Podcasts about w maybe

Download MP3 今回は少し重い話題ですが、米国での事件を発端として現在世界で大きな動きとなっている”Black Lives Matter”についての会話です。 今回の会話にも見られるように「行動」こそ重要、というのがこの運動の特徴のようですね。もちろん暴力は論外ですが、たとえば本を読む、英語を勉強するというのも広い意味での「行動」に含まれるかもしれません。そんな簡単にできる「行動」の例として、今回の会話ではどのようなことが紹介されていますか。【リモート収録】 　*** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） Black Lives Matterについて 動詞matterはDoes it matter?やIt doesn’t matter if…など疑問文や否定文で使われる場合が多いようです。そのmatterがあえて肯定文で使われることにより、スローガンとしての強いメッセージ性が生み出されていると言えます。一方、名詞matterの意味は"a subject or situation that you have to think about or deal with" (Longman)とあります。「黒人の命は大切だ」など、様々な日本語訳がされていますが、上記の点を踏まえて、皆さんならどう訳しますか？ What’s up? 元気？ I don’t feel like I’m making a difference. 自分が世の中への働きかけができていないように感じる。 ※make a difference「違いを生む、改善する」 protest 抗議行動 donate to charities 慈善団体に寄付する and stuff like that 〜など、〜とか ※and things (like that)とも言う。 ad revenue 広告収入 petition 嘆願、署名活動 loads of たくさんの〜 racism 人種差別 reflect on 〜について振り返る *** Script *** Black Lives Matter Scene: Two friends on a phone call. M: Hey, Lily, what’s up? What are you doing now? W: Oh, I was just making a sign for the Black Lives Matter protest I’m going to tomorrow. M: Wow, good! I wish I could go to one. But there isn’t one where I live. I don’t feel like I’m making a difference. I want to actually DO something, but I don’t know how! W: Hey, you can start your own group! Contact your friends and get them to spread the news. Right now, in America and in a lot of other countries too, there are not only protests, but also discussion groups, speeches in schools, and other activities which try to improve relations between races. M: Wow, sounds cool. Formal discussions and things. W: And, another idea: we can donate to charities and groups that support blacks— groups that help them with education, jobs, and stuff like that. M: Yeah... but I don’t have money. W: Um, for example, there are some Youtubers who are giving all of their ad revenues to charities! Just don’t skip the ads—watch them through. M: Hmm, I never thought of that. Hey! In our groups, I guess we can start petitions too? --asking people to think of ways to improve police departments around the world? W: Good idea! And there’s loads of petitions online which we can support. We can also spread awareness online. We can use our social media platforms to propose ways of improving police departments. M: I think it’s so interesting. In Japan we see it on the news, but we don’t see much conversation about it, or action. W: Maybe the first step is to educate ourselves and actually TALK to people about it. There’s some racism in ALL countries, not just America. I think we should reflect on our own attitudes and actions, and understand about good human rights. And then we should act! No Justice, No Peace!

Download MP3 ８月の４週間は、恒例の「超濃縮！やさしい英語会話」です。この10年間に配信した310本の「やさしい英語会話」よりエピソードを厳選し、毎回４本分を濃縮してお届けします。ナチュラルスピードの会話をスクリプトとともにお楽しみください。最終回となる今回は、ことばにまつわるエピソードを集めました。*** Script *** [ (210) Tongue Twisters ] F: Boy, this food line is pretty long. Hey, I have a magazine on me. You can read it while we wait. M: OK. Hmm… looks like a kid's magazine… Hmm, yeah. (Mumbling quickly to himself.) Peter Piper picked a pick… hmmm. A peck of pickled peppers. Peter piper picked a peck of peckled… GAhhh! F: Michihiro… what are you doing? What are you muttering about? M: I don't understand what on Earth this magazine is talking about. First, it was talking about seashells, then a woodchuck, and now pickles! F: Oh, those are different sets of tongue twisters, Michihiro. M: Tongue twisters? What are those? F: I'm pretty sure most languages have them. It's a game to see if you can say or repeat a short funny phrase without messing it up. M: Oh, I DO know those! These ones are hard though. F: They're fun. Here, I'll read one for you. “How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?” M: Wow! That's amazing. Hey, do the seashell one! F: OK. “She sells seashells by the seashore.” M: Hey, you're so good at this. I can't do any of them! F: You were just speaking too fast! Here, try reading this one SLOWLY. M: OK. “Peter piper picked a pick”... bleh! F: Try going slower, Michihiro! Here, I'll say it once for you. “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers” M: OK. “Peter Piper picked a peck of peckled pippers” F: (laughing) I guess you just need to practice. M: I give up! Forget it! F: Oh, it's our turn to order? Oh, do you want any pickles or peppers on your food, Michihiro? M: NO! NO MORE PEPPERS AND NO MORE PICKLED THINGS! [ (273) English Slang (2) ] W: As I was saying, most English slang words have a positive and negative connotation, regardless of their true meaning. Take, for instance, the word "bad." It normally means "not good." However, when we use "bad" as a slang term, it can mean "good" or "awesome!" M: Ah! You're right! Like, if your friend asks you how the concert you attended last weekend was, you can reply by saying: "Oh my gosh, dude. It was so bad!", leaving the connotation that the concert was actually great. Or, you could say, "So bad, I wanted to leave early," letting your friend know that the concert was awful. W: Exactly! M: That's so difficult! Opposite meanings! Japanese students of English must really get frustrated. I'm not sure if I could ever learn something that difficult. W: I think the key to mastering slang is listening to the context. The tone of the other person's voice will probably let you know how they feel. M: What if it's in writing? W: Now THAT'S a good question. I guess when I'm texting my friends I just know what they're slang means, I don't really have to think about it too much because I grew up speaking the same language as them. M: Yeah, I guess you're right. Must be the same scenario as how I have to look up every Japanese LINE message I receive. I'm not a native Japanese speaker, so I never know what words are important and what words aren't. W: Well, the more you practice the better you'll get! M: I guess you're right. But gosh, all the practicing just makes me sick. It's so bad. W: Ha ha. English slang must be awful for non-native speakers. M: I'm sure it is, but once they understand it, it sounds pretty sick! [ (281) Strange Idioms (1) ] M: Charlotte, do you eat bugs in England? W: No way! What made you ask that? M: Well, I heard Betty saying she ate butterflies the other day. W: She said she ate them? That's weird! … Oh, I think I know! Did she say, by chance, that she had butterflies in her stomach? M: Yeah, I think that was it! W: Ha ha! Well, that doesn't mean she actually has butterflies in her stomach! It's an idiom. It's pretty common. It just means that she's nervous. M: Oh, that makes more sense! So, it didn't actually have anything to do with bugs? W: No, it's just a saying. You know: when you're nervous, and your stomach feels funny, like there's something moving inside it! M: Ah! So she felt like she had little butterflies trapped in her stomach? Because she was nervous? W: Yep, that's right! It's quite a funny thing to hear if you don't know what it actually means, isn't it? M: Yeah, I was really confused! W: Do you have any similar expressions in Japanese? M: Well, when you really want something so bad, you can say: "nodo kara te ga deru" W: Does that mean you have a hand coming out of your mouth? M: Yes, that's right! W: That IS so weird! What a strange image! M: Ha ha. Now that I think about it, it IS quite weird! Not something you'd actually want to see in real life. Are there any other interesting English idioms you can think of? [ (282) Strange Idioms (2) ] M: So, are there any other interesting English idioms you can think of? W: Well, you can say someone is "losing their touch." M: Losing their touch? … So, they can't feel things anymore? W: Maybe originally that's what it meant. But nowadays, if you say "I'm losing my touch" it means I used to be good at something, but recently I can't do it that well anymore. So, for example, you play basketball right? M: Yeah, that's right. So if, one day, I start to play worse than usual, I can say I'm losing my touch? W: Yeah, that would be perfect! … Oh, another good one is "to stab someone in the back." M. Ah! To kill someone with a knife? W: Yeah, but here, to stab someone in the back means to betray someone. M: To betray someone … Oh, it's the same in Japanese! To betray someone is "uragiru", which would probably translate to something like cutting someone in the back! W: Yeah that sounds like stabbing someone in the back! Wow, I wonder how the English and the Japanese got to be the same.

Download MP3 ８月の４週間は、恒例の「超濃縮！やさしい英語会話」です。この10年間に配信した310本の「やさしい英語会話」よりエピソードを厳選し、毎回４本分を濃縮してお届けします。ナチュラルスピードの会話をスクリプトとともにお楽しみください。最終回となる今回は、ことばにまつわるエピソードを集めました。*** Script *** [ (210) Tongue Twisters ] F: Boy, this food line is pretty long. Hey, I have a magazine on me. You can read it while we wait. M: OK. Hmm… looks like a kid's magazine… Hmm, yeah. (Mumbling quickly to himself.) Peter Piper picked a pick… hmmm. A peck of pickled peppers. Peter piper picked a peck of peckled… GAhhh! F: Michihiro… what are you doing? What are you muttering about? M: I don't understand what on Earth this magazine is talking about. First, it was talking about seashells, then a woodchuck, and now pickles! F: Oh, those are different sets of tongue twisters, Michihiro. M: Tongue twisters? What are those? F: I'm pretty sure most languages have them. It's a game to see if you can say or repeat a short funny phrase without messing it up. M: Oh, I DO know those! These ones are hard though. F: They're fun. Here, I'll read one for you. “How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?” M: Wow! That's amazing. Hey, do the seashell one! F: OK. “She sells seashells by the seashore.” M: Hey, you're so good at this. I can't do any of them! F: You were just speaking too fast! Here, try reading this one SLOWLY. M: OK. “Peter piper picked a pick”... bleh! F: Try going slower, Michihiro! Here, I'll say it once for you. “Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers” M: OK. “Peter Piper picked a peck of peckled pippers” F: (laughing) I guess you just need to practice. M: I give up! Forget it! F: Oh, it's our turn to order? Oh, do you want any pickles or peppers on your food, Michihiro? M: NO! NO MORE PEPPERS AND NO MORE PICKLED THINGS! [ (273) English Slang (2) ] W: As I was saying, most English slang words have a positive and negative connotation, regardless of their true meaning. Take, for instance, the word "bad." It normally means "not good." However, when we use "bad" as a slang term, it can mean "good" or "awesome!" M: Ah! You're right! Like, if your friend asks you how the concert you attended last weekend was, you can reply by saying: "Oh my gosh, dude. It was so bad!", leaving the connotation that the concert was actually great. Or, you could say, "So bad, I wanted to leave early," letting your friend know that the concert was awful. W: Exactly! M: That's so difficult! Opposite meanings! Japanese students of English must really get frustrated. I'm not sure if I could ever learn something that difficult. W: I think the key to mastering slang is listening to the context. The tone of the other person's voice will probably let you know how they feel. M: What if it's in writing? W: Now THAT'S a good question. I guess when I'm texting my friends I just know what they're slang means, I don't really have to think about it too much because I grew up speaking the same language as them. M: Yeah, I guess you're right. Must be the same scenario as how I have to look up every Japanese LINE message I receive. I'm not a native Japanese speaker, so I never know what words are important and what words aren't. W: Well, the more you practice the better you'll get! M: I guess you're right. But gosh, all the practicing just makes me sick. It's so bad. W: Ha ha. English slang must be awful for non-native speakers. M: I'm sure it is, but once they understand it, it sounds pretty sick! [ (281) Strange Idioms (1) ] M: Charlotte, do you eat bugs in England? W: No way! What made you ask that? M: Well, I heard Betty saying she ate butterflies the other day. W: She said she ate them? That's weird! … Oh, I think I know! Did she say, by chance, that she had butterflies in her stomach? M: Yeah, I think that was it! W: Ha ha! Well, that doesn't mean she actually has butterflies in her stomach! It's an idiom. It's pretty common. It just means that she's nervous. M: Oh, that makes more sense! So, it didn't actually have anything to do with bugs? W: No, it's just a saying. You know: when you're nervous, and your stomach feels funny, like there's something moving inside it! M: Ah! So she felt like she had little butterflies trapped in her stomach? Because she was nervous? W: Yep, that's right! It's quite a funny thing to hear if you don't know what it actually means, isn't it? M: Yeah, I was really confused! W: Do you have any similar expressions in Japanese? M: Well, when you really want something so bad, you can say: "nodo kara te ga deru" W: Does that mean you have a hand coming out of your mouth? M: Yes, that's right! W: That IS so weird! What a strange image! M: Ha ha. Now that I think about it, it IS quite weird! Not something you'd actually want to see in real life. Are there any other interesting English idioms you can think of? [ (282) Strange Idioms (2) ] M: So, are there any other interesting English idioms you can think of? W: Well, you can say someone is "losing their touch." M: Losing their touch? … So, they can't feel things anymore? W: Maybe originally that's what it meant. But nowadays, if you say "I'm losing my touch" it means I used to be good at something, but recently I can't do it that well anymore. So, for example, you play basketball right? M: Yeah, that's right. So if, one day, I start to play worse than usual, I can say I'm losing my touch? W: Yeah, that would be perfect! … Oh, another good one is "to stab someone in the back." M. Ah! To kill someone with a knife? W: Yeah, but here, to stab someone in the back means to betray someone. M: To betray someone … Oh, it's the same in Japanese! To betray someone is "uragiru", which would probably translate to something like cutting someone in the back! W: Yeah that sounds like stabbing someone in the back! Wow, I wonder how the English and the Japanese got to be the same.

Download MP3 作文やレポートなど、何かまとまった文章を書こうと思ったとき、なかなか言葉が出てこないことがよくあります。このような筆の進まない状態を、英語では"writer's block"と言います。今回の会話に登場する男性も、そんな"writer's block"に悩まされているようです。そこで女性がいろいろとアドバイスをしますが…。 今回は「ばかげた」「いまいましい」など、英語の口語表現でよく用いられる「ネガティブワード」がたくさん登場します。使う時には注意が必要ですが、まとめて覚えておくには最適な会話です。 (初級〜中級)*** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） silly ばかげた dang （俗語）ひどい annoying うっとうしい rubbish ごみ（クズ）のような (to) incorporate A into B AをBに合体させる、取り込む clashing personalities 性格のぶつかりあい dull つまらない If you understand what you already have it's easier to not sound so repetitive. すでに書いたことがわかっていれば、（お話が）くどくならないようにするのは簡単よ。 bullet points 箇条書き rather unpredictable かなり予想のつかない (to) win the lottery 宝くじに当たる I highly doubt it. それはかなり疑わしい（そうならないと思う） *** Script *** Writer's Block Can Be a Problem Situation: A man, by himself, is trying to write, but he has writer's block. M: Ugghh, what am I gonna do next!? Ah! This is a silly character! Come on… Think of your own dang story! W: (Entering the room) Hi, Richard. Are you OK? M: Ah! Writers block. How do I get these annoying characters to do something interesting in this rubbish story!? W: Wow, you're doing a great job promoting your new novel! M: Ah! What should I do next? W: Um, are there any new characters, or old ones you could incorporate? Maybe some clashing personalities? M: I guess, but the situation they're in now is a bit dull. And I can't think of anything. W: Maybe write down everything you've already got? I guess if you understand what you already have it's easier to not sound so repetitive. And it might help you take a step forward. M: OK… W: And bullet points are fine. You don't need to re-write the whole book. M: Hmm… You're right. Anything else you can think of? W: Make a list of things that wouldn't happen next. M: Why… why would I do that? W: You never know what your story might need. M: I guess… W: And, if you think about it, real life is rather unpredictable. We could make a list of things that are unlikely to happen. For example, I could win the lottery tomorrow! Ha ha… But I highly doubt it. M: OK, OK, I get it... Hey! I've got it! I know what to do! W: (In a singing style.) You're welcome! (Written by Stella-Maree Trounson)

Download MP3 作文やレポートなど、何かまとまった文章を書こうと思ったとき、なかなか言葉が出てこないことがよくあります。このような筆の進まない状態を、英語では"writer's block"と言います。今回の会話に登場する男性も、そんな"writer's block"に悩まされているようです。そこで女性がいろいろとアドバイスをしますが…。 今回は「ばかげた」「いまいましい」など、英語の口語表現でよく用いられる「ネガティブワード」がたくさん登場します。使う時には注意が必要ですが、まとめて覚えておくには最適な会話です。 (初級〜中級)*** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） silly ばかげた dang （俗語）ひどい annoying うっとうしい rubbish ごみ（クズ）のような (to) incorporate A into B AをBに合体させる、取り込む clashing personalities 性格のぶつかりあい dull つまらない If you understand what you already have it's easier to not sound so repetitive. すでに書いたことがわかっていれば、（お話が）くどくならないようにするのは簡単よ。 bullet points 箇条書き rather unpredictable かなり予想のつかない (to) win the lottery 宝くじに当たる I highly doubt it. それはかなり疑わしい（そうならないと思う） *** Script *** Writer's Block Can Be a Problem Situation: A man, by himself, is trying to write, but he has writer's block. M: Ugghh, what am I gonna do next!? Ah! This is a silly character! Come on… Think of your own dang story! W: (Entering the room) Hi, Richard. Are you OK? M: Ah! Writers block. How do I get these annoying characters to do something interesting in this rubbish story!? W: Wow, you're doing a great job promoting your new novel! M: Ah! What should I do next? W: Um, are there any new characters, or old ones you could incorporate? Maybe some clashing personalities? M: I guess, but the situation they're in now is a bit dull. And I can't think of anything. W: Maybe write down everything you've already got? I guess if you understand what you already have it's easier to not sound so repetitive. And it might help you take a step forward. M: OK… W: And bullet points are fine. You don't need to re-write the whole book. M: Hmm… You're right. Anything else you can think of? W: Make a list of things that wouldn't happen next. M: Why… why would I do that? W: You never know what your story might need. M: I guess… W: And, if you think about it, real life is rather unpredictable. We could make a list of things that are unlikely to happen. For example, I could win the lottery tomorrow! Ha ha… But I highly doubt it. M: OK, OK, I get it... Hey! I've got it! I know what to do! W: (In a singing style.) You're welcome! (Written by Stella-Maree Trounson)

