07/09: Go Fry a Kite!
Category: Omoshiroi Nihongo
Posted by: genkijacs
Fly an Octopus, Go Fry a Kite
The issue many non-native Asian speakers of English have with pronouncing the L and R sounds found in many western languages are well known and frequently the subject of comics’ and their audience’s amusement. Two of the most famously difficult to pronounce words for Asian non-native speakers are “fly” and “fry.” In a fantastic twist of irony, I learned in class today that at least one of the words for fly and fry are exactly the same. Not only do they have the pronunciation, but the kanji as well is exactly the same. Ageru （揚げる）means both to fly (in the sense of flying a flag or a kite) and to fry in oil. In a wonderful twist of fate, the example given was a different homonym, tako, meaning both octopus and kite. Consequently, the sentence たこをあげて！Could mean not only, “Go fly a kite!” or “Fry an octopus!” but also “Fry a kite!” and “Fly an Octopus!” I personally find the last the most amusing option. Perhaps this explains a bit why Japanese English learners are so often confused by fly and fry. ; ) I know for a fact that there are many Japanese homonyms we Japanese learners struggle to master. (ie. The pronunciation of hasshi and hasshi)
Here are some pictures of flying octopus to stare at as you ponder the intricacies of human language.
The issue many non-native Asian speakers of English have with pronouncing the L and R sounds found in many western languages are well known and frequently the subject of comics’ and their audience’s amusement. Two of the most famously difficult to pronounce words for Asian non-native speakers are “fly” and “fry.” In a fantastic twist of irony, I learned in class today that at least one of the words for fly and fry are exactly the same. Not only do they have the pronunciation, but the kanji as well is exactly the same. Ageru （揚げる）means both to fly (in the sense of flying a flag or a kite) and to fry in oil. In a wonderful twist of fate, the example given was a different homonym, tako, meaning both octopus and kite. Consequently, the sentence たこをあげて！Could mean not only, “Go fly a kite!” or “Fry an octopus!” but also “Fry a kite!” and “Fly an Octopus!” I personally find the last the most amusing option. Perhaps this explains a bit why Japanese English learners are so often confused by fly and fry. ; ) I know for a fact that there are many Japanese homonyms we Japanese learners struggle to master. (ie. The pronunciation of hasshi and hasshi)
Here are some pictures of flying octopus to stare at as you ponder the intricacies of human language.
Last weekend, Genki JACS students were invited along to a fantastic FILE Club get together at Nokonoshima where we played games and had delicious grilled food. FILE Club even sent a member to pick us up at the school Sunday morning, and escort us to the ferry port where we sailed to Noko island.
Sam led us all in a few name games to get to know each other, then we were split into teams and sent off to find 7 mystery locations on the island and capture them on film. Finding the exact same shot captured in film on our list of tasks was interesting, but by using the clues and friendly residents on the island, we all made it back in time for BBQ near the port, and burgers, sausages, and vegetables were grilled with fresh fruit and potato crisps.
FILE Club members come from all over the world, and after lunch we spent a few hours chatting and talking with people from various locations, getting to know each other before we played a few last games and did a bit of mental magic. Fabien, Ginie and myself were there from Genki, along with 15 or so members from FILE Club. FILE Club will have another outing in a few weeks time teaching outdoor cooking. Inquire with Sam at File Fukuoka on Facebook, or their website at fileclub.jp.
nks to John from FILE Club for all the pictures
John captured an action shot of the name games.
Ginie's team plans strategy before hunt begins
.
Fabien and I looking a bit lost with our team.
and the victors look like they are having fun!
The Ferry from Nokonoshima
Sam led us all in a few name games to get to know each other, then we were split into teams and sent off to find 7 mystery locations on the island and capture them on film. Finding the exact same shot captured in film on our list of tasks was interesting, but by using the clues and friendly residents on the island, we all made it back in time for BBQ near the port, and burgers, sausages, and vegetables were grilled with fresh fruit and potato crisps.
FILE Club members come from all over the world, and after lunch we spent a few hours chatting and talking with people from various locations, getting to know each other before we played a few last games and did a bit of mental magic. Fabien, Ginie and myself were there from Genki, along with 15 or so members from FILE Club. FILE Club will have another outing in a few weeks time teaching outdoor cooking. Inquire with Sam at File Fukuoka on Facebook, or their website at fileclub.jp.
nks to John from FILE Club for all the pictures
John captured an action shot of the name games.
Ginie's team plans strategy before hunt begins.
Fabien and I looking a bit lost with our team.
and the victors look like they are having fun!
