For 19 January 2015

Please do not read pages 156 to 159.

For 19 December 2014

In English, write an ending for the story on page 141.

For 15 December 2014

Please do not read page 140.

For 12 December 2014

Please try the top of page 139 ("Test Tactic").

Test results for tests 1 and 2

For 1 December 2014

Please try question 2 on page 113.

For 21 November 2014

Try part B of page 100.

Special homework for 14 and 15 November 2014

On 14 November 2014: Go to sleep early!

On 15 November 2014: Drink coffee, tea, or cola (something with caffeine in it)!

Examples from 10 November 2014 class

Feature	Now	In 20 years	Chance
Weight	12 kg	He will probably be about 75 kg. He won’t be 12 kg any more.	About 80% 0%
Height	80 cm	He is likely to be more than 170 cm tall.	75%
Language	“ma ma” is me “da da” is microwave is finished	He’ll probably be bilingual. His Japanese may be stronger than his English.	85% 65%
Hair style	Bowl cut	He almost certainly won’t be bald. He might have some gray hair.	2% 20%
Facial hair	None	He’s unlikely to have a beard.	20%
Girlfriend/boyfriend	None	He will probably have had a girlfriend. He might have had a boyfriend.	90% 10%

Class test results for level-check test (x-axis) and test 1 (y-axis)

Test results for all classes

For 17 October 2014

If you did not finish the minitest on pages 39-43, please finish it for homework.

For 6 October 2014

Please try part C on page 29. Please do not look at pages 31 to 34.

Level check scores

For 29 September 2014

Homework:
Try part 3 on page 25. Use your own original word.

Antihomework:
Do not read page 26.

For 26 September 2014

Get the textbook, please. We will be using pages 24 to 27 on Friday, 26 September 2014.

For 18July 2014

Please try page 130, part 1A.

For 7 July 2014

Please try part 2 on page 92.

For 4 July 2014

Please finish part 1A on page 91.

For 30 June 2014

Please write a good TOEIC-style question for the responses in part 1B on page 88.

Example:

1. Where were the 1936 Olympics held?
Berlin.

Test result chart

For 13 June 2014

Please read the questions and answers in part 3 of page 58. Think about

• what the topic is
• if you can cross out any of the answers

For 9 June 2014

Try part D on page 56. That is, write a TOEIC-style conversation about a time you talked about a bad situation.

For example:

A: Excuse me. You've been in my way for 20 minutes.

B: I'm sorry. please go ahead.

A: Thank you, but you should stay on the right side. Didn't you see the sign?

B: Oh! I didn't see it.

For 2 June 2014

Please try part D of page 51. That is, choose two sets of question words from the gray box and make two TOEIC question-response questions from them.

For example:

1. Did he say when he'd be home?

a. He likes foam on his coffee.

b. Heed the directions.

c. On Wednesday, I think.

2. Do you want to join me for lunch next Wednesday?

a. That'd be nice.

b. I joined the tennis club.

c. Lunch is at 12 o'clock.

Please write your homework on a separate piece of paper.

For 26 May 2014

Write 1 good TOEIC-style response for each question at the top of page 50. Don't use yes or no, and don't use the same sounds.

Comparison of level check test scores with first test scores

Graph of scores for tests on Monday (12 May 2014)

Here is a graph showing all the results for this week's test. Your class's code is at the top of the chart. The round point is the score (試験1能力スコア), and the lines going up and down are the error (誤差).

For 12 May 2014

Read the questions and answers for the mini-test on pages 21 and 22. Underline key words and think about the contexts.

For 28 April 2014

For page 17, part C, please think of other ways to say the same ideas in the questions and the answers.
Think of (a) different words for the same ideas
(b) different level words for the same things
(c) places where you might hear "not" plus an opposite word.
Please write the answers somewhere.

Level check test results for your class

Here are the overall results from the level check test you took during the week of 7 to 12 April.

Your class code is written at the top of the boxes, so that mf2s14 is the Monday and Friday, second period class. This is the same code as the class e-mail address.

The high scores are toward the top of the chart, and the low scores are toward the bottom. Each person's score is a dot. The lines going up and down from the dots are measurement error (誤差).