Download MP3 ８月の５週間は、恒例の「超濃縮！やさしい英語会話」です。この８年間に配信した284本の「やさしい英語会話」よりエピソードを厳選し、毎回４本分を濃縮してお届けします。ナチュラルスピードの会話をスクリプトとともにお楽しみください。 このお盆休み中、久しぶりに再会した人たちとお酒を飲む機会も多かったのではないでしょうか。そこで今回は「お酒」にまつわるエピソードを集めました。振り返れば、本ポッドキャストには飲酒の話題を取り上げた回が結構ありました…もちろん、お酒は20歳になってから！ （初級〜中級）*** Script *** [ (47) Drinking Parties ] M: Hey, Inez, how was your weekend? W: It was OK - I went to a drinking party on Saturday night. M: A drinking party? You drink a lot? W: No, I didn't. But my Japanese friends drank a lot of beer. They played some games, and the people who lost had to drink! Sometimes they drank it all in a single gulp. I was really a little surprised. They were really crazy about drinking. M: I see. Did you hear about the news that a Japanese student in a very famous university died from drinking too much? W: Oh. That's sad. But I can imagine how much he drank! At drinking parties, Japanese students don't stop drinking until they get badly drunk. Sometimes I just wonder why they have to do that. I don't drink much and I've never been drunk before，so I don't know how it feels to be drunk, but I just wonder why they wanna drink that much. M: Sometimes, you see, they don't really wanna drink that much, but their friends push them. I think it's peer pressure that makes them have to drink that much. W: Exactly: peer pressure. But anyway, I didn't drink that much. I just ordered some kind of soft drink with a little alcohol. It wasn't worth it for me, cause I paid 3,000 yen for a drink buffet. M: Haha, Oh, poor Inez! W: But that's not the main problem. Maybe because I didn't drink as much as my Japanese friends, I just felt I couldn't get into their talk, and I felt bad that I spent 3,000 yen and didn't like it very much. M: Hey, Inez, I have a question: why don't you drink just a little beer? I don't think you'll be forced to drink as much as your Japanese friends, so you don't have to worry about it at all. So why not drink just a little? W: Maybe that's why I didn't have such a good time. I still have the impression that it's not good for girls to drink alcohol. M: Ho ho. Kind of an old-fashioned idea? [ (120) The Morning After ] Scene: In the kitchen. M: Good morning! Well, you look exactly how I feel! W: I know. Right. I feel so hungover. How much did we drink last night? M: I have no idea, but I'll tell you this: I'm not drinking like that again for a long time! W: What were we even drinking? I remember we started with beers at that one bar, and then we had some whiskey, and then…? M: Then we went to that new club down the road and had god-knows-how-many shots of sambuca and tequila! Ah! I'm hanging like a bad painting! W: Here: a nice cup of tea will make us feel much better. M: And a fry up. Pass me the bacon and eggs, would you? W: So, do you remember getting with that girl last night? M: What!? W: Yeah, you went outside and were chatting with that girl for ages. The next thing I knew, you were all over each other! You two were really going for it! M: Oh, my gosh. I remember her! W: And you spilled so many of your drinks last night! M: So THAT explains why my shirt is so wrecked. W: And one girl almost slapped you when you nearly threw up on her shoes! M: Are you serious!? OK, so, let's not go back there for a while! W: You were such a mess! M: Oh no! And my bike's still outside that bar! W: Yeah, you tried to ride it back home but fell off into the bushes and we had to carry you home. M: What is my problem!? And why do I do this every time I have to write an essay! W: Isn't it due in tomorrow? M: I know, and I haven't even started! [ (172) Which Beer Is Best? ] M: [Sigh] I miss drinking beer in the US. W: Why? You don't like the beer here? M: No. I DO. It's just... Japanese beer all seems very light and refreshing. Don't get me wrong, Asahi, Sapporo, Kirin are definitely good. It's just, sometimes, I miss the VARIETY of beer in America. W: Really? Because I've heard that American beer isn't all that great. M: Well, we definitely have some bad national brands, but we also have a lot of great local brews. And if American beer is not what you're into, in the US it's extremely easy to get your hands on pretty much any beer you want-German, Belgian, African, Indian, even Japanese! W: Well, is there any other discontent you would like to express today? M: Well, actually... I don't understand canned beer in Japan. W: What? Canned beer? M: Pretty much any beer worth drinking in the States comes in a bottle or is on tap. It's kind of rare to drink canned beer, unless you're at a college party, or just running low on money. Especially I miss beer on tap. W: You mean when they pull the handle and it comes out of the spout, right? M: Exactly! W: You can definitely find that in bars in Japan. M: Yes, but they have tap beer in most restaurants in America, and they usually have about five different varieties. One of the bars in my university's city has 50 different beers on tap, and rotates them daily! W: Every day new kinds of beer? Wow, that seems a little excessive. M: Probably so, but at least there is no lack of options. W: So, you don't want another beer is what I'm hearing? M: Oh no, no, no. Wait, wait! I never said that! W: But it's in a can and everything. M: Hey, beer is beer! [ (268) A Great Drink ] A Great Drink Situation: At a party. Greg is acting quite drunk. Maria is not. W: Hey Greg. How's it going? M: Hey, Maria. I'm great! Isn't this party awesome? W: Yeah, it's not bad. You seem to be having a great time! M: Oh yeah, I'm having a blast! I was just chasing the chickens around the garden! It was great! W: You what? The chickens? M: Oh yeah, I felt like doing something crazy. Before that I played beer pong with Charlie -- he kicked my ass. But it was great fun. W: Oh, so you're drinking tonight? M: Yeah, I managed to score this bottle of wine -- took it from my parent's alcohol stash! W: You're drinking wine? Wow! I love wine too, although I prefer red wine. M: Mmm, well, this white wine is good stuff too! So fruity! So gooood! W: You've drunk a lot already, huh? M: Yeah, it's absolutely delicious! I don't know what it is exactly, though, because the label is all in French. But it IS good stuff. And strong! I am really feeling it! W: Hmm, I think I've had this drink before, actually. M: You have? I've never heard of it before! Where did you have it? W: At my little sister's 7th birthday party. This isn't wine, Greg … it's apple juice! M: Ugh … what??

Download MP3 ８月の５週間は、恒例の「超濃縮！やさしい英語会話」です。この８年間に配信した284本の「やさしい英語会話」よりエピソードを厳選し、毎回４本分を濃縮してお届けします。ナチュラルスピードの会話をスクリプトとともにお楽しみください。 このお盆休み中、久しぶりに再会した人たちとお酒を飲む機会も多かったのではないでしょうか。そこで今回は「お酒」にまつわるエピソードを集めました。振り返れば、本ポッドキャストには飲酒の話題を取り上げた回が結構ありました…もちろん、お酒は20歳になってから！ （初級〜中級）*** Script *** [ (47) Drinking Parties ] M: Hey, Inez, how was your weekend? W: It was OK - I went to a drinking party on Saturday night. M: A drinking party? You drink a lot? W: No, I didn't. But my Japanese friends drank a lot of beer. They played some games, and the people who lost had to drink! Sometimes they drank it all in a single gulp. I was really a little surprised. They were really crazy about drinking. M: I see. Did you hear about the news that a Japanese student in a very famous university died from drinking too much? W: Oh. That's sad. But I can imagine how much he drank! At drinking parties, Japanese students don't stop drinking until they get badly drunk. Sometimes I just wonder why they have to do that. I don't drink much and I've never been drunk before，so I don't know how it feels to be drunk, but I just wonder why they wanna drink that much. M: Sometimes, you see, they don't really wanna drink that much, but their friends push them. I think it's peer pressure that makes them have to drink that much. W: Exactly: peer pressure. But anyway, I didn't drink that much. I just ordered some kind of soft drink with a little alcohol. It wasn't worth it for me, cause I paid 3,000 yen for a drink buffet. M: Haha, Oh, poor Inez! W: But that's not the main problem. Maybe because I didn't drink as much as my Japanese friends, I just felt I couldn't get into their talk, and I felt bad that I spent 3,000 yen and didn't like it very much. M: Hey, Inez, I have a question: why don't you drink just a little beer? I don't think you'll be forced to drink as much as your Japanese friends, so you don't have to worry about it at all. So why not drink just a little? W: Maybe that's why I didn't have such a good time. I still have the impression that it's not good for girls to drink alcohol. M: Ho ho. Kind of an old-fashioned idea? [ (120) The Morning After ] Scene: In the kitchen. M: Good morning! Well, you look exactly how I feel! W: I know. Right. I feel so hungover. How much did we drink last night? M: I have no idea, but I'll tell you this: I'm not drinking like that again for a long time! W: What were we even drinking? I remember we started with beers at that one bar, and then we had some whiskey, and then…? M: Then we went to that new club down the road and had god-knows-how-many shots of sambuca and tequila! Ah! I'm hanging like a bad painting! W: Here: a nice cup of tea will make us feel much better. M: And a fry up. Pass me the bacon and eggs, would you? W: So, do you remember getting with that girl last night? M: What!? W: Yeah, you went outside and were chatting with that girl for ages. The next thing I knew, you were all over each other! You two were really going for it! M: Oh, my gosh. I remember her! W: And you spilled so many of your drinks last night! M: So THAT explains why my shirt is so wrecked. W: And one girl almost slapped you when you nearly threw up on her shoes! M: Are you serious!? OK, so, let's not go back there for a while! W: You were such a mess! M: Oh no! And my bike's still outside that bar! W: Yeah, you tried to ride it back home but fell off into the bushes and we had to carry you home. M: What is my problem!? And why do I do this every time I have to write an essay! W: Isn't it due in tomorrow? M: I know, and I haven't even started! [ (172) Which Beer Is Best? ] M: [Sigh] I miss drinking beer in the US. W: Why? You don't like the beer here? M: No. I DO. It's just... Japanese beer all seems very light and refreshing. Don't get me wrong, Asahi, Sapporo, Kirin are definitely good. It's just, sometimes, I miss the VARIETY of beer in America. W: Really? Because I've heard that American beer isn't all that great. M: Well, we definitely have some bad national brands, but we also have a lot of great local brews. And if American beer is not what you're into, in the US it's extremely easy to get your hands on pretty much any beer you want-German, Belgian, African, Indian, even Japanese! W: Well, is there any other discontent you would like to express today? M: Well, actually... I don't understand canned beer in Japan. W: What? Canned beer? M: Pretty much any beer worth drinking in the States comes in a bottle or is on tap. It's kind of rare to drink canned beer, unless you're at a college party, or just running low on money. Especially I miss beer on tap. W: You mean when they pull the handle and it comes out of the spout, right? M: Exactly! W: You can definitely find that in bars in Japan. M: Yes, but they have tap beer in most restaurants in America, and they usually have about five different varieties. One of the bars in my university's city has 50 different beers on tap, and rotates them daily! W: Every day new kinds of beer? Wow, that seems a little excessive. M: Probably so, but at least there is no lack of options. W: So, you don't want another beer is what I'm hearing? M: Oh no, no, no. Wait, wait! I never said that! W: But it's in a can and everything. M: Hey, beer is beer! [ (268) A Great Drink ] A Great Drink Situation: At a party. Greg is acting quite drunk. Maria is not. W: Hey Greg. How's it going? M: Hey, Maria. I'm great! Isn't this party awesome? W: Yeah, it's not bad. You seem to be having a great time! M: Oh yeah, I'm having a blast! I was just chasing the chickens around the garden! It was great! W: You what? The chickens? M: Oh yeah, I felt like doing something crazy. Before that I played beer pong with Charlie -- he kicked my ass. But it was great fun. W: Oh, so you're drinking tonight? M: Yeah, I managed to score this bottle of wine -- took it from my parent's alcohol stash! W: You're drinking wine? Wow! I love wine too, although I prefer red wine. M: Mmm, well, this white wine is good stuff too! So fruity! So gooood! W: You've drunk a lot already, huh? M: Yeah, it's absolutely delicious! I don't know what it is exactly, though, because the label is all in French. But it IS good stuff. And strong! I am really feeling it! W: Hmm, I think I've had this drink before, actually. M: You have? I've never heard of it before! Where did you have it? W: At my little sister's 7th birthday party. This isn't wine, Greg … it's apple juice! M: Ugh … what??

Download MP3 前回に引き続き、英語の面白いイディオムをいくつかご紹介します。いずれもやさしい単語を使った、日々の生活で使いやすいものばかりです。ぜひ覚えておきましょう！ （初級〜中級） *** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） ＊番組冒頭に登場したイディオム It cost an arm and a leg. I bit off more than I could chew. You can't judge a book by its cover. (to) lose one's touch （勘が鈍くなって）下手になる (to) stab someone in the back. 裏切る *** Script *** Strange Idioms (2) M: So, are there any other interesting English idioms you can think of? W: Well, you can say someone is "losing their touch." M: Losing their touch? … So, they can't feel things anymore? W: Maybe originally that's what it meant. But nowadays, if you say "I'm losing my touch" it means I used to be good at something, but recently I can't do it that well anymore. So, for example, you play basketball right? M: Yeah, that's right. So if, one day, I start to play worse than usual, I can say I'm losing my touch? W: Yeah, that would be perfect! … Oh, another good one is "to stab someone in the back." M. Ah! To kill someone with a knife? W: Yeah, but here, to stab someone in the back means to betray someone. M: To betray someone … Oh, it's the same in Japanese! To betray someone is "uragiru", which would probably translate to something like cutting someone in the back! W: Yeah that sounds like stabbing someone in the back! Wow, I wonder how the English and the Japanese got to be the same. (Written by Anna Mace)

Download MP3 前回に引き続き、英語の面白いイディオムをいくつかご紹介します。いずれもやさしい単語を使った、日々の生活で使いやすいものばかりです。ぜひ覚えておきましょう！ （初級〜中級） *** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） ＊番組冒頭に登場したイディオム It cost an arm and a leg. I bit off more than I could chew. You can't judge a book by its cover. (to) lose one's touch （勘が鈍くなって）下手になる (to) stab someone in the back. 裏切る *** Script *** Strange Idioms (2) M: So, are there any other interesting English idioms you can think of? W: Well, you can say someone is "losing their touch." M: Losing their touch? … So, they can't feel things anymore? W: Maybe originally that's what it meant. But nowadays, if you say "I'm losing my touch" it means I used to be good at something, but recently I can't do it that well anymore. So, for example, you play basketball right? M: Yeah, that's right. So if, one day, I start to play worse than usual, I can say I'm losing my touch? W: Yeah, that would be perfect! … Oh, another good one is "to stab someone in the back." M. Ah! To kill someone with a knife? W: Yeah, but here, to stab someone in the back means to betray someone. M: To betray someone … Oh, it's the same in Japanese! To betray someone is "uragiru", which would probably translate to something like cutting someone in the back! W: Yeah that sounds like stabbing someone in the back! Wow, I wonder how the English and the Japanese got to be the same. (Written by Anna Mace)

