Essay 5: My perfect vacation

I'm now a senior at KGU, so this summer vacation will be the last time of the life in the university. There are a lot of things that I want to do. First, I want to go to summer festival and see fireworks. I like summer festivals, but I couldn't go last year because I had a part time job. I was very busy and tired, so I didn't go. I saw the fireworks on the bridge, but I want to be nearer the fireworks. I think seeing fireworks nearby is the best because I can feel them punch and beauty. Also, I want to wear a yukata. I think yukatas are great. I haven't worn a yukata since I was a high school student. First of all, I have to buy a yukata.

Second, I want to go to the beach. Speaking of summer, I think many people associate with the mountains and the beach. I would rather go to the beach than to the mountains. I have wanted to go to the beach since I was a junior high school student. I have worked at a beach house when I was a high school student, but I didn't go to the seaside. I stayed at the beach house and tended the shop. I can't swim but I like to gather shells on the seashore. When I was a child, I liked to collect stones and shells. I still have them. I hate getting a sunburn, but I want to go. My friends want to go to the pool, so I think the pool is good idea. I have to buy a swimsuit too.

Third, I want to go on a trip with my friends or my family. I want to go to the Tokyo Disney Land and Sea. Also, I want to go to Universal Studios Japan, but I have been there three times during the university life. I have been to TDL and TDS once. I went to there with my mother for a graduation trip when I graduated from junior high school. I had a good time then. I want to go on a graduation trip again.

I have more things I want to do in the vacation. If I do the things I want to do, I have to work hard and save money! I want to enjoy the vacation.

395 words

Essay 4: My self introduction 2036

Hello, my name is Haruka. I'm 41 years old. I graduated from Kumamoto Gakuen University 19 years ago. I have worked as a teacher for children after I graduated. I like children and English, I wanted to be an English teacher for a long time. I was really glad to get a job. I worked hard and got along with children. Lessons were fun. I like my job and co-workers. However, I retired from the job because I got married.

I got married when I was 25 years old. My husband is 1 year old older than I. We met at our working place. His name is John. He is from the US. He is working as an English teacher in Japan. He came to Japan after he graduated. He is very tall and cool. He is good at sports, he often play tennis and basketball on the weekends with his friends. He likes children, so he plays with children too. When I was young, I played tennis with him but I can't now. I like to watch them.

We have 2 children, daughter and son. My daughter's name is Sarah. She is 15 years old. She is a high school student now. My son is 10 years old. His name is Ken. He is an elementary school student. They are also good at sports. They like tennis and swimming. I usually go to their games to see. I think that is one of my hobbies. 

She likes English, Classical Japanese and Art. However, he likes Math, Science and P.E. I think my daughter resembles me, and my son takes after my husband. They look like my husband. They are pretty. They are our pride and joy.

Now, I don't have job. I am very busy with housework, but I want to work again. If I can make free time, I want to return to my previous workplace. 

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Essay 3: My treasure

My treasures are goods of the wizarding world. I love that fantastic world. I am reminded of my memories of travel.

I couldn't work a part-time job when I was a high school student. In my high school, students must study hard. We couldn't be accepted to work at a part time job. But now, I work the part-time job hard to make a living. I didn't have time and much money then, but I wanted to go travel with my family. I worked very hard and saved money. At last, I went to Osaka and Universal Studio Japan with my family in the summer vacation about 3 years ago.

It was a first time that I went to USJ, so I was very excited. I was able to ride many attractions. In particular, I enjoyed the Wizarding World of Harry Potter area. I am a big fan of Harry Potter series. I got on a ride and enjoyed watching the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

I also enjoyed shopping there. I bought three chocolates in the shape of frog, two magic wands, and other things. These were very expensive for me, but I was satisfied with them.

I already have eaten the chocolate, but magic wands are in a storage safe. My little brother sometimes uses them. He takes the magic wand in his hand, and he chants a charm. He seems to be identifying himself with the hero of the story. I love the Harry Potter series but also he loves the series too. I bought Sirius Black's magic wand because I like him very much. He's so cool!!

