Blog
Picture of the Week: Clover
This clover is covered with dew. Different kinds of clover grow all over the world. Also called “shamrock”, clover is a symbol of Ireland. Most clover has three leaves, giving it the name of “trefoil”. However, sometimes you can find a clover with four (or even five)...
Phrase of the Week: Take your word for it
“This is a really great book. But you don’t have to take my word for it. Read it yourself and see.” “I don’t like reading much, so I’ll just take your word for it.” To take someone’s word is to believe something they say. If you don’t take their word for it, you have...
TOEIC Practice Question of the Week
Computers can perform calculators much faster than any human. Where is the mistake? A. Computers can B. perform calculators C. faster than D. any human 「コンピューターはどんな人間よりも早く計算を行うことができる。」...
Trivia of the Week: Wake Up vs. Get Up
Mom: “Wake up, sleepyhead! It’s time for breakfast!” Son: “I am awake!” Mom: “Well then, get up and get dressed!” What is the difference between “wake up” and “get up”? When you wake up, you are no longer asleep. But you may still be lying in bed. When you get up, you...
Idiom of the Week: Raking in the Money
Jane: “How is business?” Mary: “Great! Since I started selling online, I’ve really been raking it in!” What is Mary raking in? Money! When we say we are raking it in, or raking in the money, it means we are making a lot of profit. So much money that we have to rake up...
Word of the Week: Rodent
“Want to see my new pet?” “Eek! A mouse!” “It’s not a mouse, it’s a hamster.” “Well, they’re both rodents!” “But you like rabbits…” The most well-known rodents are mice, but rabbits, hamsters, and many other animals are also rodents. The largest rodent is the...
Picture of the Week: Irish Castle
Dunguaire Castle is located on the west coast of Ireland. It was built around 1520. The tower is 75 feet tall. It is named after King Guaire. Legend tells us King Guaire was very generous, and if you ask a question at the front gate of the castle you will find the...
ハッピーバレーのプレゼンテーション開催＆生中継！
Happy Valley presentation ハッピーバレーのプレゼンテーション LIVE BROADCAST 【生中継】 There will be a Happy Valley presentation, Q+A and training session, hosted by Catherine Littlehale Oki, on March 5th from 10:00 a.m. at our head office in Korien, Osaka (directions are here:...
Phrase of the Week: Word of Mouth
Salesperson: Excuse me, ma’am, could you tell me how you heard of our product? Did you see our TV commercial or our magazine ad? Woman: No, I heard about it by word of mouth. All my friends are using it. “Word of mouth” means the spread of information by people...
TOEIC Practice Question of the Week
A late fee is a _______ that is added when you do not pay your bill on time. A. punish B. penalty C. purpose D. priority 「延滞料は期限までに支払わなかった場合に発生する違約金です。」...