Download MP3 ８月の５週間は、恒例の「超濃縮！やさしい英語会話」です。この８年間に配信した259本の「やさしい英語会話」よりエピソードを厳選し、毎回４本分を濃縮してお届けします。ナチュラルスピードの会話をスクリプトとともにお楽しみください。 オリンピックも終わりましたが、テレビで日本チームへの熱い声援を送った人も多かったのではないでしょうか。引き続き、来月9/8からはパラリンピックが開催されますね。そこで今回は"Go, Japan, Go!"をテーマに、日本や日本文化についての会話を４本選びました。 （初級〜中級）Japanese Rainy Season W: Hey Takeshi! How're you? M: Hey Brittany! I'm doing fine, and you? W: I'm OK, I'm starting to get a little tired of all this rain though… M: Yea, it really rains a lot in Japan during this time of year. W: We don't have a rainy season where I come from. Actually, it hardly rains at all. We sometimes have droughts and since it's so dry we also get forest fires occasionally. M: That sounds tough! Maybe having the rainy season isn't so bad. W: Maybe. I'm still tired of the rain. though. M: You should make a Teru Teru Bozu doll. W: What's that? M: It's a small doll that Japanese make out of white paper or cloth and hang outside the windows. It's supposed to bring good weather, and prevent rain. Kind of like a good luck charm. W: Sounds like fun! Lets make some! M: Sure! There's also a song that goes along with Teru Teru Bozu. When I was little I would sing it while making the doll. W: Really? I want to learn it! (Written by Kimberly Cantrell) A Homestay in Japan M: How'd your homestay go? F: It was so much fun! M: That's good. What all did you do? F: First, I went to my host sister's school and was able to take a tour around and see what a Japanese classroom is like. After that, I met the rest of my host family and they took me for a drive around the town where they live. M: Hmm, sounds nice. What kind of town was it? F: It was kind of small, but very pretty, and right by the beach! We all bought bentous and went to the beach for lunch. It was really great! M: Wow, sounds nice! F: After that we went to a Japanese garden. It was huge! There was also a big pond with koi in it. I made sure to take lots of pictures. M: Really? Next time you'll have to show me your pictures. F: OK, sure thing! M: What did your host family make you for dinner? F: Oh! We had sukiyaki. I'd written in a survey that I liked sukiyaki, so my host family decided to make that. It was so good! It was probably the best sukiyaki that I've ever had! M: (laugh) Good good. Did you have any problems communicating with your host family? F: Hm, a little. At first they seemed really nervous and shy, and I was feeling the same way, but after a while we all warmed up to each other and were able to talk, no problem. My host sister knew quite a bit of English, so when I didn't know something in Japanese, she'd always help me translate. M: That's good. Most foreigners say that doing a homestay is the best way to learn a country's language. It was the same for me when I did a homestay in Canada. At first I was really worried since my English wasn't very good at the time, but after a week of staying with my host family, my English improved greatly. (Written by Kimberly Cantrell) Leaving Japan M: I still can't believe that I'll leave Japan next week. I feel like I arrived here just yesterday! W: Yeah, I never even imagined that I'd be able to stay in Japan in the first place. For me, this is one of my dreams come true. M: Talking about Japan, what's the main reason you like it here? W: Hmm... first of all, I feel very safe here. I can go anywhere at any time without worring that some crazy guy is going to try to hassle me, or steal my bag. M: Hahahaha, you're right. But Japan also has lots of crazy guys and thieves everywhere, I hear. W: Yeah, but compared to back home, Japan is, like, 100 times safer. I hear Japan is one of the ten safest countries in the world. M: OK, that's one issue: safety. What's the other? W: I like how Japanese treat other people. Back home I've never seen such friendly cashiers! And how helpful everybody is! M: Ah, yes. I'll second you on that. I think Japanese are very kind when they meet people. I feel very comfortable being with Japanese. W: And the third reason is that I really love the environment in Japan. M: What do you mean by “the environment”? W: The streets and parks are really clean. And also lots of things are made to be environmentally friendly. For example, eco bags for shopping, separating plastics from burnables, and so on. M: Hey, that brings up a good point: there are not so many garbage bins here, but the environment is so clean. How do they do it? W: Beats me! But those are the three reasons why I love staying here. M: But I think, especially for you, we have to add one more point. W: What's that? M: Your crazy liking of Japanese Entertainment. W: Hahahahaha, I think that reason beats all the others! (Written by Miranti Puti Aisyah) Stereotypes of Japan M: Hey, did you have any weird images of Japan before you came here? W: Hmm… now that you mention it, I had a couple that maybe were wrong. M: Oh, like what? W: For example, I had this huge image that Japan was very technology advanced. You see it all over the media. You know: "Japan invents giant human-looking robot that can fly!" But actually, Japan is very behind when it comes to everyday-technology. M: (laughs) Exactly. I thought the same thing. I feel like everything is 10 years behind here, including the cellphones. For example, they started selling Smartphones in Japan a couple years AFTER they were first sold in the U.S. I was very surprised. W: And another thing: Japan depends more on humans doing work rather than technology. This is good because it gives people jobs, but it kind of just slows everything down. M: True, that. Hmm…what else…Oh! Another image is that my friend thinks that everyone wears kimonos. W: Ha ha ha! I wish. I LOVE kimonos. I love looking at people wearing kimonos. Man: That's creepy… W: I like to admire beauty, Zach. What about the idea of Japanese eating whale and horse meat? M: Hey, I've eaten both of those… W: Um, I did too… I feel guilty admitting it, but they tasted pretty good. M: Shhhh… let's pretend it never happened... (Thinking) Hey, tentacles! W: What? M: You know…Tentacles! W: NOOOO. NONONONO. NO. We're not going there; let's keep this rated PG. M: Hey, we're talking about stereotypes!!!! W: That's one that does not need to be discussed. (Written by Lauren Johnson)

Download MP3 ８月の５週間は、恒例の「超濃縮！やさしい英語会話」です。この８年間に配信した259本の「やさしい英語会話」よりエピソードを厳選し、毎回４本分を濃縮してお届けします。ナチュラルスピードの会話をスクリプトとともにお楽しみください。 オリンピックも終わりましたが、テレビで日本チームへの熱い声援を送った人も多かったのではないでしょうか。引き続き、来月9/8からはパラリンピックが開催されますね。そこで今回は"Go, Japan, Go!"をテーマに、日本や日本文化についての会話を４本選びました。 （初級〜中級）Japanese Rainy Season W: Hey Takeshi! How're you? M: Hey Brittany! I'm doing fine, and you? W: I'm OK, I'm starting to get a little tired of all this rain though… M: Yea, it really rains a lot in Japan during this time of year. W: We don't have a rainy season where I come from. Actually, it hardly rains at all. We sometimes have droughts and since it's so dry we also get forest fires occasionally. M: That sounds tough! Maybe having the rainy season isn't so bad. W: Maybe. I'm still tired of the rain. though. M: You should make a Teru Teru Bozu doll. W: What's that? M: It's a small doll that Japanese make out of white paper or cloth and hang outside the windows. It's supposed to bring good weather, and prevent rain. Kind of like a good luck charm. W: Sounds like fun! Lets make some! M: Sure! There's also a song that goes along with Teru Teru Bozu. When I was little I would sing it while making the doll. W: Really? I want to learn it! (Written by Kimberly Cantrell) A Homestay in Japan M: How'd your homestay go? F: It was so much fun! M: That's good. What all did you do? F: First, I went to my host sister's school and was able to take a tour around and see what a Japanese classroom is like. After that, I met the rest of my host family and they took me for a drive around the town where they live. M: Hmm, sounds nice. What kind of town was it? F: It was kind of small, but very pretty, and right by the beach! We all bought bentous and went to the beach for lunch. It was really great! M: Wow, sounds nice! F: After that we went to a Japanese garden. It was huge! There was also a big pond with koi in it. I made sure to take lots of pictures. M: Really? Next time you'll have to show me your pictures. F: OK, sure thing! M: What did your host family make you for dinner? F: Oh! We had sukiyaki. I'd written in a survey that I liked sukiyaki, so my host family decided to make that. It was so good! It was probably the best sukiyaki that I've ever had! M: (laugh) Good good. Did you have any problems communicating with your host family? F: Hm, a little. At first they seemed really nervous and shy, and I was feeling the same way, but after a while we all warmed up to each other and were able to talk, no problem. My host sister knew quite a bit of English, so when I didn't know something in Japanese, she'd always help me translate. M: That's good. Most foreigners say that doing a homestay is the best way to learn a country's language. It was the same for me when I did a homestay in Canada. At first I was really worried since my English wasn't very good at the time, but after a week of staying with my host family, my English improved greatly. (Written by Kimberly Cantrell) Leaving Japan M: I still can't believe that I'll leave Japan next week. I feel like I arrived here just yesterday! W: Yeah, I never even imagined that I'd be able to stay in Japan in the first place. For me, this is one of my dreams come true. M: Talking about Japan, what's the main reason you like it here? W: Hmm... first of all, I feel very safe here. I can go anywhere at any time without worring that some crazy guy is going to try to hassle me, or steal my bag. M: Hahahaha, you're right. But Japan also has lots of crazy guys and thieves everywhere, I hear. W: Yeah, but compared to back home, Japan is, like, 100 times safer. I hear Japan is one of the ten safest countries in the world. M: OK, that's one issue: safety. What's the other? W: I like how Japanese treat other people. Back home I've never seen such friendly cashiers! And how helpful everybody is! M: Ah, yes. I'll second you on that. I think Japanese are very kind when they meet people. I feel very comfortable being with Japanese. W: And the third reason is that I really love the environment in Japan. M: What do you mean by “the environment”? W: The streets and parks are really clean. And also lots of things are made to be environmentally friendly. For example, eco bags for shopping, separating plastics from burnables, and so on. M: Hey, that brings up a good point: there are not so many garbage bins here, but the environment is so clean. How do they do it? W: Beats me! But those are the three reasons why I love staying here. M: But I think, especially for you, we have to add one more point. W: What's that? M: Your crazy liking of Japanese Entertainment. W: Hahahahaha, I think that reason beats all the others! (Written by Miranti Puti Aisyah) Stereotypes of Japan M: Hey, did you have any weird images of Japan before you came here? W: Hmm… now that you mention it, I had a couple that maybe were wrong. M: Oh, like what? W: For example, I had this huge image that Japan was very technology advanced. You see it all over the media. You know: "Japan invents giant human-looking robot that can fly!" But actually, Japan is very behind when it comes to everyday-technology. M: (laughs) Exactly. I thought the same thing. I feel like everything is 10 years behind here, including the cellphones. For example, they started selling Smartphones in Japan a couple years AFTER they were first sold in the U.S. I was very surprised. W: And another thing: Japan depends more on humans doing work rather than technology. This is good because it gives people jobs, but it kind of just slows everything down. M: True, that. Hmm…what else…Oh! Another image is that my friend thinks that everyone wears kimonos. W: Ha ha ha! I wish. I LOVE kimonos. I love looking at people wearing kimonos. Man: That's creepy… W: I like to admire beauty, Zach. What about the idea of Japanese eating whale and horse meat? M: Hey, I've eaten both of those… W: Um, I did too… I feel guilty admitting it, but they tasted pretty good. M: Shhhh… let's pretend it never happened... (Thinking) Hey, tentacles! W: What? M: You know…Tentacles! W: NOOOO. NONONONO. NO. We're not going there; let's keep this rated PG. M: Hey, we're talking about stereotypes!!!! W: That's one that does not need to be discussed. (Written by Lauren Johnson)

Download MP3 ８月の５週間は、恒例の「超濃縮！やさしい英語会話」です。この８年間に配信した259本の「やさしい英語会話」よりエピソードを厳選し、毎回４本分を濃縮してお届けします。ナチュラルスピードの会話をスクリプトとともにお楽しみください。 最近社会現象になったあのゲームなど、ゲームは世代を問わず人を夢中にさせるもの。今回は"Life Is a Game"をテーマに、パーティでのゲームや言葉のゲームも含めた、様々なゲームの会話を４本選びました。 Image credit: ぱくたそ. （初級〜中級）Drinking Games M: Chizuko! Do you want to go drinking tonight? W: Not really. Matt, you know I hate drinking. M: Come on. Alex is throwing a huge party. I bet lots of guys will come. W: Hmm. Nah. I think I'll pass on tonight. I don't really like drinking. And I hate drunk guys. M: Come on. I promise it'll be fun. If you don't have fun, you never have to come out again. There will be tons of games. W: Hmm. Games? What kind of games? Like Playstation games? M: Not exactly. W: Like Truth or Dare? Or I never? M: No way! Although those would be pretty fun, now that you mention it. There'll be drinking games. You know, like beer pong and flip cup. W: What? What are those? I've never played them before. M: What? I can't believe you never played those games. Every college student in America knows those games. W: Wait, I'm Japanese. I don't count. M: Still, you've been here for four months. W: Fine, tell me how to play. M: OK. Let's see. In beer pong, you try to throw ping pong balls into the other teams' cups. The losing team drinks. W: Yeah. That actually sounds pretty fun if I don't have to drink. OK, I'll go tonight if you're my partner and you drink all of the beers for me. M: No. You have to drink half of the beers. W: Fine. I'll just stay home. M: Fine, I'll drink all of your beers. Man, I'm going to get drunk tonight. W: What is that supposed to mean? Are you saying I'm going to make us lose? M: Maybe. But it's OK. You just have to deal with me after. W: Great. Just don't puke on me or try hitting on me. M: Sorry in advance. Sometimes, I just can't help myself. W: Maybe, I'll just stay home tonight. (Written by Kyle Kumashiro) How Do You Make a Game? M: Hey, Nobuko, how do you make a game? W: You mean a video game, I presume? Um, that's rather difficult. As difficult as creating a movie, maybe even more! Games contain images, sounds, plot, special effects. They also have interactivity. As well as goals, challenges, rewards… M: Whoa-whoa, cut the lecture. Can't you explain simpler? And a little closer to the actual thing? W: I see: no appreciation for the theoretical part? OK, well, basically a game is a compiled computer code together with images, sounds, and other resources it makes use of. M: Uh-huh, so I have to know how to write code? W: I see. No appreciation for the noble art of a software engineer! You don't have to know how to program. There are many game-creating software tools, such as Sploder and Stencyl. Such software already contains all the necessary game components - you only need to put it together in the way you want, like in a construction set. Of course, simplicity comes with a price of fewer possibilities. M: Oh, bummer. World of Warcraft and such are out of the question? W: Most definitely! In general, you won't be able to create anything complex or truly original unless you learn how to code. There are some exceptions to this rule, of course… Wait, actually I don't know any. M: It matters not! I will make my own game, which will be just like Super Mario, but with a cat instead of a plumber. It'll be a huge success. And being a famous game developer, I'll get money, fame, free lunches... you name it! W: I see. A couch potato with tacky dreams, and little respect for other people's intellectual property? Well, good luck! You'll need it. Ciao! M: I wonder why she would get so angry and call me names? It matters not! My fortune is just around the corner. Hey, wait! Isn't it time for my favourite TV drama? I guess I can leave game development for later! (Written by Dmitry Mamchur) Playing the "Would You Rather…" Game M: Hey, I have a good idea. Let's play the ‘Would you rather…” game! W: What's that? M: It's a game where I give you two really BAD situations, and you have to choose which one you'd prefer. W: Ah… That sounds like a horrible game. M: That's sort of the point, though! Alright, I'll start! Hmm… let me think… would you rather live in Antarctica or Death Valley? W: Oh, both are bad. OK… I'll choose Antarctica. At least I could build myself an igloo! Haha… OK. It's my turn now. Um… would you rather be trapped underground, or endlessly float through space? M: Um… I'm claustrophobic, so I choose ‘Endlessly floating through space'. W: I'd probably choose the same. Both are pretty crappy situations, though. M: I'd say! Alright… Would you rather… have a condition that made you sweat 10 times more than usual, or have really bad breath that was incurable? W: Bad breath! Most definitely bad breath! Can I use mints constantly? M: Mints don't work. It's an incurable condition, remember? W: Nooo! Alright, but I'm still sticking with bad breath. I'll just wear a mask for the rest of my life and will be known as the ‘masked beauty'. M: Haaaahhh, you DON'T need to wear a mask to be beautiful. W: Oh, how flattering… M: (laughs) OK, last one! Would you rather… go on a date with me, or go on a date with an old hairy lumberjack? W: Smooth… Um, I'll go with the old hairy lumberjack. M: Wow, what a lucky guy! W: Tomorrow at 7 pm. I'll be waiting outside my apartment. M: Hey, what are you trying to say? That I'm old and hairy? Anyway, I'm looking forward to it! (Written by Lauren Johnson) Are Game Arcades a Waste of Money? W: Hey Greg! What're you doing here? M: Eh? Oh hey Sarah. I just came here to try to win something for my girlfriend from one of these claw machine things. W: You mean UFO Catchers? You know those things are a huge rip-off, right? You really shouldn't be wasting your money on them. M: Ha ha. Yeah, I know they're a rip off, but I really need to win this figurine for my girlfriend! She told me she'd break up with me unless I got it for her for her birthday. W: Geez, why don't you just BUY the figure online if you need it so badly? You're gonna spend more money on this stupid machine than you would actually just buying it online. M: Trust me, I know that. It's just that I can't find this exact one online anywhere. It's a limited edition, and she's gotta have it. W: You know Greg, if I didn't know any better, I'd say your girlfriend is taking advantage of you. M: (Sigh) That may be true, but if I blow it with her, I may be alone for the rest of my life! (Greg begins shaking the machine vigorously) W: You know Greg, there's plenty of other girls out there who would date a guy like you. M: Really? Like who? (Continues to shake the machine as hard as he can) W: (blushes) Um, someone like-- (Sarah gets cut off as an alarm starts sounding from the machine.) Arcade Employee: Hey you! No shaking the machines! Get out of here! M: Ah! All I wanted was to win this stupid figurine! W: (sighs) (The two of them are ushered out of the arcade by a staff member.)　　　 (Written by David Shaner)

