JAPAN NEWS AND DISCUSSION
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- English Instructor (Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe)
- Berlitz Japan, Inc. (ベルリッツ・ジャパン株式会社), Kansai
- Salary: ¥125,000 ~ ¥250,000 / Month
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- FT English Teachers for Kids - Osaka
- Kohgakusha Co., Ltd. （株式会社興学社）, Osaka
- Salary: ¥255,000 ~ ¥275,000 / Month Travel Expenses, Encouragement of Japanese learning*
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- Translator
- ZAIHON, Inc. (日本財務翻訳株式会社), Tokyo
- Salary: ¥6.0M / Year Negotiable
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ashika1009
The perception of Toyota autos as being of higher quality has taken a hit. But this hit is more a repairable dent in its otherwise fine reputation.
Of course US auto makers would like to profit from Toyota`s woes.
But the truth is the competition of the Japanese auto makers is what forced their US counterparts to improve to begin with.
And while the US autos have caught up in quality, they almost always lag behind those of the Japanese manufacturers.
All the stats aside, Toyota will be back.
Posted in: Rival automakers expect to gain from Toyota's pain
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ashika1009
Japan is a sovereign nation. If it does not want American bases, send the US military packing immediately.
Japan will then be responsible for defending or not itself.
Of course Japan will not send the US military packing because it needs the sense of real security the US provides.
Much of the above is just so much political posing.
Get real and get rid of U.S. or shut up, Japan.
Your call.
Posted in: Japan balks at $2 billion bill to host U.S. troops
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ashika1009
Hussein bad. Taliban bad. PLO bad. Hamas bad. Hezbollah bad. Terrorists bad. US good. Israel good. Britain, statist and growing more so. Bush no listen to Britain.
Posted in: UK's Iraq war inquiry turns focus to Bush officials
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ashika1009
I protest! Why can`t they use a real whale tail? (Whoops!)
At least the snow looks like strawberry flavor!
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ashika1009
And all of these electronics consume more electricity. More efficient? I suppose so. Harder on the battery? Definitely.
My present motorcycle (2009 model) itself, will consume around fifty percent more electricity ("juice") on start-up than a similar model from say, twenty years back or so. Electronic display, electronic fuel injection, starter-motor, kick-stand sensor, and the motor will not turn over when you attempt to start while not in neutral. All nice enough, but all need the juice.
Posted in: Prius problems put spotlight on car electronics
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ashika1009
Wow! 0-0. Now that was some match!
Posted in: Japan, China draw 0-0 in East Asian East Asian Championship
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ashika1009
Thanks for feedback, DRogers. Very good marks on assuaging me, too! I am serious, kinda. You will find that most of the comments herein are thoughtful ones. (Regarding this post, specifically. By all means do check out the other posts and comments for some rather "interesting" comments, if you have not already done so). Some may be mine, but, oh well . . . .
Someone up there said I/we learned English from accredited teachers. Not so for native speakers. We first learned from our parents and family as babies. We did not wait for the school bell to ring to learn our native language, I believe. Nor do I buy the "English coach" put-down. I have met excellent teachers with and without ESL degrees. I find a real love of teaching combined with a love of learning tends to make a great teacher. Such a teacher will also learn from other teachers. Of course if the "English coach" commenter would like to debate me, he or she may first read my previous comment and . . . better bring the beef. Teachers with ESL degrees, if they don`t really like the teaching, will not make good teachers. Like other people going thru the motions, they will be the ones checking their watches constantly and heading home as soon as the clock strikes five bells, if you will.
Personally, I enjoy teaching now more than ever.
And don`t assume that a degree equals a love of teaching. Perhaps recall some of your . . . ahem . . . college/university professors.
Personally, my degree is in East Asian Languages and Cultures, Concentration in Japanese Language and Literature (MA). I taught Japanese at the university level as a GTA and taught a summer intensive course on my own. (I was . . . uh . . . requested to do so by the Chair . . .
nuff said. You dont say no to the Chair, if you can help it!) She, the Chair, apparently had better things to do than grind out in a month what is usually covered in one full semester during the academic year. Yep, those students were living and breathing Japanese every single day for one month. And so was the teacher.I have done so much work in teaching both languages in both countries combined with a wide range of translation that it boggles the mind. At least it boggles mine.
Moreover I read about just about everything I can avidly and that knowledge is imparted to my students.
No, this is no "appeal" on my part, just the facts (and the tip of the iceberg at that).
So if someone up there wants to debate my lack of ESL degree, go for it. I am sure many assumed I have a degree in ESL from my comment. Sorry, no degree in ESL here, just MA (requiring three years because I was also teaching) and my 150 page thesis to go along with it. And no illustrations in my thesis. Yep, merely Coach Ashika1009 at your service.
