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category archive listing Category Archives: japan

A silly conversation…

August 20, 2008 – 4:11 am

with one of my favorite students: (We were both dead serious.)
Him: It’s really hot today.
Me: I know. Isn’t it gross? What do you do to stay cool.
Him: I put wind chimes by the window. That makes Japanese people feel cool.
Me: Only Japanese people, huh?
Him: Yeah. I mean, I don’t know if it makes non-Japanese […]

By Steven Nishida | Also posted in friendship, comedy, teaching, humor, health | Comments (0)

Kimono Passport

June 18, 2008 – 1:04 pm

I’ve been meaning to blog about Kyoto’s “Kimono Passport” campaign–and point it out to Seth Godin–for a while.
The concept is truly ingenious in its simplicity. During a three month period (Oct 1st-December 25th), Kyoto City dresses up the town, literally, leveraging its most cherished and attractive resource: the traditional garb of its people. How is […]

By Steven Nishida | Also posted in economy, community, environment, business | Comments (1)

iPhone 3G in Japan. (Needless to say, I’m as happy as a little girl.)

June 11, 2008 – 10:55 am

(image from mobilegazette.com)
Apple’s iPhone is finally coming to Japan next month (3G, July 11th), and NTT Docomo (about 50% market share) is about to lose a whole lot of customers to newcomer Softbank who has negotiated a deal to carry the 3G iPhone. Interestingly, neither Softbank nor Apple mentioned any exclusivity clauses, so it […]

By Steven Nishida | Also posted in the corporation, economics, media, business, technology | Comments (0)

David Graddol discusses English in the new world order

June 11, 2008 – 1:19 am

You REALLY should listen to this. I might not be in the wrong line of work after all!
Just click the photo and press the play icon [on the British Council podcast site].

I have to say I am pretty stoked that David Graddol will be one of the PAC7 at JALT2008 plenary speakers this November in […]

By Steven Nishida | Also posted in debate, perspective, career, efl, autonomous learning, economy, community, education, history, teaching, language, learning | Comments (2)

Blowing air bubble rings underwater.

June 8, 2008 – 8:52 pm

I dare you to say this video isn’t cool in a room full of people who have no qualms about slapping you across the face when you tell untruths.
Creativity is always important, in work and in play, and in being a Japanese aquarium attraction with nothing better to do.

[via Pink Tentacle]

By Steven Nishida | Also posted in happiness, video | Comments (1)

Introducing Leo Crescencio Nishida

April 15, 2008 – 11:44 am

Hi everyone,
As you may have guessed, I have been experiencing some growing pains with the birth of our little one, Leo Crescencio. I’m not sure how to describe any of it. I feel like I am living at the intersection of so many conflicting emotions that I can’t even begin to express where my head […]

By Steven Nishida | Also posted in relationship, human nature, perspective, happiness, parenting, baby, language, community, video | Comments (5)

Widgets: A great new EFL textbook

February 2, 2008 – 4:24 pm

Starting in April, I’ll be team-teaching a couple of classes at a local women’s college, and my colleagues and I have decided to go with a new textbook for EFL (English as a Foreign Language) that was co-authored by a friend of mine, Marcos Benevides. I was fortunate enough to have been a sounding board […]

By Steven Nishida | Also posted in efl, life-coach, autonomous learning, community, education, teaching, language, learning | Comments (2)

Practical Training for Elementary School English Education (in Japan)

January 20, 2008 – 1:04 pm

Here’s a program I’m currently coordinating at a nearby university. Apart from being surprised at the amazing level of support and cooperation by the university’s staff, it has been incredibly informative to participate in a major educational project hosted at the intersection of private and public institutions. This private university has received a 3-year grant […]

By Steven Nishida | Also posted in career, efl, autonomous learning, community, education, teaching, language, learning | Comments (1)

landrobot’s eye-rod exerciser III

January 17, 2008 – 6:37 pm

By landrobot | Also posted in animation, drugs, otaku, Sinbad, money, history, art, science, environment, Tech, film, technology | Comments (0)

The Asian Youth Forum 2008

January 12, 2008 – 5:17 pm

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand we’re back!
Happy New Year to all!
Wanted to start the year off by introducing you all to some of the educational events/courses/programs I am contributing to this year. The first one is this little gem:
Asian Youth Forum 2008 Promo Slideshow

| View | Upload your own

I saw the Asian Youth Forum in action for the […]

By Steven Nishida | Also posted in community, efl, language, education, teaching, learning | Comments (1)