Download MP3 ８月の５週間は、恒例の「超濃縮！やさしい英語会話」です。この８年間に配信した259本の「やさしい英語会話」よりエピソードを厳選し、毎回４本分を濃縮してお届けします。ナチュラルスピードの会話をスクリプトとともにお楽しみください。 最近社会現象になったあのゲームなど、ゲームは世代を問わず人を夢中にさせるもの。今回は"Life Is a Game"をテーマに、パーティでのゲームや言葉のゲームも含めた、様々なゲームの会話を４本選びました。 Image credit: ぱくたそ. （初級〜中級）Drinking Games M: Chizuko! Do you want to go drinking tonight? W: Not really. Matt, you know I hate drinking. M: Come on. Alex is throwing a huge party. I bet lots of guys will come. W: Hmm. Nah. I think I'll pass on tonight. I don't really like drinking. And I hate drunk guys. M: Come on. I promise it'll be fun. If you don't have fun, you never have to come out again. There will be tons of games. W: Hmm. Games? What kind of games? Like Playstation games? M: Not exactly. W: Like Truth or Dare? Or I never? M: No way! Although those would be pretty fun, now that you mention it. There'll be drinking games. You know, like beer pong and flip cup. W: What? What are those? I've never played them before. M: What? I can't believe you never played those games. Every college student in America knows those games. W: Wait, I'm Japanese. I don't count. M: Still, you've been here for four months. W: Fine, tell me how to play. M: OK. Let's see. In beer pong, you try to throw ping pong balls into the other teams' cups. The losing team drinks. W: Yeah. That actually sounds pretty fun if I don't have to drink. OK, I'll go tonight if you're my partner and you drink all of the beers for me. M: No. You have to drink half of the beers. W: Fine. I'll just stay home. M: Fine, I'll drink all of your beers. Man, I'm going to get drunk tonight. W: What is that supposed to mean? Are you saying I'm going to make us lose? M: Maybe. But it's OK. You just have to deal with me after. W: Great. Just don't puke on me or try hitting on me. M: Sorry in advance. Sometimes, I just can't help myself. W: Maybe, I'll just stay home tonight. (Written by Kyle Kumashiro) How Do You Make a Game? M: Hey, Nobuko, how do you make a game? W: You mean a video game, I presume? Um, that's rather difficult. As difficult as creating a movie, maybe even more! Games contain images, sounds, plot, special effects. They also have interactivity. As well as goals, challenges, rewards… M: Whoa-whoa, cut the lecture. Can't you explain simpler? And a little closer to the actual thing? W: I see: no appreciation for the theoretical part? OK, well, basically a game is a compiled computer code together with images, sounds, and other resources it makes use of. M: Uh-huh, so I have to know how to write code? W: I see. No appreciation for the noble art of a software engineer! You don't have to know how to program. There are many game-creating software tools, such as Sploder and Stencyl. Such software already contains all the necessary game components - you only need to put it together in the way you want, like in a construction set. Of course, simplicity comes with a price of fewer possibilities. M: Oh, bummer. World of Warcraft and such are out of the question? W: Most definitely! In general, you won't be able to create anything complex or truly original unless you learn how to code. There are some exceptions to this rule, of course… Wait, actually I don't know any. M: It matters not! I will make my own game, which will be just like Super Mario, but with a cat instead of a plumber. It'll be a huge success. And being a famous game developer, I'll get money, fame, free lunches... you name it! W: I see. A couch potato with tacky dreams, and little respect for other people's intellectual property? Well, good luck! You'll need it. Ciao! M: I wonder why she would get so angry and call me names? It matters not! My fortune is just around the corner. Hey, wait! Isn't it time for my favourite TV drama? I guess I can leave game development for later! (Written by Dmitry Mamchur) Playing the "Would You Rather…" Game M: Hey, I have a good idea. Let's play the ‘Would you rather…” game! W: What's that? M: It's a game where I give you two really BAD situations, and you have to choose which one you'd prefer. W: Ah… That sounds like a horrible game. M: That's sort of the point, though! Alright, I'll start! Hmm… let me think… would you rather live in Antarctica or Death Valley? W: Oh, both are bad. OK… I'll choose Antarctica. At least I could build myself an igloo! Haha… OK. It's my turn now. Um… would you rather be trapped underground, or endlessly float through space? M: Um… I'm claustrophobic, so I choose ‘Endlessly floating through space'. W: I'd probably choose the same. Both are pretty crappy situations, though. M: I'd say! Alright… Would you rather… have a condition that made you sweat 10 times more than usual, or have really bad breath that was incurable? W: Bad breath! Most definitely bad breath! Can I use mints constantly? M: Mints don't work. It's an incurable condition, remember? W: Nooo! Alright, but I'm still sticking with bad breath. I'll just wear a mask for the rest of my life and will be known as the ‘masked beauty'. M: Haaaahhh, you DON'T need to wear a mask to be beautiful. W: Oh, how flattering… M: (laughs) OK, last one! Would you rather… go on a date with me, or go on a date with an old hairy lumberjack? W: Smooth… Um, I'll go with the old hairy lumberjack. M: Wow, what a lucky guy! W: Tomorrow at 7 pm. I'll be waiting outside my apartment. M: Hey, what are you trying to say? That I'm old and hairy? Anyway, I'm looking forward to it! (Written by Lauren Johnson) Are Game Arcades a Waste of Money? W: Hey Greg! What're you doing here? M: Eh? Oh hey Sarah. I just came here to try to win something for my girlfriend from one of these claw machine things. W: You mean UFO Catchers? You know those things are a huge rip-off, right? You really shouldn't be wasting your money on them. M: Ha ha. Yeah, I know they're a rip off, but I really need to win this figurine for my girlfriend! She told me she'd break up with me unless I got it for her for her birthday. W: Geez, why don't you just BUY the figure online if you need it so badly? You're gonna spend more money on this stupid machine than you would actually just buying it online. M: Trust me, I know that. It's just that I can't find this exact one online anywhere. It's a limited edition, and she's gotta have it. W: You know Greg, if I didn't know any better, I'd say your girlfriend is taking advantage of you. M: (Sigh) That may be true, but if I blow it with her, I may be alone for the rest of my life! (Greg begins shaking the machine vigorously) W: You know Greg, there's plenty of other girls out there who would date a guy like you. M: Really? Like who? (Continues to shake the machine as hard as he can) W: (blushes) Um, someone like-- (Sarah gets cut off as an alarm starts sounding from the machine.) Arcade Employee: Hey you! No shaking the machines! Get out of here! M: Ah! All I wanted was to win this stupid figurine! W: (sighs) (The two of them are ushered out of the arcade by a staff member.)　　　 (Written by David Shaner)

Download MP3 来月はいよいよ夏休み。リスナーの皆さんの中には、飛行機で海外に出かける計画を立てている人もいらっしゃると思います。 国際線の飛行機で楽しみなのが「機内食」。最近は機内食の質が向上し、エコノミークラスであっても工夫を凝らした機内食を提供する航空会社が増えてきました。それでも人の好みは様々ですから、ちょっと期待はずれの食事に遭遇することもあります。今回の会話の舞台は飛行機の機内ですが、機内食へのかなり辛辣な文句が聞こえてきました…。 （初級〜中級）*** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） to have the courage to 〜 よく〜できたものだ crappy ひどい、おぞましい in charge of 〜担当の to take a stand 主張する edible 食べられる leftover(s) 残り物 to have no choice but 〜せざるを得ない You're such a pig. なんて下品なの。 ※pigには「食べ過ぎの」「汚い」「下品な」の３つの意味がある。 arrogant 傲慢な *** Script *** Delicious Food in Airplanes? W: Ah! How can airline flight attendants have the courage to serve such crappy food! M: Huh? W: You know: they're the ones in charge of passing out all the meals, yet they never take a stand and tell the sky chefs to make something edible. M: Ha ha. Tell me about it. W: Just think, most of those men and women working up in the skies are somebody's parents. Ugh. I'd hate to be their kids! M: Ha ha. You're so mean! W: Maybe. But can you honestly say you'd want a parent who brought home leftovers like that every night? I've been on flights where my o-kayu looked like manjyu, where my chicken tasted like fish, or where my chocolate cake smelled like feet! You CAN'T honestly tell me you'd want to eat that. M: Well, I guess not. W: Exactly! And it's not fair to the passengers who have no choice but to eat that junk! M: Good point. But the flight attendants are usually so cute that I don't really notice what I'm eating! W: Ah! You're such a pig. M: What can I say? The heart wants what the heart wants! W: I just want something edible. M: Then take a stand! Start a protest. Get involved! W: Yeah, because the next thing CNN really wants to cover is a group of arrogant college students complaining that their airline food isn't good enough? Talk about First World problems! M: Well, take it or leave it, I guess. There's not too much you can do. W: Hey, you should become a flight attendant. You're just about as helpful as one! (Written by Matteen Aminpour)

Download MP3 来月はいよいよ夏休み。リスナーの皆さんの中には、飛行機で海外に出かける計画を立てている人もいらっしゃると思います。 国際線の飛行機で楽しみなのが「機内食」。最近は機内食の質が向上し、エコノミークラスであっても工夫を凝らした機内食を提供する航空会社が増えてきました。それでも人の好みは様々ですから、ちょっと期待はずれの食事に遭遇することもあります。今回の会話の舞台は飛行機の機内ですが、機内食へのかなり辛辣な文句が聞こえてきました…。 （初級〜中級）*** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） to have the courage to 〜 よく〜できたものだ crappy ひどい、おぞましい in charge of 〜担当の to take a stand 主張する edible 食べられる leftover(s) 残り物 to have no choice but 〜せざるを得ない You're such a pig. なんて下品なの。 ※pigには「食べ過ぎの」「汚い」「下品な」の３つの意味がある。 arrogant 傲慢な *** Script *** Delicious Food in Airplanes? W: Ah! How can airline flight attendants have the courage to serve such crappy food! M: Huh? W: You know: they're the ones in charge of passing out all the meals, yet they never take a stand and tell the sky chefs to make something edible. M: Ha ha. Tell me about it. W: Just think, most of those men and women working up in the skies are somebody's parents. Ugh. I'd hate to be their kids! M: Ha ha. You're so mean! W: Maybe. But can you honestly say you'd want a parent who brought home leftovers like that every night? I've been on flights where my o-kayu looked like manjyu, where my chicken tasted like fish, or where my chocolate cake smelled like feet! You CAN'T honestly tell me you'd want to eat that. M: Well, I guess not. W: Exactly! And it's not fair to the passengers who have no choice but to eat that junk! M: Good point. But the flight attendants are usually so cute that I don't really notice what I'm eating! W: Ah! You're such a pig. M: What can I say? The heart wants what the heart wants! W: I just want something edible. M: Then take a stand! Start a protest. Get involved! W: Yeah, because the next thing CNN really wants to cover is a group of arrogant college students complaining that their airline food isn't good enough? Talk about First World problems! M: Well, take it or leave it, I guess. There's not too much you can do. W: Hey, you should become a flight attendant. You're just about as helpful as one! (Written by Matteen Aminpour)

Download MP3 好きになった人に気に入られるため、一途な行動をとるのはよくあること。でも、その人がアクティブな「健康おたく」（a fitness freak）だったら、ちょっとついていくのが大変かもしれませんね。 今回登場する男性は、好きな女の子に気に入られようと奮闘する友人の話をしています。会話の男性は、ふだん運動をしない友人が、女の子の「健康おたく」に一生懸命付き合っている様子を笑っていますが…。 （初級〜中級） ※今月も引き続きYouTubeによる配信を試験的に実施しています。上記の画面をクリックして番組をお楽しみください。*** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） ridiculous ばかばかしい highly impossible とても無理な a chain smoker ヘビースモーカー to get winded 息切れする What's THAT supposed to mean? 一体それはどういう意味？ a fitness freak 「健康おたく」 to scale （山に）登る a tricycle 三輪車 That would be the one! まさにその人のことだよ！ to be madly in love with 〜に夢中の She IS like the most popular girl in school, so... 実際、彼女は学校で一番人気ある系の子だから...。 ※ここでのlikeは、間投詞としての「えっと」、あるいは前置詞としての「〜みたいな」としても解釈可能。 to have an effect on に影響がある to act like a desperate loser やけくそな負け犬として振舞う *** Script *** The Things a Guy Will Do for a Girl Situation: Kimberly and Stephen are at the student plaza eating lunch. M: Hey, did you hear about what Suzuki-san is doing during Golden Week? It's ridiculous! W: No, I didn't hear. What's he gonna do? M: Well, I heard from Tammy that she heard from Kazuya that Suzuki-san is going to walk all the way from Hiroshima University to Hokkaido! W: From here to Hokkaido in a week? Walking? That sounds highly impossible. Not only that, but Suzuki-san is a chain smoker. He gets winded just walking from the library to the cafeteria! M: Ha ha. I KNEW you wouldn't understand, Kimberly. W: What's THAT supposed to mean? M: Look, Suzuki-san isn't doing this because he wants to. He's doing it because he got invited to go by Sarah Fisher. W: Sarah Fisher? That fitness freak who scaled Mt. Fuji on a tricycle? M: That would be the one! Suzuki-san's madly in love with her, and he'll do whatever she asks! W: Well, she IS like the most popular girl in school, so it isn't too surprising she has that effect on a guy like him. M: If you ask me, he's just acting like a desperate loser! W: Maybe you're right. (Stephen gets a message on his phone and looks at it.) M: Uhhh, Kimberly, something came up. I gotta go. W: What? I thought you said you were free all day? What is it? M: Sarah Fisher just invited me to free climb the biology building! I gotta go! W: Wait!... Ah! And he said SUZUKI-SAN was a desperate loser? (Written by David Shaner)

Download MP3 好きになった人に気に入られるため、一途な行動をとるのはよくあること。でも、その人がアクティブな「健康おたく」（a fitness freak）だったら、ちょっとついていくのが大変かもしれませんね。 今回登場する男性は、好きな女の子に気に入られようと奮闘する友人の話をしています。会話の男性は、ふだん運動をしない友人が、女の子の「健康おたく」に一生懸命付き合っている様子を笑っていますが…。 （初級〜中級） ※今月も引き続きYouTubeによる配信を試験的に実施しています。上記の画面をクリックして番組をお楽しみください。*** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） ridiculous ばかばかしい highly impossible とても無理な a chain smoker ヘビースモーカー to get winded 息切れする What's THAT supposed to mean? 一体それはどういう意味？ a fitness freak 「健康おたく」 to scale （山に）登る a tricycle 三輪車 That would be the one! まさにその人のことだよ！ to be madly in love with 〜に夢中の She IS like the most popular girl in school, so... 実際、彼女は学校で一番人気ある系の子だから...。 ※ここでのlikeは、間投詞としての「えっと」、あるいは前置詞としての「〜みたいな」としても解釈可能。 to have an effect on に影響がある to act like a desperate loser やけくそな負け犬として振舞う *** Script *** The Things a Guy Will Do for a Girl Situation: Kimberly and Stephen are at the student plaza eating lunch. M: Hey, did you hear about what Suzuki-san is doing during Golden Week? It's ridiculous! W: No, I didn't hear. What's he gonna do? M: Well, I heard from Tammy that she heard from Kazuya that Suzuki-san is going to walk all the way from Hiroshima University to Hokkaido! W: From here to Hokkaido in a week? Walking? That sounds highly impossible. Not only that, but Suzuki-san is a chain smoker. He gets winded just walking from the library to the cafeteria! M: Ha ha. I KNEW you wouldn't understand, Kimberly. W: What's THAT supposed to mean? M: Look, Suzuki-san isn't doing this because he wants to. He's doing it because he got invited to go by Sarah Fisher. W: Sarah Fisher? That fitness freak who scaled Mt. Fuji on a tricycle? M: That would be the one! Suzuki-san's madly in love with her, and he'll do whatever she asks! W: Well, she IS like the most popular girl in school, so it isn't too surprising she has that effect on a guy like him. M: If you ask me, he's just acting like a desperate loser! W: Maybe you're right. (Stephen gets a message on his phone and looks at it.) M: Uhhh, Kimberly, something came up. I gotta go. W: What? I thought you said you were free all day? What is it? M: Sarah Fisher just invited me to free climb the biology building! I gotta go! W: Wait!... Ah! And he said SUZUKI-SAN was a desperate loser? (Written by David Shaner)

