In French, nouns ending in –AL, -AIL, -AU, EAU have specific forms in the plural. They do not follow always the same rule.  The adjectives ending in –AL usually take the –AUX form in the masculine plural, and the –ALES form is the feminine plural. However, we will notice that some accept bot

In French, nouns ending in –AL, -AIL, -AU, EAU have specific forms in the plural.They do not follow always the same rule. The adjectives ending in –AL usually take the –AUX form in the masculine plural, and the –ALES form is the feminine plural. However, we will notice that some accept both forms –AUX and –ALS in the masculine plural. To conclude, we will have some words in context. <h3>1. Nouns ending in -AL</h3>Nouns ending in –AL has their plural form in –AUX.For example:<img src="https://ofs-cdn.italki.com/u/internal/galaxy/message/cgglka2pj1pp6pb2evag.png"> We have some exceptions of plural ending in –ALS. They do not turn to –AUX form but become –ALS&nbsp;:<img src="https://ofs-cdn.italki.com/u/internal/galaxy/message/cgglkdc20smg15sq76q0.png"> <h3>2. Nouns ending in –AIL</h3>Nouns ending in –AIL have generally their plural form in –AILS.For example:<img src="https://ofs-cdn.italki.com/u/internal/galaxy/message/cggllbc20smg15sq76v0.png"> We have some exceptions of nouns ending in –AIL whose plural form ends in –AUX:<img src="https://ofs-cdn.italki.com/u/internal/galaxy/message/cgglles20smg15sq7750.png"> NOTE&nbsp;:&nbsp;In some cases, the nouns bail, émail and travail can accept a plural form in –AILS.<img src="https://ofs-cdn.italki.com/u/internal/galaxy/message/cggll62pj1pp6pb2evfg.png"> <h3>3. Nouns ending in –AU an in –EAU</h3>Nouns ending in –AU or –EAU in singular take respectively the –AUX or –EAUX form.For example:<img src="https://ofs-cdn.italki.com/u/internal/galaxy/message/cggllhipj1pp6pb2evog.png"> We have only one exception to this rule:<img src="https://ofs-cdn.italki.com/u/internal/galaxy/message/cggllljs14b31mevrse0.png"> NOTE:&nbsp;When plural form ends with the sound [o], you can find the right written form by finding the noun in singular:Un chameau&gt; des chameauxUn cheval &gt; des chevaux If the singular form ends in –AL, the plural noun will end in –AUX.If the singular form ends in –EAU, the plural noun will end in –EAUX. <h3>4. Adjectives ending in –AL and their plural form</h3> 4.1. Adjectives in masculine plural form -AUXAdjectives in French are accorded in number and gender to the noun they qualify.Generally, adjectives ending in –AL take the –AUX form in the masculine plural.For example<img src="https://ofs-cdn.italki.com/u/internal/galaxy/message/cggllq420smg15sq7790.png"> 4.2.&nbsp;Adjectives ending in –AL and their masculine plural form in -ALSWe also have some exceptions to the rule: some adjectives ending in –AL still keep their form with an –S at the end of their plural form:<img src="https://ofs-cdn.italki.com/u/internal/galaxy/message/cgglo1bs14b31mevrt00.png"> 4.3. Adjectives ending in –AL that can accept both plural forms –ALS and –AUXSome adjectives ending in –AL can accept the two forms –ALS and –AUX in masculine plural. Here is a sample:<img src="https://ofs-cdn.italki.com/u/internal/galaxy/message/cgglo5bs14b31mevrt20.png"> 4.4 Adjectives in feminine plural form -ALES Adjectives ending in –AL will take the –ALES form in feminine plural version.For example&nbsp;:<img src="https://ofs-cdn.italki.com/u/internal/galaxy/message/cgglo9420smg15sq77t0.png"> <h3>5. Words in context</h3>Select the correct plural form of the nouns and adjectives:<img src="https://ofs-cdn.italki.com/u/internal/galaxy/message/cgglodqpj1pp6pb2f0kg.png"> CORRECTION:<img src="https://ofs-cdn.italki.com/u/internal/galaxy/message/cgglogqpj1pp6pb2f0lg.png">

Irregular French Plural Form: Plural of Nouns Ending in –AL, -AIL, -AU, -EAU And Adjectives Ending in –AL

Most of you probably don't even know where Portugal is on the map. Well, Portugal has shared half the world with its neighbor Spain and is one of the oldest nations in the world, but what is so special about it and what characterizes it?! This article will show you some points!

