「work-life balance」との言葉は今日的な話題です。
一昔前に言われた「猛烈社員」との表現はもはや死語、でも未だに日々仕事に追われ
プライベートな時間が充分でない日本人は一般的と言えるでしょう。
会社の為なら何でも犠牲にできた時代から、自分が主役として
仕事をコントロールする大切さが強調される時代へと、この国も
確実に変化しつつあるようです。
work-life balance
I've heard work-life balance mentioned recently, but what is work-life balance really ?
There are many people who don't really know when someone asks them.
Work-life balance is the condition when you can strike a balance between work and life.
Work is necessary for supporting your life and makes you feel worthwhile. And private
time is also necessary for leading a full life. Work-life balance means how you work and
live make you feel fulfilled.
Speaking of work-life balance, we tend to focus on having a rich private time. It doesn't mean
that you should abstain from work to enrich your private time,and you shouldn't do
overtime work because life time comes first.
It means you should aim to enrich both work and private time by reexamining your
working time and your way of working.
Companies emphasize the importance of work-life balance, so we seem to put so much
effort into the way we work .
(教師から)
I think the concept of work-life balance is relatively modern.
As we have improved our understanding of what it means to have a healthy life, and as we figure
out what makes a good upbringing for children, we have come to realize that work -life balance
is very important.
But in reality it is very hard to achieve because work often focus us to stay at the office late
into the evening.
And if we can't maintain a good work-life balance, our family unity may suffer. Furthermore our
stress may increase and mental health symptoms such as depression may arise.
So we should do what we can to achieve a good work-life balance.
]]>
実際にこの国の入国管理局で起こった悲劇的事件について
書かれています。
海外では大きく報道されましたが、日本国内の主要メディアでは
限られた報道でしたので、ご存知ない方も多いのではないでしょうか。
現在、遺族は日本政府の回答に承諾せず、真相究明のためカンパと署名
を募っています。ネットでは「#JusticeForWishma 名古屋入管死亡事件」で。
Immigration
I am interests in two problems experienced by people from different countries in Japan.
One is Muslim's graves and the other is the Japanese Immigration Services Bureau.
There are about two hundred thousand Muslims in Japan. But they feel anxious about keeping
their religious customs in Japan. Especially they have problems with their graves.
While Islam prohibits cremation,cremation is a typical Japanese custom.
There are only a few graveyards in Japan where they can be buried ,and it is too expensive
(about one million yen per person). Interment is not prohibited in Japan.
The approval of a local government and local residents are required to make a graveyard.
But a lot of Japanese people oppose making an interment only graveyard due to the land pollution
and reputational rumors in the neighborhood. It is difficult for Japanese people to understand
Muslim's stubborn faith because the majority of Japanese people are atheist. So, a lot of Muslims struggle
to bury their deceased family members.
Another problem is that foreigners have been treated in humanely by the Japanese Immigration Services Bureau.
In March,Wishma Sandamali,who is a Sri Lankan Woman, passed away in Nagoya Regional Immigration detention.
She ran away from her husband due to domestic abuse and asked the police for help. But the officer did not protect
her and reported her expired visa to the Immigration Bureau.
Ms.Wishima had been detained for half a year, and then she died without adequate medical care. Also, a few years ago, Deepak Kumar,who is an Indian man, committed suicide in another Immigration Bureau after nine months of detention. And then about 70 detainees went on hunger strike following his death. The environment inside the detention facilities and the treatment of detainees are too terrible. And a long-term detention harms their health. Someone who is angry at these troubles drew graffiti "Free Refugees" on a road near the Tokyo Immigration Bureau.But the officer were blind to their own faults and posted on Twitter,"Drawing graffiti on public objects is illegal".
I wonder if they understand the true meaning of "Free Refugees".
I think that a lot of Japanese people are indifferent to these problems experienced by foreign residents. It is not well known in Japan that recognition of refugee status and keeping one's religious customs are difficult. We will never improve our labor shortage in Japan without foreigner's cooperation. So,we should find solutions in order that foreigners can live with peace of mind in Japan.
