E-Style's Summer Term

Hi everybody,

E-Style's summer term will begin the day after tomorrow (明後日), June 14th. It is a 10-lesson term and will continue until the end of August (８月下旬まで). Please check the "Lessons" page on our website for the new class schedule and contact us if you feel like brushing up on your English conversation skills (もし英会話能力を磨き直したかったら) this summer.

Jack and I hope to see you at E-Style.

Alan

Golden Week

Hi everyone,

Please note that there will be no lessons at E-Style from tomorrow (April 29th) to next Wednesday (May 5th). Classes will resume on Thursday, May 6th.

Here is a list of the holidays that make up Golden Week for you to study during the break:

April 29th: Showa Day (昭和の日)
May 3rd: Constitution Memorial Day (憲法記念日)
May 4th: Greenery Day (緑の日)
May 5th: Children's Day (こどもの日)

Have a pleasant and safe Golden Week.

See you at E-Style,

Alan

P.S. When I first came to Japan in 1993, Greenery Day was celebrated on April 29th. At that time, though, most people called it "Green Day." Maybe the name changed because of the popularity of the band.

New Term at E-Style!

Hi students,

I hope that this blog entry finds you well and enjoying the beautiful weather.

Spring has officially (正式的に) arrived and with it comes a new term (新クール) at E-Style. Starting next Monday, March 29th, the 10-lesson term will take a break for Golden Week and run until the middle of June (６月中旬まで). Be sure to check out the "Lessons" page of our website for the new class schedule for both adults (大人) and elementary school students (小学生). Feel free to contact us if you would like to brush up on your English conversation skills (英会話能力を磨き直す) these next few months.

Jack and I are looking forward to teaching you this spring.

See you at E-Style,

Alan

Bird's-eye View

Hi nature lovers,

It seems that spring has arrived a little early this year, especially for this Japanese white-eye (メジロ). As the cherry blossoms (桜) are in bloom/blooming (咲いている), this bird (also known as a warbling white-eye) has been visiting my garden for the past few days. If you get a chance, please check out (見る・調べる) not only the beautiful flowers you may find in your neighborhood (近所), but the lovely guests they attract (引き付ける), as well.

In my tree,

Alan

Hello (and a hearty welcome) to 2021!

Dear readers,

Happy New Year!

I hope that 2021 finds you well. My family and I have started the year off right with a clean house and delicious food. Needless to say (言うまでもなく), the rice-cake soup (お雑煮) was made Sanuki style, with white miso and sweet-bean-paste (餡) mochi!

Although my New Year's holiday has been both relaxing and enjoyable, I am looking forward to returning to E-Style and teaching you English conversation next week. So with that, let us say "Hello" and give a hearty welcome (心を込めて歓迎する) to 2021! Here's hoping that it's a better year for everyone.

All the best,

Alan

 

Goodbye (and good riddance) to 2020!

Dear readers,

As this terrible/awful/horrible (酷い) year comes to an end, I can only say good riddance (厄介払い). This expression is used when one is glad or relieved that something bad is gone or finished (嫌な物が無くなって・終わって嬉しい又はホッとする). Sometimes we even use it about people. For today, though, let's practice by saying goodbye and good riddance to 2020. Hopefully, 2021 will be a better year for all. 

Looking forward,

Alan

Goodbye, Mr Bond!

Dear 007 fans,

It is with great sadness (悲痛な面持ちで) that I report the passing of (逝去の) Sir Sean Connery on October 31, 2020 at the age of ninety. He was the first and, for many, the best James Bond. For some, he was the ONLY 007. For me, he was a childhood hero.

Playing a variety of roles over his seven-decade career, Sean Connery won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor (助演男優賞) in 1988 and received the American Film Institute's Lifetime Achievement Award (アメリカ映画協会の生涯功労賞を受賞した) in 2006.

A man's man who was knighted (ナイト爵を授けられた) by Queen Elizabeth in 2000, Sir Sean's services will be greatly missed. 

Goodbye, Mr Bond!

In mourning,

Alan

P.S. As a child, my favorite James Bond movie was "You Only Live Twice" (007は二度死ぬ), when 007 travels to Japan!