JoeとAkariがお届けする「アメリカ探究の旅〜イングリッシュポッドキャスト・英語を学ぶはじめの一歩〜」（Adventure in America）の第32回目です。少し英語が苦手！という皆さんを対象にした、長さもレベルも聞きやすい番組です。しっかり聞いて、しっかり声に出して練習してみましょう。 フロリダと言えば、マイアミなどを始めとするビーチが有名ですね。ディズニーワールドを堪能したジュンとリディアの二人は、フロリダ滞在の最後にビーチに行こう！という話に。冬の寒い季節ですが、ひと時の夏気分をお楽しみください。 Download MP3 （初級） ※毎月第２週目に「アメリカ探究の旅」を配信します。(32) Florida's Beaches フロリダのビーチで夏気分♪ 場面：ディズニーワールドを堪能したジュンとリディアの二人は、滞在の最後にビーチに行くことに。 M: Hey, Lydia. Before we leave Florida, let's go to a beach! I haven't been to a beach in years! W: In years? How come? Japan's an island nation. There must be lots of them! M: Sure, but I'm always busy, so I never have the chance to go. I wish I could go more often, but there's no hope! W: Alright. So we'll go to a beach! Let's see… Miami's famous for its beaches, but that's pretty far south, out of the way. Oh, I know! There's a place called Bonita Beach that my friend told me about. The beach there is supposed to be super, and because it's on the Gulf Coast, the waves aren't too strong. M: Sounds perfect! How far away is it? W: Maybe….2 hours or so? M: Alright! Let's go!!! (Written by Lauren DeCosta)

JoeとAkariがお届けする「アメリカ探究の旅〜イングリッシュポッドキャスト・英語を学ぶはじめの一歩〜」（Adventure in America）の第32回目です。少し英語が苦手！という皆さんを対象にした、長さもレベルも聞きやすい番組です。しっかり聞いて、しっかり声に出して練習してみましょう。 フロリダと言えば、マイアミなどを始めとするビーチが有名ですね。ディズニーワールドを堪能したジュンとリディアの二人は、フロリダ滞在の最後にビーチに行こう！という話に。冬の寒い季節ですが、ひと時の夏気分をお楽しみください。 Download MP3 （初級） ※毎月第２週目に「アメリカ探究の旅」を配信します。(32) Florida's Beaches フロリダのビーチで夏気分♪ 場面：ディズニーワールドを堪能したジュンとリディアの二人は、滞在の最後にビーチに行くことに。 M: Hey, Lydia. Before we leave Florida, let's go to a beach! I haven't been to a beach in years! W: In years? How come? Japan's an island nation. There must be lots of them! M: Sure, but I'm always busy, so I never have the chance to go. I wish I could go more often, but there's no hope! W: Alright. So we'll go to a beach! Let's see… Miami's famous for its beaches, but that's pretty far south, out of the way. Oh, I know! There's a place called Bonita Beach that my friend told me about. The beach there is supposed to be super, and because it's on the Gulf Coast, the waves aren't too strong. M: Sounds perfect! How far away is it? W: Maybe….2 hours or so? M: Alright! Let's go!!! (Written by Lauren DeCosta)

今年度が始まって早くも３週間目を迎えました。今年入学された新入生の皆さん、学生生活は順調でしょうか。 今回の会話では、親元を離れて学生生活を始めた娘に、お父さんが電話をしています。娘の暮らしぶりを心配しているお父さんに対し、娘の返事は…？ Image credit: Adapted from OpenClips via Pixabay. CC0 Public Domain. Download MP3 （初級〜中級）*** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） tremendous = great, fantastic Wanna come home? = Do you want to come home? tennis club テニス部 ※日本語では「サークル」と言うこともあるが、英語ではa circleはあまり使わない。 「テニス部に所属している」はI'm in (the) tennis club. 日本人は"I am a member of..."や "I belong to..."などを用いる傾向があるが、これらよりも"I'm in ..."の方が英語として自然。 a money order 電信為替 an account 銀行口座（a bank account） Ya, she was out, I hear. ああ、あの時は外出中だったみたいだね。 *** Script *** Starting College Life Scenario: A girl has just started college. She talks with her dad on the phone. M: Hi Yanni. How are things going? W: Oh, hi Dad! Everything's fine. What's up with you? M: Oh, nothing special… as usual working at the laboratory. Have you had your lunch today? Its half past two. W: Yeah, Dad. Don't worry. I always eat it on time. M: Tell me about the start of college. How is it? W: Oh, Dad, it's tremendous! I've found a few friends from high school here! M: And about teachers? How are they? W: They're nice too, especially the math teacher. She's so cool! She explains important mathematical problems in an easy way. We all love her. M: What about your adviser? I hear her computer classes are pretty good. W: Maybe, but I don't have any class with her this semester. Hopefully, I'll get in her course next semester. M: Hey, Yanni. What are you doing this weekend? Wanna come home? W: No Dad, I have to go to tennis club. I need to buy some books too. I think I can go home later this month. Please tell Mom not to worry. I'm fine. M: Yanni, did you receive the money order that I sent to your account yesterday? Let me know if you need any more money. I can send you some if needed. W: Thanks Dad. But I'm OK this month. And I did get the money, thanks…. Dad, how's Mom? I called her this morning. She seems to be a little bit busy! M: Ya, she was out, I hear. W: And Dad, what about the garden? Is it fine? I'm missing it! M: It's fine. Your mom takes care of it regularly. W: OK, Dad, I have to go now. My new boyfriend's waiting outside. M: What?   W: Bye! (Written by Azif Zaman and Joe Lauer)

今年度が始まって早くも３週間目を迎えました。今年入学された新入生の皆さん、学生生活は順調でしょうか。 今回の会話では、親元を離れて学生生活を始めた娘に、お父さんが電話をしています。娘の暮らしぶりを心配しているお父さんに対し、娘の返事は…？ Image credit: Adapted from OpenClips via Pixabay. CC0 Public Domain. Download MP3 （初級〜中級）*** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） tremendous = great, fantastic Wanna come home? = Do you want to come home? tennis club テニス部 ※日本語では「サークル」と言うこともあるが、英語ではa circleはあまり使わない。 「テニス部に所属している」はI'm in (the) tennis club. 日本人は"I am a member of..."や "I belong to..."などを用いる傾向があるが、これらよりも"I'm in ..."の方が英語として自然。 a money order 電信為替 an account 銀行口座（a bank account） Ya, she was out, I hear. ああ、あの時は外出中だったみたいだね。 *** Script *** Starting College Life Scenario: A girl has just started college. She talks with her dad on the phone. M: Hi Yanni. How are things going? W: Oh, hi Dad! Everything's fine. What's up with you? M: Oh, nothing special… as usual working at the laboratory. Have you had your lunch today? Its half past two. W: Yeah, Dad. Don't worry. I always eat it on time. M: Tell me about the start of college. How is it? W: Oh, Dad, it's tremendous! I've found a few friends from high school here! M: And about teachers? How are they? W: They're nice too, especially the math teacher. She's so cool! She explains important mathematical problems in an easy way. We all love her. M: What about your adviser? I hear her computer classes are pretty good. W: Maybe, but I don't have any class with her this semester. Hopefully, I'll get in her course next semester. M: Hey, Yanni. What are you doing this weekend? Wanna come home? W: No Dad, I have to go to tennis club. I need to buy some books too. I think I can go home later this month. Please tell Mom not to worry. I'm fine. M: Yanni, did you receive the money order that I sent to your account yesterday? Let me know if you need any more money. I can send you some if needed. W: Thanks Dad. But I'm OK this month. And I did get the money, thanks…. Dad, how's Mom? I called her this morning. She seems to be a little bit busy! M: Ya, she was out, I hear. W: And Dad, what about the garden? Is it fine? I'm missing it! M: It's fine. Your mom takes care of it regularly. W: OK, Dad, I have to go now. My new boyfriend's waiting outside. M: What?   W: Bye! (Written by Azif Zaman and Joe Lauer)

８月は、この６年間に配信した207本の「やさしい英語会話」よりエピソードを厳選し、毎回４本分を濃縮してお届けします。ナチュラルスピードの会話を、スクリプトとともにお楽しみください。ウェブ上で元のエピソードを検索して、解説を聞くこともできます。 最終回の今回は"College Life: Ups and Downs"（大学生活いろいろ）をテーマに、「やさしい英語会話」でよく登場する大学生活に関する会話を選びました。一人暮らしの苦労話、宿題を提出できない学生の言い訳、さらには日米の大学事情の違いまで、どうかお楽しみください！ Image credit: tpsdave via Pixabay Public Domain CC0. Download MP3 スマートフォン用（テスト中） （8:42　8.5MB　中級〜上級）1. やさしい英語会話 (61) College M: Hey, why do you look so glum? W: Just thinking. M: About? W: College life. M: Aren't you excited? We're finally on our own! W: That's just it. We're on our own now. We've taken so many things for granted until now. M: Like what? W: Free meals. I can't cook to save my life, but my Mom always made dinner the best part of my day. M: You can just go to McDonalds or something. You're free to do whatever you please! W: It's not as simple as picking what you want to eat. We have to pay for it out of our own pockets now. M: Don't your parents give you money? It's no different from an allowance. W: Well, mine just told me to get a job. They're cutting my allowance. M: That's harsh. What are you going to do? W: Face the music. I'm becoming an adult and its time that I start acting like one. M: You're growing up too fast for me. W: Or maybe you're not growing up at all? M: Hey, that's deep. W: I know. Oh, that reminds me, you going to the party at the Frat House? M: What happened to all that talk about acting like an adult? W: I figure I have a couple of more years to grow up, so why spoil it now. I'm young and free. Why be tied down by responsibility? M: Well, that didn't last long. Hey, lets go! (Written by Tijan Nicholson) 2. やさしい英語会話 (70) Handing in Homework M: Umm…Ms. Yamada? I’m sorry. I can’t hand in my homework today. Um, I think…the sheep took it from my bag on my way to school. W: What? How can sheep take your homework? You forgot your homework last week as well. Calvin, you need to work harder. M: I didn’t forget it last week. Last week… my dog ate it all up! W: Yeah, yeah, yeah…Calvin, you need to take more responsibility for what you do when you go to college or the workplace. You could get kicked out of school, or even lose your job! M: OK…but I’m still a kid. W: You’re already 18!! You’ll be out in the work force soon! Now, I want you to sit here and write “I’LL HAND IN MY HOMEWORK NEXT WEEK” 100 times. M: What!? Now? Here? W: Yes. Just sit here, write them on this paper. M: (in an adult-like way) Um, Ms. Yamada, I think this is meaningless. There is no guarantee that I’ll hand in my homework next week even if I write that sentence 100 times. It’s just a waste of time, paper, and ink. You will pollute the earth by making me do this thing. W: ……Calvin, that was the most logical thing I’ve heard you say in the last 10 months! M: Yeah?? So…can I go now? W: No. Now, I’d like to hear your story more. How can I get you to hand in last week’s homework? M: (in an adult-like way) Ms. Yamada, you need to keep moving forward. Some people say we should learn from the past, but I don’t think that’s always the case. We shouldn’t let the past pull us down. There is no future behind us; it’s ahead of us! So just forget about it and let’s move on! W: No! Now, you do last week’s homework right here, right now, and hand it in. Is that clear? M: Yes, Ms. Yamada. (Written by Ayumi Furutani) 3. やさしい英語会話 (162) A Boring Class Situation: 2 students are talking quietly during a class lecture. W: Hey, Ray, if you had only 14 minutes left to live, what would you do? M: Hmm… That's a tough one. I think I'd try to get to the high ground. When I was a kid, I used to spend summers at my grandparents' place, a small village in the mountains. One time I found this awesome rock. When I lay on that rock, the deep blue sky stretched endlessly all around. W: And, as I imagine, you would go directly to the sky from that rock? M: Exactly! What about you? W: I would behave like nothing's gonna happen. Cook my meal, surf the Internet, sit on the toilet. I mean, that's what my life is about, right? And I don't want it any other way. M: You have a point, unlike a certain person here. W: Mr. Jones IS a guru of boring lectures! Look how many students have fallen asleep under his hypnotizing gaze! 18 out of 20! M: Ha-ha, no way! Wait, are we the only ones awake now? W: Yep. M: And he doesn't seem to have a clue. How is that even possible? W: Maybe his sleeping magic backfired? Somniloquy in action! M: Hey, talking in your sleep is just one of the lesser wonders you can witness in class early on a Monday morning. W: Other wonders include a mass disappearance and/or a mass hangover! M: Anyway, what's with the question about the final 14 minutes? W: Oh, that's easy. Look at the clock. What do you see? M: As a student craving a cup of foul vending-machine coffee more than anything in the world, I see only how much time is left till the end of this lecture. And that is... exactly 13 minutes! Ah, got it. W: Now it's your turn to come up with a conversation topic we could use to pass the remaining, almost infinite amount of time! M: Hmm, what would you do if you had only 13 minutes left to live? (Written by Dmitry Mamchur) 4. やさしい英語会話 (202) Drinking In Class M: Hey! What are you doing?! W: (gulp, gulp) Um…drinking coffee? M: Hey, we're in the middle of class!! W: And that is related to this conversation how? M: You can't drink in the middle of a lecture! W: Really? Not even water, or coffee? M: No! W: Oh, that's strange… M: Why? Can you drink during class in America? W: Of course! You can drink water, tea, coffee, almost anything. Depending on the teacher and how discreet you are, you can even eat snacks! M: No way! You gotta be kidding. W: Well, sometimes there are a couple of teachers that won't let you drink or eat anything. But most teachers are very understanding, and even drink water or coffee themselves. M: Wow, that certainly sounds nice. W: Yes, but I've seen a few students fall asleep in the middle of a lecture here in Japan, and if that happened in a lecture in America the teacher would be furious! M: Is that so? Hmm, I guess it's give and take, though I could really go for something to eat now over taking a nap! W: Well, we only have about ten more minutes left in class, so I'm guessing we can both hold out for a few more minutes. M: True. Hey, do you want to catch some lunch after this? Maybe even head off campus and eat some curry? W: Sure, sounds good! Although I think maybe we should quiet down, the teacher's glaring at us and walking this way! (Written by Matthew Bola)

