Hello Cafetalk Community!

How are you doing? I hope you're doing well. I understand many exciting things are happening in Japan, Korea, and Taiwan! Especially in Japan, I understand you have a new emperor, starting a new fiscal year, and beginning a new year in schools! How exciting!

At the same time, don't forget about brushing up on your English skills, okay? It's important to keep up what you learned and actually practice speaking English. You've come this far. . .  You're doing great! I think you are accomplishing an exceptionally amazing feat by learning a new language other than your own! Even if you can speak a little bit, I am completely impressed that you can speak a second or third language!

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[I want to share a Secret:] --> 秘密

Have you ever thought about "linking words" in English? They are important words that link certain phrases together. Do you want to speak and sound more fluent? Perhaps you can think about using these important "linking words!" As it says in the above quote, it's as if you're "building a road, and you come across a river." You have to find ways of "connecting" one thought to another.

Often, these words are used in writing essays, but it is sometimes used in speech as well. I often use "actually" or "in fact" to start a sentence. For instance, I like "in-between" words like "although," "in spite of," "nevertheless," "in a manner of speaking," etc.

I know that a lot of you fall into a habit or a certain speech pattern and you form the sentence structures in the same way. There's nothing wrong with that as long as your grammatically correct (I didn't say "perfect," either), but why not learn and incorporate these "in-between" words? Won't it be fun to move up to the next level and sound more natural? However, like everything else, be sure you know how to use them and you fully understand what they mean before you try incorporating them into your speech.

However, if you're at least at an intermediate level, you should think about how these "linking words" are used.

Additionally, (<-- see how I used that word to indicate I have something more to say about the topic?) You don't have to get all "fancy" about the words, otherwise, it may have the opposite effect and you may sound awkward. Of course, when you're learning how to use these words, you are bound to naturally make mistakes as you are learning --> And that's perfectly alright.

[Transition Words:]

"Transition Words" are basically the same as "in-between" words or "linking" words. Also, you can use adverbs of frequency like: "once," "frequently," "often," "just," etc. There are many ways to enhance your speaking skills. All I can do is to make you aware of them and encourage you to learn a whole new vocabulary of "linking words." These are particularly important and essential words when you are writing a scholarly article or an essay.

If you would like more information on how to use these words, please schedule an English lesson with me. I would be happy to help you become familiar with them and how to use them.

[Some of my other English lessons:]

1.) "Real Life English" --> Pretend to go with me to the "Shopping," "Restaurant," "Pharmacy," "Post Office," "Doctor's Office," etc

2.) Reading Exercise --> (Short and Easy: 10 Chapters) "Phantom of the Opera" or "Great Expectations"

3.) Listening Exercise --> Test your listening skills by listening to some dialog and answering some questions

4.) Picto Chat --> Find your strengths and weaknesses by describing pictures in English

5.) Random Question Exercise --> Answer questions from a variety of topics spontaneously

(*The last two lessons are ideal for "speaking" English throughout the entire duration of the lesson)
I hope to see you soon! Take care and enjoy the lovely Spring weather! I envy those of you who get to see the Cherry Blossoms (Sakura) in Japan. Beautiful!

Warmest regards,
Lady Ayame