Spring has Sprung!

Hi everyone,

Spring has sprung! (春がやって来た！) For tonight at exactly 11:46 (just a few minutes ago), the tilt of the Earth's axis (地球の自転軸の傾き) was neither toward (～に向かって) nor away from (～から離れて) the sun. The result is an equal amount of both daylight and darkness, known as the Vernal (or Spring) Equinox. The word "vernal" is an adjective (形容詞) for spring (春) while "equinox" comes from Latin (ラテン語), with "equi" meaning "equal" and "nox" meaning "night." 

So, even though it is still a little chilly (肌寒い) outside, astrologically speaking (占星術的に言えば), spring is here!  

See you at E-Style,

Alan

P.S. Another definition (定義・語義) of "spring" as a noun (名詞) is 「ばね」; as a verb (動詞), it can mean 「跳ねる」. In this post's title, "Spring has Sprung!" is a pun (ダジャレ) meaning 「春がばねのように飛んで来た！」. 

P.P.S.「秋分」is called the Autumnal Equinox in English. This year, it will occur on September 23rd at 11:04 p.m.

                                                                

2026: The Year of the Horse🐴

Happy New Year!

Hi everybody,

A happy and healthy New Year to all of you! I hope that all of your dreams come true (夢が叶う) in 2026: The Year of the Horse. Jack and I are looking forward to seeing (and teaching) you at E-Style when classes resume (再び始まる) on Monday, January 5th. Until then (それまで), take care, enjoy the break, and good luck with your New Year's resolutions (新年の抱負).

All the best in Reiwa 8,

Alan

As the year comes to a close 〜

Dear students,

Just a quick entry (一筆啓上) to let you know (あなた方にお知らせするため) that there will be no lessons at E-Style for the next two weeks. Classes will resume (再び始まる) on Monday, January 5, 2026.

As the year comes to a close (終わりに近づくにつれ), Jack先生 and I would like to thank all of you for studying English conversation with us in 2025. We look forward to continuing to teach you throughout "The Year of the Horse," 2026.

Take care and have a happy and healthy New Year. 

Sincerely,

Alan

I have the flu (Part 2)!

Hi everyone,

I hope that this entry finds you well. 

In November of 2019, I wrote a blog entitled "I have the flu." At the time, I was perfectly healthy. Unfortunately, that is not the case now. Despite having gotten my shot (予防接種) last week, I came down with the flu (インフルエンザにかかった) yesterday morning. As a result (結果として), last night's lessons as well as tomorrow's classes at E-Style have been canceled. As for this evening, Jack先生 will teach both his beginner and intermediate lessons as scheduled (予定どおりに). 

Please accept my apologies for the inconvenience and please don't worry about my health, as my symptoms (症状) are not too bad.

Feeling blue with the flu,

Alan   

60sサイケ中学生 (one year on)!

Hi again Music Lovers,

Exactly one year ago today (ちょうど1年前の今日), I introduced (紹介した) you to a YouTube channel called "60sサイケ中学生." 

Well, the junior high school student has been uploading videos nearly every week for a full year (丸1年間) now and shows no signs of slowing down (少しも緩める様子を見せない). His channel includes full-length videos, shorts, playlists, and posts. 

If you have a chance, click HERE to check out one of his latest entries showing how to solo in the style of Eric Clapton (エリック・クラプトン流).

Tuning in and turning on,

Alan

P.S. The "one year on" in the title of this blog entry means 「1年後の現在」.

No lessons at E-Style (8/11～8/17)

Hi everybody,

There will be no lessons at E-Style from tomorrow, August 11th to next Sunday, August 17th. Classes will resume (再び始まる) on Monday, the 18th. Feel free to contact me should you have any questions about make-up lessons (振替授業) or starting English conversation classes after the break. 

For now (とりあえず), please enjoy Mountain Day (山の日) and have a safe and pleasant Obon.

See you at E-Style,

Alan

New Term at E-Style!

Hi everyone,

As a new fiscal year (新年度) has already (既に) started and a new school year (新学年) is scheduled to begin next week, a new term (新クール) at E-Style is set to start, as well. It will be a ten-lesson term (with one week off for Golden Week) running from this coming Monday, April 7th to Saturday, June 21st. Please be sure to check out the LESSONS/FEES page of this website for a detailed explanation (詳しい説明) of our classes and prices if you are interested in studying English conversation with us this fiscal/school year.

Jack and I hope to see you at E-Style next week!

Sincerely,

Alan