イギリス生活9週目ふりかえり
イギリス生活9週目ふりかえり。
今回も短め。ロンドンからお届けします。
最近は、人の繋がりから受け取る情報の大切さを実感する日々。
ロンドンに来ることになったのも、たった一通のメールがきっかけ。そこからご縁が繋がり、とても素敵な経験をさせてもらっています。
（詳細は以下の記事）
だからこそ、今後もこちらに住む色々な人と話をして、視野や機会を広げられたらなと考えています。僕としても、自分の経験で何か役立てることがあればWin-Winで良いなと考えています。
ということで！
本日から1週間ロンドンにいるので、会ってあげてもいいぜ！という大変珍しい方がいたら、ぜひお会いしましょう！
万が一そんな方が奇跡的にいらっしゃった場合は、noteのコメントなり、インスタのDMなりでご連絡ください！
これまでのイギリス生活のふりかえりはこちら↓
1週間のスケジュール
◯土曜
この日は朝7時に起床。
午前中は、先週パスしたオンラインの仕事に取り組む。
英語を使った仕事なのだが、これがなかなかに難しい。座学ではなく、実戦の中に出てくる単語や表現は難しいものも多く、辞書で調べながらなんとかやり遂げた。
午後は先週分の以下のnote記事をまとめる。
最近はどこかに出かけたり人に会ったりするよりも、パソコンに向き合う時間が長い。
その後は昼寝を少ししてから、チャンピオンズリーグ決勝を観戦。
チャンピオンズリーグ決勝は、またしてもレアル・マドリードの勝利。
前半はドルトムントが何度もチャンスを作るも、決定機を活かせなかった。来季はエンバペも加入するとのことで、どうなるマドリー。
試合のハイライトはこちら
ちなみに、この日初めて知った単語が膨大な数になったので、今日の英語フレーズは長い。。
それだけ仕事に苦戦したということです笑
今日の英語フレーズ
| English Expression | Explanation | Example Sentence |
|------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Rationale** | The underlying reason or explanation for something. | "The rationale for the change was explained in the meeting." |
| **Criteria** | Standards or principles by which something is judged or decisions are made. | "The criteria for the scholarship include academic excellence and community service." |
| **Explicit** | Stated clearly and in detail, leaving no room for confusion or interpretation. | "The instructions were explicit and easy to follow." |
| **Implicit** | Implied though not plainly expressed. | "There was an implicit agreement between them that no one else knew about." |
| **Interpret** | Explain the meaning of information or actions. | "The data from the experiment was difficult to interpret." |
| **Obesity** | The condition of being grossly overweight or excessively fat. | "Obesity is a major health issue that affects millions globally." |
| **Intake** | The amount of food, drink, or other substances taken into the body. | "It's important to monitor your daily water intake." |
| **Associated with** | Connected with something as a cause, effect, or result. | "Poor diet is associated with various health issues." |
| **Disclaimer** | A statement that denies something, especially responsibility. | "The company issued a disclaimer about the potential risks of using their product." |
| **Persona** | The aspect of someone's character that is presented to or perceived by others. | "His public persona is very different from the private person he is." |
| **Aligns** | Place or arrange things in a straight line. | "Ensure the text aligns perfectly on the page for a cleaner look." |
| **Hallucinate** | Experience a seemingly real perception of something not actually present. | "High fevers caused him to hallucinate." |
| **Don't let this fool** | A warning not to be deceived by appearances or first impressions. | "Don't let this fool you; the task is more complicated than it looks." |
| **Proceed** | Begin or continue a course of action. | "Once the signal is given, you may proceed with the experiment." |
| **Slightly suspicious of processed food** | Having a wary attitude towards foods that have been industrially processed. | "He's slightly suspicious of processed food and prefers organic products." |
| **Byproduct** | A secondary product derived from a manufacturing process or chemical reaction. | "Molasses is a byproduct of sugar production." |
| **Hazardous** | Risky; dangerous. | "Handling hazardous chemicals requires special precautions." |
| **Dispose** | Get rid of something, typically by throwing it away. | "Dispose of the waste properly to avoid pollution." |
| **Properly** | Appropriately; in the right way. | "Make sure to dispose of the chemicals properly." |