Like I said, debate me, but be very well prepared, I must warn you.
Finally, someone up there wrote something about English teachers being a nasty lot. I find that offensive. More than that, it is simply untrue. You will find English teachers and teachers in general share certain qualities, such as being human. And individuals vary greatly.
I am glad JapanToday did not "moderate" that particular comment out of existence.
Posted in: The state of the language school industry
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ashika1009
Enjoyed your piece (and I hope it helps grow your business you discuss) Mr. Rogers, but I have some thoughts to share. In any event, it will take more than what I read in the above "column" to make a dent in the ongoing Japanese struggle with foreign languages. This struggle is an old one and will remain with Japan indefinitely.
The reason for this is simple linguistics to some extent. As you must know, Japanese is indeed unique and for the most part largely unrelated to any language on the planet. Obviously, I refer not to the writing system, for we are talking about language as spoken communication here.
Any linguist can point to a chart showing the degree of separation between Japanese and other languages, specifically English in this case. That degree of separation itself is logically responsible for much of the difficulty a Japanese student of a foreign language MUST face. That is a built-in obstacle. One that can be overcome, but not easily.
English is closely related to the Romance languages the most well-known o f which are French, Spanish, and Italian. Therefore, a native English speaker is confronted with less difficulty in acquiring these languages. Furthermore, we can discuss the Indo-European family of languages. Again less difficulty than a Japanese learner will encounter.
I think the first task is to let students know that they are doing something tough (tougher for them than others) when they tackle a foreign language. Once they realize this, they will feel a greater sense of accomplishment on the other hand, and I would predict positive results.
Of course the Japanese learner would benefit greatly from English being an official and regular part of public school curriculum. After all, the earlier one starts learning the better.
Then again, as these products of a regular English curriculum take their place in society, the "language schools" will logically find business less rewarding.
Even now, some English teachers will honestly point out to his or her student(s) that the number, type, and quality of **English language materials available for "self-study" is almost beyond belief these days,and this, combined with the potential of computers and the internet, means students can learn more on their own with less actual "language school time." Providing such information can be of great advantage to the students. Teachers then, focus more on providing such valuable information and function more like consultants. There are still too many Japanese out there who don`t realize how much has changed, including the tools (such as cell phones and "talking" electronic dictionaries). They need to be apprised of these changes.
Given the above and considering it as a whole, it is hard to see any resurgence or growth in the conventional "language school market."
**And almost all of these published by domestic publishers, rather than the largely British or American companies we know so well and love. Maybe not love. Their slice of the pie is greatly reduced compared to the past.
In my next issue, if I have one, I might discuss my firm belief that the successful foreign language teacher have a firm grasp on Japanese before teaching English here, or at least study Japanese even as he or she teaches. The reason for this, again, is to know the unique qualities (and we see that "unique" is not always a good thing) of Japanese so that the teacher can handle the well-understood "rough spots" in English for the Japanese learner.
Nor, as we well know, does a TESL, ESL, TESOL degree always the better teacher make. Advanced degrees in this area (with all due respect), moreover, tend to be somewhat easier to obtain than advanced degrees in other fields.
Perhaps this is an area for further debate.
Posted in: The state of the language school industry
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ashika1009
Obama talks a lot while giving very little in the way of substantive guidance to the Democrats. In fact, Obama talks a lot. Period.
Posted in: Obama prescribes election plan to Democrats: Lead
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ashika1009
These problems will be fixed much more quickly if the inept American government stays out of the picture.
"In Washington, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood startled the public with a comment, which he later retracted, that Americans should park their recalled Toyotas unless driving to dealers for accelerator repairs."
The above statement is the act of a buffoon. The current administration is replete with buffoons. For example, our Treasury Secretary, Timothy Geithner, managed to not pay his taxes.
Remember also that GM is being run by the US government and definitely benefits by the bad news for Toyota.
Again, big US government should stay out and let Toyota fix the problems.
Posted in: Skepticism over Toyota's fixes grows as probe widens to Prius
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ashika1009
Now if the lady had had a gun . . . .
Posted in: Woman robbed at knife point in Chiba parking lot
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ashika1009
**Like LED a lot, but still pricey!
Posted in: LED bulbs
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ashika1009
Before he died, they called him a loon.
After he died, they called him a great.
I don`t really know which one he was but the above is one huge gap.
If you are a loon and you die prematurely do you get to then be called a great?
Confusing.
And who gets all the money from the sales??
His family??
Jackson
s father is an awful person and his nicey sounding brothers werent so nice in years past. Why do the brothers all talk the same?Creepy.
