In Dela Cruz English Club, we pride ourselves on exceptional service and outstanding value. And since our learners' needs always come first, we are hereby launching a series of videos to improve English listening skill. The topics are from our own Mail Magazine which you have grown to love.
In celebration of the London 2012 Summer Olympics, let's listen to our learners'chat with their teacher about sports.
下の動画から音声を聞いて質問に答えて下さい。
Did you understand the conversation? Try answering the following questions.
1. When did Tetsuya stop his sports activities? a. Tetsuya stopped his sports activities when he got married. b. He stopped when he moved to Saitama. c. Tetsuya never stopped his sports activities.
2. Why did Hiroshi cease going to the gym and playing tennis? a. He became busy at work. b. Hiroshi ceased going to the gym because he didn't have enough money to pay for it. c. He stopped playing tennis because of his injury.
3. How does Marie exercise? a. By standing a lot b. By doing yoga every weekend c. By brisk walking when she goes shopping
4. What kind of sports are you into?
"Sports Talk"
In Marie’s class with two gentlemen. Just before the class was about to end.
Marie: Oh, by the way, I wasn’t able to ask you before about what sports you are into. Tetsuya:Actually, when I transferred here in Saitama, I stopped my sports activities. But I used to go scuba dive twice or thrice a year… Marie: I see…How about you Hiroshi? Hiroshi:I used to go to the gym. And I also played tennis… However, I have been very busy with work, so I have no more time for sports. Marie: Except for your F1 race in PS2? Hiroshi (grins): You’re right… Tetsuya:How about you, Marie? Are you into any sports right now? Marie: Actually, I used to swim a lot but when I came to Japan, I haven’t even dipped my toes into a puddle. My only exercise every weekend is when I go shopping … Hiroshi:But shopping is not a sport… (The men laugh as Marie blushes). Marie: Haha! I know, but I still do some brisk walking each time!
●Useful & Humorous expression
★what sports you are into
be（またはget) into something は、話し言葉でsomething が好き、とか 興味があるということを表す表現です。こんな表現を使えるとチョットい いですよね。
Ex. I was really into baseball when I was a high school student. 高校生の時は、本当に野球にのめりこんでいた。
★I used to go to the gym
動詞の前にused to を使って、誰かがかつていつもやっていた事を表現し ます。
Ex. Alice used to play the piano everyday, but she hardly ever plays now. アリスは毎日ピアノを弾いていたけれども、今はほとんど弾かない。
I have always believed that traveling is good for our senses. It makes us experience things that we wouldn't normally encounter. In addition to that, it makes us understand things better and even make our views wider.
One of my dear learners, Megumi, went on a Europe trip with her friends. I'd like to repost her series here. ------------
【Drive旅の復習】Day4/Wien(Austria)～Piestany(Slovakia) [Europe Driving 2012] 四日目。 Day 4.
We headed for Schonbrunn Palace from our hotel. I thought we had almost arrived, but we couldn't reach the Palace easily. We were so tired already. Because it took 1hour! According to guide book, normally, it's only 15 minute by car.
The voice guidance give us information in Japanese. (This service included in the ground tour fee.) There are many elaborate furniture, elegant plates and utensils... It was nice, beautiful tour course, but crowded with tourists. I felt I'm in a packed train.
Noooooo! I'm in the Palace, here is a graceful, beautiful place!!
It was ashamed that I haven't known well about Hapsburg, Maria Theresia and Marie Antoinette. While touring, I had half a mind to study history again after returning to Japan.
I thought we must buy the expressway sticker when we entered Slovakia. ...But before I knew what was happening, our car was gotten on the expressway! Oh, no! There is the police car in front of ours! I don't want to pay penalty! (I was on pins and needles, because I read an article on someone's blog who paid penalty, 300Euros!)
(FYI, all three countries has the same payment method about the expressway. Those country doesn't have a gate. That's why the driver who would like to use the expressway must buy a sticker and stick it on a front window. We bought the cheapest one, it was 10 Euro for 10days.)
Feeling pressure, we got off the expressway once for buying the sticker. After buying, we relieved and we could go back to the expressway. Our staying in Bratislava was only few minute at gasoline station. (Only buying the sticker.) I could see the Bratislava castle from the expressway. It looked like a miniature models.
After a short driving time, we were in sea of sunflower!! It was the first time to me to see such a boundless sunflower!!! I was really moved by scenery, fortunately it's not only here, we could see often great views like this.
そんな風景を車窓から楽しみながら走り、到着したのが本日の目的地、ピエスタニー(Piestany)。 ここにも温泉があるらしいと聞いてやってきた。 が、肝心の温泉がどこにあるのかよくわからない。 Have a fun driving with a good view, we had arrived today's destination, Piestany. I heard that here is a good ONSEN, but I couldn't find where ONSEN is.
スーパーで車を停めて若い人に英語で話しかけると 「スパ。向こう。橋」とジェスチャー混じりに教えてくれた。 「サンキュー」と言いながら、スロバキア語のありがとうをまだ覚えてなかったことを後悔。 I asked to a young man in English, he answered in English word with gesture, "SPA, over there, bridge". I said "Thank you!", but I regretted that I didn't remember "thank you" in Slovak yet.
橋を渡ると、"ようこそ"的な看板を発見。 どうやら川の中州？が温泉地になっている様子。 When we crossed over the bridge, found the signboard, like a "welcome to SPA". Spa is located in a small island, it's in the middle of a river.
There were some hotels inside an island. We asked about vacancy room to the lady at the front desk at the nearest hotel from the gate in this island. She answered "yes" with a sigh. Later, we understood that she has trouble in speak English.
In fact, it took almost 1 hour when we had finished check-in. Hmm, she was wearing a badge "UK's flag", ah, it means London Olympic supporter!
Fortunately, we've gotten today's bed, unfortunately, it was 43 Euros for one person. I felt it was expensive, but another hotel's accommodation fee was more expensive.
We'd learned that in this area, Slovakia and Czech Spa is a medical treatment facility for patients. It's totally different from Japanese custom. It seems there is no healthy people, but us.
「夕食はレストランがあるけど、19時半までだから急いで」と言われ慌てて食堂へ。 "We can serve the dinner to you at the restaurant, but it will close at 19:30 pm. Hurry!", she said.
閉店間際だったので、既に料理も選べず、お姉さんの提案を受け入れる以外に選択肢がなく、、、残念。 ビールも生はなく、瓶だけだったが、スロバキアのビールも美味しい！！ いやむしろ私はスロバキアのビールのほうが好きかも！！ We went to the restaurant hastily and order some Slovak dishes from their menu, but answer was "finished". Involuntarily, we accepted her suggestion. Also they don't serve beers from the tap, only bottled beers. BUT! It was so delicious! It's not far behind from Czech beer.
No, Slovak beer might be better than Czech beer to me.
チェックインに時間を要してしまったので、温泉プールにも入れず残念だったが 明日は温泉に入るぞ！！と堅く誓う。 Regrettably for us, we couldn't go ONSEN pool, because we took a time for checking-in. BUT! We really to go in a hot spring tomorrow!
本日の走行距離；約167km。 Today's travel distance: about 167km