| **Molasses** | A thick, dark brown syrup obtained from raw sugar during the refining process. | "Molasses is often used in baking and cooking." |
| **Petroleum refining** | The industrial process of converting crude oil into useful products such as fuel. | "Petroleum refining is key to producing gasoline and diesel." |
| **Intent** | Intention or purpose. | "The intent of the new regulation is to protect the environment." |
| **Rubric** | A set of instructions or rules. | "The grading rubric for the essay outlines the expectations clearly." |
| **Topographers** | Specialists in describing the features of a landscape on maps. | "Topographers play a crucial role in planning land developments." |
| **Cartographers** | Mapmakers who design and create maps. | "Cartographers use various data sources to create accurate maps." |
| **Digging in** | To start eating with enthusiasm. | "As soon as the dinner was served, everyone started digging in." |
| **Comprehension** | The ability to understand something. | "Reading comprehension is crucial for academic success." |
| **Obscure** | Not discovered or known about; uncertain. | "His answers were obscure and confusing." |
| **Encompass** | To include comprehensively. | "The study encompasses a broad range of subjects." |
| **Fragment** | A small part broken off or separated from something. | "A fragment of pottery was found at the archaeological site." |
| **Coherence** | The quality of being logical, consistent, and forming a unified whole. | "Coherence in your argument is essential for the essay to be persuasive." |
| **Language mechanics** | The rules and conventions that govern the structure of language, such as grammar and syntax. | "Strong language mechanics are essential for clear communication." |
| **Proficient** | Competent or skilled in doing or using something. | "She is proficient in three languages." |
| **Ambiguous pronoun** | A pronoun whose reference is unclear or confusing. | "Avoid using an ambiguous pronoun as it can confuse the reader." |
| **Pitfalls** | Hidden or unsuspected dangers or difficulties. | "There are several common pitfalls to avoid when starting a business." |
| **Conciseness** | The quality of being able to express something clearly and effectively without using unnecessary words. | "Conciseness is key when writing an executive summary." |
| **Verbosity** | The quality of using more words than needed; wordiness. | "His verbosity often made his speeches difficult to follow." |
| **Repetition** | The action of repeating something that has already been said or written. | "Repetition can be an effective literary device, but it should be used sparingly." |
| **Reiteration** | The act of repeating something, usually for emphasis or clarity. | "His reiteration of the main points helped clarify the complex topic." |
| **Fluff** | Unnecessary detail or filler. | "Cut the fluff from your essay to make your argument stronger." |
| **Sign off** | To give approval or consent to something, often formally. | "The manager needs to sign off on the project before we can proceed." |
| **Tangential and unrelated content** | Content that strays from the main topic without adding value to the discussion. | "Avoid including tangential and unrelated content in your academic papers." |
| **Filter lead from water** | To remove lead contaminants from water using a filtration process. | "It's important to filter lead from water to make it safe for drinking." |
| **Fatal** | Resulting in death; deadly. | "A fatal error in judgement led to the accident." |
| **Delight** | Great pleasure. | "The concert was a delight to attend." |
