英会話(名古屋・金山) BRIDGE - About Us(スタッフの紹介)

2012/02/01

Having a son who is growing up learning both Japanese and English, I am constantly amazed at how he is able to learn 2 languages with such effortlessness. At only 2 years of age, not only can he speak both English and Japanese but also he can be asked something in one language and respond in another. I must put a lot of effort into studying and learning foreign languages, but he seems to not have to do anything. I wish that adults could learn languages with the same ease as children do. While it is good to learn a new language at any time in life, it certainly seems to be easier the earlier you start.
As well, it is important to not lose any languages that you can already understand. Having been fluent in French when I was a young boy, I often wonder how I could have so easily forgotten it all to the point where I can now only count and say “I don’t speak French”. If one is fortunate to speak more than one language, they should take care so as to not lose it as it is much more difficult to get it back once it is gone.

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2011/12/01

LOS TRES REYES MAGOS.
The best-loved tradition among kids during Spanish Christmas isLos Tres Reyes Magos (the Three Wise Men). Santa Claus is quite well-known as he delivers toys and presents, but the real stars in Spain are los Reyes. These Three Kings are the ones who followed a star to meet the new King of Kings (Baby Jesus) and offered him three presents: gold, frankincense and myrrh to the newborn child in Belén (Bethelem).
When December comes, all the boys and girls in Spain and Latin America start to write their letters to the Three Kings or to their favorite King: Melchor, Gaspar or Baltasar. They write about the things they'd like to receive on the morning of the 6th of January, (which is the day the presents get delivered) and also about their behavior during the year. If they’ve been good, they get presents; if they’ve been bad, they get a piece of coal.
Their Majesties travel by camel and due to the fact that they come from the East, they take a long time to arrive to Spain. Once here, they visit all the cities and villages, and listen to thekids' requests, after a spectacular parade. On the night of the 5th, the kids put their shoes by the door before going to bed so that the Kings will know how many children live there. They also put out something to eat and drink for Melchor, Gaspar, and Baltasar, and also water and grass for the camels (true, they can last a month or more without drinking water, but that night they have a lot of work to do, so they need extra water and food).
On the morning of the 6th, children find their presents inside and outside the shoes (it's very unusual for their Majesties to bring carbones (coal) because no child really behaves so badly, and many people say it's not true that naughty girls and boys get only coal and no toys). The food and drink placed in the plates and glasses are gone. The children start playing with their toys, and excitedtly await for the next 5th of January to come around.
Jose Luis.
Spanish teacher.

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2011/10/01

Who’s driving?

I recently read an article about driverless cars! That’s right! Cars driving on the street without a person behind the wheel! A complex computers system that uses sensors and cameras is able to drive the car. At first I didn’t think that it was such a good idea, but the article gave several points that showed how it could be advantageous.

First of all, almost all accidents are a result of human error. So if cars were all controlled by computers, then we would have much safer streets. Nowadays, I often see cars go speeding through yellow or even red lights. Cars also often are starting into an intersection before the light has turned green. Computer controlled cars would start and stop at the correct times, thus making driving much safer.

Another thing that many people would like is that they would be free to do anything they wanted while in the car going from point A to point B. Now the driver should be focused on the road. Talking on the phone and watching TV while driving are against the law because they are too dangerous. However, if the computer is driving the car, then the passengers can do whatever they want, even sleep! This to me is the biggest benefit of computerized cars.

The article also mentioned that many people might not need a car anymore if this new technology is used. A computerized car would be able to pick up multiple passengers at a time and drop them off at their separate destinations. They would effectively be like small trains. People wouldn’t need to worry about finding or paying for parking. At the same time, this would reduce traffic and pollution!

At first I wasn’t so sure I liked the idea of fully computerized cars, but the more I think about it, the better and better it sounds. I am sure there are some negatives in using this type of system, but it seems that the positives out weigh them by a lot. We will see, only time will tell!

（つづきはこちら）