Mind-map of my language learning story

Mind-map of my language learning story (2012.6.29)

My language learning story

• childhood
• early years
• mother tongue (Japanese)
• parents
• grandparents
• pre-school years
• nursery school
• friends
• teachers
• family
• parents
• grandparents
• relatives
• uncles & aunts
• cousins
• elementary school
• classes
• Japanese
• letters
• hiragana
• katakana
• kanji
• skills
• reading
• writing
• English
• writing
• alphabet
• speaking
• extracurricular activities
• English conversation school
• secondary schooling
• junior high school
• Japanese
• modern language
• classics
• English
• grammer
• reading
• high school
• Japanese
• modern language
• classics
• English
• grammer
• reading
• listening
• oral communication
• speaking
• college
• English
• grammer
• skills
• reading
• writing
• speaking
• listening
• German
• grammer
• pronunciation

[28 words]

Secretarial Skills Test

Last Saturday, I took Secretarial Skills Test at KGU. I took 2nd grade. Before I took it, I studied by using a reference book I bought. I learned rules and manners in business. It was hard for me to learn them, but I thought it was very important to master them because I will become a working member of society after I graduate from college. If I learn rules and manners in business in my school days, they will be useful for me in the future.

I don't know whether I pass the test or not. I'm so nervous because I don't have any confidence in my answers of the test. I hope that I pass the test! If I pass it, I will take the test of next rank. If I fail it, I will try to take again.

[139 words]

BR 1-15: Mr. Putter & Tabby Catch the Cold

Tabby sat on Mr. Putter's head to keep warm while he read the funnies. (No page number)




I picked this book because I came to like the series of this story. I also like the characters in the story. Mr. Putter, who is a hero in this story, had a cold in this story. When I saw the title, I imaged a bad story. However, the imagination is wrong. If you read this book, you will understand what I want to say. The story is very interesting, and it is easy to read. Please read it!

Reference

Rylant, Cynthia. (2002). Mr. Putter & Tabby Catch the Cold. Orlando, U.S.A: Harcourt.

[109 words]

Go shopping!

On Tuesday, I went shopping after I finished taking classes. First, I went to TSUTAYA. I can buy books, CDs and DVDs. I can also rent CDs and DVDs. I often go there. On Tuesday, I bought a CD. The songs which is taped are sung by Atsuko Maeda. I like her. This CD is a new single, and Wednesday is when it put on sale, but I got it on Tuesday because the CD was arrived at TSUTAYA. When I found and got the CD, I was very happy because I had wanted it since I knew that she released a new song.

I also rented CDs on Tuesday. I rented CDs of Mr. Children, Arashi and Kana Nishino. I like them because their singing voices are very good. After I came back home, I recorded the CDs on my computer and my music player. I enjoyed listening their songs. I asked my father to return the CDs on next day.

Next, I went to PARCO. PARCO is a popular shop in Kumamoto City, and it is one of my favorite stores. I bought clothes there. I was happy because I could get clothes which I had wanted. After I bought them, I went window-shopping. I was satisfied with getting clothes I had wanted, but I want to more clothes. I will go shopping to there again when I have enough time and money. Also, I was going to buy sandals, but I couldn't find them I wanted. I try to go elsewhere and find!

Lastly, I went Hayakawa. I went there  to buy to buy socks because my younger sister asked me to buy to student. I often go there because I was in the basketball club. Even so, recently, my sister has wheeled me into buying everything.

[298 words]

BR 1-14: Mr. Putter & Tabby Walk the Dog

Then Mr. Putter, who had a very soft heart, said, “I will. I will walk your little lollypup.” (No page number)

I picked this book because the cover is cute and unique, so I was interested in the story. Mr. Putter and his cat Tabby have gotten along with their neighbor Mrs. Teaberry and her dog Zeke. One day, her foot was injured. She had to take Zeke out for a walk, but she couldn’t. That is why he decided to take care of Zeke in stead of her. He had a hard time to look after Zeke. If you want to know the continuation of this story, please read it! Illustrations of this book are very pretty, so you will come to like this series.

Reference

Rylant, Cynthia. (1994). Mr. Putter & Tabby Walk the Dog. San Diego, U.S.A: Harcourt.

[142 words]

Essay 1-02c: Welcome to KGU!