7304 people took the test, and the middle score was 0. A score of 1.0 is very high; a score of -1.0 is low.

For 18 April 2014

Please try page 13, part A, Follow up. That is, please write 2 more good responses for questions 1, 2, and 3.

For 14 April 2014

Please write two original TOEIC-style sentences for each of the photographs on page 10 of the textbook.

For 11 April 2014

a. Get the textbook. We will be using pages 9-11 on Friday.

b. Send an e-mail to me with

• your name in kanji
• your name in Roman characters
• your student number

For 20 January 2014

Answer this question in English or Japanese:

For what audience was the article on pages 94-95 written?

For 17 January 2014

Finish the Task Reading 1 from pages 87-89.

For 10 January 2013

Please try page 85, but skip number 3.

For 23 December 2013

Please try page 72, part B, questions 1-4.

For 16 December 2013

Please answer the questions in part C of page 62. We began this in class.

For 13 December 2013

Please try pages 57-58, part C. You can answer in English or Japanese.

6 December 2013 test results chart

for 2 December 2013

Page 59, questions 1 to 5.

For 22 November 2013

Following the 7 different forms we studied in the class, write definitions of 7 English words and bring them to class. Please write using a pencil.

For 15 November 2013

Do the same homework as was due on 11 November 2013. If you did the homework for 11 November 2013, please bring it to class again.

For 11 November 2013

Please write an advertisement for your cell phone (or another product), like those on pages 36-37. Please include at least 5 pieces of information and at least 5 "transition signals" (see page 35).

For 21 October 2013

Please try page 29. It is the same as page 25: finding the main idea.

For 14 October 2013

If you did not finish the work in class, please finish for homework.

For 11 October 2013

1: Please try pages 16-17, part C-1.
2: Who is the man in the photograph on page 15?

For 7 October 2013

Please try page 13.

Please do not read page 15.

For 4 October 2013

Try the exercise on page 9. It is the same as the exercise on page 5.

Please do not read pages 11 and 12.

For 30 September 2013

Anti-homework: Do not read page 7.

N.B.: For the next class you will need pages 5-8 of the textbook.

For 27 September 2013

1. Get the textbook and be ready to use pages 1-4.
Think in English 1: Essential Reading Skills for Japanese Students. ISBN: 978-4-89585-264-7.
2. Send an E-mail to me with
a. Your name in kanji (漢字)
b. Your name in Roman letters (ローマ字)
c. Your student number.

3. Wash your hands.

For 22 July 2013

Try part A1 on page 91: for each of the answers A-D in numbers 1-3, write words that will give you a hint for each answer. Remember to add two original words for each answer.

For 8 July 2013

Read the transcript of the listening test and answer the questions with a triangle. Also, underline the hints in the transcript that show you the answers.

For 1 July 2013

If you did not finish today's conversation and question, please finish it for homework. You will perform it for other students on Monday.

If you did not come to class, please write a TOEIC-style short conversation and 1 TOEIC-style question about the conversation. Do this with another student.

The handout from 21 June 2013

Request Examples

 

Number 1

A: Hi, how are you?

B: Fine, and you?

A: Fine, thank you. Listen, can you do me a favor?

B: Well, what is it?

A: Could you lend me some money? I forgot my wallet today.

B: That’s too bad, but I forgot my wallet , too, so I can’t.

A: Oh, OK. I’ll ask someone else. Thank you.

B: See you.

 

Number 2

A: Good morning. How are you?

B: Good morning. I’m fine. How about you?

A: I’m fine, too. Can I ask you a favor?

B: Yes, what is it?

A: Can you play tennis with me in the afternoon this Thursday?

B: OK. Let’s play.

A: Thank you. I’ll call you later.

B: OK. Goodbye.

A: Bye.

 

Number 3

Kate: I want to marry John.

Anna: John?! Are you kidding?

Kate: Kidding? No, no! I really want to. I think age doesn’t matter in love.

Anna: I don’t think so. You are 48; he is 23. I’m only 25, so he and I are a better couple.

Kate: Do you love him?

Anna: Of course! I will want to marry him.

John: Hi! What are you talking about now?

Kate: John? Please, marry me. Please, please!

Anna: No! Please, marry me!

Kate: Answer, John.

