papasmurfinjapan said...

papasmurfinjapan at 09:57 AM JST - 22nd July

I think they have every right to block sites they don't want people looking at during work (especially facebook etc.) and access to freemail.

I'm not too keen on having my email monitored though, even if it is my work address.

Posted in To what extent do you think employers should block employee access to online sites, social networking accounts or monitor email? at 09:57 AM JST - 22nd July
papasmurfinjapan at 09:52 AM JST - 22nd July

societymike

I second Ah So and DS's comments. If you are living in Japan, make English your home language (all household members only use English at home). Your kids will get enough chance to learn Japanese outside.

If you live in an English speaking country, make Japanese the home language…

Posted in Unraveling how children become bilingual so easily at 09:52 AM JST - 22nd July
papasmurfinjapan at 06:08 PM JST - 21st July

My wife and I speak to our 3yr old in English at home. He gets his Japanese input from everyone else, mostly grandma. As a result, he successfully codeswitches between English and Japanese depending on who he is talking to. He will only ever speak English to me, and only…

Posted in Unraveling how children become bilingual so easily at 06:08 PM JST - 21st July
papasmurfinjapan at 08:51 AM JST - 3rd July

Why doesn't Japan just "test fire" a few back North Korea's way? I know that is irresponsible, but it would be interesting to see their reaction.

Posted in North Korea test-fires 4 short-range missiles off east coast at 08:51 AM JST - 3rd July
papasmurfinjapan at 09:30 AM JST - 25th June

Ｔｈａｔ's by far the best pic of the day I've seen for a long long time...

Posted in Gundam at 09:30 AM JST - 25th June
papasmurfinjapan at 08:48 PM JST - 24th June

bcbrownboy I was only taught how to bastardize the English language, not read, write or speak it. I rest my case regarding the utter pointlessness of "credentials". Mine didn't even teach me how to write or spell proparly. :)

Posted in English-language teaching industry in bad shape at 08:48 PM JST - 24th June
papasmurfinjapan at 07:47 PM JST - 24th June

Hell, I'm an English teacher and proud of it. I quit my respectable "sarariman" job as translator and web designer (well, was forced to quit for not working overtime so I could care for my son), and started my own school in December in my living room. And guess what,…

Posted in English-language teaching industry in bad shape at 07:47 PM JST - 24th June
papasmurfinjapan at 08:53 AM JST - 21st June

I'm not a fan, but good for him... I wish them well.

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papasmurfinjapan at 08:36 AM JST - 17th June

oh and by the way, SiouxGirl's comments are spot on...

In my case, I was told "If you aren't willing to put in as many hours as other employees who also have kids, you have two choices - Quit, or we are going to have to reduce you to part-time…

Posted in Lower house passes bill to shorten work hours for those with kids under 3 at 08:36 AM JST - 17th June
papasmurfinjapan at 08:32 AM JST - 17th June

However toothless it may be, it is at least a step in the right direction. I was forced to quit from my previous job because I "only" worked 9 hours a day and instead of doing pointless overtime made a conscious decision to work more efficiently (and when required work…

Posted in Lower house passes bill to shorten work hours for those with kids under 3 at 08:32 AM JST - 17th June