Hello! We are students of KGU and we are sophomore. There are a lot of exchange students at KGU. To enjoy life at KGU, we think there are things we want them to know about KGU. We will introduce about need and want to know about KGU for exchange students. We will introduce about departments, timetables, various building, library, English-Lounge, bulletin board and we will tell you about facilities we wish to have. They are important and useful to spend their time at KGU.

First, KGU have thirteen departments. We’ll mention their names, the department of Commercial Science, Business Administration, Hospitality Management, Studying Britain, the United States, and East Asia, Economics, International Economics, Legal Economics, Social Welfare, Welfare Environment, Children’s Domestic Welfare, and Life-wellness. There are so many students in KGU. Especially, Eibei department students and International Economics department students are studying English there, and they probably want to have chance to speak English. We think most of them want to talk with exchange students, so We hope that exchange students will have a lot of chances to contact with KGU’s student who belong to several departments!

Second, We think exchange students have to know timetables of the classes. If they don’t know timetables, they will be late for the beginning of the classes and be able not to take part in the classes. At KGU, first period starts at 9:00 a.m. It starts so early, and some of the students often are late for the time, so please be careful to late for the class. Second period starts at 10:40 a.m. After finishing the class of second period, we have lunchtime. Third period starts at 1:00 p.m. Fourth period starts at 2:40 p.m. Fifth period starts at 4:20 p.m. A period is for 90 minutes, so the time between the classes is only ten minutes, except for lunchtime. If it is far between class rooms, people must move quickly. Especially, it is quite a long way between building No. 12 and No. 14, so we often move with running, or we are late for next class! That’s why we have to hurry a preparation for next class. If exchange students know time table the classes, they can participate in the classes and enjoy studying.

Third, one thing exchange students will need to know is there are many buildings. There are about fifteen buildings at KGU. So, we sometimes got lost at first, but we are safe now. Maybe you get lost in school, so you have to confirm place and a classroom of next lecture. It was difficult for me to learn place of building, but we will teach you about building the details. There are about seven building of having classroom. It is building No.1, No.3, No.4, No.7, No.11, No.12 and No.14. Other, There are library, a gymnasium, a students’ dining hall, a student’s hall and a clubroom building. There are many computers in the fourth floor of building No.14. We can use freely. There is book and a stationery store in the first floor of building No.12. There is a student’s dining hall in the first floor of building No.7. There are many clubrooms in the building No.8. There are club and circle at KGU. There is a training room in a gymnasium. Everybody can go there. We hope to go there some day. And, there are a lot of other classrooms and many facilities. 

Fourth, the library at KGU is very large and has a lot of books. There are novels, dictionaries, newspapers, picture books, magazines, and so on. These are written not only in Japanese but also in foreign languages, for example, English, Chinese, Korean, and so on. Also, computers are set up there. We can use computers freely at the library. When KGU students must hand in a paper, they often go to the library because they can get a lot of information. That is why the library at KGU is very useful to study and get information.

Furthermore, the library at KGU has more good points. One thing is AV room. This room is on the second floor. There are many CDs and DVDs. When KGU students have a free time, they often use this room. If they want to watch DVDs with two or more people, they can use the private room. They can be sure of having a good time. Something else is a studying space called “Study Room.” This room is on the first floor. There are many spaces to study at the library, but study room is special. The library prohibits us from eating and drinking, but drinking is allowed in this room. Also, we have to be quiet, but this room is allowed us talking with friends. When students need to have a break while they study, they had better use there.

Also, something else they’ll want to know is there is “English Lounge” in the first floor of building No.1 at KGU. There are many students studying abroad and Japanese students of KGU. So, we can exchange culture and language between many nations. In the room, people can’t speak Japanese, they must speak only English, so KGU students use to improve their English ability. English-lounge staffs are very kind and cheerful! We think exchange students can be friends with them soon. We think English Lounge is the best place to become friends with KGU students and other exchange students.

Then, exchange student should remember that they check the own department’s bulletin board when they come KGU in the morning and before they go home. Very important things are written in the board. If you don’t check it, you can’t know the classes are canceled or meetings are held. Sometimes, students who don’t check them wait for the teacher at a class room of the canceled lecture. If the lecture of first period is canceled, you can sleep longer than usual, so we recommend to check the board every day!