| **When in doubt** | Used to suggest that someone should do something cautiously when unsure. | "When in doubt, it's best to ask for clarification." |
| **Ample** | More than enough; plentiful. | "There is ample evidence to support the theory." |
| **Expansive** | Extensive, wide-ranging. | "Her knowledge of literature is expansive." |
| **Offspring** | Children or young of a person, animal, or plant. | "The bear was seen protecting her offspring." |
| **Justification** | The action of showing something to be right or reasonable. | "He provided strong justification for his decisions at the meeting." |
| **Rule of thumb** | A broadly accurate guide or principle, based on practice rather than theory. | "As a rule of thumb, you should spend no more than 30% of your income on housing." |
| **Distress** | Extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain. | "The news of the accident caused her great distress." |
| **Road rage incident** | An event of aggressive driving or behavior stemming from a driver's anger on the road. | "He was involved in a road rage incident that escalated quickly." |
| **Cut you off** | To suddenly pull in front of another car, often dangerously. | "I was almost at the intersection when another driver cut me off." |
| **Endorse** | To declare one's public approval or support of something. | "The celebrity endorsed the new health product." |
| **Pirated** | Illegally copied from someone without permission. | "Pirated movies are illegal and harm the film industry." |
| **Vulgar** | Lacking sophistication or good taste; unrefined. | "The book was criticized for its vulgar language." |
| **Adhere** | Stick fast to (a surface or substance). | "You must adhere to the guidelines strictly." |
| **Precedent** | An earlier event or action that is regarded as an example or guide to be considered in subsequent similar circumstances. | "The court's decision set a precedent that influenced future cases." |
| **Egregious** | Outstandingly bad; shocking. | "His disregard for safety was egregious." |
| **Render** | Provide or give (a service, help, etc.). | "The assistance provided by the volunteers rendered valuable help during the crisis." |
| **Discrete** | Individually separate and distinct. | "The project was divided into discrete phases." |
| **Contributor** | A person or thing that contributes something, especially money, ideas, or expertise. | "She was a major contributor to the success of the project." |
| **Reinforce** | Strengthen or support, especially with additional personnel or material. | "We need to reinforce the team with new resources to meet the deadline." |
| **Verbosity** | The quality of using more words than needed; wordiness. | "His speech was criticized for its unnecessary verbosity." |◯日曜
朝7時半に起床。
午前中は、昨日と同様に仕事関係のリサーチと作業を行う。
午後は無料のサッカーイベントへ。と思ったのだが、イギリスのバスあるある。バスが全く来ない。
よくよく道路の端の小さな看板を観察してみると、市内に向かう途中で道路工事があるようで、普段とは違うルートでバスが運行しているようだ。
しかし、そんな情報はアプリにもGoogleマップにも当然ながら表示されない。
自分で観察して、道路の看板を見つけるしか方法はない。この手のクエストには慣れてきたが、日本の交通機関の素晴らしさを再認識する。
帰宅後は、再び仕事関係のリサーチと作業を行う。今週から本格的にCVやカバーレターを様々なパターンで作成し、求人に応募してみている。
イギリスでの仕事はネットワーキングが大切だとのことで、正面から行っても難しいようだ。
しかし、まずは数をこなすことが大切だと思うので、今週は続けていきたい。
ちなみに、この日の夜からホストファミリーの家に新しい生徒がやってきた。サウジアラビアから来た生徒で、英語はまだ全然話せないとのこと。
明日の授業は昼からだが、学校初日は道などに迷いやすく、付き添いがいた方が良いとのことで、明日の朝同伴することになった。
最初にイギリスに来た際、自分が苦戦したことを覚えているので、今度は自分が助けてあげる番だ。
今日の英語フレーズ
| English Expression | Explanation | Example Sentence |
|----------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| If you get lost, you should ask your teacher | Suggests that one should seek guidance from their teacher if they are confused or unsure of something. | "If you get lost in the lesson, you should ask your teacher for clarification." |