The Ferry from Nokonoshima
Every Thursday night at Genki JACS we have MOVIE NIGHT! A Japanese movie is picked each week for the students to watch on our large projector screen in the lounge. The movies range from comedies, to samurai films, to horror movies, to just pure crazy satire (like last week's Survive Style 5+). Tomorrow night, we'll be watching Maiko Haaaan!!!, a 2007 movie about a salaryman obsessed with maiko (apprentice geisha).
Perhaps the best part about movie night is all the snacks (popcorn, senbei, chocolates, etc.) in the lounge for the students and teachers to snack on :)
Perhaps the best part about movie night is all the snacks (popcorn, senbei, chocolates, etc.) in the lounge for the students and teachers to snack on :)
Choosing the Japanese school you'll study at can be a very difficult thing to do, as you often have almost no way to know if the language school's website is accurate, or if the school even really exists at all! This is part of the reason that some students choose to book their study through a trusted agency instead. It's also the reason why GenkiJACS places such a high importance on our accreditation by IALC, the premier international language school accrediting organization. Their accreditation means that you can trust that the school has been inspected by a professional inspector, and found to meet their high standards.
But I wanted to mention another factor that is often overlooked when comparing language schools, the length of classes. Most schools offer either 3 or 4 classes per day as their core package, and of course a school offering 4 classes should be a third more expensive than a school offering only 3 classes per day. But it's important to check the length of each class as well. Most schools run 45-minute classes. At Genki Japanese, however, our classes are 50 minutes long each. Let's do the math:
4 classes per day, 45 minutes each = 15 hours per week
4 classes per day, 50 minutes each = 16 hours 40 minutes per week
Difference: 1 hour 40 minutes, or 11% extra per week!
So even if two schools are priced the same, if one of them offers 50-minute classes, you get 11% more study time!
Does this mean that our teachers work harder than teachers at other schools? We like to think so, and it's all for you! If you need any more information, check out Genki Japanese language school website, or email us!
But I wanted to mention another factor that is often overlooked when comparing language schools, the length of classes. Most schools offer either 3 or 4 classes per day as their core package, and of course a school offering 4 classes should be a third more expensive than a school offering only 3 classes per day. But it's important to check the length of each class as well. Most schools run 45-minute classes. At Genki Japanese, however, our classes are 50 minutes long each. Let's do the math:
4 classes per day, 45 minutes each = 15 hours per week
4 classes per day, 50 minutes each = 16 hours 40 minutes per week
Difference: 1 hour 40 minutes, or 11% extra per week!
So even if two schools are priced the same, if one of them offers 50-minute classes, you get 11% more study time!
Does this mean that our teachers work harder than teachers at other schools? We like to think so, and it's all for you! If you need any more information, check out Genki Japanese language school website, or email us!
26/08: I ♡ FK
"I ♡ FK" (I Love Fukuoka) is a group of volunteers who came together to promote everything that is wonderful about Fukuoka. Recently, they've been going around the city asking people what they like about Fukuoka and taking pictures to post up on their website and include in their pamphlets. WELL...
Last week, they came to Genki JACS to get the students' impressions of Fukuoka!! We told them everything we love about this great city and the pictures are finally here. Enjoy!
Here are close-ups of some of the students' answers-
And some interesting answers...
And look at these happy students-
It was really fun to have the I ♡ FK people here and see what our students think about Fukuoka. If you would like to see the rest of the photos, here's their website- http://love-fukuoka.me/
We ♡ Fukuoka!
Last week, they came to Genki JACS to get the students' impressions of Fukuoka!! We told them everything we love about this great city and the pictures are finally here. Enjoy!
Here are close-ups of some of the students' answers-
And some interesting answers...
And look at these happy students-
It was really fun to have the I ♡ FK people here and see what our students think about Fukuoka. If you would like to see the rest of the photos, here's their website- http://love-fukuoka.me/
We ♡ Fukuoka!
University students in Fukuoka are joining together to break a Guinness World Record by making 100,000 origami cranes!! They decided to join forces with Genki JACS students and stopped by yesterday to teach students how to make the cranes. It's a great way to make Japanese university friends!
They'll be stopping by a couple times each week for the next couple weeks so we can all work together to reach the goal of 100,000 origami cranes.
一緒に頑張りましょう！★
They'll be stopping by a couple times each week for the next couple weeks so we can all work together to reach the goal of 100,000 origami cranes.
一緒に頑張りましょう！★
This week we were joined at Genki Jacs by four teaching interns and Japanese as a Second Language students from Fukuoka Jogakuin University, Ryoko, Hanae, Marie, and Kaori. They assisted our students with supplemental lessons, review, conversation, and great patience. The beginner students were assisted with building their vocabulary, while more advanced students enjoyed conversations with the interns.