Finally, we wish to have other facilities. For example, fast-food, a locker room and parking areas. There are many food's facilities, but we want new food's facility. We bring many textbook and prints to school every day. So, we need a locker for personal use in KGU. There are areas for parking bicycles and motor bicycles, but KGU hasn’t free parking areas. Some students who come here by car park at prefectural theater. However, when we park there, we need 400 yen a day. It is expensive for us, so we want free parking areas!

That is why we think it is important for exchange students to know about KGU. KGU has a variety of departments. Exchange students have to remember timetables of classes and positions of buildings to take classes. The library is the best place to study by ourselves or with friends, so we recommend making the most of there. Also, when they go to English Lounge, we’re sure they have a good time, so please try to go there! Then, you have to check the own department’s bulletin board and other’s bulletin board. We think KGU will become better if there are fast-food, a locker room and parking areas. If you have questions about KGU, please ask us!

[1199 words]

I co-authored this essay with ... (& ...). We used content from our previous, individual essay posts (1-02a-b).

Individual essay posts (1-02a-b)

Mitsuki's revised essay (2012.05.23)
Rina's revised essay (2012.05.23)
My revised essay (2012.05.23)

Here are links to each of our co-authored essays:

Joint essay posts (1-02c)

Mitsuki's revised essay (2012.06.20)
Rina's revised essay (2012.06.20)
My revised essay (2012.06.20)

BR 1-13: Fluffy Goes Apple Picking

"Ms. Day?" said Wade. "can Fluffy come apple picking, too?" (No page number.)


I picked this book because I came to like Fluffy since I had read this series. Fluffy and his class go to apple picking in this story. After I read it, I thought conversational give-and-take between Fluffy and his friend Kiss. Fluffy can't sleep because he is looking forward to apple picking, so  I also thought Fluffy is so cute. If you are interested in this story, please read it! When you read it,  you will also think fluffy is pretty.

Reference

McMullan, Kate. (2001). Fluffy Goes Apple Picking. New York, NY: Scholastic.

[105 words]

Typing Homework

I will go to America in this summer vacation. I take part in a homestay program. I will visit Minnesota, and I will stay host family's house for a month. I want to talk with my host family! In September, I will take semester tests. I will study hard after I will come back to Japan. After I will finish the tests, I will participate in an extracurricular lecture. I will learn Micro Soft Office because I want to be able use the computer well. Of course, when I will return to Japan, I will work part-time hard.

[100 words]

Typing Homework

I think it is interesting for me to blog, so I enjoy blogging. I posted on my blog a lot if things, such as introduction myself, book review, my hobbies, and so on. However, it is very hard to write ten thousands words during this semester. I am trying hard to post on my blog. I also enjoy watch my friends' blog. When I read their blogs, I can know about their lives and their favorite things. My friends read my blog, and they give me comments. When I get comments, I become happy, so I reply. I want to read more my friends' blog, and I will post more on my blog.

[113 words]

Watching basketball game

A big sports event called "Soutai" was held in Kumamoto. Many of high school students participated in this event. I have taken part in this event too. I was in the basketball club when I was high school student, so I like basketball very much. I went to watch the basketball games every year since I graduated from high school. Last year, I went to watch the games to cheer my former teammate.

This year, basketball games started on June 1st, and the final match was held on June 4th. On June 1st, after I took classes, I went to Kumamoto Agricultural High School to watch the basketball game to cheer my younger sister's team. My younger sister is in the basketball club of Kumamoto North High School. Her team fought with Kumamoto Agricultural High School. However, my cousin belongs to the team, so I was mixed feelings. I often heard talking about my sister's team from her, so I had felt close to her team. Also, I heard her team has fought with the opposing team at practice games, but her team has never won the team. That is why I was so nervous before the game started.

When the game started, I was very excited. At first, my sister's team was forced to play by opponent's team, but the team fought in desperation to catch up with the other team. I shouted whenever my sister's team sank shots. When the first half of the game finished, my sister's team lost. However, I expected moving up of the latter half of the game. When the latter half of the game  started, I cheered with more enthusiasm. My sister's team attacked positively. When the team got scores, I was very happy and excited. The game lasted for one hour and a half. The game finished, and my sister's team lost the game 61-37. I was deeply regret, but I was impressed.

My sister didn't enter the game this time, but I hope that she enter the next game. She is practicing playing basketball every day. I will go to cheer the next game. I'm looking forward to it.

[358 words]

My favorite group

I like to listen to music. I especially like J-pop, and I have my favorite group. I introduce the group.