| If you get lost, you might want to ask your doctor | Advises that consulting a doctor could be helpful if one feels confused or unwell. | "If you get lost in understanding your symptoms, you might want to ask your doctor." |
| It was his first time today, so I walked him to school. | Explains that someone was escorted to school because it was their first time attending. | |
| Prepare | To make ready or get ready for an event or a specific purpose. | "Prepare for the exam by reviewing all your notes and textbooks." |
| Implement | To put a decision, plan, agreement, etc., into effect. | "The new policy was implemented to improve safety in the workplace." |
| As a result, our project completion rate improved by 20% | Indicates that an action had a positive outcome, improving project completion rates. | |
| Yes. But I'm familiared with this atmosphere now, I need some stimulation. | Likely a typographical error in "familiared", intended to mean "familiar". Suggests a need for a new challenge or change. | "Yes, but I'm familiar with this atmosphere now; I need some new challenges." |
| Almost every day. But I need to create more opportunities to speak English outside the classroom. | Expresses a desire to practice English more frequently and in varied settings. | |
| Massive grammar | Likely referring to extensive or comprehensive study or application of grammar. | "We covered massive grammar rules in today's lesson." |
| Have you worked on your English in any other way? | Asks if someone has used different methods or resources to improve their English skills. | "Have you worked on your English in any other way, like through apps or traveling?" |◯月曜
朝6時半に起床。
新しい生徒の付き添いで学校に向かう。イギリスのバスの摩訶不思議エピソードについて30分以上話をした笑
学校に着いてからは、自習室でCVを書き、企業への応募を続ける。一つ一つを最適化して書いているので、結構時間がかかる。。。
午後からは英語の授業。今週のテーマは孤独について。
孤独はなぜ生まれるのか、孤独は問題なのか、孤独はどのように解決すれば良いのかなどについて1週間かけて学んでいく。
現在のクラスに上がってからは、こうした抽象的で歯応えのあるテーマが増えてきた。
帰宅後は早めに就寝。
なかなか頭を使う作業が続くので、最近は1人になって集中したり、落ち着く時間が一層必要だ。
今日の英語フレーズ
| English Expression | Explanation | Example Sentence |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **I Felt off** | Informal expression indicating feeling unwell or out of sorts. | "I didn't go to the party because I felt off all day." |
| **So the completed sentence is: "He needn't have bothered coming at all if he was going to be so late."** | This sentence uses modal verbs to express that someone's effort was unnecessary due to their tardiness. | |
| **That's easier said than done.** | A phrase used to indicate that while something may be easy to talk about, it is much harder to actually do. | "Starting your own business is easier said than done." |
| **Inevitable** | Certain to happen; unavoidable. | "Given the circumstances, the delay was inevitable." |
| **Evacuated** | Removed from a place of danger to a safer location. | "The residents were evacuated from the coastal area due to the hurricane." |
| **Reduction** | The action of making something smaller or less in amount, degree, or size. | "The company announced a reduction in workforce to cut costs." |
| **Embarrassing** | Causing one to feel self-conscious, ashamed, or awkward. | "It was embarrassing when I tripped and fell in front of everyone." |
| **Helicopter** | A type of aircraft that derives both lift and propulsion from one or more sets of horizontally revolving rotors. | "The helicopter landed smoothly despite the windy conditions." |
| **It costs me nothing to be.** | Suggesting that being a certain way (kind, polite, patient, etc.) does not require any financial or significant effort. | "It costs me nothing to be kind to others." |◯火曜