Most of you probably don't even know where Portugal is on the map. Well, Portugal has shared half the world with its neighbor Spain and is one of the oldest nations in the world, but what is so special about it and what characterizes it?! This article will show you some points! <h3>1.Festivals and “Romarias”</h3>Portugal is a country that loves parties, but also its traditions and as such we have lots of festivals and "romatias” and each land or region has its own! Most of them are connected to the Christian religion, like the Festa de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (Lamego), the Festa do Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres (Azores), or even the popular saints.&nbsp;&nbsp;But there are also festivals that have distanced themselves from religion and have acquired more varied objectives, such as the Flower Festival (Madeira) a beautiful and unique festival in the country, or the Festas a Feira de São Mateus (Viseu). You should try it! <h3>&nbsp;2. Traditional dances!&nbsp;</h3>Almost all nations if not many have typical dances or love to dance. Portugal is no exception. Most of our dances have the accordion (very present in Portuguese culture) as a common instrument (with the Pauliteiros de Miranda being an exception, it's very interesting because they use the instrument while they dance!)&nbsp;&nbsp;Another thing that characterizes our dances are the typical clothes, just like in the Swiss Alps, in Portugal we also have typical clothes. One of the interesting things to say about typical clothes is that they change according to the region. About dances traditional dances we can name Bailarico Saloio and Vira do Minho, but there are many others. <h3>3. Wine!&nbsp;</h3>Wine lovers are you there? Who has already tasted Portuguese wine?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We have been producing wine for over 2000 years and in my opinion we can thank the Romans for that! We are also a country with a huge variety of grape varieties, and nowhere else in Europe can you find so many varieties that originate great wines.&nbsp;&nbsp;We also have the oldest Demarcated Region in the world, the Douro, which guarantees the quality of Port Wine (produced on the terraces of the Douro, in the Peso da Régua area). <h3>4. Gastronomy&nbsp;</h3>&nbsp;Those who have already had the opportunity to travel to Portugal know well how varied our gastronomy is and as if that wasn't enough each region has its own typical dishes with ingredients from each region. We can possibly divide it between the Mediterranean zone and the Atlantic zone, besides that because of the time of the discoveries we also have some oriental influences.&nbsp;&nbsp;Do you know that the most famous product is codfish? What if I told you that it is not even found on our coasts and is caught over a thousand kilometers away from the country? It is true, but we still love it, at least the majority of the Portuguese. Portuguese gastronomy is not only cod but also other types of fish and meat, vegetables, and various grains. Mnhami, what are you going to eat? <h3>5. Conventual Sweets&nbsp;</h3>Get in shape? Go on a diet? Let's move on from gastronomy to sweets!&nbsp;&nbsp;There's no doubt that one of the most famous typical Portuguese sweets is “pastel de Belém” (or pastel de nata, its imitation). But we are a country with a great variety of sweets, we can eat a different cake a day for a lot of days! You could say that practically any village or city has its own typical sweet, surprising I know. Just think of things like pastel de Tentúgal, pastel de Vouzela, queijadas and travesseiros from Sintra, clarinhas from Esposende, pão de ló from Ovar or ovos moles from Aveiro.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Now it's time to be amazed and learn how it all began!&nbsp;&nbsp;A large part of this variety of sweets is due to the old nunneries, which had the ingredients, time, and creativity to create different recipes. They also had a large number of egg yolks (the whites were used to take care of the linen), so they needed to put this ingredient to some use, which led to the creation of several different sweets. <h3>6. Azulejos</h3>The development of Azulejos was stimulated at the end of the 15th century and the beginning of the 16th century when Portuguese art was influenced by Muslim ornamental decoration. Tiles were then ordered from the Moorish ceramics of Seville, which were used on the most diverse surfaces.&nbsp;&nbsp;In the second half of the 16th century, tiles also arrived in our country from Flemish workshops, in addition to the Spanish workshops, and through the influence of these centers, we learned the method of manufacturing and painting faience.