Homework and...Awards?!

So many students did their homework or wrote VERY nice diaries over the summer vacation. I'm glad to read so many interesting essays and journals. Everyone did such a great job. Thank you! For those of you that have never written a diary in English, I highly recommend it. It's a great way to express and organize your ideas, and also find (and fix) mistakes. Try it once a week!


Also- this week, we will be presenting our Award Certificates for the summer. These are for both kids and adults. The recipients were TOUGH to choose. There are so many great students, all with different skills. The awards are for:

Excellence in English (4 each)
Excellent Study Skills (4 each)
Excellent Attitude (4 each)
Most Improved (4 each)

Excellent Writing Skills (only 1!)

Congratulations to the recipients! 

New Teacher and...

My schedule is almost full now, so the time has come to hire a new teacher. After looking through many resumes and doing some interviews, I have made my decision. Luckily, we found a very nice teacher, who will be with us from April. How exciting is that?!

Also, our schedule will slightly change from April. We will be closed on Sundays. So people who come to the cafe to chat on Sundays, please come on Saturdays if you are free. I (or the new teacher) will be available all day to talk or help you with your studies. Night Club will continue at 7pm, so please come! Maybe I'll bake something...

We will have our Easter Party for kids this month! Yah! Easter is a pretty big holiday in America, so we decided to do something fun for our students. The Easter eggs, egg dye, and candy are on their way here from the US.  楽しみ楽しみ！

Spring is Coming!!!

American Christmas (part 2) teenagers and adults

Older kids and teenagers still receive gifts from their parents. They often get clothes, video games, books, or something related to their hobbies. And lots of candy. Teenagers also exchange gifts with their boyfriends, girlfriends, or friends. They usually spend Christmas day with their parents, but may also have dinner with a girlfriend or boyfriend's family. When I was about 17 or 18, I invited my high school boyfriend over to open presents and spend time with my family.

Although a teenage boyfriend or girlfriend may spend the night Christmas Eve, Christmas is not a "romantic" event as in Japan. It's all rather innocent and they enjoy opening gifts Christmas morning, just like little kids do. Even for most adult couples, it's family time- not sexy time! It's a good time to relax and get to know each others' families.


Adults also exchange presents- especially husbands and wives. The presents are often surprises, and put under the tree with kids presents. Men often buy underwear or clothes for their girlfriends or wives. Jewelry and perfume are also common gifts. Women may buy cologne, clothes, video games, or other stuff for their boyfriends. They don't get as many gifts as kids, but they do usually get several items. Adults also still receive gifts from their parents! I am 30 years old- my mom sends me stuff for Christmas. I also send her something. Of course, it's a surprise.

Some Christians do something religious or go to church. They celebrate the birth of Jesus. Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah instead of Christmas. Sometimes there are religious programs on TV. Different families have their own traditions or special food they like to eat. There is a lot of variety, but in general people enjoy time with family and gift giving.

No matter what your tradition, have a happy holiday! And a happy New Year too. ^-^

American Christmas! (part 1) kids

Christmas is Japan is quite different than Christmas in America, England, and other English speaking countries.

Many kids believe in Santa until about 8 years old. If they believe in Santa, then sometime in December they write a Christmas list of things they want. Sometimes they give it to a Santa at the mall. Most malls have an old guy dressed as Santa. Kids tell him what they want and get their picture taken. This "list" may have 5 toys on it, or even 10 or 20 items. Some kids write down EVERYTHING they want- a rocket ship, a horse, a big screen TV, etc.

On Christmas Eve, after the kids go to bed, the parents take out all the presents from where ever they have hidden them and put them under the tree. Also, kids (and adults too) often have a stocking. That is filled with candy, small toys, or other cheap items.The kids wake up early Christmas morning and open everything.

When kids stop believing in Santa, they just give the list to mom and dad. Some Japanese kids stop getting a gift if they don't believe in Santa, but in America, kids get gifts even if they don't believe anymore. They just have to thank mom and dad! Older kids are more aware of money and may not ask for so much crazy expensive stuff.

