when I have spare time, I often exercise with the books.

How about you?

He called me after ten years silence.

When I worked as a shop staff at a big mall, we met. He's an artist and runs his own shop. His works are very wonderful and enthralling. He makes Japanese sundry goods: " 和雑貨", by his own design such as pottery rice balls and tapestries.
We hadn't met or kept in touch with each other, so the call reminded me of my working days.

According to him, when he was checking his friends' mobile phone-addresses, he had a whim to call me to say hello.
Although I was surprised, of course, it was a "happy surprise" to me. ;D
A new shop has already opened, he added.

His vitality and talent as an artist always surprise and tell me valuable things. To add to that, it inspires me to embark on something, too. When I have time, I'll go to his shop with an eye to meeting him with my family. ;D

If you're interested in his works,　what do you say to visiting the following.....
『夢人工房』 (← I highly recommend you. ;D)

Since Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda abruptly announced his resignation, the question of the next Prime Minister have drawn attention of the people. Not only the people, but lawmakers have also been done. In fact, five candidates threw their hats into the ring and have appealed their policies and manifestations over the issues such as our pension, food and tax.
To be honest, I can't brush away my concerns about the issues no matter who will be the next Prime Minister. It's so regrettable, though. I hope someone will emerge to break the distrust of politics, of course, I want to say to the candidates: " Display your skills in politics, please."

After I took my son to his school, I attended a free English conversation class this morning.

There were 4 of us in total this time, so I could have more chances to talk in English than usual. To my surprise, on entering the room, my mouth started to talk in English smoothly. Every word came out through my mouth. I felt it was much better than usual, especially, it was completely different from the last time when I hadn't been contented with myself at all and I'd also struggled against my lack of skills.
I don't know how the teacher felt about my conversation, but at least this time I won't complain about my skills because the small surprise could encourage me to keep learning hard and give a lot of vigor, too. hehehe

Well, tomorrow, I'm going to visit one of my fellow English-lovers' house to have time to study English. ;D

Today I was supposed to attend an English writing lesson, but I canceled it because my parents couldn't manage to fit my son's care into their schedules due to their work.

The lesson is one of the trials for regular lessons which will begin next month. The school has many culture lessons and is famous for English learners.
The other day, one of my fellow English-lovers told me that the school would have every trial lesson this week. What's better, some lessons are lectured by native speakers. Nevertheless to say, I jumped at the information. I checked the web site, however, only today was available for me; "English Writing lesson". I applied for the lesson and asked my parents whether they could have time to take care of my son. At that time, they said that they didn't know if they could have time or not, but would try to manage to do.
Unfortunately, last week they called me that they couldn't have time for taking care of my son due to their work.
It can't be helped although I wanted to attend. Other friends attended the lesson and other lessons, so I'll ask them how the lessons are later.

Well, as I'd canceled it, my son and I visited a kindergarten to take part in a class for preschoolers this morning. We attended the class for the first time.
The school where I'll enter my son next year has a good ambience and teachers, I felt. :D
My son seemed to enjoy playing with other kids to his heart's content.

I'm blessed with friends. When I have time to study English, my fellow English-lovers encourage me to keep learning and give me a lot of energy. We boost each morale in the time.

I could be absorbed in learning English two days in a row. Yesterday, I attended an English club. Needless to say, it was valuable time for me. ;D As I was in charge of making a vocabulary test this time, Several new words were penetrated into my brain.

Today, I visited an English-learner's house to teach English to her. Uh....I should say that "we have time to study English" because she already has English skills. However, she asked me to encourage her to keep learning English and confirm the grammar. That's the why I presume to use " teach".

Well, we have already been imbued with the spirit of "English-lover".

I have had a verruca on the back of my left hand for the past a few month. I don't know the reason....

Finding it, I thought that it would heal up soon, but there hasn't been the sign of healing. Last Wednesday, I went to see a dermatologist. She said, " It's a verruca. it'll take some time to heal up. it depends on the type of verruca, though.....OK? Fortunately, it's not an infectious or contagious one... Well, please patiently come to treat it every a week or so. " Uh......it's a hassle......

Then, next.....the pain went off suddenly; I had a toothache when I drank a cold drink a few days ago. I thought it might be a bad tooth. However, the tooth is next to treated tooth newly and when I ate something, I didn't feel any toothache, so I doubted that it might be a bad tooth....but it must have some trouble...I guessed......

This morning, I took my son to his school, went to have my hand treat and then made an appointment to see a dentist. Luckily, it wasn't full today. Then, I was heading for the clinic hurriedly because I had to pick up my son at 13:00. ( When I made an appointment, it was around 10:30. it takes to get there about 30 or more. I take the treatment and go back to pick up him into consideration, About only an hour to go...)

The dentist said, " It's not a bad tooth. It could be hyperesthesia because the gums around the tooth is not so good." Fortunately, the gum will recover if you softly massage the gums and come over to treat it several times." Oh...........it's a hassle, too.....(--;)

" Need knows no law.." For my health, I should treat them.....Even so, it seems that I can't avoid curbing my medical expenditure......(T T)

This morning, my son and I visited an English learner's apartment to have time to study English together.

