今月のコラム This month's column

What do you want to do by learning and speaking English?

Cherry trees are in full bloom or their sprouts are turning green nationwide at this time of the year. April is the time when both the school year and the fiscal year commence in Japan. This is one of the best moments to appreciate living in Japan safely and peacefully. Then, what are you looking for through learning and speaking English now? Some may be hoping to measure up to the standard to pass the English exams or entrance exams for schools, and others may be seeking to make a great profit on their business or succor someone else in their jobs at any cost. If you are eager to master English, this season is the best to start a new way of study. It is prudent of any student to learn practical English as well as English grammar. I would recommend kicking off your English study that can be useful when you speak, listen, write, and read. It is rather futile to study only grammar without being able to speak English.

One of the benefits to speak English is that you can go on a journey to most of the capital or major cities across the globe. Nowadays, many of the city residents in any country speak English, so it is not so problematic even if you only talk in English in any large city around the world - of course, there are some exceptions in this case. If you are able to speak English, you do not have to be rich enough to hire a tour conductor or a translator for your travel. For instance, even if you do not have much money to purchase an expensive German car, you can take Mercedes Benz taxis at low fares in Berlin by speaking English. It would be better for you to exchange a few German greetings as courtesy, though. People there might know some Japanese words as well. At any rate, there will be a chance to put your English through its paces in the future. Let's work together throughout this year and know the world little by little.