Free talk – 12 ~ 1pm. = 2 students.
Free talk – 1 ~ 2pm. = 1 student.
It was a great pleasure to welcome Mr. F. back into the class. His job has been really busy in the last couple of months. He and Ms. K. were meeting for the first time, so we had the usual introductions, and Q’s and A’s. Mr. F. talked about difficulties he’d had at work with a very difficult ‘presentation’, he’d had to prepare for, to which his boss told him “wasn’t good enough”, so he had to rework it many times.. He also talked about a trip to southern Spain, during Golden Week. He told us all about his trip, and the things he saw in the southern part of Spain. The particular area he visited, has a rich history, and the buildings he visited, were once designed and built by Islamic people (maybe Moors), originally as mosques, but were later converted into Christian Cathedrals, or churches, resulting in two (very different) types of architectural designs blended together..(very intricate), and very impressive. Ms. K. talked about her upcoming ‘sabbatical’ trip to America, where she will do a ‘homestay’, while studying English in college for one year (very exciting). In the second class, Ms. K. and I were alone, so we did some research on the internet about the things she can do, while she is living in Chicago, visiting museums, galleries, etc. We also talked about the ‘cultural’ differences, in some ways of communicating, between Japanese people, and people growing in a western culture. Here are some of the words we looked at today…
Decorative (adjective) = Intended to look attractive rather than be useful. eg. A decorative border, motif, frill, etc.
Elaborate (adjective) = [1] Very detailed and (often) complicated. eg. The government’s new tax plans, are more elaborate than ever before.
[2] Used about something that is more complicated, than is practical, or necessary. eg. Jack’s plans for the new stage show are so elaborate, that it made me feel tired just hearing about them. [3] Used about something, that has a lot of extra details, or features, that make it special. eg. The carvings on the marble walls of the Taj Mahal, are unbelievably elaborate, considering the primitive tools (from that time), that were used to make them.
Embargo (noun) = A government order preventing trade with another country. eg. Part of President Obama’s recent visit to Vietnam, included lifting the a fifty-year ‘arms embargo’, which was imposed during the Vietnam war.
Intricate (adjective) = Very detailed in design, or structure. eg. Mr. F. was very impressed by the intricate details on the buildings in the south of Spain.
Sabbatical (noun) = An extended period away from work when people such as college, or university teachers can study, rest, or travel. eg. Ms. K. will soon to take a year-long sabbatical from her job, to go and study at an English college in America.
Jump at (the chance to..) (phrasal verb) = To quickly respond, (and use) an ‘opportunity’, that is offered to you, in a very enthusiastic way. eg. She jumped at the chance to get a free ticket for the concert, when John said he was too busy to use it.
Enough for today! Thank you so much for coming today. Hope to see you again soon. Have a great weekend! Rita.
VELCO OSAKA BLOG 