Cafetalk 講師專欄

Preparing for an Online Lesson (especially if you're nervous!)

I've had a number of people tell me they get nervous before their first session with a new teacher,...

【台湾旅行 #00】はじまり｜ JP/EN/繁中

3月の終わりごろ、3泊4日で台湾に行くことになりました。   今回の旅行は、主人の勤続20周年のお祝いです。 家族でその節目をお祝いできたらと思い、台湾へ行くことにしました。   今回は台北から入り...

Canada at the Winter Olympics: The good, the bad, and the ugly

Photo: Canadian men's curling teamThe 2026 Winter Olympic Games have wrapped up, and Team Canada wa...

Tarot: A.I. versus Human

Can AI read tarot accurately? Yes. Somewhat. Is it better than a human? It depends on how deeply y...

The Real Reason You’re Afraid to Speak English

Many English learners believe they are afraid to speak because their grammar is not perfect. But in...

Do you have questions? Tutors are here to help!

We can sometimes feel shy when working with a tutor.  However, our tutors are here to help!  They l...

Happy Birthday to me!

It's my birthday!   No, not my actual birthday...unfortunately that falls in late December ;-)   It...

Spring flowers

Walking in my local park recently has been a real pleasure because the spring bulbs are really bloo...

Speak Better English: Admit You Have No Idea!

Speak Better English: Admit You Have No Idea! Communication / Confidence / Asking Questions "Ye...

Japanese Izakaya Phrases for Beginners: “Toriaezu Nama de” and “Kanpai!”

What does “Toriaezu nama de” mean?   This phrase means:   “For now, draft beer, please.”   Toriaezu...

Feeling inadequate is not a verdict. It is a phase.

The problem is not the feeling — it’s the conclusion we attach to it. Inadequacy often whispers: “Y...

【東京駅周辺 #04】キャラクターの世界｜JP/EN/繫中

東京駅の地下には、「東京キャラクターストリート」というかわいらしい世界があります。さまざまなキャラクターショップが並ぶのですが、その中でも最近特に人気なのが「ちいかわ」のショップです。注目すべきは、...

Questions You Should Never Be Afraid to Ask Your Tutor

After nearly 13 years teaching Business English, I’ve noticed something interesting. The students w...

Ask. Learn. Grow.

Many students stay silent because they are afraid of sounding “slow” or “behind.” But the truth is ...

How We Deal With Snowstorms

In the past year, I moved from the Seattle area of Washington state in the USA to (virtually) the m...

Study. Know Your Craft. Be Intentional.

Study Study is not just reading — it’s disciplined learning. It means understanding the theory, pr...

Useful Japanese for Restaurants: “How Many People?” and “This Way, Please”

Have you ever felt nervous about entering a restaurant in Japan? Many learners worry about what the...

Is Two Really Better Than One?

“They say two is better than one.” “No man is an island.” Both statements point to one truth: we ar...

【日本の日常 #04】声優｜ JP/EN/繁中

日本のアニメは世界中で人気がありますが、日本では「声優」という存在そのものも、とても人気があります。アニメのキャラクターだけでなく、その声を担当する人にも注目が集まります。人気声優はさまざまな作品に...

What is your favorite Pokémon?

Happy Pokémon Day!!!!  Here is a quick quizz to test your knowledge:  “I Choose You!” Who is Ash’...

When Things Don’t Go as Planned

What do you do when your plans fall apart? When anxiety gets loud, insecurity creeps in, and you fe...

【新着講師ランキング1位になりました】｜JP/EN/繫中

こんにちは、Chiharuです。このたび、新着講師ランキングで1位になることができました。いつもレッスンを受講してくださっているみなさま、本当にありがとうございます。現在は、フリートークやビジネス日...

Why is the Waite Smith Tarot so popular?

【湘南ライフ#04】江ノ電｜JP/EN/繫中

湘南を代表するもののひとつが、江ノ電です。正式名称は「江ノ島電鉄」。藤沢から鎌倉までを結ぶ小さなローカル線ですが、観光客にも地元の人にも愛されています。 江ノ電の魅力のひとつは、家と家の間をすり抜け...

English Idioms Challenge - Week 5

Hey all! This is the sixth weekly English learning challenge: to try & use this idiom in your...

Questions you should never be afraid to ask your tutor

As a tutor I noticed over the years, in order to be respectful and polite, students feel shy to ask...

【東京駅周辺 #05】上野駅｜JP/EN/繫中

上野駅には、地下に新幹線ホームがあります。上野駅の開業は1883年。明治時代から「北へ向かう玄関口」として発展してきました。高度経済成長期には、地方から東京へ働きに来る若者たちが、この駅に降り立ちま...

Pearly Whites

"I come at night when you are asleep, For something small you safely keep. I leave a gift under you...

The Pharaonic system….....to flee its captivity

The video discusses the concept of a "Pharaonic system" of governance, defining it as any autocrati...

Back to the 90s

I was born in the 80s, and although I have a lot of nostalgia for that decade now, my memory of it ...