(教師から)
I think immigration is wonderful thing . I ‘m from America, which is a country that was built on immigration. But at the same time I understand that movement to another country is something that should be carefully controlled.
For example, when you enter another country you have to understand that the language,food,services, and way of thinking will be different from what you are used to. So you will have to try to prepare yourself for entry into another culture by educating yourself and changing your expectations.
Some people seem to be able to do this relatively easily ,but others resist. The former type ,those who can a dapt
flexibly, are good immigrants, and they should be accepted with open arms.
]]>
簡単なようで、
説明するには抽象的過ぎて・・・
17才にして、これだけ冷静に論理的に
定義できることに、驚きです
日本語でも難しいのに、
説得されてしまいました!
Can money buy happiness?
In my opinion money can't buy happiness. In contrast,some people may think happiness is able to
be bought by money because whatever you want can be bought with money. Despite this, I think money
can't buy happiness. I have two reasons why I think this.
The first reason is that the answers of what is happiness are different depending on the people.
For example, some people say sleeping is happiness,others say laughing is happiness. In my
case,winning a tennis match or getting a high score on a test are happiness. Therefore,money
can't buy these kinds of happiness.
The second reason is that even if money could buy happiness,you would be tired of being happy
because you have to work hard to get money. For instance, some people say " I have money but I
don't have any free time, so I'm not happy". In particular,Japanese workers say this.
Therefore,rich people are not always happy.
Fore these reasons, I think happiness is not able to be bought by money.
There are a lot of definitions of happiness,so it is not necessarily something bought with money.
教師より
I think poverty can be terrible and it can cause a lot of sadness and depression,but money doesn't
buy happiness.
If a person has enough money not to be considered "poor", then they should look for happiness in
themselves. Of course, shopping is fun,and getting something you want to buy is pleasant,but this
kind of enjoyment is not the same as happiness.
Instead , happiness comes from having a dream and working to achieve it.
If you can succeed in your life's goals, then you'll feel happy.
However,money does buy comfort. Food,bed, transportation,medicine, and clothing are all bought
with money,and without these things, life would be uncomfortable.
]]>
The most important change in Japan recently
The number of two-income families has been increasing in Japan,so I think this is the most important change in Japan recently. Most Japanese people used to think that the man earned money to support his family and woman did house work or took care of children. I have two reasons why the number of two-income families has increased.
The first reason is that it takes more money than before to support a family because living costs, such as food and child-care expenses, have increased while income have decreased. For example,recently,some worker's salaries have gone down , and what was worse,the number of people who are unemployed has been increasing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, it became difficult to support a family with one person's income.
The second reason is that companies improved the working environment for women. Thanks to this improvement,many women find work more easily. For instance,women have the opportunity to take childcare leave. Furthermore,women can leave their workplace earlier than usual when their children have a fever or get injured.
For these reasons the number of two-income families has been increasing. Both parents should help each other when they do housework. I guess two-income families will continue to become more numerous in the future.
教師より
Perhaps the greatest change to occur in Japan recently is the introduction of English in elementary school. This is a sign that the Japanese government is taking English more seriously.
In the past,English was mainly taught in high school as a subject that students has to study if they wanted to take a difficult university entrance exam. In those days, English was seen as a way to test students' intelligence. So the subject focused on grammar and difficult vocabulary. But it wasn't practical and few students actually learned how to use English in a practical way.
But now it seems that the Japanese government intends to teach English as a practical tool of international communication. If this continues,Japan will change greatly because it will become a nation of bilingual people with a more global mindset.
]]>
If I was a super hero
If I was a super hero,may be I would know everything.
Some super heroes usually say "Believe in love" or "Don't do that" to people. I think that is because they know we should "Believe in love" or "Not do that".
And they always attack bad people because they know that people want them to attack bad people. They must know what crimes the bad people have done.
Super heroes must know how they can save people.
They know the limits of their own power.
But, if this wasn't true they would make an effort to "Believe in love"
or "Not do that ". They would judge themselves, and attack themselves.
They wouldn't know how to save people. They wouldn’t know the limits of their own power.