I want to go to USJ again because I want to make a collection of goods. I am going to buy a time turner which Hermione Jean Granger used in the movie when I go there next time. The time turner has two styles, one is a necklace type and the other is a key chain type. Actually, I am aiming for the necklace type. It is very expensive so I have to earn a lot of money and save. I really look forward to go there again before long.

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Essay 2: My life as a journy

My name is Haruka and I’m 21 years old. I would like to tell you about my life’s journey so you can get an idea of who I am.

My journey began in February 1995 in Kumamoto because my parents live in Kumamoto. When I started my journey, my mother was only 19 years old. My life took a turn to Tokyo soon, the capital of Japan. I don’t know why my life didn’t begin in Tokyo. However, the Tokyo part of my journey was too short, only 1 year because my mother wanted to go back to her hometown. So my life took a turn to Kumamoto again.

It was in 2000 that my cousins, Tatsuya and Shota, joined me in my journey. I didn’t have any brothers and sisters then, so I took care of them like real brothers. Tatsuya lived with my family for 3 years.

In 2005, a new member joined me in my journey. His name is Junta, my younger brother. He is ten years younger than me. He was lovely. He likes math and science, but I don’t like Math and Science. I like Japanese and English. He also likes English. He is active, so he can talk with foreigners using gesture. However, I can’t do that. He and I have some differences of characters.

When I was an elementary student, I was interested in stones. I think I was strange. I collected stones, so my pockets were full when I got home. I don’t remember why I collected stones, but I wonder if I liked shapes. Also, I was strange because I couldn’t ride a bicycle. I had never ridden a bicycle while I was an elementary student. I started to ride a bicycle when I was a junior high school student. I practiced a little and I could.

In 2009, I was a high school student. I didn’t like to study or go to school. I went there for 3 years and I became a KGU student. I hope my journey will be fine.

342 words

Essay 1: Advice to my Kouhai

I want to tell my Kouhai something. I think if you want to pass this writing class, you should try to write on your blog every day. I didn't do that and couldn't get a credit. You should do assignments as soon as possible. Don't forget the deadlines and feel relaxed until you finish the assignment. If you have enough time to do it, although you think it's easy or do it later, you should start writing at that time. I couldn't do that, so I failed this class.

If you don't have any time to write, you should get up earlier or write more words before. Most of you have part time jobs and are busy every day, I think. I am too. I know you are so busy, you don't want to write and you don't have time, but we are all in the same boat!! We don't have time, but everyone needs to find time and do the assignment. Don't leave assignments for later. I recommend to get up early because you can finish it early and you don't have to think about it at that day. I have put my homework off until later. It wasn't good.

Also, I have things that I recommend you. Do you know blogger's application for iPhone and smartphone? Have you used it? It's very useful and helpful. You can write essays when you go to school by bus and train. I sometimes use it. When I go to the school by train, I write by using the application and I think about next topics. You can use time effectively.

If you have a lot of time, I recommend you to do the assignment at the same time each day. I think it's a good idea, if you aren’t busy and you are a good manager of time. Anyway, it's important to post to your blog and do the assignment before the deadline.

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Letter to a host family

Hello. My name is Haruka. I'm 21 years old. I was born in February. I was born and grew up in Kumamoto. I live with my family. We are a family of five. My family member is mother, grandmother, grandfather, a younger brother and I. My brother is 11 years old and in the 6 grade. He likes You tube very much, so he always sitting in front of our PC. He is a little fat. He doesn't play any sports because he doesn't take part in club activities. My mother is 40 years old. She is young. My grandmother usually cooks meal for us. She is very kind.

 I am a KGU student. I major in English. I like English and children. My hobbies are reading books and watching movies. I like the Harry Potter series and Ghibli movies. If you are interested in them, please talk about them with me. I have a small appetite and I don't like prawns. I don't like seafood dishes very much. I will try to eat seafood dishes, but it is possible that I can't eat them. Please turn a blind eye then. I usually eat rice in Japan. Which do you eat more often, rice or bread? I like both.

