Speak with me on Zoom! Do this:

1. Download Zoom

2. Send your name and email address to
joy.fujii.english@gmail.com

3. I will set up a time with you.

It’s easy! Talk to you soon!

Download Zoom and talk with me online! Practice your English. The next session will be on Sunday, September 17, 2017 at 8:00 p.m.

Please follow these steps:

1. Download Zoom at zoom.us 日本語版もできます。
2. If you need explanation, please see zoomy.info 日本語のみ。
3. Send your name and email address to joy.fujii.english @gmail.com (no space) by Sunday, September 17, 5 p.m. Japan Standard Time (GMT+9)

Example:

Tomoko Tanaka
田中ともこ
tomoko@ gmail.com

を9月 17日 2017年 5 pm　まで　送ってください。

Thank you!

Many students just starting out learning English are taught to introduce themselves saying “What’s your name?” However, it’s not a very natural way to introduce yourself.

Unnatural introduction

A: What’s your name?
B: My name is Tommy. What’s your name?
A: My name is Tomoko.
B: Nice to meet you, Tomoko.
B: Nice to meet you too, Tommy.

More natural introduction

A: Hi, I’m Tomoko.
B: Hi, I’m Tommy.
A: Nice to meet you, Tommy.
B: Nice to meet you too, Tomoko.

Remember that when meeting someone for the first time, we say “Nice to meet you,” or “How do you do?” “Nice to meet you” is more casual and friendlier than “How do you do.”

Nice to meet you. = more casual
How do you do? = more formal

How are you? = X
Use this only after the second (2nd) meeting and after. It’s not for the first meeting, the introductory meeting.

The next time you meet the same person, and for all subsequent meetings, we say “How are you?” But, for the first time, “How are you?” is not used.

Look at this link to see a short video on my Facebook page (less than three (3) minutes) on this topic. http://bit.ly/2h8QLfq

And, please LIKE the page JOY FUJII ENGLISH on Facebook!
http://bit.ly/2wwnz85

I hope you’ve enjoyed this and I hope to hear from you soon!
joy.fujii.english @gmail.com (no space)

Practice English Conversation Tonight

What? Practice English conversation for 20 minutes tonight.
今晩　英語でお話ししましょうか？

When? Tonight, Sunday, September 10, 2017 from 8:00 p.m. – 8:20 p.m.

What level?: Non-native English speakers, beginner to intermediate level, age high school and up.　心者から中級のレヴェルまでの方。年齢は高校性から。

Where?: Online at https://zoom.us/ 日本語設定もあります。

Cost: Free. 無料。

Discount Offer /割引提供
If you participate for the full 20 minutes tonight, you will receive 5% off on your first purchase from Joy Fujii English. (Offer expires September 30, 2017, and is not valid with additional discounts. Multiple discounts cannot be applied simultaneously.)

今夜、まる20分参加すると、ジョイ・フジイイングリッシユから初めての購入に関しての5%割引を受けます。（2017年9月30日までです。複数割引は同時に利用出来ません。）

How?

1. Send your email address and name to JoyFujiiEnglish@gmail.com
　　　　　　お名前とメールアドレスをJoyFujiiEnglish@gmail.com まで送って下さい。

For example（例）:
Name in romaji: 　　　Tanaka, Poko
Name in Japanese: 田中ぽこ
Email: poko.tanaka@gmail.com

２．You will receive a link。
メール口座にリンクが受け取る。

3. Click on the link and follow the instructions.
リンクをクリクリして、説明に従ってください。

4. Zoomy.info (different from Zoom.us) gives you an excellent explanation in Japanese.
質問がある方は　https://zoomy.info/manuals/sanka/　を見て下さい。上手に説明します。Zoomと違うのですが、ただの説明ホームページです。日本語です。

5. A microphone and webcam are required. マイクとウェブカメラが必要です.
Smartphones can be used.　スマートフォンを使用することができます。

Let’s talk tonight!

Ahh, Hawaii! Have you tried to book a condominium there, just for a short time? Be careful that you are actually renting a condominium that is real! Photos are beautiful on the Internet. Make sure to ask someone locally if that condominium is real, not just a photo. Ask about the person who is renting it to you. Is she/he an honest person?

While in Hawaii (or anywhere in the US)…

Hawaii is pretty safe. Many Japanese visit so it is comfortable for Japanese there. However, be careful. And, if you are going to mainland USA, think about the following:

1. Look confident. Look like you know where you are going. If you look confused, and if you look like a tourist, someone may try to trick you.

2. Looking like a tourist can be unsafe. If you are holding a camera, a map, walking slowly without direction, and looking confused, you look like a tourist. Look confident.

3. If you don’t know where you are – go inside to a hotel or safe place, and ask a staff person to help you.

4. Before you get into a taxi, know: a) How much the fare (cost) is to your destination. b) How long it should take to get there (how many minutes). Find that out from the hotel or someone you can trust. Then c) Ask the taxi driver how much and how many minutes to your destination. If the taxi driver tells a lie, do not get into the taxi.

5. Your money and passport pouch. Keep your valuable items in a travel waist pouch. The pouch should be put *under* your garments (clothes). Then, in an outer waist pouch, put a little bit of money, but not your passport or important items.

6. Give a tip! This is important. In the US, it is common to tip 15% to 20% percent. 15% is safe. 20% is if the service is good. 10% is probably not recommended, but if the service is terrible, maybe. Places to tip: Restaurants (not fast food); Hair stylists; hotel staff; delivery staff; taxi drivers; limousine shuttle drivers to and from the airport. If you do not tip, it gives a bad impression of you, and your country.

7. At the airport (or anywhere), handle your own luggage. Stay with your luggage – do not leave it unattended. Do not allow others to put items in your luggage. Do not carry on other peoples’ luggage. It can be dangerous if there is something illegal in that luggage.

And, last but not least – if someone tells you to trust them – be careful. Even I have been tricked by honest looking faces. In the US, strangers may talk to you. Sometimes they are honest, friendly people. Sometimes not. If you are unsure, it’s best to politely excuse yourself. You can say, “I’m sorry, I need to hurry. Thank you.”

Be careful and have fun!

September 13, 2016

Hello, English language learners! There are many reasons to learn English! Today, let’s talk about making international friends!

After I graduated from university, I traveled to several countries around the world. It was the best experience in my life! I met many new people. I visited interesting places. And, most of all, I made lifelong friends! Many years later, I am still in touch with those friends!

Many young people are backpacking around the world. If you plan carefully, this can be a more inexpensive way to travel.

Youth Hostels
A youth hostel, for example, Hostel World, is an inexpensive place for travelers to stay. Often, you share a room with bunk beds.

… … …

Couch Surfing
If you’d like a little more privacy, maybe couch surfing is for you! You sleep on someone’s couch in their home! Couch Surfing

These aren’t the only options – there are many more! Do some research and choose the best, safest option for you.
… … … …

Short-Term House Share
Finally, usually a little more expensive, but often with more privacy and comfort, is Air BnB. You stay in a room in someone’s home. This is a nice way to meet local people where you are visiting.

Take Action!

1. Start learning English now. Learn some travel phrases that will help you get around in English.

2. Look for resources that will help you learn how to travel abroad. Here is one blog that tells stories about a female travel. It’s very interesting! Livedoor.jp Travelers’ Blog

Have any questions? Contact us! We are happy to help! Contact Joy Fujii English

*Note. Photos are not necessarily connected to the businesses mentioned in this article. Joy Fujii English is not endorsing the businesses, nor the techniques of travel / accommodation mentioned in this article. Do thorough research before making your travel plans.