How cool ! They have a lot of courage to act , so super heroes encourage people.
教師より
If I was a super hero, I would have big muscles and a colorful costume.
I think it's very interesting that super heroes are stronger than everyone
else,but it's really funny that they all have colorful costumes. I wonder where they got them from. Is there a super hero clothing store?
Also, I think it's a little strange that super heroes usually have a normal girlfriend or boyfriend. If I was a super hero, I would find a super hero girlfriend. Then we could wear the same funny costumes.
Finally, super heroes usually have special abilities. If I was a super hero I would try to learn how to communicate with and control insects. Then I would send mosquitos and cockroaches to attack the bad people.
Also,I would tell all the insects to leave me alone-I would never be bitten by a mosquito again.
]]>
Should people who have committed crimes be allowed to vote?
Giving the right to vote to people who have committed crime is a controversial topic. People
who have been sentenced to imprisonment or a heavier punishment will lose their voting rights
in Japan. However I partially agree with the idea that people who have committed crimes be
allowed to vote. I have the following three reasons to support my opinion.
Firstly, I agree with the idea because human rights should be protected,even for people who
have a criminal record as well. People who have criminal record will live in society after they pay
for the crime. However,if they lose their voting rights even if they have paid for the crime, I
think that means their human rights are being revoked. Human rights are the rights that all
human beings are born with. Therefore, I think the right to vote should be guaranteed,
basically,even if they have committed crime.
Secondly,they pay taxes after they are released from prison and contribute to society. It
makes no sense not to give voting right to people who are supporting the social system and
cultivating society. I think people who are supporting society should have the right to vote,and
to support the social system. Some people may say that even if they pay taxes
they shouldn’t be allowed to vote. However, they already have paid for the crime. Also, if they
are not allowed to vote,it is like saying that any mistake that you’ve made will never be
forgiven. It should be forgiven.
Thirdly, there are always reasons why criminals commit crime. For instance, some criminals
steal food and drinks because they haven’t eaten for a week and they are starving,then they
get arrested. It might your responsibility if you couldn’t get things to eat and drink. However,
it might be the environment,government,or society’s responsibility as well,because they can’t
handle the inequality.
However, if criminals commit murder they shouldn't be allowed to vote. This is because they
have taken away someone’s precious life. Life is not substitutable. If they take a life ,their
human rights should be taken away.
In conclusion, I think criminals should be allowed to vote depending on the severity of the
crime , like in Japan. There are always reasons to commit crime and it is not only their
responsibility. However, Killing someone is an unforgivable crime for whatever reason. It is an
inhuman act. Therefore, I partially agree with the idea.
教師より
I think it’s wrong to revoke someone’s right to vote just because they
have committed a crime.
I can understand the reason for wanting to do this, and it may depend on
the society in question, but democracies depend on fairness for all. If you
have completed your sentence, all rights should be returned to you.
Some people may say that we should not let people vote if they cannot
follow the rules.
But should we deny the right to vote if someone isn’t intelligent? What if
someone had a mental illness? The fairest policy is to let everyone vote,
and the majority wins.
Also, in countries with a lot of diversity, like the US, the ability to revoke
the right to vote can be used as a kind of discrimination.
White police will arrest black people for no reason other than to take away
their right to vote.
In a democracy, everyone must have equal rights.
]]>
ご紹介の方は、思い通りの旅行ができなくても、
「読書」からも大切な何かを学べると
What motivate you?
I think my curiosity is what motivate me.
Traveling and reading are my hobbies,because these satisfy my
intellectual curiosity.
When I go to travel, I usually stay in the same place as long as possible
and spend time getting to know the native culture and its background.
Unfortunately, time and money are limited, so reading is only a casual
measure to fill my satisfaction that comes from my curiosity when I can’t
travel. My favorite reading genre is reportage. Actually , I am not
interested in fantasy or SF.
Traveling and reading let me know that what seems like common sense
surrounding me is not really so common.
Therefore, they provide different perspectives to my daily life. I believe
that broadening one’s outlook brings deeper thoughts.