John: Sorry. I’m already married, so I can’t marry you. Sorry. Oh, I haven’t mentioned it. I have two children. They are 2 and 1 years old. My wife is 18. I like young women. She is a high school student. Kate, you are older than my mother. My mother is 39. Sorry. Bye-bye.

 

Number 4

Haruko: Hello, Hanako. How are you?

Hanako: I’m fine, thank you, and you?

Haruko: I’m well, thank you. By the way, were you present in today’s chemistry class?

Hanako: Yes.

Haruko: Please lend me your chemistry notes.

Hanako: Oh, sorry. I attended the class, but I slept all through it, so you had better ask someone else.

Haruko: I see. Thank you, Hanako. See you again.

Hanako: Bye, Haruko.

 

Number 5

Suzu: Hello, Tai. How about you?

Tai: I’m fine thank you. What are you doing now?

Suzu: I have a problem. I have a party tonight. Because I can’t attend it, will you go to the party instead of me?

Tai: Sorry, I have to work tonight, so I can’t go.

Suzu: I see. I will ask some other people.

Tai: Good-bye.

 

Number 6

Tai: Hi, Suzu. How are you?

Suzu: I’m fine, thank you. How about you?

Tai: I’m fine too. Well, I have a request for you.

Suzu: What is it?

Tai: I have an experiment next class, but I forgot a lab coat, so, I want you to lend me your lab coat.

Suzu: OK, I will get my lab coat from my locker. Wait a minute.

Tai: All right. Thank you.

 

Number 7

Misora: Hey, Yoshi. What are you doing?

Yoshi: I’m getting ready to go out.

Misora: Will you do me a favor?

Yoshi: What is it?

Misora: I want to make zouni, but there isn’t any mochi left.

Yoshi: Oh, that’s bad.

Misora: Could you buy some for me? I have to stay home because my friends are coming over soon.

Yoshi: Oh, right. How many pieces do you want?

Misora: Well, about 15 pieces, so one packet will be enough.

Yoshi: OK, now I’m ready. I’ll be back soon.

Misora: Thank you for your kindness.

 

Number 8

Alison: Hello, Ellen. How are you?

Ellen: Fine, and you?

Alison: Fine, too. By the way, can you do me a favor?

Ellen: I guess so. What is it?

Alison: I have a party today. I’m wearing a black dress, but I don’t have any suitable accessory, so will you lend me some accessory?

Ellen: Oh, I wish I could, but I don’t have anything like that. Please ask someone else.

Alison: OK. Thanks anyway. Good-bye.

Ellen: Good-bye.

 

Number 9

Judy: Hi, Mary. How are you doing?

Mary: OK. How about you?

Judy: I’m fine, but yesterday was hard for me. I had a biology experiment and a report, so I didn’t sleep well. I don’t think I can make it to the next class.

Mary: Oh! That’s hard.

Judy: Could you take notes about what the teacher says about the environmental pollution problem?

Mary: Oh, I wish I could, but I don’t take that class.

Judy: Ah! OK. Thanks anyway. Even though I’m sleepy, I’ll go to the class.

Mary: Go for it. See you.

 

Number 10

Mayumi: Hi, Lucinda. Good morning.

Lucinda: Oh, Mayumi. Good morning. What class do you go to next?

Mayumi: Information processing. How about you?

Lucinda: Physics.

Mayumi: You have lunch after the next class, don’t you?

Lucinda: Oh, yes.

Mayumi: Can you do me a favor?

Lucinda: What is it?

Mayumi: The cafeteria will be very crowded, so please save two seats, because your classroom is nearer than mine.

Lucinda: All right. See you then.

Mayumi: Bye.

 

Number 11

Ami: Hi, Yumi. How are you doing?

Yumi: Fine. How are you?

Ami: Fine. Can you do me a favor?

Yumi: What is it?

Ami: Could you lend me the Japanese text which we used in junior high school? I need it to write a report. I lost it.

Yumi: Oh, I wish I could, but I threw it out this spring.

Ami: Oh, OK. Thanks. I’ll ask somebody else.

Yumi: All right. See you.

Ami: See you.

 

Number 12

(On the telephone.)

Daughter: Hello, Mom. How are you feeling?

Mother: Fine.