Between their lessons, I was able to interview two of the interns visiting, Ryoko and Kaori. I asked them about teaching, and about their goals and motivations for it. Both expressed enthusiasm for their field of Japanese education, despite its challenges, such as getting expressions across to students, or helping them to understand a grammar point, but like all true teachers, find satisfaction in those shining moments of success. They chose their field of Japanese education, because they enjoy their own culture, as well as other cultures, finding cultural exchange stimulating. As someone who studied at university Teaching English as a Second Language, I can readily relate to their feelings, and hope to follow the same path. They wish to experience other cultures, but perhaps think starting that following their graduation this year, it may be easier to start out here in Japan, so perhaps they will stay here in Fukuoka to teach at Genki Jacs in the future.
The students at Genki Jacs seemed to enjoy their lessons and conversation with them as well, and perhaps were able to advance their studies in Japanese further yesterday thanks to help from Kaori, Marie, Ryoko and Hanae. Mata ne interns, and arigato.
Between their lessons, I was able to interview two of the interns visiting, Ryoko and Kaori. I asked them about teaching, and about their goals and motivations for it. Both expressed enthusiasm for their field of Japanese education, despite its challenges, such as getting expressions across to students, or helping them to understand a grammar point, but like all true teachers, find satisfaction in those shining moments of success. They chose their field of Japanese education, because they enjoy their own culture, as well as other cultures, finding cultural exchange stimulating. As someone who studied at university Teaching English as a Second Language, I can readily relate to their feelings, and hope to follow the same path. They wish to experience other cultures, but perhaps think starting that following their graduation this year, it may be easier to start out here in Japan, so perhaps they will stay here in Fukuoka to teach at Genki Jacs in the future.
The students at Genki Jacs seemed to enjoy their lessons and conversation with them as well, and perhaps were able to advance their studies in Japanese further yesterday thanks to help from Kaori, Marie, Ryoko and Hanae. Mata ne interns, and arigato.
If you're already in Japan or are coming soon, JAL is now offering "oneworld Yokoso/Visit Japan Fare" for flights within Japan. You essentially pay only ￥10,000 (or USD100) for a flight from one Japanese city to another (this can be up to 80% off regular fares)!
You can buy up to 5 of these tickets, but cannot buy them once you are in Japan...so plan ahead!!
It's a great, cheap way to tour around Japan. You could fly from Fukuoka to Tokyo to Sapporo to Okinawa if you wanted.
For more information, you can visit their website-
http://www.ar.jal.com/region/en/flight_planning/fares/yokoso.html
Happy flying!
You can buy up to 5 of these tickets, but cannot buy them once you are in Japan...so plan ahead!!
It's a great, cheap way to tour around Japan. You could fly from Fukuoka to Tokyo to Sapporo to Okinawa if you wanted.
For more information, you can visit their website-
http://www.ar.jal.com/region/en/flight_planning/fares/yokoso.html
Happy flying!
08/08: We Love Daimyo
Daimyo, Daimyo, Daimyo! ★
Daimyo is one of the areas of Fukuoka and has got to be one of the coolest places ever. With winding streets, vintage shops, hidden restaurants, and all sorts of quirky decorations and architecture, it's easy to roam around for hours. Even if you explore Daimyo everyday, you can find something new each time ♪♪
Horses!-
A little kebab stall with one seat right in front for a customer-
Local BAPE store-
At the hair salons, you even have a "dreadlocks" option-
If you're ever at Genki JACS (or if you're already here), please check out Daimyo! We're technically located in Daimyo, so it's about a 2 minute walk to get into the shopping area/hair salon/food part of Daimyo (where these photos were taken).
Daimyo is one of the areas of Fukuoka and has got to be one of the coolest places ever. With winding streets, vintage shops, hidden restaurants, and all sorts of quirky decorations and architecture, it's easy to roam around for hours. Even if you explore Daimyo everyday, you can find something new each time ♪♪
Horses!-
A little kebab stall with one seat right in front for a customer-
Local BAPE store-
At the hair salons, you even have a "dreadlocks" option-
If you're ever at Genki JACS (or if you're already here), please check out Daimyo! We're technically located in Daimyo, so it's about a 2 minute walk to get into the shopping area/hair salon/food part of Daimyo (where these photos were taken).
As announced in a previous blog entry, FBS (local Fukuoka TV station) had Genki JACS featured on an episode of Mentai Wide!! ☆☆ Well, they've done all their editing and cutting and subtitle-adding and we have the video uploaded for you to see!
They looked at our cosplay room and then asked students to explain what has surprised them since they've been in Japan. There's all sorts of strange things...
Enjoy!
They looked at our cosplay room and then asked students to explain what has surprised them since they've been in Japan. There's all sorts of strange things...
Enjoy!