Last year, I suddenly encountered a famous quote by Mahatma Gandhi.
He is famous for fighting for India’s Independence from England.
He said “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live
forever.” I was impressed by the words and would like to practice the
quote in my life.
教師より
I feel motivated by other people who have incredible talent.
When I see someone who can play a musical instrument, or is an expert of
technology, or anything really, I think it’s very amazing.
Then, may be I feel a little jealousy and regret that I don’t have any
incredible skill or special ability.
I would like to be someone who has an incredible ability,not because I
want other people to see what I can do- I don’t really care about that
very much-but I would feel a lot of satisfaction doing something
perfectly.I think it much be a great feeling to play an instrument like an
expert, or to speak a foreign language like a native speaker.
I don’t have any incredible talent yet,but I’m motivated, so hopefully
someday, I’ll get there.
]]>
A turning point in my life.
I have two times that are turning points in my life.
First, I decided my job (what I'd like to be in the future)when I was 18 years old.
Then I started to live by myself in Okayama,and studied about nursing,
I thought that it's too hard to live by myself because I have to study,
do homework, and part-time work every day and I was only 18 years old.
Therefore, I can live by myself now easily,and I could become a nurse.
Second is the time when I came back to Hiroshima.
I changed my office, and I started a new job.
I have many friends and coworkers in Okayama so I was agonizing over
whether to stay in Okayama or to go back to my hometown,I chose my hometown.
Now I'm happy because I can meet my family any time.
教師より
The turning point in my life came while I was working as a secretary in
Washington DC.
Before this moment, I had intended to go to law school and eventually
try for a life in politics. I even took the law school entrance exam and
completed my application.
But while I was working with the politician in that office in Washington DC,
I realized that politics were not what I had hoped.
Political people seem very selfish and arrogant, and their priorities don't
seem very good.
So, I changed direction, and decided to seek a job abroad, working in education.
This seems much more honorable to me even though it's not very glamorous.
Intercultural marriages
I would guess that intercultural marriages might be romantic but hard to maintain for a big time.
My wife and I have the same culture, since we're both Japanese.
However, it took a long time to get used to each other's daily habits.
We quarreled about trifles, for example, the way of folding clothes
seasoning, and other things I don't remember as they were so trivial.
Now I understand I needed more tolerance for the differences between us.
Back to the inter- cultural marriages, it must require much more tolerance for both.
One of my wife's friends married an Iranian. It seemed she struggled to
cook for her husband, who is Muslim.
On the other hand, I imagine she could expand her world view through the life with her Iranian husband.
I personally expected that my wife's brother's son would have an intercultural marriage
because he studied at a college in the US.
But he will get married to a Japanese woman this autumn.
教師より
I don't think there's any difference between intercultural marriages,
and marriages between people of the same culture. I think the success of a marriage depends on the couple.
Every kind of marriage must be difficult ,because it involves two people with different thoughts,expectations,and habits living together. They'll have to learn how to compromise, sacrifice, and help each other through difficult situations.
Of course an intercultural marriage may seem to be more challenging to some people, because it will involve more difficulty communicating and a wider gap between families. But for people who are curious about cultural differences, and actually have an interest in experiencing new things, it will become more satisfying and rewarding.
People who like things just a certain way, should marry someone of a similar culture and background. But if you're open-minded and accepting of unusual experiences, an intercultural marriage will be better.
]]>
A new holiday I would like to make.
I would like to make a new holiday that says you don't
have to spend money on food or games, but can have a
free day.
This is because when I have a normal holiday and play
with my friends we usually watch a movie and spend time
at the food coat.
At such a time, I spend a lot of money. May be I use
almost all the money that I have in my wallet.
By making a new holiday I think we can go out more
easily.
Also I want to make a holiday that says you can't use
electric devices so everyone can study more.
教師より
If I could make up a new holiday, I would make it a day to
celebrate people named "Eric". It would be called "Eric's
day".
This would be like a birthday for everyone named Eric.
People named Eric would receive presents from everybody
else.
