月: 2018年9月

September 21st of every year is the International Day of Peace. This holiday was decided by the United Nations in 1981. The first year of the International Day of Peace was very interesting. The theme was that people have a right to live in peace. The second year had a theme that the earth needs to develop a culture of peace. In 1996, the International Day of Peace was very important to bring peace between Northern Ireland and England. They had been at war for many years, but this holiday made it possible for the two countries to talk and to develop a peaceful relationship.

Every year since 1981, the United Nations, and many countries around the world have been better able to think about, and to create ways to develop peaceful relationships. This is not easy. Peace is not a popular topic for many countries. Peace takes a long time to build. It needs trust. It needs respect between people. It needs a little luck. It needs us to be continually interested in making peace with other people.

Japan has been a model of peace for the world. The Japanese government, the people of Japan, the culture of Japan, and the environment of Japan are considered by people all over the world to be champions of peace. Of course, every country has trouble, and no place is perfect, but Japan is a very peaceful place to live. Japan is safe. Japan is clean. Japan has a culture of peace. The modern history of Japan is to support peace, to build good relationships with people all over the world, and to make our earth a better place to be.

But peace is not free. Peace is very expensive. We have learned from our history books that war is dangerous, terrible, and takes everything from us. We have learned that violence is not a good solution to the problems that come between different cultures and countries. We now know that we need to talk with each other and communicate with people around the world. We need to agree that life is important. We need to agree that we should cooperate with each other. We need to teach the next generations about history so that our countries do not make mistakes again. It is a lot of work to keep peace.

We are stronger today than we were before. In 2017, there were 562 International Day of Peace events around the world. This is an incredible thing. It means that there is an international culture of peace and cooperation between many people from many different countries. We have ways to communicate and to talk. We have newspapers, television, Internet, and events that we can use to talk about and to promote peace.

Although we can feel worried that our peace will be broken by dangerous words from the American president or from the leader of North Korea, we must never give up on peace. Dangerous men like these will come, and they will go. But we must remain strong in our purpose to promote peace, and to live peacefully with people around us.

Some people think that to promote peace is to be weak. But many people believe that to promote peace needs us to be strong. It is easy to be violent. It is hard work to continually communicate and work to find cooperation. We only have one planet. We have many cultures and languages, but we share the oceans between our nations. We share hope for a good future. We share hope for a good life. We share hope that we can give a good planet to the kids who come in the future. I hope that we have many more years of International Peace.

Everyone here today must study English. It is one of your classes, and a class where you have many tests. There are many things you must learn when you study English. Of course, you must learn vocabulary. Of course, you must learn grammar. Of course, you must learn reading and writing. Of course, you must practice speaking and make your English voice smooth. And, of course, I hope you will also do the Eiken examination.

But learning English is not only important for your school work. It is not only a test for you to master in school. Being bilingual has many good benefits. There are many good reasons why you should work hard to become bilingual. Here are some of the top benefits to speaking a second language well.

1. Research shows us that bilingual people have a healthier brain. When you learn a second language your concentration is better. You can code-change from Japanese to English, so it is like an exercise for your brain. Bilingual people also have fewer cases of brain disease. Old people who speak two languages have healthier brains for a longer time.

2. Research shows that bilingual people are better students in school. Because the brain is changed to support two languages, people who speak two or more languages can master many other subjects in school more easily. The brain is more flexible and has more stamina than a brain with only one language.

3. Research shows that bilingual people have more successful careers and jobs in the future. To get a good job, especially in media, writing, tourism, and scientific research, a second language is very important. People who are bilingual are more successful in work.

4. Research shows that bilingual people have a more open mind. People who speak two languages can communicate with many different people around the world. They can share ideas, and have a patient heart to understand people from other countries and other cultures.

5. Research shows that bilingual people have a more interesting life and social hobbies. When you speak another language you can enjoy the art, music, comedies, stories, news, and discussions that are in the other language. Your mind will grow and you will be able to enjoy more art and music and news because you know and understand another language.

So, now you know that learning English is important. Learning English can change your life and give you many benefits. We know that learning English is very hard and very troublesome. Preparing for the Eiken test is a big job, but it is an important job. When you get a higher Eiken rank your whole life will get better and your future will be brighter. And of course you are in the best school in all of Takamatsu to study English. Otemae has the best English teachers and the best English language program for junior and senior high in this city. Don’t forget that if you don’t understand something in English class there are champion level English teachers here to help you.

To become bilingual is not a dream for us. To become bilingual is our plan. To become bilingual is our daily work. You can do it. Of course you can. Good luck on your next English test!