 I would like to cook Japanese foods for you. Japanese foods are very delicious, and have a lot of kinds of dishes in each region. I often make sweets in my free time, so I would like to make traditional sweets with you too. I like chocolate cake the best. What sweets do you like the best?

The summer climate of Japan is characterized by high temperatures and high humidity. How about your country? What clothes do I bring to be comfortable? Is the sun strong? Where are the local tourist spots? I want to take pictures there. Also, I want to draw some pictures. Do you know the places of scenic beauty? Would you mind taking me to there?

Through this experience of staying with your family, I want to polish my skill in speaking English. In addition, I learn another country's culture and want to be an international person with a broad outlook on life. I want to teach young children and elementary school students in the future. After that, I want to tell them about valuable information about cultures and exchange and interesting with foreign people. I want to know people's way of thinking and understanding it.

Best regard, Haruka

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Essay: Android vs Iphone

Smart phone is divided into android and iphone. Android and iphone is different from various aspects. They have not only merit, but also demerit. If you want to change new smart phone, you will research about smart phone a lot, because it may spend long time with you. We will show you comparison android and iphone.

 First, android has many manufacturers, for example, sony, sharp, samsun, etc. Those manufacturers make a lot of models, so you can choose what you like. Next, some people like android one-seg-receiving functions. Watching TV with one’s phone is very convenient for them because without TV, they can enjoy television program anywhere. What’s more, there is the smart phone which is waterproof. It is possible to watch television even in a place where humidity is high like a bathroom. In addition, it can use a SD card. If you often take photos and videos, capacity will become quiet full. It will be saved on a capacity side when the model that you can use a SD card. Also, android has big screen. Android is a mainstay of around 5 inches terminal,　people are easy to see large screen. They can watch Web page, e-mail and electronic book comfortably. 

 Although android has many good points, there are some bad points. It is different in the number of the buttons, placement, operability by a model because the android can develop a mobile carrier freely. Therefore, might have trouble a little to be used to new operability when people change a model. On the other hand, people who have iPhone come to be able to operate most of in the one-button of middle because the iPhone assumes is simple, making it a concept like iPad or iPod. This is a design that is consistent from the initial series of iPhone, it will probably not be troubled with even change models as appeared a new models.

 On the other hand, there are some merit and demerit of iphone. 

At first, one of the merits of iphone is cheeper than android. There are many types of android such as Xperia, AQUOS phone, Galaxy and so on. However, if you compare these android with iphone, you will find that iphone is cheeper than almost android. Also, iphone’s size is compact. A lot of android is getting bigger and bigger. Although iphone’s size is getting bigger a little too, iphone’s size is smaller than android now. In addition, each types of iphone are same design of the screen. If you buy new android which is different maker you had, you will struggle to get used to new one. However, because each types of iphone are same style, if you change new iphone, you will master new one soon. Therefore, iphone is easy to use. Also, there are many types of cover and case for iphone. You can enjoy various variations.

 One of the demerit of iphone is you can’t custom a lot. Although it is a good point that each types of iphone are same style, on the contrary, there are a lot of limitations. For example, iphone doesn’t have a function of widget. Also, iphone doesn’t have many functions such as infrared rays, waterproofing, Osaifu-Keitai and one seg. These functions are developed in Japan, so iphone doesn’t have these convenient functions. In addition, if you have some trouble about iphone, you have to go iphone shop. However, there is only one iphone shop in Kumamoto. It is very inconvenient.


In consequence, the difference between smart phones and iPhones is smart phone can have unique models in various models and customization by mounting the OS high degree of freedom as Android, high degree of perfection by Apple consistent concept of the iPhone. Both the iPhone and Android latest terminal is attractive. It is simple and is easy to use iPhone and suits all tastes at a balanced terminal. In contrast, Android has unique attractive, that is, the situation that plural companies compete and make an attractive product is desirable for consumers.

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The place where my family gather is...

Where do your family gather in your house? The answer is different in each person, but I think most people say it is living room. In my case, the place where my family gather is kitchen. I'm going to talk about kitchen of my house.