Most children get several presents. A typical middle class kid may get 20 or more gifts from "Santa." Very few kids get only one present. Also, they get something from grandparents or aunts and uncles. They also may exchange gifts with their close friends. Typical presents include dolls, stuffed animals, video games, action figures, DVDs, books, arts and crafts stuff, sports equipment and clothes. Girls get things like nail polish, earrings, or hair accessories in their stockings.They also get boring stuff like socks and underwear. Opening it all up is great fun. There are many surprises.

After that, many families invite grandparents or other relatives over for lunch or dinner. Many people eat ham, roast beef, or turkey. There is no Christmas cake like in Japan. We do have Christmas cookies and often pie. British foods are a little different from American. Many people bake and exchange cookies or candy around Christmas time. People play Christmas music and little kids enjoy singing songs or watching Christmas movies.

Basically, Christmas for children is about gifts, good food, and spending time with family. It's a lot of fun.

New Class

Starting this December, we are offering afternoon classes for kids (ages 4-6) and parents. Kids will learn basic English words and phrases, while singing songs and listening to stories. Parents can learn easy English and correct pronunciation so that they can practice with their children at home. Everyone can gain confidence and have fun together.

So...Why do parents need to speak English?

Kids need more English practice that once a week. Hearing a bedtime story in English from mom or dad, or practicing vocabulary in the grocery store or park is a great way to reinforce what they learn in class. If they practice a little bit at home, they will feel more confident and comfortable in class. They will remember better, and learn more quickly. English is not just for "English schools." It is something that must be practiced and incorporated into everyday life.

Many moms or dads say, "But I can't speak English!" But actually they all know things like colors, numbers, or animals.They don't need advanced English skills or perfect pronunciation or grammar to say a few phrases to their kids.

I want to provide a warm, fun environment for children and their parents, so that they enjoy speaking English, rather that think that it is a chore or "subject" to study.

Any questions? Check: http://www.innocence-plus.com/kidsandmoms
or feel free to call us!

Have a Cornucopia! (It's too early for Christmas.)

In Japan, the day after Halloween, shops put up their Christmas decor. It's too early for Christmas!!

In America, people and shops don't really decorate for Christmas until after Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is the 4th Thursday of November in America. So in November, people stick with fall-themed decorations, such as autumn leaves, pumpkins, and gourds. Some people have a fall wreath on their door, or a centerpiece on the table. Indian corn is also a popular decoration. After Thanksgiving people pull out the Christmas stuff and start playing Christmas music.



 *Keep in mind, this is just American me. Canada, Australia, England, and others surely have different traditions. Even in America, I know one family that keeps their Christmas tree up ALL YEAR. Some people are always in the holiday mood...

On to the pictures!

Gourds! These are in Japan too. There are many colors, sizes, and textures. I like lumpy ones.

Indian corn. It's used as decoration- no one eats it. The colors are very nice for fall.

Finally...the CORNUCOPIA!! Or "horn of plenty." A symbol of abundance and fall harvest, this is filled with fruit, nuts, or sometimes flowers. It's been around since Greek/Roman antiquity.

Here's one more, because they're so cool!

Night Club! *Halloween Version*

This Saturday at 7:00, we will hold our first meeting of The Book Society. 

 If you are an intermediate or advanced speaker and love literature, please come. 

Book clubs are popular in America, and there are some in Japan too. Usually, people meet every week or month to discuss a book. Everyone reads the same book at home, and then analyze it together during the club meeting. I know one group of people in Tokyo who read modern fiction, and one group of women in Sendai who are reading The Tale of Genji in English. The Tale of Genji ladies will take several years to finish the book, but are having fun and making friends.

At Innocence Plus, we will read and discuss some easy short stories, and hopefully in a few months we can do some poetry or perhaps a short novel. So don't worry about having to read anything long or tedious. Also, you can request something, if you have a book in mind!


***This Saturday, we will do something special for Halloween. I have not decided yet, but I am looking through Poe and other authors of scary/bizarre literature for something fun and easy.***


Any questions? Please call: 022-797-0762  or comment.