８月は、この６年間に配信した207本の「やさしい英語会話」よりエピソードを厳選し、毎回４本分を濃縮してお届けします。ナチュラルスピードの会話を、スクリプトとともにお楽しみください。ウェブ上で元のエピソードを検索して、解説を聞くこともできます。 最終回の今回は"College Life: Ups and Downs"（大学生活いろいろ）をテーマに、「やさしい英語会話」でよく登場する大学生活に関する会話を選びました。一人暮らしの苦労話、宿題を提出できない学生の言い訳、さらには日米の大学事情の違いまで、どうかお楽しみください！ Image credit: tpsdave via Pixabay Public Domain CC0. Download MP3 スマートフォン用（テスト中） （8:42　8.5MB　中級〜上級）1. やさしい英語会話 (61) College M: Hey, why do you look so glum? W: Just thinking. M: About? W: College life. M: Aren't you excited? We're finally on our own! W: That's just it. We're on our own now. We've taken so many things for granted until now. M: Like what? W: Free meals. I can't cook to save my life, but my Mom always made dinner the best part of my day. M: You can just go to McDonalds or something. You're free to do whatever you please! W: It's not as simple as picking what you want to eat. We have to pay for it out of our own pockets now. M: Don't your parents give you money? It's no different from an allowance. W: Well, mine just told me to get a job. They're cutting my allowance. M: That's harsh. What are you going to do? W: Face the music. I'm becoming an adult and its time that I start acting like one. M: You're growing up too fast for me. W: Or maybe you're not growing up at all? M: Hey, that's deep. W: I know. Oh, that reminds me, you going to the party at the Frat House? M: What happened to all that talk about acting like an adult? W: I figure I have a couple of more years to grow up, so why spoil it now. I'm young and free. Why be tied down by responsibility? M: Well, that didn't last long. Hey, lets go! (Written by Tijan Nicholson) 2. やさしい英語会話 (70) Handing in Homework M: Umm…Ms. Yamada? I’m sorry. I can’t hand in my homework today. Um, I think…the sheep took it from my bag on my way to school. W: What? How can sheep take your homework? You forgot your homework last week as well. Calvin, you need to work harder. M: I didn’t forget it last week. Last week… my dog ate it all up! W: Yeah, yeah, yeah…Calvin, you need to take more responsibility for what you do when you go to college or the workplace. You could get kicked out of school, or even lose your job! M: OK…but I’m still a kid. W: You’re already 18!! You’ll be out in the work force soon! Now, I want you to sit here and write “I’LL HAND IN MY HOMEWORK NEXT WEEK” 100 times. M: What!? Now? Here? W: Yes. Just sit here, write them on this paper. M: (in an adult-like way) Um, Ms. Yamada, I think this is meaningless. There is no guarantee that I’ll hand in my homework next week even if I write that sentence 100 times. It’s just a waste of time, paper, and ink. You will pollute the earth by making me do this thing. W: ……Calvin, that was the most logical thing I’ve heard you say in the last 10 months! M: Yeah?? So…can I go now? W: No. Now, I’d like to hear your story more. How can I get you to hand in last week’s homework? M: (in an adult-like way) Ms. Yamada, you need to keep moving forward. Some people say we should learn from the past, but I don’t think that’s always the case. We shouldn’t let the past pull us down. There is no future behind us; it’s ahead of us! So just forget about it and let’s move on! W: No! Now, you do last week’s homework right here, right now, and hand it in. Is that clear? M: Yes, Ms. Yamada. (Written by Ayumi Furutani) 3. やさしい英語会話 (162) A Boring Class Situation: 2 students are talking quietly during a class lecture. W: Hey, Ray, if you had only 14 minutes left to live, what would you do? M: Hmm… That's a tough one. I think I'd try to get to the high ground. When I was a kid, I used to spend summers at my grandparents' place, a small village in the mountains. One time I found this awesome rock. When I lay on that rock, the deep blue sky stretched endlessly all around. W: And, as I imagine, you would go directly to the sky from that rock? M: Exactly! What about you? W: I would behave like nothing's gonna happen. Cook my meal, surf the Internet, sit on the toilet. I mean, that's what my life is about, right? And I don't want it any other way. M: You have a point, unlike a certain person here. W: Mr. Jones IS a guru of boring lectures! Look how many students have fallen asleep under his hypnotizing gaze! 18 out of 20! M: Ha-ha, no way! Wait, are we the only ones awake now? W: Yep. M: And he doesn't seem to have a clue. How is that even possible? W: Maybe his sleeping magic backfired? Somniloquy in action! M: Hey, talking in your sleep is just one of the lesser wonders you can witness in class early on a Monday morning. W: Other wonders include a mass disappearance and/or a mass hangover! M: Anyway, what's with the question about the final 14 minutes? W: Oh, that's easy. Look at the clock. What do you see? M: As a student craving a cup of foul vending-machine coffee more than anything in the world, I see only how much time is left till the end of this lecture. And that is... exactly 13 minutes! Ah, got it. W: Now it's your turn to come up with a conversation topic we could use to pass the remaining, almost infinite amount of time! M: Hmm, what would you do if you had only 13 minutes left to live? (Written by Dmitry Mamchur) 4. やさしい英語会話 (202) Drinking In Class M: Hey! What are you doing?! W: (gulp, gulp) Um…drinking coffee? M: Hey, we're in the middle of class!! W: And that is related to this conversation how? M: You can't drink in the middle of a lecture! W: Really? Not even water, or coffee? M: No! W: Oh, that's strange… M: Why? Can you drink during class in America? W: Of course! You can drink water, tea, coffee, almost anything. Depending on the teacher and how discreet you are, you can even eat snacks! M: No way! You gotta be kidding. W: Well, sometimes there are a couple of teachers that won't let you drink or eat anything. But most teachers are very understanding, and even drink water or coffee themselves. M: Wow, that certainly sounds nice. W: Yes, but I've seen a few students fall asleep in the middle of a lecture here in Japan, and if that happened in a lecture in America the teacher would be furious! M: Is that so? Hmm, I guess it's give and take, though I could really go for something to eat now over taking a nap! W: Well, we only have about ten more minutes left in class, so I'm guessing we can both hold out for a few more minutes. M: True. Hey, do you want to catch some lunch after this? Maybe even head off campus and eat some curry? W: Sure, sounds good! Although I think maybe we should quiet down, the teacher's glaring at us and walking this way! (Written by Matthew Bola)

今回は、会話の男女が「高い所からのジャンプ」に挑戦します。プールでの高飛び込みや、ニュージーランドで有名なバンジージャンプ（写真）など、スポーツやレジャーとして高所からのダイビングを楽しめる場所があります。事故の起こらないよう、ルールをしっかりと守って楽しむことが肝心ですね。 今回は会話で使われるいわゆる俗語表現も多く登場します。"Kawabangaa", "Bite the bullet."などの使いやすいものから、ちょっと使うのが憚られるようなimpoliteなものまでありますが、皆さんはどのぐらいご存知ですか？ Download MP3 （18:59　11MB　初級～中級）やさしい英語会話 (167) Jumping from High Places （18:59　11MB） *** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） awful = very much ※通例awfulは「ひどい」という意味の形容詞だが、ここでの品詞は副詞。 rusty = 錆び付いた Kawabangaa = （米俗語）おりゃぁぁっ！ ※どこかへ跳ね上がったり、飛び込んだりする時の叫び声。Cowabunga、Kowabungaとも。 （参考）http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/カワバンガ But I couldn't breath for, like, 30 seconds, woman! = 30秒は息ができなかったよ！ ※womanは相手の女性への呼びかけとして使われている。通常は男女問わずmanを使い、womanが用いられることはない。ここではユーモラスに使われている。 to partake in = to take part in ※もともとフォーマルな表現で、俗語の多い本会話においては逆にコミカルである。 agonizing = 苦しんでいる That's for damn sure. = （俗語）That's really true. ※"damn"はimpoliteな語なので注意。 an interval of time = a period of time to meet one's judgment = 判決が下る excruciating =terrible, agonizing immense = very big a feat = 技 Cut the crap. = （俗語）くだらんことを言うな。 ※impoliteな表現なので注意。 ちなみに"crap"（糞）と"clap"（拍手をする）の発音を間違えないようにしよう。 Bite the bullet. = 歯を食いしばれ。 ※to bite the bulletで「嫌なことを我慢する、敢然と立ち向かう」 Off you go! = さあ、行け！ *** Script *** (Slow speed) 02:25-04:45 (Natural speed) 14:05-16:00 Jumping from High Places Situation: Two people are jumping from a cliff into deep water. W: Maybe it WAS a bad idea, after all. M: You mean, now that we're at the top, 12 meters feel like an AWFUL long way to fall? W: That, and signs saying "Danger!" and "Don't jump!" M: Come on! A couple of old rusty signs. We made it this far! Ladies first, by the way. W: If I survive, I'll get back at you. Here goes nothing! Ah!!!! M: Now I don't have a choice, do I? Kawabangaa!!!! W: Hey, are you alright? M: Not at all. I landed on my back. I didn't know water could be this hard? W: Hey, I heard that you might break a bone if you fell on a floating newspaper from more than 3 meters high. Consider yourself lucky it was only water! M: But I couldn't breath for, like, 30 seconds, woman! And when I finally partook in the delicious oxygen, I'm sure I sounded like an agonizing elephant! W: Quit complaining and tell me what it was like - hanging in midair for almost 4 seconds. M: Those were the longest 4 seconds in my entire life, that's for damn sure. The amount of fear you experience in such a short interval of time is unbelievable. W: Same here. I was like "not yet? not yet? still not yet?!" and then - finally - water kicked me in the feet. Or, I kicked it. I'm not sure. M: The moment my back met its judgment I felt both an excruciating pain and an immense relief. And one more thing… W: Ha-ha, I know exactly what are you talking about. M: Do you, now? Let's repeat the feat, then. W: Only this time, gentlemen first. M: Uh-oh, why don't we jump together? W: Cut the crap, bite the bullet, and off you go! (Written by Dmitry Mamchur)

今回は、会話の男女が「高い所からのジャンプ」に挑戦します。プールでの高飛び込みや、ニュージーランドで有名なバンジージャンプ（写真）など、スポーツやレジャーとして高所からのダイビングを楽しめる場所があります。事故の起こらないよう、ルールをしっかりと守って楽しむことが肝心ですね。 今回は会話で使われるいわゆる俗語表現も多く登場します。"Kawabangaa", "Bite the bullet."などの使いやすいものから、ちょっと使うのが憚られるようなimpoliteなものまでありますが、皆さんはどのぐらいご存知ですか？ Download MP3 （18:59　11MB　初級～中級）やさしい英語会話 (167) Jumping from High Places （18:59　11MB） *** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） awful = very much ※通例awfulは「ひどい」という意味の形容詞だが、ここでの品詞は副詞。 rusty = 錆び付いた Kawabangaa = （米俗語）おりゃぁぁっ！ ※どこかへ跳ね上がったり、飛び込んだりする時の叫び声。Cowabunga、Kowabungaとも。 （参考）http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/カワバンガ But I couldn't breath for, like, 30 seconds, woman! = 30秒は息ができなかったよ！ ※womanは相手の女性への呼びかけとして使われている。通常は男女問わずmanを使い、womanが用いられることはない。ここではユーモラスに使われている。 to partake in = to take part in ※もともとフォーマルな表現で、俗語の多い本会話においては逆にコミカルである。 agonizing = 苦しんでいる That's for damn sure. = （俗語）That's really true. ※"damn"はimpoliteな語なので注意。 an interval of time = a period of time to meet one's judgment = 判決が下る excruciating =terrible, agonizing immense = very big a feat = 技 Cut the crap. = （俗語）くだらんことを言うな。 ※impoliteな表現なので注意。 ちなみに"crap"（糞）と"clap"（拍手をする）の発音を間違えないようにしよう。 Bite the bullet. = 歯を食いしばれ。 ※to bite the bulletで「嫌なことを我慢する、敢然と立ち向かう」 Off you go! = さあ、行け！ *** Script *** (Slow speed) 02:25-04:45 (Natural speed) 14:05-16:00 Jumping from High Places Situation: Two people are jumping from a cliff into deep water. W: Maybe it WAS a bad idea, after all. M: You mean, now that we're at the top, 12 meters feel like an AWFUL long way to fall? W: That, and signs saying "Danger!" and "Don't jump!" M: Come on! A couple of old rusty signs. We made it this far! Ladies first, by the way. W: If I survive, I'll get back at you. Here goes nothing! Ah!!!! M: Now I don't have a choice, do I? Kawabangaa!!!! W: Hey, are you alright? M: Not at all. I landed on my back. I didn't know water could be this hard? W: Hey, I heard that you might break a bone if you fell on a floating newspaper from more than 3 meters high. Consider yourself lucky it was only water! M: But I couldn't breath for, like, 30 seconds, woman! And when I finally partook in the delicious oxygen, I'm sure I sounded like an agonizing elephant! W: Quit complaining and tell me what it was like - hanging in midair for almost 4 seconds. M: Those were the longest 4 seconds in my entire life, that's for damn sure. The amount of fear you experience in such a short interval of time is unbelievable. W: Same here. I was like "not yet? not yet? still not yet?!" and then - finally - water kicked me in the feet. Or, I kicked it. I'm not sure. M: The moment my back met its judgment I felt both an excruciating pain and an immense relief. And one more thing… W: Ha-ha, I know exactly what are you talking about. M: Do you, now? Let's repeat the feat, then. W: Only this time, gentlemen first. M: Uh-oh, why don't we jump together? W: Cut the crap, bite the bullet, and off you go! (Written by Dmitry Mamchur)

本日は、学生さんには共感を呼びそうですが、先生にとってはちょっと複雑な、そんな話題を取り上げます。 大学発のポッドキャストですから、授業中の居眠りは言語道断！で話を終えたいところですが、時には体調がすぐれなかったり、自分の興味に合わなかったりして、机に座っていることが苦痛なこともあるかも知れません。 余談ですがそんな時には、少しだけ気分転換をしてみるのもよいかも知れません。おすすめは、授業そのものをじっと観察し、研究してみること。あるいは本ポッドキャストのリスナーの学生さんなら、先生の話を頭の中で簡単な英語に通訳してみるのも、英語の練習にもなって一石二鳥ですね。 今回の会話は、そんな授業中の一こま。自分たち二人しか起きていないような凄まじい授業で、どうやら私語をしている様子。私語は学生の皆さんには決してまねをしないでほしいのですが、このポッドキャストでは彼らの話に耳を傾けてみましょうか・・・。 今回お借りした素材 写真：Ashinari 効果音：Freesound.org Download MP3 （16:44　9.7MB　初級～中級）やさしい英語会話 (162) A Boring Class *** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） The deep blue sky stretched endlessly all around. = 紺碧の空が一面に果てしなく広がっていた to behave like S + V = 〜のようにふるまう You have a point. = それ一理あるね。 a guru of 〜 = 〜の達人 a hypnotizing gaze = 人を催眠術にかけるようなまなざし not have a clue = do not know his sleeping magic backfired = 彼の催眠術は彼自身にも跳ね返ってきた （自分自身もかかってしまった） Somniloquy = 寝言（発音注意） wonders = 不思議なこと a mass disappearance = 大勢が姿を消すこと a mass hangover = 大勢の学生が二日酔いであること to crave a cup of foul vending-machine coffee = マズい自販機のやつでいいからコーヒーが飲みたくてたまらない ※to craveは「〜を強く望む」の意味だが、ふつうは同じ意味のto have a craving for〜の方がよく使われる。foulは「ぞっとするような」 *** Script *** (Slow speed) 02:05-04:30 (Natural speed) 12:30-14:25 A Boring Class Situation: 2 students are talking quietly during a class lecture. W: Hey, Ray, if you had only 14 minutes left to live, what would you do? M: Hmm… That's a tough one. I think I'd try to get to the high ground. When I was a kid, I used to spend summers at my grandparents' place, a small village in the mountains. One time I found this awesome rock. When I lay on that rock, the deep blue sky stretched endlessly all around. W: And, as I imagine, you would go directly to the sky from that rock? M: Exactly! What about you? W: I would behave like nothing's gonna happen. Cook my meal, surf the Internet, sit on the toilet. I mean, that's what my life is about, right? And I don't want it any other way. M: You have a point, unlike a certain person here. W: Mr. Jones IS a guru of boring lectures! Look how many students have fallen asleep under his hypnotizing gaze! 18 out of 20! M: Ha-ha, no way! Wait, are we the only ones awake now? W: Yep. M: And he doesn't seem to have a clue. How is that even possible? W: Maybe his sleeping magic backfired? Somniloquy in action! M: Hey, talking in your sleep is just one of the lesser wonders you can witness in class early on a Monday morning. W: Other wonders include a mass disappearance and/or a mass hangover! M: Anyway, what's with the question about the final 14 minutes? W: Oh, that's easy. Look at the clock. What do you see? M: As a student craving a cup of foul vending-machine coffee more than anything in the world, I see only how much time is left till the end of this lecture. And that is... exactly 13 minutes! Ah, got it. W: Now it's your turn to come up with a conversation topic we could use to pass the remaining, almost infinite amount of time! M: Hmm, what would you do if you had only 13 minutes left to live? (Written by Dmitry Mamchur)

本日は、学生さんには共感を呼びそうですが、先生にとってはちょっと複雑な、そんな話題を取り上げます。 大学発のポッドキャストですから、授業中の居眠りは言語道断！で話を終えたいところですが、時には体調がすぐれなかったり、自分の興味に合わなかったりして、机に座っていることが苦痛なこともあるかも知れません。 余談ですがそんな時には、少しだけ気分転換をしてみるのもよいかも知れません。おすすめは、授業そのものをじっと観察し、研究してみること。あるいは本ポッドキャストのリスナーの学生さんなら、先生の話を頭の中で簡単な英語に通訳してみるのも、英語の練習にもなって一石二鳥ですね。 今回の会話は、そんな授業中の一こま。自分たち二人しか起きていないような凄まじい授業で、どうやら私語をしている様子。私語は学生の皆さんには決してまねをしないでほしいのですが、このポッドキャストでは彼らの話に耳を傾けてみましょうか・・・。 今回お借りした素材 写真：Ashinari 効果音：Freesound.org Download MP3 （16:44　9.7MB　初級～中級）やさしい英語会話 (162) A Boring Class *** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） The deep blue sky stretched endlessly all around. = 紺碧の空が一面に果てしなく広がっていた to behave like S + V = 〜のようにふるまう You have a point. = それ一理あるね。 a guru of 〜 = 〜の達人 a hypnotizing gaze = 人を催眠術にかけるようなまなざし not have a clue = do not know his sleeping magic backfired = 彼の催眠術は彼自身にも跳ね返ってきた （自分自身もかかってしまった） Somniloquy = 寝言（発音注意） wonders = 不思議なこと a mass disappearance = 大勢が姿を消すこと a mass hangover = 大勢の学生が二日酔いであること to crave a cup of foul vending-machine coffee = マズい自販機のやつでいいからコーヒーが飲みたくてたまらない ※to craveは「〜を強く望む」の意味だが、ふつうは同じ意味のto have a craving for〜の方がよく使われる。foulは「ぞっとするような」 *** Script *** (Slow speed) 02:05-04:30 (Natural speed) 12:30-14:25 A Boring Class Situation: 2 students are talking quietly during a class lecture. W: Hey, Ray, if you had only 14 minutes left to live, what would you do? M: Hmm… That's a tough one. I think I'd try to get to the high ground. When I was a kid, I used to spend summers at my grandparents' place, a small village in the mountains. One time I found this awesome rock. When I lay on that rock, the deep blue sky stretched endlessly all around. W: And, as I imagine, you would go directly to the sky from that rock? M: Exactly! What about you? W: I would behave like nothing's gonna happen. Cook my meal, surf the Internet, sit on the toilet. I mean, that's what my life is about, right? And I don't want it any other way. M: You have a point, unlike a certain person here. W: Mr. Jones IS a guru of boring lectures! Look how many students have fallen asleep under his hypnotizing gaze! 18 out of 20! M: Ha-ha, no way! Wait, are we the only ones awake now? W: Yep. M: And he doesn't seem to have a clue. How is that even possible? W: Maybe his sleeping magic backfired? Somniloquy in action! M: Hey, talking in your sleep is just one of the lesser wonders you can witness in class early on a Monday morning. W: Other wonders include a mass disappearance and/or a mass hangover! M: Anyway, what's with the question about the final 14 minutes? W: Oh, that's easy. Look at the clock. What do you see? M: As a student craving a cup of foul vending-machine coffee more than anything in the world, I see only how much time is left till the end of this lecture. And that is... exactly 13 minutes! Ah, got it. W: Now it's your turn to come up with a conversation topic we could use to pass the remaining, almost infinite amount of time! M: Hmm, what would you do if you had only 13 minutes left to live? (Written by Dmitry Mamchur)

