An English mans prospective on the EU referendum

英国での一般投票の将来性



マシュー講師が最近気になる話題について書いてくれました。
ＥＵ(欧州連合)の一般投票のことです。
ＥＵについて理解を深めてみましょう。


Hi everyone it me Matthew,

みなさん、こんにちは。マシューです。

In this blog I want to talk about one of the major issues currently happening in the United Kingdom which happens to the EU referendum. But first let’s cover two important things: What is a referendum? And what is the European Union?

最近の英国の一般投票で起きたことについてお話します。

A referendum is basically a vote in which nearly everyone of voting age can take part and vote on an important issue. Unlike a normal election where someone has lots of different choices and candidates; in a referendum a voter is presented with a question and normally only has two options which mean "Yes" or "No". Whichever side gets more than half of all votes cast is considered to have won.

この投票は、通常のように様々な候補者や選択肢があるものとは違い、
ひとつの質問にＹＥＳ/NOで答えるものです。

The European Union also known as the EU - is an economic and political partnership involving 28 European countries, which basically acts as if the member states were one country. It has its own currency which is used by 19 of the member countries and its own parliament which passes laws over a wide range of areas - including the environment, transport, consumer rights and even things like mobile phone charges.

欧州連合(ヨーロピアンユニオン）はＥＵとして知られていますが、、
一体どんなものなのでしょう？

So what is actually happened? After massively increased domestic pressure caused by various world events and long running issues in the United Kingdom; Prime Minister David Cameron has announced a referendum on whether Britain should remain in the European Union that will be held on Thursday 23rd June.

6月23日木曜日にある投票での質問は、、、
英国はＥＵに加盟し続けるべきか？というものです。

The question is always important in any referendum and this one is no different. The Electoral Commission successfully proposed the wording: "Should the United Kingdom remain a member of the European Union or leave the European Union?" The options for voters will be 'Remain a member of the European Union' and 'Leave the European Union'.

投票の質問は非常に大切な問題です。　

Why is the UK having a referendum on the EU? Well the last referendum on the issue of the EU was in 1975 shortly after the UK joined which was called the Common Market at the time. The country voted to stay in then but there have been growing calls from the public and politicians, for another vote because the EU has changed a lot over the past 40 years. With many more countries joining and the organisation extending its control over more aspects of daily lives the EU is very different now with what people voted on in 1975. Because of this it is also argued that anyone in the UK under the age of 60 has never really had a say on Britain’s relationship with the EU.

なぜ英国にはこのような一般投票があるのでしょうか？

Why do people want to leave the EU? Lots of people believe that Britain is being held back by the EU, which they say imposes too many rules and charges billions of pounds a year in membership fees for little in return. As Britain is an island nation which historically has always felt disconnected from the main continent, many people want the country to take back full control of its borders and reduce the number of people coming to the country to work. This has always been a difficult issue as one of the main principles of EU membership is "free movement", which means you don't need to get a visa to go and live in another EU country.

なぜ、人々は欧州連合から脱退したいのでしょうか？

Many British people also object to the idea of an "ever closer union" and any goal to create a "United States of Europe", which lots of people believe is one of the ambitions of other main powers in Europe such as Germany.

多くの英国の人々はヨーロッパ合衆国をつくることに反対なのです。

Anyway, I do hope this has been somewhat interesting for you guys. Being British myself the issue of the EU has always been an emotional topic to tackle, similarly to the Scottish independence referendum the issue of the EU splits every part of British society and opinion polls indicate that the vote could be pretty evenly split. It’s quite an interesting time at the moment.

この話題に何らかの関心を持って頂けたら嬉しいです。

Valentine's Day Customs in the United States

アメリカでのバレンタインデーの習慣


ミッシェル講師のレポートです。
バレンタインデーは、カップルにとって大きなイベントですね！
日本では、主に女性が男性にプレゼントを贈る日ですが、アメリカでは少し違うみたいです。
アメリカではどのように楽しまれているのでしょう？？


Hello, everyone!


Although Winter is still upon us, the days are gradually getting warmer and brighter as we look toward the coming of Spring.

Not only does this season bring sunny days, but also a very special holiday for couples around the world. That's right - Valentine's Day! This year, February 14th fell on a Sunday, so many people were able to spend time at home with their loved ones. Did you do anything special on Valentine's Day this year?

