日本語

Pronunciation Skills C

• learn how syllable stress and word stress are used in natural spoken English to alter meaning
  
• create a simple Haiku using the correct syllable structure and stress
  
• learn and use the IPA to pronounce words correctly
  
• record yourself using correct pronunciation and stress

In Pronunciation Skills C we work to improve your English by looking at how stress is used at both the syllable and word level to add emphasis and alter meaning. You will learn how to use the International Phonetic Alphabet, and practise analysing your own language in order to develop to the level of a native-like speaker of English.

Discussion Skills

• analyse example discussions and learn how to use a civil tone and phrases to temper language when discussing controversial issues
  
• engage in polite discussion on a variety of topics

In Discussion Skills you will learn how to maintain a civil, non-aggressive discussion even when you may have a different opinion to other speakers. You will first see a video of a heated discussion occurring between a native and non-native speaker of English, analysing how the conversation was handled by both sides. You will then learn to not only agree with others, but how to disagree politely. Finally, you will practise playing “Devil’s Advocate” to explore all sides of an issue, discussing all sides of an issue regardless of your own personal opinion.

Futures

• identify and understand the differences in usage for various forms of English future tense: simple, continuous, and perfect
• quiz yourself trying to identify errors in written and spoken English language 
• discuss your predictions for the future of both individuals and nations

In Futures, you will review the various ways of talking about the future in English, and analyse how the meaning and nuance of a phrase changes when alternate forms are used. After reviewing the forms of future tense in English, you will challenge yourself to identify common errors through games and quizzes, before discussing your own predictions – good and bad, likely and unlikely.

Introducing Japan: Formal & Academic Language
Please note: Parts of this class involve sensitive topics. These have been chosen to demonstrate a language point: how to talk about sensitive issues. All information and passive-voice example sentences are taken directly from the English-language Wikipedia page to demonstrate passive voice usage in the English-speaking world. They do not reflect the opinions of British Hills.

• learn the different uses of the passive voice
  
• describe aspects of Japanese history and culture to others
  
• use the passive form to speak formally and academically
  
• learn how to discuss controversial/sensitive subjects with care
  
• analyse and interact with authentic language taken from the English-language version of Wikipedia
  

The Bakufu? Sumo? Sakamoto Ryoma? Kotatsu? In Introducing Japan: Formal & Academic Language you will learn beyond the grammatical form of the passive voice, and study how it is used in formal and academic English discussion. Speaking academically or formally can be the most difficult part of a language to master, and in this lesson you will learn how to give detailed descriptions of Japanese history, locations, and culture in academic, well-spoken language. Beginning with the example topic of the ‘Hinomaru,’ you then learn how to form the passive voice in an academic style, focusing on facts and information as opposed to opinion and prejudice. You then practise this language by writing 2 separate passage, one controlled and one freestyle, before sharing your work with the class.

The Idioms and Sayings of William Shakespeare

• learn famous idioms and sayings created by William Shakespeare 
  
• see their usage in natural context and examples
• use these idioms & sayings in short discussions

William Shakespeare is one of the most famous English-language writers of all time, and he is attributed with the creation of over four hundred new English words and even more sayings. In this lesson you will learn the history and meaning of many of the most famous ones, ones commonly used in conversation today.

Negotiation Skills

• introduce and practise the processes of business negotiation 
  
• learn business negotiation phrases and language
• role-play negotiating realistic business deals

In Negotiation Skills, learn the secrets to negotiating a successful business deal in English. First looking at the key stages and vocabulary of a business negotiation, you will then practise phrases for opening negotiations, negotiating on price and quantities, and emphasising areas that are not open for discussion. From bargaining on a used car to organising multi-billion-dollar deals, learn how to be a master negotiator!

Stories and Storytelling 1

• discuss your favourite stories and what makes a good story
• learn about genre, mood, and setting, and how these are incorporated into a narrative 
  
• create your own characters with personalities and backgrounds
• create your own original story outline

In Stories & Storytelling 1 you will learn about the elements of a story. You will look at the typical elements of different genres and their most common settings. You will also look at mood, and how different language choices can create a very different tone when telling stories. Finally, you will use what you have learnt to prepare the characters, settings, and outline of your own original short story.

Stories and Storytelling 2

• learn the structure of a typical story, from introduction to resolution 
  
• analyse famous short stories and their structures
• map out a story of your own creation
• create your own original short story

In Stories & Storytelling 2 you will learn about the structure of a story. You will look at the typical stages of a story and how they connect to each other. Once you are ready, you will prepare an outline of your own original short story incorporating what you have learned in both this lesson and Stories and Storytelling 1, before writing your own original short story.

Talk about the News

• identify different sections of a newspaper article
• analyse and discuss the structure, content, and language choice of a newspaper article
• learn how analysing representation and agency in the media can reveal sources of bias

In an era of Fake News and hidden agendas, can you spot bias and imbalanced reporting in the media? The language used by the media is a powerful thing, influencing everything from individual shopping habits to entire national agendas. In Talk about the News, you will look at recent newspapers and learn how patterns of discourse and representations can be used to give shape to events and create specific realities in their readers.

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