Daughter: Good. So, can you do me a favor?

Mother: Oh…. What is it this time?

Daughter: I’m afraid I have to stay at my office. I was asked to do a big job suddenly, so I can’t pick up Haruna from kindergarten today. Please pick her up at four.

Mother: OK. Take care of your health too.

Daughter: Thank you, Mom. Bye.

Mother: Bye.

 

Number 13

(In a classroom after school.)

Marcia: Hi, Jan. How are you doing?

Jan: OK. How about you?

Cindy: Hi, what are you doing?

Marcia: Well…. Can you do me a favor?

Jan: I guess so. What is it?

Marcia: Today, my parents are taking a trip, so I will be alone tonight. Would you mind if I stayed at your place?

Jan: I wish I could say yes, but I live in a dormitory.

Marcia: Oh, so I can’t stay at your dormitory. How about at your place, Cindy?

Cindy: OK, but my room is small….

Marcia: Don’t mind. I greatly appreciate your helping me.

Cindy: Don’t mention it. Oh [Cindy looks at Jan.] Why don’t you come to my place, Jan?

Jan: What? Why?

Cindy: Let’s have a nabe party!

Marcia: It’s a good idea. [Marcia looks at Jan.]

Cindy: Why not? Let’s go to the supermarket now.

Marcia/Cindy: Yes!

 

 

Number 14

[A fan letter to Will Smith]

 

Dear Will:

Hi! My name is Emily and I am 10 years old. I liked your T.V. show Fresh Prince of Bell-Air and I wish it would come back! I memorized the song! But that’s not the favor I'm asking for! I know this will be hard to do with all your TERRIFIC, FANTASTIC, SUPER COOL work! I'm asking to meet you and if it's not to much can I have an autographed picture. I know there are thousands of other kids that adore you but I really want a picture signed by you because I don't have a picture of you. The reason is because my mom won't let me!!!!!!!! I am so angry at her for that!!! So please all I'm asking for is one minute to shake your hand, talk to you and get a signed picture of you, if that’s possible? Well, I hope my wish comes true it would be THE GRAND opportunity of my life!!! I'm not going to beg anymore because I know you have things to do! Also If I can meet you can my cousin Jason Wiesner come to, if I'm going? Well, got to go listen to Gettin’ Jiggy with It! BYE!

 

From Your #1 fan in the WHOLE GALAXY,

 

Emily Wiesner (Wise-ner)

 

Number 15

Can I ask you a favor? I really need help. My dog, Randy, is sick. I need to take him to the pet clinic, but my car isn't working. I know you don't like Randy, but could you drive us to the vet? This time, I promise he won't bite you.

1. Write 3 English requests on a piece of paper. Leave some white space around each one, like this:

• 1. xxxxxxxxxx
•  
•  
• 2. xxxxxxxxxx
•  
•  
• 3. xxxxxxxxxx

 2. Think about an answer to this question: 「ちょっと待ってください」で、「ちょっと」はどの位ですか。

For 10 June 2013

Please try part C, part A on page 51.

For 3 June 2013

Write 2 original TOEIC-style sentences each for photographs 1 and 2 at the top of page 46.

For 31 May 2013

Please check your answers to the pages 21 and 22 "Mini-test" with the transcript. If you change your answers, please mark them with a triangle.

For 27 May 2013

Please bring a list of 8 expressions including adding, multiplication, subtraction, and division to the next class.

For example:

a. 3 + 7 = 10
b. 9 - 0.15 = 8.85
c. 7602 / 2 = 3801
d. 22 x (1/7) = about 3.14
e.
f.
g.
h.

A reminder:
携帯電話・スマートフォン・タブレットは辞書以外の機能を使ってはいけません。必ずAirplane Mode/機内モードにして下さい。
If you are using the telephone during class, your grade is going down.

For 20 May 2013

Read the handout and answer the questions in "Tactic Practice" (Part 3) on page 21. Use a triangle to mark your answers.

If you do not have the handout, you can pick it up at my office from 12:30 to 1:30 PM on Saturday or from about 7 AM to about 8:30 AM on Monday.

For 27 April 2012

Please read questions 1-6 in "Tactic Practice" on page 17. Conversations 1-3 are about one conversation. Questions 4-6 are about a different conversation.