&nbsp;&nbsp;From the East came the sense of brilliance, exuberance, and ornamental motifs, and from China came the blue of porcelain, which stripped the tiles of their repetitive character and filled them with dynamism and movement. Over time, we refined this art, which today is one of our national symbols. We can say that art so characteristic of our people had influences in other countries. <h3>7. Literatura</h3>We are known as a country of poets, whose tradition began at the same time as the nation, thanks to troubadour poetry. We rose to the top of the epic with Luís de Camões' Lusíadas, which tells the story of the Portuguese discoveries.&nbsp;&nbsp;We cannot forget to name our great poet Fernando Pessoa, a great genius who even had heteronyms. In the 20th century, the work of the most widely translated Portuguese poet was from him!&nbsp; Although I'm not a fan and people say either you love it or you hate him we have Jose Saramago! He won the Nobel Prize in 1998. <h3>8. Fado</h3>It's not known exactly what is the geographical and temporal origin of fado there are several theories since it had its origins in the Muslim songs others say it may have originated in the “lundum” through the sailors that transported slaves. Others more daring say that it has origin in the medieval troubadours having into account the similarities of the themes.In certain regions of Lisbon and Porto, it is possible to find typical Fado houses, where you can eat and drink and watch a concert.&nbsp;For those who don't know Fado derives from the Latin Fatum, which means destiny. In my opinion, it may even be appropriate for this unique style of music and the intangible heritage of onesco. <h3>9. Estilo Manuelino e Estilo Barroco Joanino</h3>With different origins, but rich histories one was born in the reign of D.Manuel I and, we have some monuments of this style with several characteristic and unique elements, such as the armillary sphere and the cross of Christ, personal symbols of the king and reflection of the power to which he aspired, some buildings we have Torre de Belém e o Mosteiro dos Jerónimos and the other one and the other one (Barroco Joanino) designation refers to the various artistic currents that coexisted during the reign of King João V, with notable architects we have some buildings as Torre dos Clérigos, Convento de Mafra, Aqueducto das Águas Livres, and much others. <h3>10. Handicrafts - Artesanato</h3>Characteristics of rural areas, where traditions remain more alive. Each region has its own particular handicrafts, in accordance with the ways of life of each place, with emphasis on arts such as jewelry, lace, tapestry, embroidery, weaving, basketry, and painted ceramics. <h3>11. Caretos</h3>They have rattled around their waist, a stick in their hand, and run, jump, dance, intimidate visitors, and chase single girls. This is a tradition in the Trás-os-Montes area, which can still be seen in several places, with the most famous Carnival being that of Podence. This celebration comes from Roman times, although some say it dates back to the Neolithic.&nbsp;&nbsp;What is certain is that the ritual is linked to fertility and spring. <h3>12. Religion</h3>We are a strongly Catholic country. Even if the number has fallen and we have non-practicing Portuguese, religion is still part of many people's daily lives, in a more or less intense way. For example, many people attend mass on Sundays, which is even shown on some TV channels, or go on pilgrimages to keep promises.&nbsp;&nbsp;We also have many places of worship all over the country! <h3>13. National Symbols</h3>&nbsp;Sometimes associated with legends, such as one of the best-known symbols, the Barcelos cockerel – Galo de Barcelos.The Portuguese guitar with 12 strings that many say is difficult to play! The "calçada à portuguesa" (Portuguese pavement), which, thanks to maritime expansion, spread to other parts of the world, such as Rio de Janeiro or Macau.&nbsp;&nbsp;We can also talk about the azulejo, an external art, but which has taken root in our country. The Cross of Christ (which has roots in the Templars and was the symbol of our caravels and monuments abroad), the red carnation, the basil pots of the popular saints (celebrated in June), or even Zé Povinho (a character created by Bordalo Pinheiro). <h3>14. Stereotypes</h3>There are few differences between a stereotype and prejudice, and the truth is that many foreigners have a wrong idea of how we are, ideas based on films, books, or series that have been transmitting a wrong image of Portugal. For example, it is common to see Portuguese women portrayed wearing veils and black clothes, and men portrayed with mustaches and drinking wine.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Portuguese are also still thought of as hard-working people with few educational qualifications, although today there is a high percentage of Portuguese people with higher education and who speak several languages. Our people also find it very easy to integrate into other cultures and to welcome other people, with or without stereotypes.

