英会話プライベートレッスン

Hello everyone, this is Anand with another Awesome English update! ?Have you guys put up your doll displays yet? ?Better do so soon, because hina matsuri is on its way. ?This is one of the Japanese events that I know at least something about because of where I used to live. ?The Big Hina Matsuri event is a big deal in Katsuura, featuring thousands of dolls on display for all to see and enjoy. ?Perhaps this is the reason I put so much time and effort into teaching kids about hina matsuri in our preschool. ?I think that, while it is important that Japanese use as much English and learn about the world as much as possible, it is also important for them to be aware of their own culture and lifestyle.

Thankfully there are Japanese staff on hand to help with the pronunciations and correct me when I simply mess up some of the facts, but I like to think that I teach them a little through my research. ?For instance, one of the girls didn’t know that Japanese people eat clams because their shells link together perfectly, just like a man and a woman in a happy marriage.

I had the kids make some dolls and then I put them up in a display. ?I think they look pretty cute…except every doll is an emperor and empress!

Still…it was worth a shot!

Anyway, until next time!

Anand?

Hi everyone, this is Anand here with the weekly Awesome English update! ?I hope you are all having a nice week, and I hope you all had a nice Valentine’s Day! ?I have always been split on the day, because when you have someone to spend it with, it is always nice. ?However, if you spend it alone, it is one of the most galling days of the year. ?Although this year was different because of my job. ?It allows me to enjoy Valentine’s Day with the kids and is actually feels a little more real than being ?forced to go on ?date because the calendar says I have to (clearly, I didn’t have a date this year). ?This year I made Valentine’s cards and chocolates with the kids at work. ?The chocolates were a little stressful, and a little messy…but it was worth it to make the kids happy. ?After it was all said and done, I was lucky enough to get some nice cards myself. ?Here is one that a 5-year old made for me. ?I am guessing it is supposed to be me and her. ?In any case, it makes the hard work worth it. ?The only thing that could be better would be having a date as well!

Maybe next year!

Anand Mohan

Hello everyone, this is Anand as always, hoping you are enjoying a good life and good food. ?I spent my day off trying an Arabian restaurant in the heard of Ikebukuro called Palmyra. ?It’s owned by a very nice guy who is always happy to chat with you and give you a nice course meal. ?I have been there once before for my friend’s birthday party and the atmosphere endeared itself to me instantly. ?What is more, there is a wide array of Middle Eastern beer (which I found a little odd since most of the countries are Muslim nations). ?It’s hard to balance all this eating out with a healthy diet (and to be honest, I am not really doing so well). ?But thankfully most Arabian diets are pretty healthy, featuring several different types of kebabs and extremely flavorful dips. ?I had the pleasure of introducing my friend to some of these foods for the first time and they were shocked at how delicious they were. ?In any case, if you are ever in Ikebukuro, I highly recommend the place, and I definitely recommend it for a date, so long as he or she has some adventurous tastebuds.

Here is just a sample of the food I tried.

Enjoy!

Hello everyone, this is Anand as always with another Awesome English update! ?I learned that even if you have let your New Year resolutions go, in Japan you get another chance to improve yourself. ?This second chance is called Setsubun. ?It occurs every year on February 3rd and involves one person putting on a demon mask and the others members of their family throwing beans while saying 福は内鬼は外! or literally “Luck in, demons out!”. ?I suppose that it is plenty of fun for kids and rather painful for the demon. ?It is supposed to represent the cleaning out of evil spirits from the household and is further supposed to represent a clean start to the new year. ?Of course, since the majority of you are Japanese people I don’t need to tell you all about Setsubun. ?However, the reason I bring it up is that thanks to my work in preschool I get to try this with kids! ?When I worked in elementary and junior high schools I never got a chance to teach kids about it, but now I get to throw myself into it and hopefully teach a great lesson without making kids cry. ?I spent last night making masks for the event, so let’s hope the kids have a good time! ?I’ll let you know how it goes.

Luck in, demons out!

All the best!