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It looks like some Japanese people like to spend summer vacation for study. They take it a good opportunity to learn English. It’s unlike vacation or holiday…though^ ^;

Every time I see these ads, I’m just amazed at Japanese workers who work 9-5 + over time Monday – Friday and study during weekends and holidays, too! At the same time I wonder if that works out, because it’s a lot more effective to practice a foreign language everyday even only 15 minutes than do it intensively at one period of time as suggested in the ads.

English conversation schools like this have been popular for decades. When I was graduating from university, I thought of working for one of these schools as an assistant teacher or something. But I was so bad at job interviews because I was just too honest to reply their questions “properly” at any kind of jobs until I was finally hired by a company that was dying to get someone who can communicate with their employees overseas.

This was the part of job interview at an English conversation school that I still remember today.

Interviewer:
“Let’s say your student wants to have his TOEIC test score increased by 100 pointes in a week. How would you advise him?”

Me:
“From my experience, I’m afraid it’s nearly impossible. I could help as much as possible, but it’s all up to your efforts after all… :p ”

***Most of Japanese companies pay attention to the TOEIC test score to judge the English skills of the person.

I remember other candidates were saying something like this.
“Let’s do our best to make that possible! You are not alone, I can support you! You can do that as long as you have me!” I learned this was what I was supposed to say, and I knew I failed right at the moment. The all 4 or 5 interviewers there apparently looked totally disappointed and unhappy right after I spoke. lol

Anyway, I guess that was the only one English conversation school I thought of working for because anyhow I was not sure if any English schools would be still needed by the society 10-15 years later from that time. There were many schools already then, I imagined there will be small population who come to these schools to improve speaking and listening ability of English by the time I become an experienced teacher. And what happens next will be this. I may have less chances to get jobs at English conversation schools but at the same time I cannot go any other industry because my experience will be limited to teaching English.

I started working for an exporting company instead. Time has passed and I knew my prediction went wrong. In spite of many English conversation schools, private teaching opportunities at reasonable prices and language exchange opportunities found more casually, besides English education at school started to weigh more on speaking and listening compared with our time, Japanese people do not stop commuting to these schools even today. I suspect these schools even try to cheat us so we should not be able to improve our English skills forever. lol (Please don’t get offended if you are the workers for these schools, I’m just joking.)

I wonder what if they write a blog in English. It costs next to nothing. We can write and read on the blogs, while we can listen and speak on Youtube. If we can make English speaking friends online, we could even skype for free.

But I think most of Japanese people are so scared of making mistakes every time I find books like the followings.

We cannot be perfect after all. In addition to that, native English speakers are not the only people who use English for communication. But I guess there are so many factors around us in Japan that threaten us blaming our imperfect knowledge on English. That’s why it’s possible that Japanese people are waiting to be perfect enough to blog in English, and to be perfect they may prefer being a student at those English shcools for years to come.

What do you think? I’m very much curious how you guys, especially native English speakers actually feel against wrong English spoken by non-natives. (Just like me! lol But from my personal experiences, I didn’t have any big troubles so far.) I suppose we can understand each other better unless we finish the conversation with 1 sentence! lol Let me hear your thoughts, opinions or suggestions to the Japanese who are so scared of speaking English for such a long time.

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One of the great things to live in Japan is that we have 4 seasons every year. Having lived in Japan for over 30 years it’s nothing new to me by now to have Hanabi season but I suppose things look so different once I fall in love with someone and go out for a date to see Hanabi together. lol Seasonal evens are somehow so much fun especially when new romance starts. What? My hubby? No, it’s too stable as we’ve been together for over 10 years. He’s like a best friend, good buddy, and even the best business partner to me by now. (It’s so far from new romance, right?) lol

No matter how you are in love with someone or not, I believe Hanabi Taikai (fireworks show) is one of the most exciting/romantic/fun events during this period in Japan. Then how do we know when these events take place?