Portuguese Culture: Things that Define Portugal!

How many of you have happened that the first time you decided to have a conversation with a native Italian speaker, booked a lesson, or tried to stop a passerby on the street to test your conversation in Italian and as a result did not understand most of the conversation? In fairness, it is fair to

How many of you have happened that the first time you decided to have a conversation with a native Italian speaker, booked a lesson, or tried to stop a passerby on the street to test your conversation in Italian and as a result did not understand most of the conversation? In fairness, it is fair to say that Italian is a complex language, and no, I am not talking about the dreaded “congiuntivo”!&nbsp; The Italian language has far too many grammatical rules and even more exceptions to the rules or on the contrary there are topics or aspects that have none and should be learned as they are, one of them being precisely the pronunciation that varies from region to region if not from village to village! But I’m sure this does not discourage any of my readers, as if you have decided to learn Italian, you already know this and you also know that through a lot of practice, it is possible to succeed in getting the results you desire.&nbsp; Before we get into the heart of the topic of our article of the month, I think it is only right to make a small introduction by introducing the birth of the Italian language and give an answer to the question asked by so many students during our classes:&nbsp;"But what is meant by standard Italian? Is there really such a thing as a pure accent?" Generally, with the concept of standard, in linguistics, we refer to a language subject to normative codification, used as a reference model for correct usage and school teaching. Moreover, it is interesting to note that in the history of multiple languages, one of the dialects into which a certain language space was articulated became a standard language. And this is in fact how Italian came into being, as The standard variety of Italian is based on the Florentine vernacular of the 14th century, which, thanks to the literary prestige brought by Dante Alighieri, Francesco Petrarca, and Giovanni Boccaccio and due to the economic and cultural supremacy achieved at that time by Florence, acquired the character of a literary language with the suitable requirements to meet the need for a unified language appropriate for Renaissance cultural renewal.&nbsp; The Florentine vernacular was chosen as the national language following the Unification of Italy also because over the centuries it became the learned language par excellence, the one spoken by the literate and cultured.&nbsp; That said, one must now understand where dialects originated.&nbsp;The explanation is that old Latin evolved into different versions, depending on the area of Italy where it was spoken.&nbsp; Have you ever noticed that people in Italy often speak in different ways depending on the region and country they come from? Have you ever wondered if there is, in fact, a "real" Italian? The Italian dialectal landscape constitutes, according to many, the richest and most diverse linguistic heritage in Europe. Among the various Italian dialects, in fact, there are not only those belonging to the branch of Romance languages (to which, for example, Italian, Spanish, and French belong) but also some from Germanic, Greek, and Slavic languages.&nbsp; Today dialects are still spoken, to varying degrees in different regions and cities of Italy, and by different age groups: for example, in the northern areas dialects tend to be spoken almost exclusively by the elderly, who have spoken them throughout their lives, often along with standard Italian. In the central and southern regions, on the other hand, it is more common to find younger dialect speakers, who use it mainly in informal contexts. According to a 2015 ISTAT analysis, 45.9 percent of Italians speak Italian exclusively or predominantly, 32.2 percent alternate it with dialect, and only 14 percent use dialect exclusively.&nbsp; We can divide Italian dialects into 3 big groups:&nbsp;1. the northern or upper-Italian dialects;&nbsp;2. the Tuscan and Middle dialects;&nbsp;3. the southern and extreme southern dialects.&nbsp; Usually, there is a tendency to say that there are 30 or so main Italian dialects, actually, I believe that it is not so easy to quantify them since as with colors, so with dialects, there are infinite shades and to better explain my view, I will give here a personal example: I on italki, besides being a native Italian tutor, am also a Neapolitan tutor.&nbsp; Before starting the Neapolitan lessons I would like to point out to the students that I am from Campania, I live in a province near Naples and in my small village we are about 800 inhabitants. Here we speak a dialect very similar to Neapolitan, which, however, differs from Neapolitan in the pronunciation of some words or even in the cadence of the accents. Around my small town then, there are many other small towns, in which a dialect very similar to mine is spoken but which in turn differs from the others for the same reasons just listed, so much so that, each one of us inhabitants of this area is able to guess the origin of a person, from the dialect despite the fact that to an unaccustomed ear, it may seem that there is no distinction between one pronunciation and another.&nbsp; I want to leave you with a question about languages, in general: can there be a standard language, devoid of accents and pronunciation, thus a so-called pure language? I look forward to seeing you in the comments or privately for the answer or for further questions.&nbsp;