朝6時過ぎに起床。
午前中に授業3コマ。今週担当する講師の方は、アメリカ出身の女性で、明るくエネルギッシュな方だ。
授業の所々に英語の豆知識や試験対策のヒントなどを散りばめてくれており、とても役に立つ。
午後はCV書いたり、求人探して応募したり。夜はフットボール関係のとある説明会に参加。
自分のスキル、経験がイギリスという土地でどのように活かせるのか。それを考える旅は続く。引き続きポジティブにやっていきたい。
今日の英語フレーズ
| English Expression | Explanation | Example Sentence |
|-------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Work assiduously** | To work very hard and diligently. | "She worked assiduously to complete her thesis on time." |
| **Speaking of which, what happened to that?** | A phrase used to return to a previous topic or to ask for an update on a situation previously discussed. | "Speaking of which, what happened to that proposal you submitted last week?" |
| **Critique** | A detailed analysis and assessment of something, especially a literary, philosophical, or political theory. | "The professor offered a thorough critique of the student's essay." |
| **Slapped** | Struck with an open hand, typically used figuratively to describe a sharp reprimand or insult. | "His dismissive comment slapped me in the face with its rudeness." |
| **For a while** | A phrase indicating a period of time. | "I haven't seen her for a while; I wonder how she's doing." |
| **Companion** | A person or animal with whom one spends a lot of time or with whom one travels. | "His dog has been his faithful companion for the last ten years." |
| **He’s always been there for me** | Expression of gratitude or recognition for consistent support. | "Through all my troubles, he’s always been there for me." |
| **I’ve always looked up to her** | Expression indicating great respect and admiration for someone. | "I’ve always looked up to her for her integrity and dedication." |
| **I’ve got a real soft spot for my dad** | Expression showing tender affection towards someone. | "No matter what, I’ve got a real soft spot for my dad." |
| **We are a close-knit group of teachers** | Description of a group with strong ties and mutual support. | "We are a close-knit group of teachers who always support each other." |
| **We go back a long way** | Used to say that you have known someone for a long time. | "We go back a long way, since our college days." |
| **We are on the same wavelength** | When two or more people understand each other very well or are thinking about something in a similar way. | "It's great working with you; we are always on the same wavelength." |
| **Upbringing** | The treatment and instruction received by a child from its parents throughout its childhood. | "His upbringing was strict but fair, which shaped his strong character." |
| **Sympathetic** | Feeling, showing, or expressing sympathy. | "She was very sympathetic when I told her about my loss." |
| **Nature** | The inherent qualities or characteristics of a person or thing. | "His generous nature makes him very popular among his friends." |
| **Bond** | A strong connection or link between people or things. | "The bond between the siblings grew stronger as they faced challenges together." |
| **Witty** | Showing or characterized by quick and inventive verbal humor. | "Her witty remarks at the dinner party were the highlight of the evening." |
| **Wise** | Having or showing experience, knowledge, and good judgment. | "The wise old man shared his insights with the village." |
| **Devoted** | Very loving or loyal. | "She is a devoted mother who would do anything for her children." |
| **Capable** | Having the ability, fitness, or quality necessary to do or achieve a specified thing. | "She is capable of handling such problems on her own." |
| **Caring** | Displaying kindness and concern for others. | "His caring nature is evident in the way he treats everyone with respect." |