Search Hanabi Taikai near your place if you visit Japan during summer!
-Walker plus
-Rurubu
-Jalan

Speaking of Hanabi, it’s something for summer in Japan. You may feel more familar with new year’s fireworks in your country but in Japan, Hanabi definitely evokes a summery image. Hanabi, Yukata, ping sound from a Fuurin (=wind-bell), burning smell from Katorisenkou (=pyrethrum coil), ceaseless buzz of cicadas…these are typical things that evoke an image of Japanese summer. But these days as it’s getting too hot and our city life keeps us away from these sentimental items. We live in concrete with air-con running almost 24 hours a day.

Anyhow, followings are some Hanabi-themed J-pop that the Japanese like to sing or listen to.

“Hanabi” by Mr. Children

“Kingyo Hanabi” by Ai Otsuka

“Hanabi” by Ayumi Hamasaki

“Hanabi” by Ikimono Gakari

I knew summer sale started at the very beginning of July, but I was too busy to go out for hunting. Well, there are other reasons I didn’t because I don’t like the fashion trend this year (maxi-take wanpi = maximum length dress and this kind of hat) and nothing looks attractive enough for me to shop. As I have mentioned at somewhere, shops in Japan do not sell anything that goes against the trends. That means, there’s nothing I want to buy when I don’t like the fashion trend. (I’d save the money for what I really like to have!)

Anyway it was a surprise when I saw the sign “Final Sales” at a Marui department store in Shibuya the other day! It’s in the middle of summer when temperature is over 35 degrees C, sometimes even nearly 40C everyday!! I know fashion always take the trends from next season, but I wondered if summer sale has ever ended so soon. If my memory was correct, it’s been mid August that “Final Sale” was announced. I even saw some boots for the next season.

Wow…it looked like I totally missed the sale period. I didn’t plan to buy anything but as it turned out, I found myself attracted by these sandals. Whenever I shop, I find the thing I want very quickly. This time was no exception. There were black and white (with mixed color) as other options, but I liked this yellow from the beginning! I knew how I should wear these right at the moment when I saw them. I knew they’d look so kawaii with colored socks, tights or leggings especially dark blue or purple and in autumn! I could imagine it so well and I asked the sales assistant how she’d think about that. To my surprise, she was totally impressed with my idea, saying “You’re so right. I’ve never thought of wearing these sandals in that way. I was only thinking about this season, but you’re right, these sandals are so cute to be coordinated with colored tights!! Now I know…” ^ ^; It sounded as if I were the sales assistant. But I was glad she liked my idea.

They were not discounted for sales, but I loved them. So I bought them. It’s 12600yen. To me, what I like is what I like and that I buy. I don’t care about the trends or everybody’s having. The soles fit on my feet so well and they were very comfortable to wear. Well there are places we can get cheaper shoes but I’ve been a big fan of this brand named WanoNano for over 10 years, and I usually keep wearing a pair of shoes from them for at least 3 years. This day I was wearing a pair of WanoNano sandals, which I have been wearing 3 or 4 summers so far. I went back home with the new sandals on, in exchange for the old ones to get repaired. I will wear them 2 more summers, hopefully. :p

I placed a piece of paper underneath because I already wore them outside house. (Remember? We take off shoes at home.)

Finally I can say good bye to the old pass case I used for over 10 years. I’ve been looking for a new one since I found small holes on the old one. I bought the new one from the left-over goods that waited for someone at the last minute. I kinda like to keep a train pass, library card and keys all together in a kiss-lock type of pouch. I think I keep this style for decades.

Oh, I also carry my Omamori (charm for protection) with me. Wait…I have no idea how long I’ve been using that Winnie-the-Pooh keychain. It must be over 15years I guess….^ ^;

It’s such a personal diary, are you sure you want to read something like this? Right now I’m reading the entry emails for the giveaway contest and I found some people are interested in my daily life, as a sample of how a local Japanese live in Japan. I’ve been thinking that my posts are to be designed for something useful and informative, but I guess it’s nicer to include personal posts like what I bought, what I ate, what I did in Tokyo…right? ^ ^;