A Language Colored by Infinite Shades of Dialects

Students always ask me why they should travel to South America; what is so attractive  about this place and why is everyone deciding to come. Instead of giving them reasons to  visit this wonderful continent, I tell them why they shouldn’t visit it.

Students always ask me why they should travel to South America; what is so attractive&nbsp;about this place and why is everyone deciding to come. Instead of giving them reasons to&nbsp;visit this wonderful continent, I tell them why they shouldn’t visit it.&nbsp;&nbsp; 1. Too much nature&nbsp;Get ready to get astonished by some of the most majestic landscapes you will ever see:&nbsp;from waterfalls, deserts, the biggest mountain range in the world, and the greatest forest on&nbsp;the planet; to millennial glaciers, and heavenly beaches to choose from. You will also find&nbsp;the world's largest river and the driest place on earth.&nbsp;&nbsp;What’s wrong with this continent? It is absurd to have some of the most famous natural&nbsp;spots in the world in only one place. The Amazon, Iguazú Falls, Perito Moreno Glacier,&nbsp;Atacama desert, The Andes, Copacabana Beach … What’s left for other continents?! Traveling from Alaska to Argentina on one of the most beautiful highways in the world,&nbsp;crossing 14 countries, and covering around 30.000 km sounds crazy.&nbsp;This continent is way too big!! Seriously, how are you going to be able to see all of it in just&nbsp;a couple of weeks? You will definitely need to go back.&nbsp; 2. You will find different people&nbsp;After traveling all over the world, I can confirm I have never met so many nice people as those living in South America. If ever you get lost at night and you don’t have a place to sleep, why would you accept the invitation of a stranger to spend the night at their home; receiving good food, a bed, and a welcoming, smiley face?&nbsp;A South American distinguishes himself by their desire to help and for having a warm and&nbsp;affectionate heart. Every country in the continent has cultures and traditions native to their&nbsp;people so be ready to see endless multiculturalism.&nbsp;&nbsp; 3. Not-so-famous gastronomy&nbsp;&nbsp;Ceviche, empanadas, asado, dulce de leche, arepas, chicharrón, feijoada, bandeja paisa,&nbsp;41 types of potatoes and 13 types of corn. I am not hungry. Are you?The best coffee in the world, the best cacao, and an exquisite variety of meat and seafood are only a few examples of everything you can find in this privileged land.&nbsp;I have tried many dishes customary in South America and I can assure you they are unique. The mix of textures and flavors can only be found here. Lima (Peru) is known as the gastronomic capital of Latin America and in 2021 was chosen as the world’s culinary capital. ¡Asu mare! (Expression in Peru similar to Wow in English)&nbsp;Food is part of South America’s DNA, it’s in our daily life: we celebrate with food, we party&nbsp;with food and we gather around it.&nbsp; 4. Nothing to see&nbsp;There’s no Colosseum, Stonehenge, Eiffel Tower, or Big Ben in South America. Instead,&nbsp;you have the remains of some of history's biggest and most important civilizations such as Machu Picchu, Chichen Itza Pyramids, and Teotihuacan.&nbsp;&nbsp;You can also find plenty of UNESCO World Heritage sites; two of the seven Wonders of&nbsp;the World and some of the biggest celebrations on the planet.&nbsp;Just think about Christ the Redeemer, Galapagos Islands, Easter Island, Nazca lines,&nbsp;Uyuni Salt Flat. The list goes on.&nbsp;&nbsp;Do you like adventure? Why not do it in the South American style? Sandboarding on&nbsp;giant dunes in Peru, trekking on a glacier in Argentina, river sledding in Chile, skydiving&nbsp;over Iguazú Falls, and much more.&nbsp;Be careful because you will not get any sleep. We really like nightlife and we love to party, especially if there’s food and drinks.&nbsp; 5. Why would you want to return home?&nbsp;South America will trap you. You will not want to leave. Believe me, you will want to come&nbsp;back. But, like all great things, everything has to come to an end.&nbsp;&nbsp;I hope this article has woken up that desire to travel to this wonderful region. A place full of&nbsp;varieties and adventures; history and traditions; great people and gastronomy. My continent and the land that I live in.