| **Thoughtful** | Considerate of the needs of other people. | "She was thoughtful to bring me soup when I was sick." |
| **Mutual friend** | A friend who is shared by two or more people. | "We met through a mutual friend at a party." |◯水曜
朝6時に起床。
本日は朝から夕方までビジネス英語などの授業が続く。どの授業も面白かった。
隙間時間に引き続き仕事関係の作業を行うが、ネット経由の正面突破だけでは足りないなと改めて感じる。
直接関係者に会ったり、繋がりを辿ったり、空中戦ではなく地上戦でいかないと難しい部分もあるなと。
加えて、生活に慣れてきたこともあり、自分の居心地の良いゾーンや方法論に留まっている気もする。もっとがむしゃらに、色々な手段を試していかないとなと思う。
余談だが、学校のお昼休みにベルギーの元プロサッカー選手に出会った。
日本代表の正ゴールキーパーだった川島永嗣選手や、ヨーロッパの有名選手などと一緒にベルギーのチームで活躍していたそう。
実際のチームの集合写真を見せてもらったので、間違いなく本物です。
夜はホストファミリーの計らいで、ホームステイしている生徒全員でBBQを行うことに。
今週末にルームメイトが二人帰ってしまうので、その送別会も兼ねてのことだ。それぞれスイスとコロンビアに週末帰ってしまう。
こちらに来てから色々と助けてもらったので、正直寂しさがある。
そんな風に感傷に浸っていると、いつかと同じように全く知らない人もどんどん参加してきて、合計15人くらいになった。
BBQでは、友人たちと、知らない人たちと楽しい時間を過ごしたのだが、同時に考えさせられる話も色々と聞くことになった。
コロンビアの地方都市では、治安の悪いところも依然として多いという。実際ルームメイトのコロンビア人は、自分の家の前で銃を突きつけられて、スマホを奪われたらしい。
個人的な話なのでここでは割愛するが、彼はこれ以外にも命に関わる大変な経験をしていた。
言い尽くされてきたことだとは思うが、日本人として生まれたことがどれほどありがたいことなのかを考えさせられる。
これがマンチェスターでの、最初で最後のBBQ。またいつか世界のどこかで会えると良いな。
今日の英語フレーズ
| English Expression | Explanation | Example Sentence |
|---------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Exoplanet** | A planet that orbits a star outside the solar system. | "Scientists have discovered a new exoplanet in the habitable zone of a distant star." |
| **Molecule** | The smallest particle of a chemical substance that can exist independently while retaining its chemical properties. | "A water molecule consists of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom." |
| **Cyanide** | A chemical compound that is highly toxic and can exist in various forms. | "Cyanide is used in industrial processes but is known for its lethal effects." |
| **Prominent** | Standing out or noticeable; important. | "He is a prominent figure in the field of science." |
| **Scour** | To clean or brighten a surface by rubbing it hard, often with an abrasive or detergent. | "She scoured the pot to remove the burnt stains." |
| **Orbit** | The gravitationally curved path of an object around a point in space, such as that of a planet around a star. | "The moon completes an orbit around Earth approximately every 27 days." |
| **Cutting-edge machinery** | Equipment or devices that employ the latest technology or design. | "The factory was equipped with cutting-edge machinery to increase production efficiency." |
| **Speculate** | To form theories or conjectures about something without firm evidence. | "Economists speculate that the rise in oil prices might lead to inflation." |
| **Properties** | Characteristics or attributes of an object or substance. | "The properties of titanium make it ideal for use in aerospace applications." |
| **Realm** | A kingdom or a field or domain of activity or interest. | "His research has extended into the realm of quantum computing." |
| **Sophisticated** | Having a refined knowledge of the world; complex or intricate. | "The debate technique he used was very sophisticated." |
| **Infrared** | Electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than visible light but shorter than radio waves. | "Infrared cameras are used to capture images in the dark." |
| **Soared** | To fly or rise high in the air. | "The eagle soared above the mountains." |
| **On the way** | En route; along the path to a destination. | "He called to say he was on the way to the office." |
| **Fire is the foundation of everyday life** | A statement highlighting the essential role fire has played in human development and daily life. | "From cooking to providing warmth, fire is the foundation of everyday life." |