We each picked up an interesting article. I chose an editorial which is supposed to be discussed in another English club; the title is "China after the Olympic games". The friend chose an essay observed on Japanese welfare for young people with disabilities and their families.
These were very interesting stories. We got down to the former at first. The author insisted that they grapple with global warming, embark upon political afford the public to have more freedom in its activities and contribute its confidence or power to the international community if the country wants more harmony in its economic progress although China displayed overwhelming strength in the race for gold medals and closed the Olympics safely somehow or other. Tackling these issues could be a way to turn the slogan into reality; " One world, One dream."

Regarding the later, the turning point came to her when she determined to retire her job as a medical doctor in order to study social enterprise in the human welfare at an university. She met many people with disabilities and felt they need centers or places where they can meet other people and work together. To add to that, she is also eager to support or respite their families who face difficult and challenging situations. Fortunately, many people, who have already retired, are still active and want to work more, so they are willing to help her.
By setting up these centers where these people can join forces with senior citizens like them, including the author, we can not only live meaningfully more than ever, improve our society and it also benefits all Japanese people.

Although I had a great and meaningful time, of course, I should have been more immersed in English.

This afternoon, my son and I visited one of my friends' apartment to chat over coffee. Other friends also visited there. There were 6 of us and our kids.
We met each other at our kids' school. Although we had just greeted at first, I got acquainted with them through a mutual friend. :D

Her place was very cute. I felt she has good taste in furniture, so I could get tips of the arrangement.
While our kids were playing, our chats ranged from children to work and each husband etc. I really enjoyed chatting and I was relieved because I have a few concerns about my son and a next baby, but the concerns were brushed away by our talks and their advice.

Anyway, we had a good teatime today. Yep, we've already been planning a next meeting. ;D hehehe

I hit upon an idea to spend today. That was taking a drive to eat Chinese noodle. ;D After my husband mowed our garden, we went out. I wanted to eat it at a famous noodle shop; what we call a " ramen shop", so we were heading for the shop I had checked it on the Internet. However, it was hard to find the shop because it was in an obscure location.
After managing to get there, we ate Chinese noodle at last. ;D Needless to say, we were satisfied with the taste, of course.
That's a good way to enjoy spending the weekend for a change. :D

After taking my son to his school, I sent a text message to a friend with an eye to asking my favor.
This morning, the friend had planned to hold an English workshop with other English-lovers, who also belong to our English club. They regularly have time for studying English through a certain textbook. I seldom join the workshop because the textbook is a radio program, unfortunately, I can't get a radio wave in the area where I live. ( Maybe, in our house. I need some kind of antenna, but I have lost it...) However, I had a whim to join this morning. Despite an unexpected member, they warmly welcomed me.

The time was very meaningful and helpful to me. As I wrote yesterday, when I talked about my concern, they gave some ideas and cheered me up. Thanks to them, the concern cleared. ;D

Thanks, all!

In the morning, I picked a friend up and we attended a free English conversation class. The friend hadn't attended for about 6 months because she had been swamped with her workshops and so forth.
Although I really enjoyed having the time, of course, I was disappointed with myself.....That's the reason that I couldn't be satisfied with my talking; the skill to be exact. I floundered through my talking.....Even if other members didn't think so, at least I felt like that because I've realized how far I can speak or what my ability of talking is like.
Anyway, as I always say, keeping keeping and keeping practicing is the focal point to improve, isn't it?

Speaking of the ways to improve English skills, I'm wavering about my own ways to brush up. Thanks to my fellow English-lovers, I got several ideas. Every day I read a few English newspapers, write English diary on my blog, listen to news in English, try an English grammar textbooks and an English magazine for English learners and so on. To add to that, I'm thinking whether I'll get down to another English textbook. Many English learners around me suggest the book, which is the text of a radio program. However, I'm not sure if I'll be able to get around to do it and the content will be fit into my character.
In the afternoon, I dropped at a book store and browsed through some books including the text. But, I couldn't decide to buy any books.....Yeah, I was a kind of wishy-washy...lol lol lol
I need more time to consider......Incidentally, I always welcome your recommendation. ;D

We went to see a baseball game yesterday. Although we have watched a baseball game at the stadium before we got married, it was the first time for my " family" to do.

In the morning, we went out so as to park our car near the stadium where the charge is very reasonable. However, many cars had already parked; the parking lot had been full, when we arrived there. Fortunately, we could find another reasonable parking lot, so we parked there and walked to the stadium.

A numbers of people were flocking there. To add to the people who went to the stadium to see the baseball game, more visitors were coming there than I had guessed because a certain big event was being held next to the stadium. It is a charity event and is held annually throughout Japan.

About the baseball game, although it was very exciting, the game was drawn so, the game went into extra innings. Our son seemed to be a little bit bored during the extra innings, but an elderly woman, who was sitting next to him, talked to him warmly. Thanks to her, he seemed to enjoy watching the extra game and we had a good conversation.
After all, the game ended in a draw, but this will remain with us pleasant memory.

After the game, we contributed some money to the charity. ;D It was a small amount, though...