From a little acorn

Last winter in Kameoka I found an acorn. I took it home, put it in a plant pot and forgot about it. But recently it started to germinate and has grown some leaves. This reminded me of the English idiom:

"Great oaks from little acorns grow"

The meaning is, from a small start you can create something big. For example starting to learn a new language begins with the first word.  If you start a new business, you have to start with small steps, but there is the possibility that it will grow into something big.

For this weeks class, think of something that you started with one small step and has grown into something big in your life. Prepare to tell the class about it.  

•  Acorn：　　　　ドングリ
• Germinate：　発芽する 
• Oak：　　　　　　樫の木 

International Quiz

This weeks lesson is an international quiz. Before class choose a country (not Japan or the UK) and read a little about it on the Internet. Then make five questions about it for the quiz. Choose five categories from the list below. 

• Culture
• Food
• Music
• History
• Geography
• Art
• Manufacturing
• Sightseeing 

New Luxury Train

Before class please check the vocabulary below and watch the video.

• Launch
• Region
• Itinerary
• Application
• Deluxe
• Boutique Hotel

1. What is your impression of the train? 
2. Would you like to ride it? Why or why not?
3. When is it fully booked until? 
4. How can you buy a ticket?
5. What is the train compared to?
6. What are the two itineraries?
7. How does the food change during the trip?

The train travels through different regions in Japan. In those places  you can see, do and eat many different things. Before class, please make a travel itinerary (detailed travel plan).  You should: choose three regions in Japan or another country; for each region think of something to see; choose a special food to eat and decide an activity to do there. Prepare to present your itinerary to the class and be ready to answer questions. Ａｌｓｏ think about the questions that you might want to ask the other students about their itineraries.