Top 5 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Travel to South America

We live in an age where most information is available on the internet, but tacit understandings of culture and customs are still difficult to access. In this article, I will introduce some Japan-specific characteristics related to medical clinics.

We live in an age where most information is available on the internet, but tacit understandings of culture and customs are still difficult to access. In this article, I will introduce some Japan-specific characteristics related to medical clinics. Winter will soon be over. Many of you may be planning a trip to Japan at the moment. Traveling is fun, but it can also bring unexpected trouble. To ensure that most of your holiday memories are not of travel-related hassles, it is important to anticipate and prepare for emergencies in advance.&nbsp; Overview of Japanese clinicsIn Japan, premises where doctors or dentists practice medicine or dentistry (except clinics that specialize in dentistry only) and which do not have in-patient facilities for patients, or with in-patient facilities for 19 patients or fewer are classified as clinics rather than hospitals (1). The most common providers of clinics in Japan are medical corporations, accounting for 40% of the total. This is followed by individual medical practitioners, who also account for around 40% of the total. In contrast to this, the percentage of the national government, public medical institutions, and social insurance-related organizations total around 5% (2). So unless you are going to have a major operation, you will go to the nearest private clinic from where you are staying.&nbsp; Where can you find Japanese clinics?In urban areas such as Tokyo and Osaka, there are many clinics within walking distance of any district. Most private clinics in Japan are not very large and are about the size of a café or hair salon in urban areas. Clinics in buildings can be even smaller. Some have exteriors and interiors that are so stylish that you might not notice they are clinics at first. Some are located in shopping malls. Some are new as if they were built yesterday, some are old-fashioned as if time has stood still for more than 50 years. The atmosphere of private clinics in Japan really depends on the taste of the medical corporation or the owner. Still, there is little difference in the price unless it is for cosmetic treatment. When you arrive at your hotel, search for clinics in your neighborhood using Google Map. Possible barriers to visiting Japanese clinics: LanguageService in foreign languages is only available in some clinics in Japan. Even in clinics that state that they are "English-speaking", there is often only one English-speaking staff member on duty, and when that person is taking time off, no one will be available to help you in English. Even so, if the injury is minor, it might be possible to communicate with the medical staff. If you suddenly become ill and the cause is unknown, or if you have a chronic illness or allergy that is difficult to explain, it is safer to choose a clinic for foreigners or a clinic with foreign doctors on staff. Here is <a href="https://www.jnto.go.jp/emergency/eng/mi_guide.html#search">the Tourism Agency website</a> you can search for clinics and information in various languages. ShoesIn some Japanese clinics, you may have to remove your shoes and change into slippers when entering. This practice was a device to prevent tetanus bacteria, micro-organisms, and mold from mud on the shoes from being introduced into the clinic when the roads were not yet paved. Now that the roads are paved, such problems have largely disappeared, and the hygiene of shared slippers tends to be seen as a problem more than that. So most new clinics allow patients to enter with their shoes on. If you don't want to take your shoes off in a clinic, check before you go whether they accept that or not; you can probably tell this from the photos of the clinic's interior on Google Maps. Waiting timeAs you know, Japan is a country with a large elderly population. In addition, Japan's national health insurance system is very inexpensive for individuals to pay for medical care, with those aged 70 and over paying 20% of the cost and those aged 75 and over paying 10% (3). For example, a medical examination alone costs only a few hundred yen per visit. This is why some elderly people go to the clinic almost every morning. Because there are so many of them, some clinics complete elderly group consultations first, putting off seeing the other patients until later. Therefore, you may have to wait for more than an hour if you go in the morning. For clinics with prominent reviews stating "long waiting time", try to go in the early afternoon, just after the lunch break. Although Japan has a National Medical Insurance program, tourists are not covered by it, so make sure you purchase comprehensive travel insurance which includes medical care before you go. Not confident enough to go to the clinic on your own? Ask a teacher who lives in your travel destination directly in a Japanese lesson about the appointment process and the necessary medical vocabulary at the clinic. References:1. Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan (2008), Glossary of terms, <a href="https://www.mhlw.go.jp/toukei/saikin/hw/iryosd/08/dl/02.pdf">https://www.mhlw.go.jp/toukei/saikin/hw/iryosd/08/dl/02.pdf</a>2. Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan (2021), Overview of the 2021 Medical Facilities (Dynamic) Survey and Hospital Report, <a href="https://www.mhlw.go.jp/toukei/saikin/hw/iryosd/21/dl/02sisetu03.pdf">https://www.mhlw.go.jp/toukei/saikin/hw/iryosd/21/dl/02sisetu03.pdf</a>&nbsp;3. Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan (2020), Partial (co-payment) ratio of medical expenses, <a href="https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/000937919.pdf">https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/000937919.pdf</a>