Also, all the Erics would be able to go shopping or eat at
restaurants for free. Almost everyone knows somebody
named Eric, so they should understand how lucky they
are.
That's why we should make this holiday-not just because
my name is Eric.
]]>
新年の決意とともに始まる寒い冬も、暖かい春への
準備として備えることで、美しい桜を愛でることができる
でしょう。
初心者から話題にできる、親しみやすい題目について
書かれたエッセイのご紹介です。
Spring in Japan
Japanese spring is famous all over the world.
Many foreign tourists also look forward to it every year.
Spring is warm and the most comfortable season in Japan. Therefore, many plants bloom beautifully.
For example, cherry blossoms,canola blossoms,narcissus and lily of the valley. Many colorful flowers can be seen all over Japan.
In addition, the fiscal year changes in April in Japan.
The era name is chaging from "Heisen" to"Reiwa" this year. So Japan is bustling more than usual.
Sporing time in Jpan is not only a beaty,it also has a power that makes people feel refreshed.
教師より
I think spring has a special place in people's heart in many countries. We can find myths about the arrival of spring in many different cultures.
I also happen to love spring in Japan but I prefer autumn colours to charry blossoms. Even though the scenery is beautiful,my hay fever is certainly not a fan of this season in Japan.
]]>
夏の疲れが出る頃、皆さまくれぐれもご自愛くださいませ。
さて、本日紹介させていただくessayですが、2016年に受講生によって書かれたものです。
2019年の今、香港での大規模デモは長期化・泥沼化しており、緊張状態にあります。
私たちが暮らす日本においても、改憲が議論され、"human/civil rights"について今一度考えなくてはならない時期だと感じています。
英語を道具として使えれば、世界中のニュースや歴史、人々の考えなどを学ぶことができ、私たちの世界はもっと広くなるのではないでしょうか。
"Human/Civil Rights"
Human rights are one of the basic rights that many societies think every person should have, to be treated in a fair equal way without cruelty, for example by their government, or the right to vote.
People have been struggling to obtain them over a long period through many battles against their leaders. Nevertheless, human rights are still likely to be violated by the government, evil people and other countries.
Those who live in unstable political conditions are facing serious danger with their right to live, which is the most fundamental one.
Recently, the migrant crisis is becoming a great concern all over the world. Ironically, human rights might need a strong government to support them, where people win their rights to a free and equal society. The scene of many migrants at European borders and the coast lines tells us of the humanitarian catastrophe of the citizens who lost their stable nation. Besides, people who can’t escape from the battle zone, face a more horrible situation.
To guarantee human rights, no matter where we live, it can’t be fairly performed by only one country. Nowadays we should help each other and support one another beyond the borders. In doing so, all of humanity who live in this world can enjoy human rights and grow properly together and enjoy the diversity.
教師より
You wrote some excellent points about human rights. Certain leaders or groups have advocated and rallied for human rights for numerous years.
In the case of the current migrant crisis, many critics cite that Western governments intervention is the main reason.
Many young US citizens are desperate for charge and agree with Bernie Sanders, as the current state of capitalism foreshadows basic human rights to free education, health care and so on. Recently, a young advocate for the “million student march” called Darletta Scruggs pointed out that the US government has enough money to spend on War but not on free education like in other countries such as Sweden etc.
Much to the protest of a fox news reporter, if profit cannot be made, then the government, stock holders have no interest.
Through history, power corrupts and it’s always the less fortunate that suffers. The world has become more dystopian but there is still hope that people will work together and fight for human rights.
]]>
主にインターネットからのみ知ることができる、今日この国の
大都市で頻発する「hate speech」、英語という外国語を知ること
で彼らの考え方から学ぶことが出来れば、国粋的で偏狭な視点
に同調する方は減ることでしょう。
受講生のご意見、担当教師のコメント両方から何かしらを
吸収頂ければ幸いです。
Japanese national pride
I think the Japanese have two things that they're proud of.
First, it's not only their pride but also their everyday habits,the Japanese tend to be on time. At Japanese schools, we have been taught to begin every action 5 minutes before we have to do it(for examples,if the meeting begins at 10 am,we have to enter the meeting room by 9:55 am).