今回から新たに２人のアシスタントに加わってもらいます。まず今週はInoriさんに登場してもらいます。リスナーのみなさまには、新メンバーが加わったHiroshima University's English Podcastを今後ともどうかよろしくお願いします。 今回のテーマはイースター（Easter、復活祭）。イエスキリストが十字架にかけられて（be crucified）３日めに復活したことを祝うもので、2012年は4月8日（東方教会では4月15日）の日曜日です。西欧文化では大きな意味を持つイースターですが、クリスチャンでなくてもイースター・エッグやイースター・バニーなどについてご存知の方も多いのではないでしょうか。 会話ではイギリスでのイースターの過ごし方が話題になっています。イギリス英語特有の興味深い表現もどうぞお楽しみください。 今回お借りした素材 画像：Open ClipArt Library BGM：パブリックドメイン・クラシック Download MP3 （19:02　11MB　初級～中級） Easter *** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） pretty nice =relatively nice Whatever you say. =君が何と言おうと；別に何でもいいよ ※興味がないことに対する投げやりな返答 loads of =lots of way bigger (way + 比較級) = much bigger I always try and make mine last =I always try to make mine last =自分のものを長もちさせるための工夫をする ※try and do（～しようとする）go and do（～しに行く）come and do（～しに来る）のように、to不定詞の意味でandを使うのは口語表現 the Queen decides / Probably the Queen decided. (British English) =女王様がそう決めたんでしょ ※答えがわからない時におどけて使う to pull one's leg =～をからかう ※日本語表現の「足を引っ張る」の意味はない supposedly =probably learnt (British English) =learned (American English) Religious Studies =宗教学（の授業） Me, neither. =私もそうではありません ※Me, too.との使い分けに注意。 a school term =学期 cf. a semester holidays (British English) =休暇 ("vacation" in American English) a Bank Holiday (British English) = 祝祭日 ("a national holiday" in American English) *** Script *** (Slow speed) 03:55-06:10 (Natural speed) 15:05-16:55 Situation: A brother and sister are in their house with their family. M: Aaaah, I love Easter! So much chocolate! W: And the whole family gets together. That's pretty nice, isn't it? M: Whatever you say. I just like the chocolate! W: Talking about chocolate, you got LOADS of eggs this year. You always get more than me! M: That's so not true! Last year you got extra from Dad because you fixed his computer. W: Yeah, but the year before that the one you got from Grandma was way bigger than mine. And it had four extra chocolate bars inside. M: Oh, yeah. That was a good year. I finished it all in a week! W: I always try and make mine last as long as possible, but it all seems to disappear very quickly. M: I know the feeling. Hey, do you know why the date of Easter changes every year? W: Someone told me the Queen decides. M: Haha! I think they were pulling your leg. I mean, it has to be on a Sunday, right? Because, supposedly, it was Friday when Jesus was crucified and then Sunday when he "rose again"… W: Yeah, we learnt that in Religious Studies at school. I wasn't listening much, though. M: Me neither. But then it's not even the same Sunday every year either – sometimes it's in March and sometimes it's even at the end of April. W: Maybe it's based on some kind of old Christian calendar system. M: That would make sense. W: I always thought it was kind of weird how the school term changes so much just because of when Easter is. We always get two weeks of holiday around Easter, no matter when it is! M: Don't complain, at least we get a holiday! W: Yeah, I guess so. And everyone gets a holiday on Easter Monday too, that's a Bank Holiday. M: I bet it's going to rain. It always rains on Bank Holidays. W: Well, yeah, this IS England we're talking about! (Written by Anna Hill)

今回から新たに２人のアシスタントに加わってもらいます。まず今週はInoriさんに登場してもらいます。リスナーのみなさまには、新メンバーが加わったHiroshima University's English Podcastを今後ともどうかよろしくお願いします。 今回のテーマはイースター（Easter、復活祭）。イエスキリストが十字架にかけられて（be crucified）３日めに復活したことを祝うもので、2012年は4月8日（東方教会では4月15日）の日曜日です。西欧文化では大きな意味を持つイースターですが、クリスチャンでなくてもイースター・エッグやイースター・バニーなどについてご存知の方も多いのではないでしょうか。 会話ではイギリスでのイースターの過ごし方が話題になっています。イギリス英語特有の興味深い表現もどうぞお楽しみください。 今回お借りした素材 画像：Open ClipArt Library BGM：パブリックドメイン・クラシック Download MP3 （19:02　11MB　初級～中級） Easter *** It's a Good Expression *** （今回の重要表現） pretty nice =relatively nice Whatever you say. =君が何と言おうと；別に何でもいいよ ※興味がないことに対する投げやりな返答 loads of =lots of way bigger (way + 比較級) = much bigger I always try and make mine last =I always try to make mine last =自分のものを長もちさせるための工夫をする ※try and do（～しようとする）go and do（～しに行く）come and do（～しに来る）のように、to不定詞の意味でandを使うのは口語表現 the Queen decides / Probably the Queen decided. (British English) =女王様がそう決めたんでしょ ※答えがわからない時におどけて使う to pull one's leg =～をからかう ※日本語表現の「足を引っ張る」の意味はない supposedly =probably learnt (British English) =learned (American English) Religious Studies =宗教学（の授業） Me, neither. =私もそうではありません ※Me, too.との使い分けに注意。 a school term =学期 cf. a semester holidays (British English) =休暇 ("vacation" in American English) a Bank Holiday (British English) = 祝祭日 ("a national holiday" in American English) *** Script *** (Slow speed) 03:55-06:10 (Natural speed) 15:05-16:55 Situation: A brother and sister are in their house with their family. M: Aaaah, I love Easter! So much chocolate! W: And the whole family gets together. That's pretty nice, isn't it? M: Whatever you say. I just like the chocolate! W: Talking about chocolate, you got LOADS of eggs this year. You always get more than me! M: That's so not true! Last year you got extra from Dad because you fixed his computer. W: Yeah, but the year before that the one you got from Grandma was way bigger than mine. And it had four extra chocolate bars inside. M: Oh, yeah. That was a good year. I finished it all in a week! W: I always try and make mine last as long as possible, but it all seems to disappear very quickly. M: I know the feeling. Hey, do you know why the date of Easter changes every year? W: Someone told me the Queen decides. M: Haha! I think they were pulling your leg. I mean, it has to be on a Sunday, right? Because, supposedly, it was Friday when Jesus was crucified and then Sunday when he "rose again"… W: Yeah, we learnt that in Religious Studies at school. I wasn't listening much, though. M: Me neither. But then it's not even the same Sunday every year either – sometimes it's in March and sometimes it's even at the end of April. W: Maybe it's based on some kind of old Christian calendar system. M: That would make sense. W: I always thought it was kind of weird how the school term changes so much just because of when Easter is. We always get two weeks of holiday around Easter, no matter when it is! M: Don't complain, at least we get a holiday! W: Yeah, I guess so. And everyone gets a holiday on Easter Monday too, that's a Bank Holiday. M: I bet it's going to rain. It always rains on Bank Holidays. W: Well, yeah, this IS England we're talking about! (Written by Anna Hill)

今年も、日本では台風、アメリカではハリケーンの季節となり、深刻な被害を出しています。被害に遭われた方々に心よりお見舞い申し上げます。それ以外の人々も、日頃から"Be prepared and have no regrets."の精神で防災意識を高めておきたいものです。そんなメッセージを込めつつ，今回はハリケーンを題材としたちょっとユーモラスな会話をお届けします。 ハリケーンの襲来に備えていろいろな生活用品を買い込んだ夫婦の会話です。しかし生活に必要な肝心の品物をいくつか買い忘れていたようです。彼らは何を買い忘れたのでしょうか・・・。 番組では、ハリケーンと台風の違い、ハリケーンに名前がつけられる理由などについてJoeが解説します。こちらもお聞き逃しなく！ 今回お借りした素材 イラスト（懐中電灯）：Open ClipArt Library ハリケーンの中継（Irene）：The Voice of America (on YouTube) Download MP3 （17:46　10.2MB　初級～中級）** Script *** (Slow speed) 03:10-5:25 (Natural speed) 13:50-15:50 Hurricane W: Jeremy, did you get everything we need? M: Yeah. I just got back from the store a couple of minutes ago. It was SO crowded. People were rushing to buy anything and everything they could get their hands on. W: Well, Hurricane Emily is supposed to be the biggest hurricane in the last 10 years! M: Yeah. But that doesn't mean that people can't be civil. When I was waiting in line, everyone was pushing and shoving. Like barbarians! W: Well, Hurricane Emily did become a Category Five several hours ago. M: Really? Well, I still think that everyone is overreacting. W: Jeremy. Winds will be over 155 mph. Roofs will be flying off houses. I think you're the only one not taking this seriously. M: Whatever. I bet it's going to pass right over us with no damage. W: Maybe. But, you did buy everything I asked you to buy? Just in case? M: Yes. I left everything on the couch. (That night) W: Jeremy, why are you eating the canned foods? We're supposed to be saving them in case we can't go to the store. (Suddenly the lights go out) W: Great. Now the lights are out. I told you this was bad. I can't see anything. M: Hey, where's the flashlight? W: Hurry, please. I hate being alone in the dark. M: Got it! (pause) Oh no! I forgot to buy the batteries for the flashlight! W: Are you serious?  M: Yeah. It wasn't on the list so I didn't think much about it. W: Really? I guess it's OK. My eyes are starting to adjust. Please tell me you bought toilet paper at least. I really have to go to the bathroom!  M: Was that supposed to be on the list? W: I am going to kill you! Now what are we supposed to do? You're the worst shopper ever!  (Written by Kyle Kumashiro)

今年も、日本では台風、アメリカではハリケーンの季節となり、深刻な被害を出しています。被害に遭われた方々に心よりお見舞い申し上げます。それ以外の人々も、日頃から"Be prepared and have no regrets."の精神で防災意識を高めておきたいものです。そんなメッセージを込めつつ，今回はハリケーンを題材としたちょっとユーモラスな会話をお届けします。 ハリケーンの襲来に備えていろいろな生活用品を買い込んだ夫婦の会話です。しかし生活に必要な肝心の品物をいくつか買い忘れていたようです。彼らは何を買い忘れたのでしょうか・・・。 番組では、ハリケーンと台風の違い、ハリケーンに名前がつけられる理由などについてJoeが解説します。こちらもお聞き逃しなく！ 今回お借りした素材 イラスト（懐中電灯）：Open ClipArt Library ハリケーンの中継（Irene）：The Voice of America (on YouTube) Download MP3 （17:46　10.2MB　初級～中級）** Script *** (Slow speed) 03:10-5:25 (Natural speed) 13:50-15:50 Hurricane W: Jeremy, did you get everything we need? M: Yeah. I just got back from the store a couple of minutes ago. It was SO crowded. People were rushing to buy anything and everything they could get their hands on. W: Well, Hurricane Emily is supposed to be the biggest hurricane in the last 10 years! M: Yeah. But that doesn't mean that people can't be civil. When I was waiting in line, everyone was pushing and shoving. Like barbarians! W: Well, Hurricane Emily did become a Category Five several hours ago. M: Really? Well, I still think that everyone is overreacting. W: Jeremy. Winds will be over 155 mph. Roofs will be flying off houses. I think you're the only one not taking this seriously. M: Whatever. I bet it's going to pass right over us with no damage. W: Maybe. But, you did buy everything I asked you to buy? Just in case? M: Yes. I left everything on the couch. (That night) W: Jeremy, why are you eating the canned foods? We're supposed to be saving them in case we can't go to the store. (Suddenly the lights go out) W: Great. Now the lights are out. I told you this was bad. I can't see anything. M: Hey, where's the flashlight? W: Hurry, please. I hate being alone in the dark. M: Got it! (pause) Oh no! I forgot to buy the batteries for the flashlight! W: Are you serious?  M: Yeah. It wasn't on the list so I didn't think much about it. W: Really? I guess it's OK. My eyes are starting to adjust. Please tell me you bought toilet paper at least. I really have to go to the bathroom!  M: Was that supposed to be on the list? W: I am going to kill you! Now what are we supposed to do? You're the worst shopper ever!  (Written by Kyle Kumashiro)

今回の「やさしい英語会話」の舞台はテーマパーク（a theme park/an amusement park）。しかも数あるテーマパークの中でも、いわゆる絶叫マシーン揃いなことで有名なアメリカのシックス・フラッグズ（Six Flags）です。 会話の男女は、一時間待ちの人気ジェットコースター（a rollercoaster）に乗ろうとしています。怖がっている女性とは対照的に余裕たっぷりの男性。しかし、この後とんでもない大どんでん返しが待っていようとは、二人とも予想だにしていないのでした・・・（もちろん実際のジェットコースターでこのようなことは起こりませんのでご安心を）。 今回お借りした素材 画像（Six Flags）：Wikipediaより 効果音：The Freesound Projectより Download MP3 （12:52　7.4MB　初級～中級）** Script *** (Slow speed) 02:10-4:15 (Natural speed) 09:30-11:15 Six Flags Theme Park W: Jake, I'm scared! Let's just go on another ride. M: Come on. We've been waiting for an hour already. V2 is the best ride here. It's way better than Kong and Medusa! W: Maybe. How about I just wait for you at the exit. M: And let you miss out? No way! What are you so scared of? W: Dying. M: Really? That kind of thing never happens! W: Remember Final Destination 3? M: Yeah. But that's a movie. This rollercoaster definitely won't crash. Besides, didn't all of the people who got off to avoid death die in the end? Just don't think about it too much. W: Don't think about it much? OK, Mr. Tough Guy, what are you scared of? M: Nothing. Absolutely nothing! W: Really? What about being locked in a cage with a shark? Or being thrown off a cliff? Or waking up to find a murderer in your house? That's pretty scary! M: No. No. And definitely no. W: You mean to tell me that you aren't even one bit afraid of anything? M: That's right. None of those things will ever happen. So why should I be scared? Oh, look! We're next on the ride. Just hold my hand and close your eyes. It'll be fine. (Buckling up) M: Are you ready? W: As much as I ever will be, I guess. M: Hey, what's that strap for? Why don't I have one? W: What strap? Oh this strap? I think it's for safety. I'm glad I can use it! M: What? Why don't I have one? Wait, we need to stop this ride. Wait! W: It's OK. You aren't scared of anything, remember? (Screaming…. Then, after the ride…) W: Jake, you're right. It was awesome! M: Oh… I think I'm going to puke. (Written by Kyle Kumashiro)

今回の「やさしい英語会話」の舞台はテーマパーク（a theme park/an amusement park）。しかも数あるテーマパークの中でも、いわゆる絶叫マシーン揃いなことで有名なアメリカのシックス・フラッグズ（Six Flags）です。 会話の男女は、一時間待ちの人気ジェットコースター（a rollercoaster）に乗ろうとしています。怖がっている女性とは対照的に余裕たっぷりの男性。しかし、この後とんでもない大どんでん返しが待っていようとは、二人とも予想だにしていないのでした・・・（もちろん実際のジェットコースターでこのようなことは起こりませんのでご安心を）。 今回お借りした素材 画像（Six Flags）：Wikipediaより 効果音：The Freesound Projectより Download MP3 （12:52　7.4MB　初級～中級）** Script *** (Slow speed) 02:10-4:15 (Natural speed) 09:30-11:15 Six Flags Theme Park W: Jake, I'm scared! Let's just go on another ride. M: Come on. We've been waiting for an hour already. V2 is the best ride here. It's way better than Kong and Medusa! W: Maybe. How about I just wait for you at the exit. M: And let you miss out? No way! What are you so scared of? W: Dying. M: Really? That kind of thing never happens! W: Remember Final Destination 3? M: Yeah. But that's a movie. This rollercoaster definitely won't crash. Besides, didn't all of the people who got off to avoid death die in the end? Just don't think about it too much. W: Don't think about it much? OK, Mr. Tough Guy, what are you scared of? M: Nothing. Absolutely nothing! W: Really? What about being locked in a cage with a shark? Or being thrown off a cliff? Or waking up to find a murderer in your house? That's pretty scary! M: No. No. And definitely no. W: You mean to tell me that you aren't even one bit afraid of anything? M: That's right. None of those things will ever happen. So why should I be scared? Oh, look! We're next on the ride. Just hold my hand and close your eyes. It'll be fine. (Buckling up) M: Are you ready? W: As much as I ever will be, I guess. M: Hey, what's that strap for? Why don't I have one? W: What strap? Oh this strap? I think it's for safety. I'm glad I can use it! M: What? Why don't I have one? Wait, we need to stop this ride. Wait! W: It's OK. You aren't scared of anything, remember? (Screaming…. Then, after the ride…) W: Jake, you're right. It was awesome! M: Oh… I think I'm going to puke. (Written by Kyle Kumashiro)