Japanese Medical Clinic Culture

For our article of the month this time as a topic I have chosen a theme that is a hallmark for us Italians because if it is true that in Italy there are infinite accents, pronunciations, and dialects, which can vary from region to region but even from city to city (but we will talk about this in ano

Hello, students from all over the world!&nbsp; For our article of the month this time as a topic I have chosen a theme that is a hallmark for us Italians because if it is true that in Italy there are infinite accents, pronunciations, and dialects, which can vary from region to region but even from city to city (but we will talk about this in another article), we Italians manage to understand each other even without speaking because there is a universal language that unites us. Well yes, I am talking about what we always do, now unintentionally, which is GESTICOLARE (gesticulate).&nbsp;We gesture for anything and a gesture can have different meanings depending on the situation,&nbsp;facial expressions, the way it is done, and so on. Just think that I, at the beginning of my experience as an italki tutor, did nothing but try to quiet my hands or tried to put them under the desk so as to "hide" them so as not to distract the student or to prevent him or her from finding me "strange," but then on reflection, I realized that I was making a mistake and there were several reasons for this: the first was that by concentrating on the movement of my hands, I was listening less to the person I was talking to and then, secondly, and this is, in my opinion, the most important motivation, which then led me to experience all the video lessons very naturally, is that by gesturing with my hands and with my body in general, I was making the student live an&nbsp;experience and not just a lesson or a conversation with a native Italian speaker and furthermore&nbsp;often my way of moving my hands to reinforce a concept, was also a reason for opening a topic of conversation.&nbsp; But let's cut to the chase: why do we gesticulate, have we ever wondered? Is there a logical and&nbsp;scientific explanation for this pronounced phenomenon that distinguishes our culture abroad? Or do we simply relegate its explanation to our love for the theatrical world?&nbsp; Well, one of the first theories that tried to answer this question concerns past territorial occupations. It is thought that the Italians probably felt the need to develop an alternative form of communication among themselves during the centuries when the peninsula was occupied by&nbsp;Austria, France, and Spain. Since these occupations did not last long and the language was now contaminated, new ways to communicate were needed, and bodily expression was certainly the most direct way.&nbsp; Another corroborated theory as to why we gesticulate is one that ties in with the period of colonization in southern Italy. In fact, a professor of psychology at a university in Rome says that in cities as crowded as those in southern Italy were, it was as if there was a kind of competition and that therefore the whole body was used to gain the attention of others.&nbsp;Both explanations seem to be plausible and it could be that they are both partly true, so it could be possible that there is not only a reason for this phenomenon but that many small things created this way of speaking without using the voice.&nbsp; Let us come to the numbers and examples: it has been estimated (again by the same scholar and&nbsp;lecturer mentioned just before, by the way) that there would exist at least 250 different gestures and each of them stands for one or even more meanings.