EQ: What customs are seen in our homes? Starting Points expressing experiences using ～たことがある Culture Point: In a typical 和室（わしつ）, there is often an alcove called a とこのま which is designed to display the family’s prized possessions. Typically among the items is a かけじく or hanging scroll of a painting or calligraphy mounted with silk …
[L2] Unit 5: Lesson 5: Discussing past experiences Read More »
EQ: What customs are seen in our homes? Starting Points Plain past tense verbs ～た形（けい） Culture Point: The Japanese-style room or 和室（わしつ）has certain characteristics that are not seen in Western-style rooms 洋室（ようしつ）in Japanese homes. One characteristic is the unique flooring of tatami mats, which are made of woven straw and date back to the Muromachi …
[L2] Unit 5: Lesson 4: Telling a friend about things you did Read More »
EQ: What customs are seen in our homes? Starting Points Particle と to mark a direct quote Culture Point: Saying 「いただきます」before a meal is an essential part of Japanese customs. The phrase いただきます can be loosely translated as “Thank you for the meal I will receive”, but it is also the polite form of the …
[L2] Unit 5: Lesson 3: Asking when certain expressions are used Read More »
EQ: What customs are seen in our homes? Starting Points Using 前（まえ）to indicate one action comes before another Culture Point: In Japan, there are many customs inside the home that are followed by everyone. One of the customs is to remove shoes before entering a home and other establishments, such as schools, temples and some …
[L2] Unit 5: Lesson 2: Explaining which action comes before another Read More »
EQ: What customs are seen in our homes? Starting Points used when entering a home Culture Point: Gift-giving is a common part of Japanese culture. There are certain situations in which gift-giving is expected, such as when visiting a home in Japan. The gift itself, however, is not as important as the ritual of giving, …
[L2] Unit 5: Lesson 1: Using phrases when entering a home Read More »
EQ: How has life style changed due to technology? Starting Points Listing actions (verbs) using emphatic conjunction し Culture Point: Japan is one of the leaders in the creation of articifial intelligence (AI). Andriods can now be seen in the front desk of hotels, as workers in convenience stores, etc. There are even some robots …
[L2] Unit 4: Lesson 6: Listing examples of actions that can be done Read More »
EQ: How has life style changed due to technology? Starting Points Expressing capabilities with the potential form ことができる Culture Point: QR codes were created by a Japanese company called Denso in 1994. QR stands for quick response and were originally used mostly in the automobile industry in production management systems. From 2002 the QR code …
[L2] Unit 4: Lesson 5: Expressing capabilities of devices and apps Read More »
EQ: How has life style changed due to technology? Starting Points Expressing capabilities (can do) Culture Point: Today, our lives are filled with different types of technology, including smart phones that can do numerous tasks, from sending messages to watching full-length movies and surfing the internet. Originally, mobile phones had a limited number of capabilites, …
[L2] Unit 4: Lesson 4: Expressing capabilities of technology Read More »
Board games are more fun.ボードゲームの方が楽しい（です）Board games are more fun.ボードゲームの方が楽しい（です）Board games are more fun.(I) like cats more.ボードゲームの方が楽しい（です）Board games are more fun.(I) like cats more.ボードゲームの方が楽しい（です）Board games are more fun.ねこの方が好き（です）(I) like cats more.ボードゲームの方が楽しい（です）Board games are more fun.ねこの方が好き（です）(I) like cats more.ボードゲームの方が楽しい（です）Board games are more fun.Between board games and game apps, which one is more fun? Expressing a preference between …
[L2] Unit 4: Lesson 3: Expressing a preference between two choices Read More »
Among (my) devices, I use (my) smart phone the most.デバイス(device)の中で スマホを 一番使う。Among (my) devices, I use (my) smart phone the most.デバイス(device)の中で スマホを 一番使う。Among (my) devices, I use (my) smart phone the most.Among smart phone applications, I use message applications the most.デバイス(device)の中で スマホを 一番使う。Among (my) devices, I use (my) smart phone the most.Among smart phone applications, I use message applications the most.デバイス(device)の中で スマホを 一番使う。Among …
[L2] Unit 4: Lesson 2: Talking with friends about apps you use Read More »