新年度になると、お花見や歓迎会などお酒の入ったパーティに招かれることも多いと思います。今回はアメリカのパーティで行われる「お酒を使ったゲーム」（drinking games）の話題です。 アメリカの大学生のパーティでは、お酒を使ったゲームが行われることもあります。そのようなゲームには、例えば会話で紹介されている"beer pong"や"flip cup"のようなものがあり、パーティを盛り上げてくれます。しかし日本でのいわゆるイッキ飲みと同様に、アルコールの大量摂取は健康に害を与えるため、このようなゲームを禁止する大学もあるようです。アメリカの大学に留学すると、パーティに招かれる機会も多いですが、アルコールの出されるパーティかどうか必ず確認すると良いでしょう。またアメリカでは21歳未満は飲酒できないので、この点も注意すべきです。 会話では、男性が女性をパーティに誘っているようです。このパーティではお酒を使ったゲームが行われるようですが、女性はパーティに行く気になるのでしょうか・・・。 今回お借りした素材 画像（Beer Pong）：Wikipediaより Download MP3 （19:14　11.1MB　初級～中級）** Script *** (Slow speed) 03:20-5:35 (Natural speed) 14:55-16:35 Drinking Games M: Chizuko! Do you want to go drinking tonight? W: Not really. Matt, you know I hate drinking. M: Come on. Alex is throwing a huge party. I bet lots of guys will come. W: Hmm. Nah. I think I’ll pass on tonight. I don’t really like drinking. And I hate drunk guys. M: Come on. I promise it’ll be fun. If you don’t have fun, you never have to come out again.  There will be tons of games. W: Hmm. Games? What kind of games? Like Playstation games? M: Not exactly. W: Like Truth or Dare? Or I never? M: No way! Although those would be pretty fun, now that you mention it. There’ll be drinking games. You know, like beer pong and flip cup. W: What? What are those? I’ve never played them before. M: What? I can’t believe you never played those games. Every college student in America knows those games. W: Wait, I’m Japanese. I don’t count. M: Still, you’ve been here for four months. W: Fine, tell me how to play. M: OK. Let’s see. In beer pong, you try to throw ping pong balls into the other teams’ cups. The losing team drinks. W: Yeah. That actually sounds pretty fun if I don’t have to drink. OK, I’ll go tonight if you’re my partner and you drink all of the beers for me. M: No. You have to drink half of the beers. W: Fine. I’ll just stay home. M: Fine, I’ll drink all of your beers. Man, I’m going to get drunk tonight. W: What is that supposed to mean? Are you saying I’m going to make us lose? M: Maybe. But it’s OK. You just have to deal with me after. W: Great. Just don’t puke on me or try hitting on me. M: Sorry in advance. Sometimes, I just can’t help myself. W: Maybe, I’ll just stay home tonight. (Written by Kyle Kumashiro)

新年度になると、お花見や歓迎会などお酒の入ったパーティに招かれることも多いと思います。今回はアメリカのパーティで行われる「お酒を使ったゲーム」（drinking games）の話題です。 アメリカの大学生のパーティでは、お酒を使ったゲームが行われることもあります。そのようなゲームには、例えば会話で紹介されている"beer pong"や"flip cup"のようなものがあり、パーティを盛り上げてくれます。しかし日本でのいわゆるイッキ飲みと同様に、アルコールの大量摂取は健康に害を与えるため、このようなゲームを禁止する大学もあるようです。アメリカの大学に留学すると、パーティに招かれる機会も多いですが、アルコールの出されるパーティかどうか必ず確認すると良いでしょう。またアメリカでは21歳未満は飲酒できないので、この点も注意すべきです。 会話では、男性が女性をパーティに誘っているようです。このパーティではお酒を使ったゲームが行われるようですが、女性はパーティに行く気になるのでしょうか・・・。 今回お借りした素材 画像（Beer Pong）：Wikipediaより Download MP3 （19:14　11.1MB　初級～中級）** Script *** (Slow speed) 03:20-5:35 (Natural speed) 14:55-16:35 Drinking Games M: Chizuko! Do you want to go drinking tonight? W: Not really. Matt, you know I hate drinking. M: Come on. Alex is throwing a huge party. I bet lots of guys will come. W: Hmm. Nah. I think I’ll pass on tonight. I don’t really like drinking. And I hate drunk guys. M: Come on. I promise it’ll be fun. If you don’t have fun, you never have to come out again.  There will be tons of games. W: Hmm. Games? What kind of games? Like Playstation games? M: Not exactly. W: Like Truth or Dare? Or I never? M: No way! Although those would be pretty fun, now that you mention it. There’ll be drinking games. You know, like beer pong and flip cup. W: What? What are those? I’ve never played them before. M: What? I can’t believe you never played those games. Every college student in America knows those games. W: Wait, I’m Japanese. I don’t count. M: Still, you’ve been here for four months. W: Fine, tell me how to play. M: OK. Let’s see. In beer pong, you try to throw ping pong balls into the other teams’ cups. The losing team drinks. W: Yeah. That actually sounds pretty fun if I don’t have to drink. OK, I’ll go tonight if you’re my partner and you drink all of the beers for me. M: No. You have to drink half of the beers. W: Fine. I’ll just stay home. M: Fine, I’ll drink all of your beers. Man, I’m going to get drunk tonight. W: What is that supposed to mean? Are you saying I’m going to make us lose? M: Maybe. But it’s OK. You just have to deal with me after. W: Great. Just don’t puke on me or try hitting on me. M: Sorry in advance. Sometimes, I just can’t help myself. W: Maybe, I’ll just stay home tonight. (Written by Kyle Kumashiro)

今回から新たにAyakoさんが司会をつとめます。引き続き、AyakoとJoeの「やさしい英語会話」をご愛聴くださいますよう、どうぞよろしくお願い申し上げます。 今回のテーマは「飲み会」。年末年始は忘年会や新年会など飲み会の多い季節ですね。広島大学のある西条周辺でも飲み放題（a drink buffet）の居酒屋で学生の飲み会をよく見かけます。 このような会では周囲の人に押されて（peer pressure）イッキ飲み（drink in a single gulp）をする人をごくたまに見かけますが、絶対にやめましょうね。Let's drink smart in Saijo, the Sake Town! Download MP3 （17:45　10.2MB　初級～中級）*** Script *** (Slow speed) 02:10-04:10 (Natural speed) 14:00-15:50 Drinking Parties M: Hey, Inez, how was your weekend? W: It was OK - I went to a drinking party on Saturday night. M: A drinking party? You drink a lot? W: No, I didn’t. But my Japanese friends drank a lot of beer. They played some games, and the people who lost had to drink! Sometimes they drank it all in a single gulp. I was really a little surprised. They were really crazy about drinking. M: I see. Did you hear about the news that a Japanese student in a very famous university died from drinking too much? W: Oh. That’s sad. But I can imagine how much he drank! At drinking parties, Japanese students don't stop drinking until they get badly drunk. Sometimes I just wonder why they have to do that. I don’t drink much and I've never been drunk before，so I don’t know how it feels to be drunk, but I just wonder why they wanna drink that much. M: Sometimes, you see, they don’t really wanna drink that much, but their friends push them. I think it’s peer pressure that makes them have to drink that much. W: Exactly: peer pressure. But anyway, I didn’t drink that much. I just ordered some kind of soft drink with a little alcohol. It wasn’t worth it for me, cause I paid 3,000 yen for a drink buffet. M: Haha, Oh, poor Inez! W: But that’s not the main problem. Maybe because I didn’t drink as much as my Japanese friends, I just felt I couldn’t get into their talk, and I felt bad that I spent 3,000 yen and didn’t like it very much. M: Hey, Inez, I have a question: why don’t you drink just a little beer? I don’t think you’ll be forced to drink as much as your Japanese friends, so you don’t have to worry about it at all. So why not drink just a little? W: Maybe that’s why I didn’t have such a good time. I still have the impression that it’s not good for girls to drink alcohol. M: Ho ho. Kind of an old-fashioned idea? (Written by Sun Guangna (Ruby))

今回から新たにAyakoさんが司会をつとめます。引き続き、AyakoとJoeの「やさしい英語会話」をご愛聴くださいますよう、どうぞよろしくお願い申し上げます。 今回のテーマは「飲み会」。年末年始は忘年会や新年会など飲み会の多い季節ですね。広島大学のある西条周辺でも飲み放題（a drink buffet）の居酒屋で学生の飲み会をよく見かけます。 このような会では周囲の人に押されて（peer pressure）イッキ飲み（drink in a single gulp）をする人をごくたまに見かけますが、絶対にやめましょうね。Let's drink smart in Saijo, the Sake Town! Download MP3 （17:45　10.2MB　初級～中級）*** Script *** (Slow speed) 02:10-04:10 (Natural speed) 14:00-15:50 Drinking Parties M: Hey, Inez, how was your weekend? W: It was OK - I went to a drinking party on Saturday night. M: A drinking party? You drink a lot? W: No, I didn’t. But my Japanese friends drank a lot of beer. They played some games, and the people who lost had to drink! Sometimes they drank it all in a single gulp. I was really a little surprised. They were really crazy about drinking. M: I see. Did you hear about the news that a Japanese student in a very famous university died from drinking too much? W: Oh. That’s sad. But I can imagine how much he drank! At drinking parties, Japanese students don't stop drinking until they get badly drunk. Sometimes I just wonder why they have to do that. I don’t drink much and I've never been drunk before，so I don’t know how it feels to be drunk, but I just wonder why they wanna drink that much. M: Sometimes, you see, they don’t really wanna drink that much, but their friends push them. I think it’s peer pressure that makes them have to drink that much. W: Exactly: peer pressure. But anyway, I didn’t drink that much. I just ordered some kind of soft drink with a little alcohol. It wasn’t worth it for me, cause I paid 3,000 yen for a drink buffet. M: Haha, Oh, poor Inez! W: But that’s not the main problem. Maybe because I didn’t drink as much as my Japanese friends, I just felt I couldn’t get into their talk, and I felt bad that I spent 3,000 yen and didn’t like it very much. M: Hey, Inez, I have a question: why don’t you drink just a little beer? I don’t think you’ll be forced to drink as much as your Japanese friends, so you don’t have to worry about it at all. So why not drink just a little? W: Maybe that’s why I didn’t have such a good time. I still have the impression that it’s not good for girls to drink alcohol. M: Ho ho. Kind of an old-fashioned idea? (Written by Sun Guangna (Ruby))

今年も梅雨の時期が近づいてきました。今回は、雨期のない国から来たBrittanyと日本人のTakeshiが、日本の梅雨について話します。雨続きの毎日にうんざりしている様子のBrittanyに、Takeshiは日本人におなじみのある人形について説明します。雨の日と切り離せないその人形のことを、彼は英語でどのように説明しているのでしょうか。（「大はしあたけの夕立」の絵はWikipediaからお借りしました） Download MP3 （10:00　5.7MB　初級～中級）*** Script *** W: Hey Takeshi! How're you? M: Hey Brittany! I'm doing fine, and you? W: I'm OK, I'm starting to get a little tired of all this rain though… M: Yea, it really rains a lot in Japan during this time of year. W: We don't have a rainy season where I come from. Actually, it hardly rains at all. We sometimes have droughts and since it's so dry we also get forest fires occasionally. M: That sounds tough! Maybe having the rainy season isn't so bad. W: Maybe. I'm still tired of the rain. though. M: You should make a Teru Teru Bozu doll. W: What's that? M: It's a small doll that Japanese make out of white paper or cloth and hang outside the windows. It's supposed to bring good weather, and prevent rain. Kind of like a good luck charm. W: Sounds like fun! Lets make some! M: Sure! There's also a song that goes along with Teru Teru Bozu. When I was little I would sing it while making the doll. W: Really? I want to learn it! (Written by Kimberly Cantrell)

今年も梅雨の時期が近づいてきました。今回は、雨期のない国から来たBrittanyと日本人のTakeshiが、日本の梅雨について話します。雨続きの毎日にうんざりしている様子のBrittanyに、Takeshiは日本人におなじみのある人形について説明します。雨の日と切り離せないその人形のことを、彼は英語でどのように説明しているのでしょうか。（「大はしあたけの夕立」の絵はWikipediaからお借りしました） Download MP3 （10:00　5.7MB　初級～中級）*** Script *** W: Hey Takeshi! How're you? M: Hey Brittany! I'm doing fine, and you? W: I'm OK, I'm starting to get a little tired of all this rain though… M: Yea, it really rains a lot in Japan during this time of year. W: We don't have a rainy season where I come from. Actually, it hardly rains at all. We sometimes have droughts and since it's so dry we also get forest fires occasionally. M: That sounds tough! Maybe having the rainy season isn't so bad. W: Maybe. I'm still tired of the rain. though. M: You should make a Teru Teru Bozu doll. W: What's that? M: It's a small doll that Japanese make out of white paper or cloth and hang outside the windows. It's supposed to bring good weather, and prevent rain. Kind of like a good luck charm. W: Sounds like fun! Lets make some! M: Sure! There's also a song that goes along with Teru Teru Bozu. When I was little I would sing it while making the doll. W: Really? I want to learn it! (Written by Kimberly Cantrell)

アメリカ人は家族や子どもの写真を持ち歩き、家族自慢をする人が多いようです。「うちの愚息が・・・」などの表現に見られるように、とかく身内をおとしめる傾向がある日本人とは対照的ですね。 今回は、そんな子ども自慢（boasting about children）が好きな親戚を訪れている夫婦の会話です。夫の皮肉に満ちたセリフも聴きどころです。 Download MP3 （16:23　9.4MB　初級～中級）*** Script *** W: I'm so excited. I haven't seen my sister in 2 years! M: I wish we could have made it 3. W: Now what's that suppose to mean? I thought you got along with my family? M: Yea, all but her. W: And why is that? M: Because she's a show off. W: How? M: Remember the last time she came to visit us? Every minute of the day she kept talking about her children. ‘Little Jodie is so gifted.' ‘Little Carl has such a wonderful spirit.' Blah, blah, blah. W: Well we have a child and I'm always delighted to talk about him. M: Yea, well she's outright boasting. W: Oh, it's only love. M: Well, she loves to boast then. W: Maybe she doesn't know she's doing it. M: Then she's an unconscious boasting lover. Just be prepared to hear about the latest exploits of Jodie and Carl. W: I'm kind of looking forward to it being that we haven't seen each other in a while. M: I wouldn't be surprised if she wrote a book about it. W: Would you object to me getting her autograph? M: Very funny. Well, we're here. W: What are those in your hand? M: Ear plugs. W: Oh, come now. M: They're for just in case, dear; just in case. W: In case of what? M: In case she has written that book. (Written by Tijan Nicholson)

アメリカ人は家族や子どもの写真を持ち歩き、家族自慢をする人が多いようです。「うちの愚息が・・・」などの表現に見られるように、とかく身内をおとしめる傾向がある日本人とは対照的ですね。 今回は、そんな子ども自慢（boasting about children）が好きな親戚を訪れている夫婦の会話です。夫の皮肉に満ちたセリフも聴きどころです。 Download MP3 （16:23　9.4MB　初級～中級）*** Script *** W: I'm so excited. I haven't seen my sister in 2 years! M: I wish we could have made it 3. W: Now what's that suppose to mean? I thought you got along with my family? M: Yea, all but her. W: And why is that? M: Because she's a show off. W: How? M: Remember the last time she came to visit us? Every minute of the day she kept talking about her children. ‘Little Jodie is so gifted.' ‘Little Carl has such a wonderful spirit.' Blah, blah, blah. W: Well we have a child and I'm always delighted to talk about him. M: Yea, well she's outright boasting. W: Oh, it's only love. M: Well, she loves to boast then. W: Maybe she doesn't know she's doing it. M: Then she's an unconscious boasting lover. Just be prepared to hear about the latest exploits of Jodie and Carl. W: I'm kind of looking forward to it being that we haven't seen each other in a while. M: I wouldn't be surprised if she wrote a book about it. W: Would you object to me getting her autograph? M: Very funny. Well, we're here. W: What are those in your hand? M: Ear plugs. W: Oh, come now. M: They're for just in case, dear; just in case. W: In case of what? M: In case she has written that book. (Written by Tijan Nicholson)