When I was learning Japanese, one of the best ways I practiced new vocabulary and grammar was by keeping a journal. Every week, I wrote a page about something interesting that had happened to me, or a topic I was passionate about. Over time, I noticed that both my writing and speaking improved, because I was constantly using the language I had studied.

Each week, I will use my tutor column to give you a journal prompt so that you too can enjoy learning English through writing.

This week's prompt is: 
Write about an object you cannot live without.

Here are some questions to help you start:
- What is it?
- What does it look like?
- When do you use it?
- Where did you get it from? Did you buy it or did someone give it to you?
- Why is it important to you?
- What would happen if you didn't have it?
- Does it make you think of a special time, place or person in your life?

Here is some useful vocabulary when talking about important objects:
- significant (adjective) very important; has a lot of meaning
- treasure (verb) value highly
- possession (noun) something you own
- valuable (adjective) worth a lot of money; extremely useful or important
- remind (verb) make (someone) remember something or someone

Writing a journal is great, and speaking about it is even better. Would you like to practice your pronunciation by hearing your journal read by a native speaker, then reading it out loud? Would you like to practice your speaking skills by answering questions and having a discussion about your journal? If so, I recommend my lesson Journal Writing in English Until the end of January, new students can access a coupon using this link.