This is Arashi. They are very popular in Japan. There are five people in the group. The group was organized in September in 1999. They get along well each other. Moreover, I think all of them are cool and have individuality. They are known to not only singers but also actors and entertainers.

His name is Sho Sakurai. He is 30 years old. He is smart. He is good at playing soccer. He writes words rap parts of their songs. He works as a caster. He is a main caster of “News Zero” on Monday. “News Zero” is one of the news programs in Japan. His masterpiece of movie is “God’s Chart.” He acts a doctor in the movie. I like him best of Arashi. He is my type.

His name is Masaki Aiba. He is 29 years old. He is great fun. His father runs a Chinese restaurant. He likes animals, so he appears on TV program about animals. He also appears TV drama. He appears “The Inference of calico cat Holmes.” This drama is being broadcasted on Saturday night. He acts a detective in this TV drama.

His name is Kazunari Ninomiya. He is called “Nino” by members and his fans. He likes playing games. One of his masterpieces is “Letters from Iwo Jima.” This movie was evaluated high in America, and was nominated for an Academy Award. He also appeared on TV dramas such as “Bonds of Shooting Stars,” “A Job-hoping Part-time Worker Buys a House.”

His name is Satoshi Ohno. He likes fishing very much. He always looks slow, but when it comes to fishing, he concentrates on it. I think he sings best of this group. He also has an ability of art. He has opened a one-man show at a gallery. This year, he designed T-shirts of 24 hours TV with a famous illustrator.

His name is Jun Matsumoto. He is called “Matsujun” by the members and his fans. He appears on famous TV dramas in Japan. One of his masterpieces is “Boys over Flowers.” He acted a man who is in a financial combine. This drama is popular among young women. He is popular among not girls but also boys because he is so manly.

Arashi holds concert every year. I want to go to their concert, but I heard it is difficult for even fans that are in their fan club to get the tickets. One of my friends went to their concert last year, and she told me that she was excited. I envied her. The other day, I bought Arashi’s concert DVD. I want to watch it one of these days.

Also, they act as a main personality of 24 hours TV this summer. They are preparing it now. I watch this TV program every year, so I’m looking forward to watching it.

[493 words]

AKB48 General Election

I like AKB48. Do you know AKB48??? AKB48 is a famous idol group in the world. AKB48 was started in Akihabara in Tokyo. AKB48 has some sister groups, such as SKE48, NMB48, HKT48 and JKT48. The num

On June 6th, General Election of AKB48 was held. AKB48 hold many events every year, and one of them is general election. AKB48 became very famous and popular, so this event became a big event in Japan. This year, 237 people took part in this event. Their fans voted their favorite members, and the result of the voting was announced in the event. The following is the results of the voting.

1.        Yuko Oshima

2.        Mayu Watanabe

3.        Yuki Kashiwagi

4.        Rino Sashihara

5.        Mariko Shinoda

6.        Minami Takahashi

7.        Haruna Kojima

8.        Tomomi Itano

9.        Jurina Matsui

10.      Rena Matsui

11.      Sae Miyazawa

12.      Tomomi Kasai

13.      Rie Kitahara

14.      Minami Minegishi

15.      Yui Yokoyama

16.      Ayaka Umeda

These members can sing a song which is sold next time. The members that are elected from 1st place to 64th place were announced. I was glad to elect my favorite members.

By the way, one of my favorite members is Atsuko Maeda. She will graduate from AKB48 in August. When I heard it, I was surprised and felt sad. However, I will support her forever even if she graduates from AKB48. Of course, I will also continue a fan of AKB48 and its sister groups.

[258 words]

BR 1-12: Mr. Putter & Tabby Bake the Cake

They also loved wintertime because wintertime brought Christmas. (No page number.)


I picked this book because the picture of the cover is very pretty. This story is about a old man and a cat like winter. They especially like Christmas. This story is mainly about Christmas season. A old man's name is Mr. Putter. He gives a present to his neighbor Mrs. Teaberry every year. However, he has to come up with various ideas because she likes strange things. This story was very interesting! If you are interested in the story, please read it!

Reference

Rylant, Cynthia. (1994). Mr. Putter & Tabby Bake the Cake. San Diego, the U.S.: Harcourt.

