Write an email-Jul.18

Read “Living in Tokyo” by Sam Johnson.

“Living in Tokyo”

     My name is Sam Johnson. I'm a citizen of New Zealand, but I live in Tokyo. I came here two years ago from Auckland. In Japan, there were many opportunities for New Zealanders to teach English and business. I have a business degree from the University of Auckland. I teach English for international business at a large Japanese university in Tokyo. I really like my job. My students work hard. I usually teach 20 hours a week. I also plan lessons and grade tests. I don't work during the summer. I usually go back to New Zealand to visit my family in Auckland. I also like to travel in Asia. I went to Thailand last year.

     There were many problems for me in Japan at first. I was always lonely because my family and friends were in New Zealand. The Japanese language was hard for me. The winters here are cold and cloudy. In my first year here, there was a lot of snow. In Auckland, the winters are cool, not cold. Also, Tokyo is always crowded. The population of Tokyo is about 13 million people. There are just too many people. I don't like to take the trains in Tokyo in the summer. They're very hot!

     After two years, I have several close Japanese friends. I also know many people in my neighborhood. The people in the local markets are very friendly. Now I feel welcome. I can speak Japanese fairly well, but my listening is still weak. I can read some signs in train stations and menus in restaurants. I still don't like Japanese winters and summers, but spring and fall are beautiful. I travel all over Japan. I often go to Kyoto, the old capital. I have one really close Japanese friend. His name is Aki. He is a lawyer for a big company. We go hiking in the mountains on weekends. He is helping me to read and understand Japanese. I feel much better about living in Japan now. I want to live here for a long time.

=> Write him an email to give advice about life in Japan in three or four paragraphs.

Plan Study the model writing

- 1^st Paragraph: Introduction in two or three sentences. State the main point clearly.

- 2^nd Paragraph: Write your advice in three to five sentences.

- 3rd Paragraph: Write another advice in three to five sentences.

- Last Paragraph: Conclude your email to encourage and cheer him up in two or three sentences.

Dear Sam,

1^st Paragraph: Introduction in two or three sentences. State the main point clearly.

I’m glad to hear that you’re enjoying your life here in Japan and want to spend some more years. So, I’d like to give you a piece of advice that may make your staying even more exciting and memorable. I recommend you to travel to Hokkaido.

2^nd Paragraph: Write your advice in three to five sentences.

As you know, Hokkaido is the northernmost island. It is a big island in our scale but there aren’t so many people or businesses in most part of the island. Therefore, the nature is well preserved, such as mountains, lakes, forests, sea shores and wild animals. <= In winter, it is cold and icy but you can enjoy skiing in the world class ski resorts. In summer, you can travel anywhere by train, bus, bike or even hitch-hiking. There are a lot to see in any part of the island.

3^rd Paragraph: Write another advice in three to five sentences.

Also, they offer excellent local tastes such as ramen noodles and seafood. <= Ramen noodles in Sapporo, the capital of the prefecture, are so popular that almost all the visitors there try it. Its unique miso-based soup is usually thick and rich. There is a popular place called Ramen Yokocho where numbers of ramen restaurants offer different types and tastes of ramen noodles. Also, you can easily imagine how fresh the seafood there is. The most popular seafood there is salmon. There are several kinds of salmon dishes and they are all good. But I would suggest you should try Ishikari-nabe. It’s a hotpot dish made with salmon and vegetables in miso based soup. It’s not only tasty but also keeps you warm even in the severe winter there.

Last Paragraph: Conclude your email to encourage and cheer him up in two or three sentences.

Sam, I believe Hokkaido offers most memorable experiences for you. It may even remind you the sceneries and nature of your country. I hope a trip to Hokkaido will make your life in Japan even more enjoyable.

Best regards,

TK

☆ Try These!      Use there is/are, singular/plural and/but correctly

- suggest –ing: I suggest you (should) visit/see/try              

- explain ~/sth to sb/about

- recommend ~/sb to do, recommend ~ (to you), ~ is (highly) recommended                        

- explain ~ / about / sth to sb                                

- tell sb sth, talk about,

- give advice on ~, a piece of advice

- ~ is worth –ing                   

- try –ing                  

- don’t forget to/remember to