Welcome to
The Point
The First All English Newspaper in Kumamoto City, Japan
My name is Randall Miller. I have started an English newspaper here in Kumamoto City Japan named The Point. There are lots of Japanese adults who like to learn and practice English. There are also a lot of Japanese students who enjoy learning English. My newspaper gives Japanese a chance to practice and learn English with a native speaker. Japanese people can exchange emails in English with my native speaking English staff. Japanese can also learn idioms, American culture and other English grammar with our newspaper. My goal is to help improve Japanese citizens in English and to give them a safe and comfortable opportunity to practice English with native speakers. I print the newspaper once a month. My magazine reaches up to 150,000 citizens in Kumamoto City and surrounding areas.
Exchange emails with a native speaker of English
If you really want to improve your English skills, you should practice exchanging emails with a native speaker. Answer the questions below and send your answers to one of our staff members. You can also practice your speaking by skype or meeting in person.
Topic: Music
1. What type of music do you like?
2. What type of music do you not like?
3. What song makes you think of someone?
4. What are 4 artists you like?
5. Can you dance?
6. Have you ever been to a concert?
7. Can you play an instrument?
8. Who's concert would you like to go to?
9. Which artist living or dead would you like to meet?
Send your answers to someone on our staff. We will correct your English and answer you. Write the staff’s name in the subject. Email: bluehillesl@yahoo.com
Male Female
David (USA) Sharon (Canada)
Randall (USA) Lisa (Canada)
Grammar 1
just in case = not sure what will happen
Ex. Take your coat just in case you get cold.
1. Bring an umbrella just in case it rains.
2. Take your credit cards just in case we don't have enough money.
3. Give me your phone number just in case I get lost.
4. Call me at 10:00 just in case she is ugly.
Grammar 2
Ex. I can't put up with a messy roommate.
1. I can't put up with a dog barking late at night.
2. She can't put up with too many dirty dishes.
3. Can you put up with loud music every weekend?
4. I can't put up with eating the same meal every day for a month.
Foreigner's Voice
I was sitting in my apartment one afternoon and I was getting hungry. I decided to go to Hotto Motto which was close to my apartment. It was such a beautiful and sunny day, I decided to walk to get my food. On my way, I saw a police car pass me. I just kept walking and to my surprise, the same police car had made a u-turn. The two police officers in the car turned the red and blue lights on and pulled in front of me. I wasn't nervous because I had not done anything illegal. The first police officer got out of the car and walked up to me. He asked me for my passport of foreigner card. I asked the police officer, "What did I do wrong?" I had only been in Japan for a few months so I could not speak much Japanese. The second police officer got out of the car and told me that I had not done anything wrong. The officers were just stopping me to check my papers to make sure I was in Japan legally. I thought this was not a good way to welcome foreigners into Japan. While I was standing there with the police car lights on, the Japanese in their cars passed by and slowing down wondering what I had done wrong. I felt like a criminal even though I had not done anything wrong. It was so embarrassing so I wondered how many Japanese citizens know that Japanese police stop foreigners at random to check their papers. I didn't feel good so I never walked anywhere again. I hate when Japanese people ask me if I like living in Japan because this bad memory always comes to mind.
English Idioms
Idiom 1 - barking up the wrong tree = looking in the wrong place
Example:
Sam: Can you help me get a date with Janet?
Ben: You are barking up the wrong tree. I don't know her that well.
Idiom 2 - It's all Greek to me = I really don't understand
Example:
Jill: Can you help me hook up cable to my TV?
Ray: Those directions are all Greek to me.
Idiom 3 - go Dutch = split the bill in half 50/ 50
Example:
Charles: I don't have enough money for the bill.
Rachel: No problem. Let's go Dutch.
Idiom 4 - hold your horses - calm down and wait
Example:
Student: Are you finished eating yet?
Teacher: Hold your horses. I'll be finished in a little while.
August 2022
American Culture
The Mardi Gras is a very popular festival in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is in the month of February. The businesses close early so people can go to the Mardi Gras. The Mardi Gras is a lot of parties and a parade. During the parade, the people riding on the floats throw beads that can be worn around the neck. They also throw plastic cups and even ladies panties. It is a lot of fun and everyone enjoys themselves. The popular drink is called a Hurricane which is a daiquiri served in a very large cup. Some of the foods are Shrimp gumbo, jambalaya and a lot of different foods. The Mardi Gras usually starts in the late afternoon and goes until the morning. Since New Orleans is near the ocean, there is also a party of a few boats. Downtown the bars all have their doors open as there is no cover charge. You can walk in and out of different bars all night. Sometimes there are women dancing in the window of the bar.
Maggie L. Walker
Maggie L. Walker was born in Virginia in 1867. Her mother was a cook for a wealthy woman.
At the age of sixteen, Maggie graduated from high school. Maggie, who seemed to have the energy of a dozen women, became a teacher. She also held several part-time jobs.
In 1886, she got married. While she was a young wife and the mother of two sons, she went to work for an insurance company. Since she had good leadership
qualities, she eventually became the head of the company.
Maggie Walker founded the St. Luke’s Penny Savings Bank. She became the first female bank president in America. Maggie encouraged young people to save their pennies and helped organize school banking for children.
Maggie Walker continued to help people throughout her life. She educated people about health care and the business world.