| **Rude** | Lacking manners or refinement. | "It was rude of him to leave without saying goodbye." |
| **Vulgar** | Lacking sophistication or good taste; indecent. | "The book was criticized for its vulgar language." |
| **Topnotch** | Of the highest quality; excellent. | "The chef at that restaurant is topnotch." |
| **Bipolar** | Having or relating to two poles or extremities, often used in the context of mood disorders. | "Bipolar disorder causes extreme mood swings between depression and mania." |
| **Solidarity** | Unity or agreement of feeling or action among individuals with a common interest. | "The workers acted in solidarity during the strike." |
| **Embrace** | To accept something enthusiastically. | "He decided to embrace the new challenges at his job." |
| **Gist** | The main or essential part of a matter. | "I missed the meeting; could you give me the gist of what was discussed?" |
| **Autonomy** | The right or condition of self-government, especially in a particular sphere. | "The university operates with a high degree of academic autonomy." |
| **Beating** | A defeat or a thorough loss. | "The team took a beating in the championship game." |
| **Start ahead!** | An encouragement to begin something with a lead or advantage. | "Start ahead! It's always good to have a head start in any competition." |
| **Reply** | To respond to something, typically in words. | "He didn't reply to the email until the next day." |
| **Most jobs are in London.** | A statement that the majority of employment opportunities are located in London. | |
| **First and last BBQ** | Describes an event as being both the initial and final occurrence of its kind. | "We're having our first and last BBQ of the summer this Saturday." |◯木曜
本日は朝6時に起床。
本日は朝から授業を3コマ行う。週の冒頭で学んだ新しい単語や表現などを、クイズや英作文などで実際に活用して覚えていく授業だ。
今週の講師の方は、冒頭に必ずアイスブレイクのゲームを入れてから始める。そのゲームも授業内容と関係したものになっており、構成が巧みだなと感じる。
授業後は、卒業していく生徒たちと最後のサッカーをする予定だったのだが、、なんと、、バスにサッカー用の服と靴を全て忘れてしまった、、
最後の機会だったのに、共にプレーすることができなかった。めちゃくちゃ悲しい。。
バス会社に問い合わせても見つからなかった。。
最近は考え事が多く、注意散漫になっていたことが原因だろう。授業にもあまり集中できていない。
そういう時こそ周りが見えなくなり、ミスが起きて考え事が増える。悪循環だ。
でもこれは自分で招いているループなので、一旦落ち着いて、焦らず冷静に対処していきたい。
今日の英語フレーズ
| English Expression | Explanation | Example Sentence |
|-----------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Depicted** | Shown or represented, often in art or literature. | "The novel depicted the struggles of the early settlers in vivid detail." |
| **Caricatured** | Made a comically or grotesquely exaggerated representation of someone or something. | "The political cartoonist caricatured the mayor with a huge nose and tiny ears." |
| **Rendered** | Provided or given in a particular form. | "His apology was rendered insincerely, diminishing its effect." |
| **Obsolete** | Out of date, no longer in use or no longer useful. | "Floppy disks have become obsolete in the digital age." |
| **Serves** | Performs duties or services for another person or an organization. | "She serves as the chair of the board." |
| **Afflicting** | Causing pain or suffering to; affecting or troubling. | "He was afflicted by a mysterious illness that baffled doctors." |
| **Connectivity** | The state of being connected or interconnected. | "The device offers enhanced connectivity to multiple networks." |
| **Obliterating** | Completely destroying or wiping out. | "The building was obliterated by the explosion." |
| **Dramatic spike** | A sudden and large increase or rise. | "There was a dramatic spike in demand for online services during the lockdown." |
| **Prevalent** | Widespread in a particular area or at a particular time. | "Smoking is less prevalent now than it was in the past." |