In Japan, I've noticed that making and giving chocolate seems to be the most popular activity. Especially for young women, it is a chance to show love and appreciation for the important men in their life. Not only couples, but also coworkers and friends share good feelings on this day.

In the United States, where I am originally from, we have very different customs for celebrating this romantic holiday. For example, it is usually a special day for couples (married or dating). Men and women, young or old, look forward to this day each year. Here are some of the popular activities American couples do on Valentine's Day.


Exchanging Gifts
プレゼント交換

Like in Japan, chocolate is a very popular gift for your Valentine's sweetheart in the U.S. But chocolate isn't the only option - women look forward to getting flowers from their boyfriend or husband, as well. A special candy, "Candy Hearts" are printed with romantic messages and sold in cute Valentine's Day packages. Most importantly, men are expected to give gifts on this day, too - if you forget, you might end up in the doghouse!*

Date Night
夜にデート

Many couples make the evening particularly special by going on a date together. They may make reservations at a nice restaurant, then go to see a movie. Some couples enjoy playing sports together, or simply want to relax at home with snacks and a movie. How would you like to spend a romantic evening with your special someone?


Valentine's Day at School (Children)
子供たちにとっての学校でのバレンタイン

Although Valentine's Day is usually for couples, children also enjoy exchanging candy and messages with their friends at school. Valentine's Cards with popular characters are passed around the classroom, while teachers often bring plenty of chocolate or sweets for everyone to share.


For Single People
独身者のバレンタイン

Of course, not everyone has a partner on Valentine's Day, so single people have recently designed their own holiday. It's called "Singles Awareness Day" (or SAD). In my opinion, though, you don't need to be in a relationship to enjoy Valentine's Day. If you are alone, then why not spend the day celebrating yourself! Get a massage, watch your favorite movies, and eat a lot of chocolate, too! (Here's a tip - Chocolate is half-price the day after Valentine's Day!!!)


Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the holiday this year, and let's look forward to White Day in March!

See you soon,
Michelle <3


Expressions:
*"You'll end up in the doghouse" - This expression is used when a wife is so angry at her husband that she doesn't make him feel welcome in their home. He might as well be sleeping in the dog's house outside.

Present for myself

カリーナ講師のレポートです。
日本文化に興味のある彼女が、新年に手に入れたものとは！？

カリーナ講師と日本の文化や食事についてお話してみましょう！


Happy to 2016 to everyone!
皆さんにとって2016年がハッピーな1年になりますように！


It's Karina here and I'd like to update you on my recent purchase. Every time the New Year comes I believe we should do something good for others and for ourselves. It's a great time to buy or do something you've been wanting for a long time. This year wasn't an exception for me.

My plan for this year is to master Japanese cuisine and to learn everything about Japanese ingredients, traditional meal and how it was changing throughout Japanese history. So I bought this amazing book. It's not just a book with recipes but contains lots of important and interesting information about everything that I wished to know.

I wish that in a coming year you will achieve everything you've planned and stay healthy and happy.

PS It's not to late to make a present for yourself yet ;)

冬休みに関西を旅行してきました！（マーティン講師）


今年も周南英会話を宜しくお願い致します。
皆さんはどんな年末年始を過ごされましたか？？

今年最初のレポートは、前回に引き続きマーティン講師から。
昨年末に日本にやってきて、今回は関西地方の旅行を楽しみました。
どんな旅だったのでしょうか？


Hello Everyone again!

2015 is gone by now and we're still on the Eve of 2016, yet we're already back to work, caught up by our usual routine. Before we all get lost in the cold of January, stressed by our unrealistic resolutions for the new year or worried about our colossal expenses of the last year's celebration... I suggest we take a moment to share the good moments we spent during the vacations.

For my part, I chose to visit the beautiful region of Kansai 関西地方. In order to get to my destination, I took the local train from Toｋuyama to Shin-Osaka despite the wise advice of one of my student - that allowed me to enjoy a nice view from the train's window, but I must admit that the shinkansen would have been a lot more comfortable. 

I did, however, enjoy my trip and the train ride and the time I've spent in the Kansai region, especially Kyoto.

The view of the city from Kyoto Station was spectacular.

京都駅からの市内の風景はとても壮大です。

I also had the opportunity to try the famous soba meal - delicious!
有名なお蕎麦もいただきました！　おいしいです！

Another view of Kyoto
京都の写真

Every single place offered a nice opportunity to take a great shot
どの場所でも素敵な写真が撮れました。