知ってる内容を英語ルートで理解。
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Then I remembered a funny joke my American host father told me when I studied in the US more than 40 years ago. You have met this funny person before (refer to my previous newsletters). He talked about the word “tasty.” He said,”‘Tasty’ normally means something has a good taste and is yummy. But the word itself just means ‘related to taste.’ The ‘-y’ at the end makes it describe a taste. So you can use ‘tasty’ for a bad taste too, not just good tastes. The word itself doesn’t mean only yummy.”
Then we had a fun time talking about tasty American and Japanese food. We even called my host mother’s food “tasty” like two naughty boys. It was our secret joke, but not rude to her. It was so fun that I still smile remembering it. In fact, the noodles taste better when you smile, even with just watery soup.
Now you can enjoy this joke too. Find words like cloudy, windy, brainy (meaning very clever), or hearty (meaning warm). Then call something or someone that word.
For example, “Don’t you think our new boss is a nerd?” “Yeah, he’s brainy, for sure.”
If they don’t find it funny, explain the joke like my host father did.
Why did I tell you this? It is important (and fun) to enjoy what you learn. As Confucius, an ancient Chinese thinker, says, it’s better to like something than just know it, but to enjoy it is the best.
I hope you will have a “hearty” laugh!
See you next time!
Jiro
私立学校に英語教師として勤務中、40代半ばに差し掛かったころ、荒れたクラスを立て直す策として、生徒に公言して英検1級に挑戦することを思い立つ。同様の挑戦を繰り返し、退職までに英検一級（検定連合会長賞）、TOEIC満点、国連英検SA級、フランス語一級、スペイン語一級（文科大臣賞）、ドイツ語一級、放送大学大学院修士号などの成果を得る。
アメリカで生徒への対応法を学ぶ為に研修（地銀の助成金）。最新の心理学に触れた。4都県での全発表、勤務校での教員への研修を英語で行う。現在も特別選抜クラスの授業を全て英語で行っている。「どうやって単語を覚えればいいですか？」という良くある質問に答える為、印欧祖語からの派生に基づく「生徒には見せたくない語源英単語集」を執筆中。完成間近。常日頃洋書の読破で様々な思考にふれているが、そうして得た発想の一つを生かして書いた論文がコロナ対策論文として最近入賞。賞品の牛肉に舌鼓をうっている。元英検面接委員