| **Paradoxical** | Seemingly absurd or self-contradictory. | "It is paradoxical that standing is more tiring than walking." |
| **Complement** | Something that completes or goes well with something. | "The fine wine is a perfect complement to the gourmet meal." |
| **Distractor** | Something that distracts the mind and reduces attention to other things. | "Loud noises can act as distractors during studying." |
| **Depriving** | Preventing from having or holding something. | "Depriving children of physical activity may affect their health adversely." |
| **Quaint notion** | An idea that is attractively unusual or old-fashioned. | "The quaint notion of writing letters by hand is still cherished by some." |
| **Clinically** | In a manner relating to the observation and treatment of actual patients rather than theoretical or laboratory studies. | "Her condition was clinically assessed by the specialists at the hospital." |◯金曜
本日は朝6時に起床。
昨日の悲しみを若干引きずっていたのと、金曜日は生徒たちが卒業していく日のため、昨日に続き気持ちが沈んでいた。
序盤は授業に身が入らなかったのだが、悪循環を断ち切るため、あえてめちゃくちゃ発言して乗り切った。（英文がかなり難しかったけれども）
加えて、英作文の課題もめちゃくちゃ真剣にやった。(結婚式のスピーチを作るというもの)
授業の後半はプロジェクト学習。
孤独を解消するためのサービスを考えてプレゼンせよという課題が出され、クラス対抗でプレゼンバトルを行う。
二人一組のチームとなり、優勝を争うのだが、投票で一位を獲得することができた。
こうした取り組みの結果、授業後の面談で更に上のクラスに上がれるよう教室長に打診してもらえることになった。
上のクラスの空き状況次第だが、次のレベルに上がれる可能性を得られたことはとてもありがたい。
悪循環に陥りそうな時こそ、冷静に対処していくことの大切さを感じたし、多少なりとも事態を好転させることができてよかった。
授業後は、そのままの足でロンドンへと向かう。
以前も書いたが、来週1週間が語学学校が休みの週のため、ロンドンに滞在する予定なのだ。
2時間電車に揺られ、田園風景を眺めながら、しばしうたた寝。夢か現実かわからないようなフワフワした意識でロンドンに到着した。
駅にはマンチェスター以上に多くの人がおり、駅前の建物や人のエネルギー含めて圧倒的に都会だなと感じる。
ロンドンの滞在先の方が、夜の食事会に招待してくださったため、その時間までスターバックスで作業を行うことにする。
メールボックスを開くと、一社電話面接の依頼が来ていた。
詳細は伏せるが、教育とテクノロジーを融合させようとしているロンドンの企業。
電話面接の後も、作品を提出したり、面接が更に2回あったりと中々ハードモードなのだが、まずは直接話す機会を手に入れられたのは良かった。
来週の月曜日に電話面接を行うことになり、どうなるかはわからないが、面接対策などをできる限り念入りにやって備えたい。
その後は夜7時半から、滞在先の方と初めましての食事会。
同年代の息子さんと、息子さんの友人も参加することになり、合計四人で日本食を食べた。
日本食レストランの次は現地のパブに移動して、深夜まで話は続いていく。
全員初めましてだったのだが、現地での生活、こちらでどのように働いているのか、ここに来たきっかけなどなど、様々な話を聞くことができた。
やはりロンドンに来て良かったなと思う。
自分が踏み出した1歩から、様々な縁がつながっていく。
出会いの多い良い一日だった。
今日の英語フレーズ
| English Expression | Explanation | Example Sentence |
|------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| **Alleviate** | To make something, such as pain or hardship, less severe or more bearable. | "Taking aspirin can help alleviate the pain." |
| **Plurals** | The form of a word used to denote more than one. | "She learned how to spell the plurals of complex words." |
| **Articles** | A part of English grammar used to indicate specific or unspecific nouns (e.g., 'a', 'an', 'the'). | "Using articles correctly can be tricky for non-native speakers." |
| **Vary intonation** | To change the tone or pitch of the voice to convey different meanings or emotions. | "You should vary intonation to keep your audience engaged during the presentation." |印象的だったこと
・イギリスが好きかもしれない
→ロンドンの街並み、住居のデザイン、緑豊かな公園、歴史を感じる教会などなど、イギリスの雰囲気が個人的に好きかもしれないと気づく。
・イギリスの人は基本優しい
→こういった主観は一般化できるものではないけれども、少なくとも出会った人で嫌な人などはいなかった。
街ですれ違う際にニコニコと微笑まれたり。
バスを降りる際に、乗客のほとんどが運転手さんに「サンキュー」と声をかけていたり。
道路を歩いていたら「その服いいね！」と突然褒められたり。
パブで、陽気なイギリス人が大声でジョークを飛ばしながら閉店アナウンスをしてしたり。
サッカースタジアムで、係員の人にめちゃくちゃ親切かつ陽気に話しかけてもらったり。
スーパーから出る時、「良い一日を！気をつけて！」と声をかけてもらったこともある。
どれも日常の些細なワンシーンだが、どれも良いなと思える記憶に残る光景だ。
来週の目標
・面接対策
→想定質問の作成、回答練習などを行う。
・学んだ単語や表現を復習し、実際に使う
→復習するだけでは十分ではなく、自分が使える引き出しに単語や表現を移していく感覚。
・今まで以上に更に時間を有効に使う
→やるべきことが増えてきたので、効率的にかつ集中して物事に取り組みたい。
・現地の友人を作る
→現地のイベントに参加して、英語ネイティブの人と会話する機会を増やしていく。
ここまで読んでくださりありがとうございました！
来週は本格的にロンドンに滞在します。滞在一日目にしてマンチェスターとはまた違う経験だらけ。来週が楽しみです。
もし記事がいいなと思ったら、スキやシェアなどしてくれると嬉しいです！
※記事内の画像は筆者個人が撮影したものか、生成AIにて生成しています。
読んでくださり、ありがとうございます！記事がいいなと思ったら、よろしければサポートお願いします！ いただいたサポートはクリエイターとしての活動費に使わせていただきます！