One of the favorite places is kitchen. We say kitchen in Japanese "daidokoro" and this word means kitchen and dining room in my family. I think no one dislike kitchen. I like kitchen because there is the most bustling room in my house. I usually get meal with my family, so my family is gathered in the kitchen. We talk and eat there. I often listen to my grandfather's talk or conversation with my little brother in the dinner time. I have a good time then. My grandmother always prepare meals. We love what she cooked and tastes very good.

Also, I think the kitchen always smells good. For example, smell of rice and miso soup hang in the air in the morning. The smell of cooking makes me hungry. I like eating and I am eating whenever I am in the kitchen. The kitchen has many kind of foods and snacks. I often root out something to eat in the kitchen and it makes me excited. I like that feeling.

In addition, I like to cook. In particular, making sweets. I sometimes make sweet because it's my hobby. I'm not good at making sweets, but I really enjoy. My favorite sweets are chocolate cake and florentins. Florentins is French cake that put nuts put which coated with a caramel on a cookie dough and bake it. Recently, I like white chocolate cake. When I cook or make something, my little brother is sure to come and willing to help me. I am happy about that, and cooking something together makes us smile.

Finally, I think kitchen is a most favorite place because kitchen makes my family happy. It is important to eat with the family members facing each other. Communication with own family is also important. I really like eating at home together with my family. I recommend to you eat and talk with your family. The kitchen and dining room is heartwarming and full of smiles place for me.

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Essay 1-02b: About KGU

We are going to introduce KGU. There are a lot of useful buildings in KGU. And there are many events there. This university has satisfying service.

First, Almost students who come to school without bringing a lunch use the gakushoku. It is a restaurant. There are many dishes there. Gakushoku has noodles, Donburi-mono (bowl of rice with food on top), hushed beef and rice, and curry and rice. Noodles are always fresh because the noodles are boiled upon receiving the order. Some students look forward to the daily lunch special. There are three different menus for each day of the week. And the dishes are very delicious and low-priced. So it is popular for students. Also, bakery is popular for students.

In the bakery, there are many kinds of bread, and the smell of bread is drifting. They like the bread of all types. Especially, pizza is the most popular among the students. There are five kinds of pizzas. All of bread is very delicious and a reasonable price. Every students like bakery very much.

And there is a LAWSON in the university. Students can use it any time. But the register is jammed in the lunch time. A food court is also beside the LAWSON. Students eat in the food court, after buying the lunch in the LAWSON.  Also, there is the yumeshoku that is restaurant in the sangoukan. The restaurant sells the bento. The bento is delicious. Especially, the deep-fried chicken bento is delicious. There are many kinds of bento, but these are sold out if you go and buy late. So, you must go there as soon as possible your class is over.

Second, there is the library in KGU. Many of students at KGU usually study in study spaces at the library. Second year students have a lot of homework and reports, so they make effective use of free time.  The library is spacious and very comfortable, because there has many kinds of books, the computers, and video viewing area.

They use the computer for writing blogs and doing Power Words that is a vocabulary study. Also, they usually use video viewing area when they have free time. Watching movies are one of the tools as language learning because they watch the moves with English subtitles or foreign moves without Japanese dubbing. Now, they are busy to do their homework, so they have not watched the videos since they were a first year student. If they don't have any homework, they want to watch the videos in their free time. Students can read the books, and study there. The library is convenient place.

Third, there are LL room and e-campus center in KGU. Students can borrow the workbook of the TOEIC and TOEFL in the LL room. Moreover, student can borrow the DVDs in there.  And there are study rooms. Students also can use PCs there. In the e-campus center, there are many PCs. Student can make the reports and PowerPoint, etc, using the PCs. And Students can borrow the notebook computers. They can use it at home. So, the university is good learning environment.

Also, there are pleasant school events in KGU.  For example, takumasai, freshman camp, field day, and so on.
Takumasai is school festival. Many clubs opens the stall. The stalls sell the crepe, takoyaki, yakisoba, etc.  And the concert of some music club is held. Famous guests also comes the festival.  It is very pleasant.

The freshman camp is an event of only eibeigakka. Students can make some friends and get along with them in the camp.