[108 words]

Typing Homework

I have a keitai. I bought it last summer at docomo shop. The color of my keitai is black, and it is a touchpad. I chose it because it has many functions. It has camera function, TV function, e-mail function, Internet function, and so on. I often use twitter, face book, You Tube by my keitai. I check my favorite entertainers’ blog every night. I also play games by my keitai. There is a lot of application software, so I picked interesting one, and I download. I always use my keitai in my free time.

[96 words]

Typing Homework

It is convenient for me to use the computer because I can do a variety of things. For example, I can use Internet, send e-mail, and make documents. When I have to examine something, I often use Internet because I can get a lot of information quickly. When I hand in a report, I often use Micro Office Word. It is easier to revise than hand writing. Now, I use the computer more often than before because I have a lot of homework using the computer. For example, English Central, writing my blog, typing homework.

[96 words]

Typing Homework

I like Japanese movies. My favorite movie is Rookies. This is a story about a baseball team which consists of bad boys. They got into many troubles, but they try to go to Koshien. Hayato Ichihara acts one of the members of the team. Ryuta Sato acts a teacher who is as adviser for the baseball team. The teacher puts the whole heart for the team. Thanks to him, the team can unite and try to go to Koshien. The origin of the story is a manga. TV drama of this story was made from the manga. The movie is a continuation of TV drama.

[105 words]

Introduce Helga

BR 1-11: The Jewellery Shop Robbery

As he came around a corner, he saw a lot of people outside the jewellery shop. (p.4)

I picked this book because the pictures were unique and it looked fun. This story is written about a jewellery robbery. The hero of the story is a boy. He has a key to solve jewellery robbery. This story is short, so it is easy to read. I liked the pictures of this book because it is attractive for me. If you are interested in this story, please try to read!

Reference

Reilly, Carmel. (2007). The Jewellery Shop Robbery. South Melbourne, Australia: Cengage.

[100 words]

BR 1-10: The Baby Day

Jasmine sat on Billy’s knee, and put her thumb in her mouth again. She looked so sweet! (p.14)

I picked this book because the cover was colorful and the picture was so cute. Jasmine, who is Billy’s sister, is baby. She comes to Billy’s class in this story. After I read it, I thought babies have powers which make people become calm. In this story, there was a girl who is a transfer student and didn’t enjoy life. However, thanks to the baby, she could become familiar. I thought babies were wonderful and I want to see babies. This book is very interesting. Please read this book.

Reference

Alexander, Jenny. (2001). The Baby Day. London, the United Kingdom: Literacy Land.

[120 words]

Driver's license

On May 30th, I went to the license center to take a driving test. I graduated from driving school a month ago, but I didn’t have enough time to go the license center. May 30th was birthday of our college, so there were no classes on the day. That’s why I could go there.

However, I hadn’t studied since I graduated from driving school. It was so nervous, so I went to Asahiya before I took a driving test. Asahiya is the place that people can take part in the course for a driving test. Asahiya is late-night operation, so I lived a hard life on the day. I got up at 1:00 a.m., and I prepared for leaving. I left home at 1:30 a.m. My father took me to Asahiya. I arrived there at 2:15 a.m. As soon as I paid a charge, I answered questions. After I finished it, the course started. The course lasted for five hours. I was very sleep during the course, but I endured sleepiness. The course finished at 8:00a.m. After the course finished, I went to the license center.

I arrived at the license center at 8:30 a.m. After I finished acceptance and an eyesight test, I entered the test room. When all of the candidates for a driving test arrived at the room, an examiner started to explain meters that require attention about a driving test. And then, the driving test started at 10:00 a.m. As soon as the test started, I answered questions. There are many questions that I answered and learned at Asahiya. I felt responsive, so I had confidence. The test finished at 10:50 a.m. I went out of the room.

15 minutes later, I heard an announcement, and then an announcement of the results appeared on the screen. My examinee’s number was 047, and I found it on the screen. When I found my number, I was so happy. I returned the room, and I handed in some documents. After finishing it, I had to wait for two hours until driver’s license was completed, but I was free. Two hours later, I returned the room again. I took a picture, and I heard policeman’s talk about traffic accident. I knew that traffic accidents happened many times a year in Japan and Kumamoto. After the talk finished, I was given my driver’s license. Because I got driver’s license, I joined driving society. I think I try to drive safely in order not to happen traffic accidents, and I want to go for a drive!

[425 words]