Smith's School of English Soap Box

My Hometown: Nanaimo BC Canada

Edward — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:11:18 +0000

One of Andrew’s favorite Smith’s English lessons is one called ‘My Hometown’ in the ‘Let’s Talk’ section of the curriculum. Every time we teach it I reminisce about my hometown and miss it even more. Recently the tourism department in my hometown, Nanaimo BC, released a new video to promote the city. Nanaimo is located [...]

Our New School And Head Office at Kyobashi.

Tom — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 03:09:42 +0000

Great News! From the 4th of January, we’ve been operating from a new place. The location of the building is not too far from our previous address. We’ve practically moved just ‘around the corner’. Which means that it’s nicely located just minutes away from Keihan and JR stations. The interior was recently decorated so everything looks [...]

Grateful for Some Help

Derek — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:21:52 +0000

Last Friday, I gave a free trial English conversation lesson to a married couple at my English school in Amagasaki, Smith’s School of English Tsukaguchi. They told me how they had heard about my school. What I heard made me happy. They were friends with the owner of a grilled meat restaurant located in the [...]

Got a New PC! Love it!

Al Bartle — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:58:14 +0000

In the English business in Japan, we sometimes need to use a PC to create some additional lesson materials for students. Smith’s school has great materials that open the door to student’s learning at many levels. They are created with Japanese students in mind and address areas that are often weak among Japanese students. But [...]

Consistent Promotion Is In Fashion

Martin — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:00:38 +0000

One of the more important aspects of any business is its effort and success in creating revenue. It makes no difference whether it’s a little neighborhood curry shop that’s only open during lunch hours or a giant global corporation producing and selling value-added products world-wide. It is the effort to get out and create awareness of what [...]

Fantastic New French Jazz Vocalist Coming to Japan

Edward — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:28:17 +0000

Last year we discovered a CD in the world music section of Tower Records in Zeze by a French artist named Zaz. We didn’t know anything about her but we could listen to the CD in the shop and we instantly fell in love with her smoky voice and bohemian style. We bought the CD [...]

Happy Australia Day!

Paul — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 02:17:09 +0000

Today, being January 26 marks Australia Day, the day when the British first fleet arrived at Sydney in 1788 and proclaimed British sovereignty. Japan and Australia have developed a healthy and rewarding friendship over the years and today they are strong partners in areas of trade, tourism and cultural exchange. Many young people from both [...]

Inspiring English Speakers: Jazz Vocalist Kei Kobayashi

Edward — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 04:59:14 +0000

Not many artists in any music genre are great enough or lucky enough to be known around the world, but jazz artists tend to be well received. If an artist is willing to work hard, tour hard, and be creative, they can achieve world renown in the jazz field. Kei Kobayashi is one such artist, [...]

Happy Lunar New Year from スミス英会話長岡京!

Rick — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 14:23:36 +0000

With the end of January almost upon us, happy lunar new year greetings from Kyoto. I hope 2012 is off to a good start for the entire Smith’s community! 2011, while a period of learning for me at Smith’s Nagaokakyo (スミス英会話長岡京), finished up strong. This has carried into the new year and I [...]

Mount Fuji, Fuji Q Highland and Thomas the tank engine

Sven — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 10:46:45 +0000

This year`s Winter break provided my family with the great chance to travel in the beautiful Japan. We decided to fulfill the wish of our son Kentaro and visit Fuji Q Highland （富士急ハイランド）in Yamanashi　（山梨県）. Fuji Q Highland is located on the North side of Mount Fuji just next to the picturesque lake Kawaｇuchi (河口湖） in [...]