After school, many of students go to part-time job or their club. Some of them have two part-time jobs and have part-time job 5 or 6 times a week. Other students have a part-time job twice a week. They are really busy, but they have purpose theirs own. For example, someone wants to go on a trip with my family. Others pay own school expenses or save money!


There are a lot of club in this university. Kinds of clubs are music clubs, athletic clubs, culture club, and so on. Students who are in the music club are very busy to practice their band. They sing a song and play the musical instruments. Other students who are in athletic club are also practice their sports, tennis, basketball, soccer, tae kwon do, and swimming. Another clubs’ activities are playing outside, traveling home country or abroad, studying economic, and so on. They spend very busy school life but also find fulfillment in their school life.



Content for this joint essay came from previous blog posts: 

Sakata, Karin. (2014, 05, 22). The university Life [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://rin2882.blogspot.jp/2014/05/essay-1-02a-university-life.html

Toyoda,Haruka. (2014, 05, 23). At KGU Life!!!  [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://hrk34.blogspot.jp/2014/05/at-kgu-life.html

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Essay: My Language Learning Story and Plans

10 years ago, I was in 4th grade. In my elementary school, there were English class, and ALT and junior high school's teachers came to my elementary school and taught us English. They taught us alphabet, how to pronounce it and how to write it. Also, I sang English songs. For example, Alphabet song, Days Of Week Song, Bingo Song, and so on. I didn't understand all English but I really enjoy the class. I could speak English a little, I knew the basic vocabulary just "Hello" or "How are you?" Also, I learned Japanese. First, I learned Hiragana and Katakana. These are words characteristic of Japan. I have thought Katakana is specially strange because they looks very strange mark. Then, I learned Kanji that is from China. I like Kanji because I interested in the structure of Kanji. I usually got a perfect score for the Kanji test.

5 years ago, I was 13 years old. I was junior high school student. I learned basic English grammar. I learned how to express own feelings and reading a textbook. I was studying in order to talk ALT. My English teacher advised me to take some exam. I planed to take the Pre-2nd level English exam. I studied hard, and English teacher helped me. I wanted to do my best to pass the English exam. Fortunately, I passed Pre-2nd grade of the English proficiency test when I was 3rd junior high school student. In addition to this, I learned literature of Modern Japanese, Classical Japanese, and Classical Chinese. I like Chinese classical literature because I like Kanji too. Still, it was very difficult for me to read a piece of writing that is done all in Chinese characters.

When I was high school student, I took the 2nd level English exam. I took the exam 3 times because I am not good at speaking, and I don't like interview. My school's English teachers spared some of her precious time to practice my speaking. I thank her very much. And I also took a TOEIC test for the first time. I was very nervous because I've never taken the TOEIC test.

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Essay: School Life

Many of students at KGU usually study in study spaces at the library. Second year students have a lot of homework and reports, so they make effective use of free time. The library is very comfortable, because there has many kinds of books, the computers, and video viewing area. They use the computer for writing blogs and doing Power Words that is a vocabulary study. Also, they usually use video viewing area when they have free time. Now, they are busy to do their homework, so they have not watched the videos since they were a freshman. If they don't have any homework, they want to watch the videos in their free time.

In the lunch time, students who come to school without bringing a lunch go to the cafeteria or bakery. They like all menu of the cafeteria and the bread of all types. Cafeteria has noodles, Donburi-mono which is a bowl of rice with food on top, hushed beef and rice, and curry and rice. Noodles are always fresh because the noodles are boiled upon receiving the order. Some students look forward to the daily lunch special. There are three different menus for each day of the week. In the bakery, there are many kinds of bread, and the smell of bread is drifting. Pizza is the most popular among the students. There are five kinds of pizzas. All of bread is very delicious and a reasonable price. Every students like bakery very much.

After school, many of students go to part-time job or their club. Some of them have two part-time jobs and have part-time job 5 or 6 times a week. Other students have a part-time job twice a week. They are really busy, but they have purpose theirs own. For example, someone wants to go on a trip with my family. Others pay own school expenses or save money!

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