！ 日本文化発信コース１０月５日（水）開始します。

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IMFORMATION：
♪♪ 芸術の秋にふさわしいコースををご紹介します。
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日本文化発信コースは１２回（３ヶ月完結）のショートレッスン。
第２クール目第一回を１０月５日（水）より開講します。
時間：毎週水曜日の１３時〜。

「何故このコースができたの？」
海外の人から見た日本は、とてもエキゾチックで魅力的な国ですが、いざ 質問されると「よく知らなかった」ということが多いものです。

このコースでは 留学生や、海外のお友達にも自信を持って自国の文化を話せるようにレッ スンします。３ヶ月後には日本の芸術を語れる素敵な人へ変身しましょう.

素敵なネイティブ講師とコーススケジュールはホームページをご覧ください↓
http://www.e-bella.jp/lesson_sp_suke.html

☆ Autumn is Here!

This morning I woke up and felt a little chill in the air. Then I opened the window and a crisp breeze blew through the room. "I can't believe it," I thought to myselfl. "Autumn is here! Summer is over!" I think most people who live in Tokyo feel the same way I do: towards the end of every summer, I can't wait for the cold weather and towards the end of every winter, I can't wait for the warm weather.

Here are a few useful words to help you talk about autumn or fall.

When we describe the weather in the fall, we often say the air is "crisp."
For example, "It was a little warm today, but there was a nice, crisp breeze."

Another term we use is "chilly."
An example of this is: "It's a little chilly out so you should wear a sweater."

Also, in Japan, fall or autumn is famous for its "seasonal" foods.
For example, Saury (sanma) is a "seasonal fish," matsutake mushrooms are a "seasonal vegetable "and persimmons (kaki) are a "seasonal fruit." My favorite, of course, is Asahi's "Seasonal Autumn Beer."

But what is autumn in Japan most famous for?

Watching the "leaves change color" or going to a park to look at the "foliage." Yes, what better way to spend the day then having a picnic under a big, colorful tree, eating some matsutake rice with some grilled sanma and sipping on a cold, Autumn beer. Mmmmm....

So enjoy the autumn foods and the beautiful fall weather while you can, because in a few months you might be standing on a platform during a snow storm, freezing, wishing it were August again.

☆ crazy about

Below is a multiple choice question about the idiom "crazy about."

"Today's English Word"

1.

...crazy about...

Bubba said "I'm crazy about shrimp." What does he mean?

a) He becomes mad when he eats shrimp.
b) He has an allergic reaction to shrimp.
c) He loves shrimp.
d) He often eats shrimp.

...................................................

この問題の正解は明日のコメント欄に掲載します！

☆ Sight Words①

The differences between to see, to look and to watch.

One problem many Japanese students have when studying English is the various words we use for sight. The Japanese verb 'miru', 見る, covers a lot of situations where we use very different words. In the following few weeks I hope to give a better idea of how and when we use see, look at and watch. : )

See
We use see in a very general way. It is the ordinary verb we use to say that something "comes to our eyes". It doesn't mean that we are paying special attention to something.

For example;
I saw you at a cafe yesterday. Doesn't mean I was looking for you specifically or I stood and watched you. It simply means that I noticed you by accident.

There are also many two word verbs that can be even more confusing.

see off
To take leave of (someone):
A:) Why weren't you at work yesterday?
B:) Oh, I saw my friend off at the airport. She is going to San Francisco for a vacation.

see out
1 To escort (a guest) to the door:
A:) I'm leaving now.
B:) OK, I'll see you out.

see through
1 To understand the true character or nature of:
I saw through his lies.
2 To provide support or cooperation to (a person) throughout a period of time:
He is an excellent friend. He saw me through a very difficult illness.

see to
To attend to:
See to the chores, will you?

Confusing hey? These are only a few examples. Can you come up with any more?

Sight　Words②: Look

☆ Over the Hill

What does "over the hill" mean?

What do you think it means?

If you go over a hill you are on the other side but is that what it means in this case?

Well, yes and no.

Read below for details.........

"Over the Hill" in this case, means that you are no longer young. You may be old but you are not a young person anymore.

If you live in a country like America then you might celebrate this event with a party!

When I became 40 years old my family and friends had a party for me. It was an "Over the Hill" party.

The colors were black and gray, to signify old age and death. The food was all soft and boring, something an old person without teeth would eat. The gifts were also something appropriate for an old person. False teeth, a wig, make up, skin lotion, some small exercise equipment, a girdle, things like that.

The party was done for fun and in a funny way so everyone had a good time. This is how an "Over the Hill" party is done. Use your imagination, create a unique party and surprise your (old) friends with their very own "Over the Hill" party.

☆ One Step Forward, Two Steps Backwards

* 'One Step Forward, Two Steps Backwards'
There is an expression in english that means "not making progress, but regressing."

It is "One Step Forward, Two Steps Backwards." We often use it when we think a suggestion will not make a situation better, but actually make the situation worse. It can be used in conversation like this:

Situation: Two men are talking after a hard workout at the gym...

Mr. Long : Boy, that was a hard workout. I really think I am losing weight.
Mr. Wong : Me too. I checked my weight yesterday and I have lost 5kg in two weeks.
Mr. Long : Let's celebrate! Let's go to that new hamburger restaurant for dinner!
Mr. Wong : A hamburger restaurant after a workout? That sounds like one step forward and two steps backwards.

! 今日の一言Englishスタート！

ベラブログ記念すべき第一回は、ベラのネイティブ講師が毎回リレーで送る「今日の一言Ｅｎｇｌｉｓｈ」です。

今日のお題は「Australian　words」。

ベラブログはＲｅａｄｉｎｇの練習、そして教科書には載っていない海外の文化に触れることができます。もっともっと英語を身近に感じられるベラブログ、Let's start 　！

「Australian　words」

Barbie : This is a word meaning "barbeque" or "BBQ" that is used widely throughout Australia.

Barbeques are really popular during the summer months and are greatly enjoyed while consuming beer or some other alcoholic beverage.

- We're having a barbie this afternoon at our place. Why don't you come on over?
- Hey, can you throw some "snags" (sausages) on the barbie?

! スタート！

かねてから、噂のあったBELLAのblog、スタートしました！

その第一日目は、やはりEnglishで始めないといけませんね、
ということで、私どものteacherから始めたいと思います。
見て頂いた方達の一助になればと思っておりますので、
よろしくお願い申し上げます。

INFORMATION

ベラでは、9月30日までMAN to MANレッスンでご入会の方に限り、
入会金無料のキャンペーンを行っております。
秋になり、何かを始めるには絶好の機会です。
食欲の秋も良いものですが、勉強の秋にしてみませんか！

是非この機会にお役立てください！