Posted in: Michael Jackson's 'This Is It' DVD rakes in Y1.6 billion in one day
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ashika1009
Cool. But I can`t afford it. I am working on this time machine idea at present. Something I read outta H.G. Wells. Need to focus my funds on this project at present. Still the mouse is tempting.
I checked my mouse thoroughly. It has no wires too and likes to eat seeds.
He says he was in the mooooovie Green Mile.
Posted in: Wireless mouse
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ashika1009
This photo is great . . . for comic relief.
Hey you! Yeah,you in the foreground!
Put your shoes back on, I am getting the heaves, Bru!
Gonna spew cookies or Krispy Kremes, main! (I come from Scarface, see, main??)
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ashika1009
I would certainly like to know what kind of part we are talking about. We know it had circular contour and was 56cm . . . . Duralumin a light weight material, I believe. But it certainly was no tiny part. That description is off. At least we didn`t have a Donnie Darko scenario here with a complete engine dropping on the house.
Anyway, the aircraft thing was an accident and accidents happen.
Posted in: Minister cautions U.S. military after part falls from U.S. Navy jet, hitting house
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ashika1009
Obama`s speech was an utter farce. I watched the complete address. He compares himself to Lincoln, JFK, and Reagan. That is some hubris for a man who has accomplished nothing and got a Nobel Peace Prize for it.
I admit he is quite popular with some parts of the world for it is easily recognized that he makes America weak.
And a weak America is good, right?
America is just too strong and needed some downsizing, correct?
Maybe not.
Posted in: Obama says 'I don't quit' as he makes job growth top priority
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ashika1009
I bet it was a combination of the black box and the hardware. But I am thinking it is mostly the black box.
Computers have done wonders in so many areas, but I guess we have all noticed the "system failures" that are part of the equation. When things go smooth, they really go smooth, but when they go bad, they go really really bad. Aviation traffic control to your personal information to the autos above.
I can
t say the old way was better, but I never heard of my Grandpas old Ford having a sticking problem with the accelerator. And if it did have a problem, you did not need sophisticated technology to "diagnose" the problem.Pros and cons, I guess.
Are the "machines" taking over? Big theme in science fiction and today
s science fiction more often than not becomes tomorrows reality. Especially when you are reading the good writers like Isaac Azimov or Michael Crichton.Something to ponder.
And, no, this is no trade issue. Moreover you must go to extremely insane lengths so somehow blame America for this. But somehow they do it anyway. Americans like their Japanese cars for good reason. And a lot of the Japanese autos are built IN the US by American workers. Sure, a lot of money comes back to Toyota Japan at the end of the day and why not? They are making many of the cars consumers want.
But this accelerator problem.
"Sean Kane, director of Safety Research and Strategies, a consumer group that conducts research into motor vehicle safety issues, said his firm has identified 2,274 incidents of sudden unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles leading to at least 275 crashes and 18 deaths since 1999."
These numbers jibe with Toyota`s own numbers with the addition of over 2,000 incidents.
When it comes right down to it, let`s say you own one of the cars? Not so easy to rest easy regardless of the stats, now is it?
Someone is going to get unlucky sometime. It could be you.
Better safe than sorry.
Anyway, sometimes things DO go wrong.
Good to keep a battery powered radio in the house.
Just call me old-fashioned.
Posted in: Dealers swamped by worried Toyota drivers in U.S.
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ashika1009
Exactly. You mean this is really the FIRST appearance in court by this crumb? These aren`t wheels of justice, more like broken gears with broken teeth machinery of justice with the power turned off.
And the cameras?
Sure, they MAY help the police catch the bad guy after he kills a few, but not before.
Too bad for the few.
And then the cameras are just there watching your every move.
Like London with millions of these things.
Creepy.
Just what Big Brother wanted for Christmas.
Posted in: 16 security cameras installed on Akihabara streets
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ashika1009
Same thing back in the US. Papers are going down in flames.
All they need to do is try for more objectivity and truth.
That would work wonders.
Refreshing to know a paper does not favor anyone at all.
The truth is in very short supply these days so the papers, Japan included, can improve business by reporting the truth to the best of their ability.
Even better are mistakes WITH honest retractions.
Telling the truth used to be the standard.
It ain`t no more.
So, go against the flow and tell the truth and it might work wonders.
Say for all of those job hunters who out and out lie on resumes. Standard.
I bet ya the guy who points out a couple honest faults will be the one who starts getting the jobs pretty soon.
Tell the truth papers!
If you think AP etc. is no good, say so.
Get you some credibility.
You`ll get the readers back.
Big time.
Posted in: Japanese newspapers look for new ways to survive