For both conversations, answer these questions:
1. Who/what is the first speaker?
2. Who/what is the second speaker?
3. Where are they talking?

For 22 April 2013

Page 14, part B: please write one correct response to questions 1, 2, and 3.

For 12 April 2013

1. Get the textbook.

2. Send an e-mail to the address I gave you. Include:
 a. Your name in Japanese
 b. Your name in Roman characters
 c. Your student number
 d. The day and period of this class ("Monday, Friday, 2nd period").

For 18 January 2012

Try page 90, part C.

For 26 December 2012

Bring back today's work (instructions).

For 21 December 2012

Please try page 71.

For 17 December 2012

Read page 67 and then answer numbers 1-5 on page 67.

For 7 December 2012

Please answer page 59, questions 1-5.

For 30 November 2012

Try part C on page 48. If you did not finish part B-2, please finish that as well.

For 12 November 2012

Please do page 39, part C. You can answer in English, Japanese, or both.

For 12 November 2012

Try page 35, please.

Test 1

Test 1 was on 26 October 2012. If you missed the test, please contact me to arrange a time to take it.

For 22 October 2012

Read the paragraph on page 25 (starting with "The branch of science..." and ending with "...the appreciation of beauty.").

Think about this question: Why did the writer choose that photograph for this page?

For 15 October 2012

Page 17-18, part C.

A better question for the instructions is "Why did the writer write the paragraph?"

For 12 October 2012

Antihomework: Do not read page 15.

For 5 October 2012

Answer the questions on page 8, part C ("Comprehension Check"). Answer questions 1 and 5 in English of Japanese. Answer question 2 in English only.

For 1 October 2012

1. Make sure that you have a copy of Unit 2 in the textbook.
2. Do not read page 7.

For 28 September 2012

Please get the textbook.

for 20 July 2012

Unit 18, page 95, part 1A:
Read the correct answers to questions 1, 2, and 3 and underline the hints that show the correct answers in the "Tapescript."

For 13 July 2012

Page 94, part D.
That is, think of a job, a place, and an activity and write a TOEIC-style conversation (4 lines) about that situation.

e.g.
(donut shop/customer/buying donuts)

A: Can I get a dozen glazed and a medium coffee, please?
B: Sure. Milk and sugar.
A: Black, and I'd like a plastic bag, please.
B: That'll be twelve-fifty.

For 6 July 2012

Try to remember one short conversation (especially the words) that you have this week. Also, please note the place where you had the conversation (home, work, school, etc.).

For 2 July 2012

Try page 89, part B: Choose which kind of question (How long, When, Where is/are, or Directions) and choose the correct answer.

For 29 June 2012

Anti-homework:

Do not read page 88.

For 25 June 2012

Write 2 correct, TOEIC-style sentences each for pictures 1 and 2 at the top of page 85 ("Tactic Practice, Part B").

For 11 June 2012

Page 54, "Tactic Practice": Underline the key words in the questions and the answers, please.

For 4 June 2012

Page 49, "2 Test Tactic": Please write one more correct, TOEIC-style answer for questions 1, 2, 3, and 4.

For 28 May 2012

Pages 46-47, Tactic Practice, part 3: Please write one good TOEIC-style sentence for each photograph.

For 21 May 2012

Page 45, part A: Write 4 sentences for each photograph at the top of the page. Use the verbs in the textbook.

日食は気を付けて。

For 11 May 2012

Page 21, "Tactic practice," questions 1-3 and 4-6. Think of the context and write your idea of the context: what kind of announcement is it?

For 30 April 2012

Page 17, part 3 (i.e., top of page): Underline the key words in the questions and answers and think about the context of the conversations. Questions 1-3 are about one conversation; questions 4-6 are about a different conversation.

For 23 April 2012

Write 3 original TOEIC-style "question-response" questions (like on page 13).
Please write your questions on a seperate paper because you will give them to another student on Monday.

For 20 April 2012

Do exercise 1 at the top of page 13: find two responses that fit each question.

For 16 April 2012

Write 1 good TOEIC-style question for each photograph on page 10.

Word parts list

You can download or view the word parts we will study in the class here: Word Parts.

For 13 April 2011

Get the textbook.