According to a recent report by the World Bank ( New Article ), Japan ranks the lowest among developed countries in terms of gender equality under the law. The report evaluates laws and regulations related to women's economic participation in eight categories: the workplace, marriage, and assets. Japan's low ranking is attributed to its lack of legislation to punish sexual harassment in the workplace and its poor performance in pay and workplace categories. It is probably a significant reason why educated women from Japan seek opportunities overseas, where they can find a more welcoming environment.

To me, the results are not surprising, the lack of gender equality under the law, particularly in the workplace, is a significant issue that has been affecting women in Japan for years. The World Bank report highlights the importance of implementing laws and regulations that protect women from discrimination and sexual harassment in the workplace. Without these protections, women are less likely to achieve their full potential and may choose to seek opportunities elsewhere.

'go where you will be appreciated, learn English, learn a skill that is needed and get out' . Countries like Canada and  Spain have achieved a perfect score of 100 in the World Bank report. Which means that men and women enjoy equal legal rights. 

In the modern age, many digital tools are available to make the classroom experience more interactive and engaging for students. One such tool that stands out is AHASlides, a presentation platform that allows educators to create engaging presentations and incorporate interactive quizzes to keep students engaged.
 
With the use of AHASlides, teachers can now take their classroom presentations to the next level. Quiz features, such as match, correct order, and pick answer or image can be used to check vocabulary, understanding of grammar, and comprehension of a passage respectively. Here's my workflow on how to use AHASlides to make your presentations betters in the classroom.
 
Step 1: Sign up for an AHASlides account
The first step is to sign up for an account on AHASlides. You can do this by going to the website and creating an account. It's free and easy to set up.
 
Step 2: Create a new presentation
Once you're logged in, you can start creating your new presentation. AHASlides has a variety of customizable templates to choose from, so you can pick one that suits your needs. You can also import your PowerPoint slides.
 
Step 3: Add interactive quizzes
AHASlides has many types of interactive quizzes but match, correct order, and select answer/picture are the ones I religiously use. You can choose the quiz type that's appropriate for the content you want to cover. For example, I use match quiz to check my students' understanding of vocabulary by having them match the definition. I use correct order whenever I teach new grammar or when I simply want to review some. You can also use correct order to teach students how to write compositions in English.  Finally I use the select answer/picture quiz to check their comprehension of long passages.
 
Step 4: Add a discussion element into your presentation
AHASlides also allows you to customize your quizzes to make them more engaging. I use brainstorm, word clouds and open ended questions a lot in my classes after I have students talk with another.
 
Step 5: Present your slides and quizzes
Once your presentation is ready, you can present it to your students. AHASlides allows you to present your slides and quizzes in real-time, make sure you turn off the feedback button before you do though, as they are quite distracting for students.
 
AHASlides is an excellent tool that can be used in the classroom to create engaging presentations and interactive quizzes. I hope by reading this, you are able to take your classroom presentations to the next level.

To be successful in the Snow Brawl game on the 23rd of February, you'll need to review how to make nouns plural in English and understand how to use 'a', 'an', and 'the' articles in English. In this blog, we'll explain these concepts in an ELI5 (explain like I'm 5) way, so even if you're new to English, you'll understand how to use nouns and articles correctly.

Making Nouns Plural:
To make a noun plural, you usually just add an "s" to the end. For example, one book becomes two books. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. If the word ends in "s," "x," "z," "ch," or "sh," you add "es" to make it plural. For example, one box becomes two boxes. Another exception is for words ending in a consonant and then "y." In this case, you drop the "y" and add "ies" to make it plural. For example, one baby becomes two babies. Finally, some words ending in "f" or "fe" change to "ves" to become plural, such as one knife becoming two knives. And some words ending in "o" add "es" to become plural, such as one potato becoming two potatoes.

Using Articles:
In English, we use articles like 'a', 'an', and 'the' to talk about nouns. 'A' and 'an' are indefinite articles, which means they refer to any one thing of a particular type. We use 'a' before words that start with a consonant sound and 'an' before words that start with a vowel sound. For example, 'a cat' and 'an apple.' 'The' is a definite article, which means it refers to a specific thing or things. We use 'the' when we are talking about a specific person, place, or thing. For example, 'the cat in the tree.'

Many Japanese English-learners struggle with the concept of making nouns plural and using the correct articles in English. In Japanese, there is no concept of plurals or articles, so these English language concepts can be particularly challenging to grasp. However, with practice and exposure, learners can gain a solid understanding of these concepts. So... don't miss out on this great opportunity to learn and have fun with our LIVE event on the 23rd of February !

Preparing students for language exams can be a challenging task, but with the right strategies and support, students can achieve success. Language exams are designed to test students' proficiency in the target language and assess their abilities in reading, writing, listening and speaking. Here are some pieces of advice for preparing students for language exams:
 
Understand the format of the exam: It is important to understand the format of the exam, such as the types of questions that will be asked, the time limit and the overall structure of the exam. This will help you to create an effective study plan and prepare your students accordingly.
 
Use past papers and practice tests: Use past papers and practice tests to help students become familiar with the types of questions that will be asked and the format of the exam. This will also help them to identify areas where they need to focus their studying.
 
Focus on language skills: Make sure to focus on language skills such as reading, writing, listening and speaking. Encourage students to practice these skills regularly, through a variety of activities such as listening to native speakers, reading authentic materials and writing compositions.
 
Encourage note-taking: Encourage students to take notes of new vocabulary, grammar rules, and idiomatic expressions. This will help them to memorize the new words and phrases, and also make it easier to recall the information during the exam.
 
Use techniques for test-taking: Teach your students techniques for test-taking such as time management, how to approach different types of questions, and how to avoid common mistakes. This will help them to feel more confident and reduce their anxiety during the exam.
 
Be positive and supportive: Be positive and supportive throughout the exam preparation process. Encourage your students, provide them with positive feedback, and acknowledge their efforts. This will help to boost their confidence and motivation.
 
Language exams can be a challenging task, but with the right strategies, and support students can achieve success. Understanding the format of the exam, using past papers and practice tests, focusing on language skills, encouraging note-taking, using techniques for test-taking and being positive and supportive throughout the process will help your students to prepare well for the exams.