On business or social activity scenes people who are always late for the promised time lose their social trust.
The most obvious characteristic feature of being on time is Japanese public transport. Particularly,Japanese train(subway)systems are very punctual. If a train is late for timetable,even a few minutes,the driver must apologize to passengers for being late.
Second the Japanese take pride in their pacifism.
Few months ago,a member of Japanese Congress, was criticized for his inappropriate speech about the Northern Territory by fighting a war. His speech offended the Japanese and was an insult to all the efforts the people made to maintain a peace approach.
I think that the criticism of his speech shows the Japanese people's pride in their peace-loving attitude.
教師より
There're lots of things to be proud of for Japanese people.
Majority of the population is organized, clean and polite.
Of course it depends on the person but I think we can say
these for most of the nation. It's normal to be proud of
one's nationality as long as they respect other nationalities too.
]]>
最近は、新入学生、新社会人の方などをよく見かけます。
少し緊張しているけど、希望に満ちた表情を見ていると、私も何かに挑戦したい気持ちになります。
何かと忙しく、気候の変動も大きい季節ですので、皆さまお身体にお気を付けください!
さて、今回紹介させていただくessayは
"Atheism and agnosticism"です。
普段使うことはあまり無いtopicですが、私自身も外国人の友人に聞かれ、返答に困った経験があります。
皆さまは、どのように考えますか???
I don’t know exactly what the difference between atheism and agnosticism is even in Japanese. If atheism and agnosticism are translated from English to Japanese, atheism is ‘Mushinron’ and agnosticism is ‘Fukachiron’. Both words are not familiar to me. According to the Internet, atheism is the belief that God does not exist. Agnosticism is to believe that people cannot know whether God exists or not.
We, Japanese, don’t usually think God exists. Most Japanese are not religious. When you want to pass the university entrance examination, you go to the shrine to pray. The funeral is held according to the Buddhist rites. Many Japanese celebrate Christmas.
The Japanese don’t seem to believe God exists, but when we are having trouble, we ask God for help. The Japanese usually don’t have consciousness of the existence of God, but once we get in trouble, we believe in the existence of God. The Japanese seem to be an agnostic.
教師より
I would define agnosticism as “the existence of God is unknowable.” Technically, we can consider the Japanese as followers of Shintoism and Buddhism, but as you stated, this is valid only when they have a reason to ask for help.
Generalisation cannot be completely accurate, of course there are some religious Japanese people. But in general, we cannot run into people who are extremely religious often in Japan.
Atheism is becoming more and more poplar all over the world. But especially with the rise of terror attacks, extreme atheism is also increasing.
]]>
3月に入り、暖かい日も増えてきましたね!
街中では、新生活に向けて忙しそうな方も増え、春が近づいて来ているのを感じる今日この頃です。
さて、本日紹介させていただくessayは、"mood"についてです。
私は自分で"moody"だと自覚しており、それが悩みの種でもあります。。。
皆さまはどんな"mood"をお持ちですか?
People around me say I’m a sociable person. They say “you need only three minutes to make a friend.” I’m glad to hear that because I had hoped to be a sociable person. My mother said “your appearance is cold whey you are silent.” Therefore, I try to speak to people actively.
English school is a good place to be sociable. We have to talk about our opinions with people we don’t know every time. I’m getting used to that situation. At that time, I feel less shy and also I feel like I’m getting older. I’m glad about that because I have to communicate with people I don’t know well in my job.
My goal is to become a person who is easy to talk to. I’m trying my best.
教師より
Being sociable comes with benefits and I’m sure you experience these advantages at work and in your private life.
I have to disagree with your mother on how you look like when you’re not talking. I believe social skills help us to improve our lives and make everything easier for us.
When we say “mood”, we talk about “how someone feels at a particular time.” So, you can say you have a sociable mood but somedays you are in a bad mood so you try to avoid meeting people on those days. For example, I am in a cheerful mood most of the time, but when I’m tired or hungry, I get in a very angry mood.
]]>