&nbsp;&nbsp; A classic example of a typical Italian gesture, perhaps the best known in the world and which is&nbsp;also depopulating on the most used social networks, for which an emoji (<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3dWRto6aMIUlTJPP4ktE5mt14ZpRrDLYAHKU_ckd9XI6x2NfIfvTsz_XXo0WMoI1eS55WtX8bHFV57LHPlZFmJgLQYzSIp1sFiXXy8ENVmcvAXHOQLzx_p_2CXqCrozuLXibDX2GlefZLo-pqZY4GQ" height="20" width="20">) was also invented,&nbsp;is that of the pine-cone hand: also called the tulip hand, it is a gesture characterized by grouping the fingers in a way that recalls the shape of a pine-cone, swinging the hand toward the interlocutor. It has a double meaning: interrogative or critical. In the first case, it could be&nbsp;translated into speech as "what do you want?"; in the second case it could be translated as "what&nbsp;are you talking about!" or "not at all." In the first meaning usually, the hand moves quickly, in the second case the hand swings more slowly to emphasize the critical position of the interlocutor. As you have therefore well understood, we Italians speak with gestures and words, and this phrase is not an exaggeration but a reality. Recent studies by researchers at the University of&nbsp;Parma, have shown that our brain recognizes words and objects by helping itself with the gesture we have internalized of them. And this potential then is also exploited for rehabilitation therapies in the treatment of brain trauma.&nbsp;&nbsp; They, therefore, concluded that "Our gesturing habit is so internalized that it can be considered&nbsp;nonverbal speech, which nevertheless conveys a clearly decodable meaning."&nbsp;And it is with this beautiful sentence that I bid you farewell and look forward to the next article.&nbsp;Have a good study, ciaooo!<img src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Fhn6SLtocsus8MWV7HhKheujfBn9OpaGSQeEcmXlmzGVANuGtQeg1nOuFF7SOVIgixMgw7TA2pYBb92AsR45fH6BjGVXZcqPb3OxDGVwPj0GvhqMKni8VFqyHcEeNeWJBegzJZZDUuSeXg7dhxJdpQ" height="20" width="20"><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/rBD6za9A-wU49bs4mDtjOC0HCfi2_9KVQeHW-wU2GQCu7fZcy-YRK-fdbirGvTT3Za4ELGMBO2L_t7Em8UfXRZIclAacJnT_pja8NHzE91W8l64D5OnBEfzJgDCpFfRcw4xFHsfhLrQzqZA_howXxw" height="20" width="20"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/bq-_Nr7AknuOhLjLTNrJuAZpCezBThS8BAraU61gin8KFgiktqN8BLYLChGWwjjv-pIOmz3nggatml4CJNLMzob2QAZ89gu_DM0ctaFGSjqmuMWFHtCAIZ_YtUKQlQpQs__yXsp8EgxzEWaEbF6GiA" height="20" width="20">

Sign Language or Rather....of Italian Gestures!

In this article, we'll explore how using a recording device can help you speak like a native English speaker, and provide some actionable tips to help you get started.

Do you dream of speaking English like a native speaker? If so, there's a simple tool that can help you achieve this goal: a recording device/recording app. By recording yourself and playing the recordings back, you can improve your pronunciation, intonation, and overall fluency in the language. In this article, we'll explore how using a recording device can help you speak like a native English speaker, and provide some actionable tips to help you get started. <h3>The Benefits of Recording Your Voice</h3> One of the biggest advantages of using a recording device is that it allows you to hear your own voice, which can be a great way to identify areas where you need improvement. For example, you might notice that you struggle with certain vowel or consonant sounds, or that you have a tendency to speak too quickly or slowly. By identifying these issues, you can work on correcting them and improve your overall fluency. Another advantage of using a recording device is that it allows you to compare your own voice to that of native English speakers. This can be especially helpful if you're struggling to master a particular accent or dialect. By listening to recordings of your favorite English-speaking actors or actresses, you can pick up on the nuances of their speech and practice mimicking their accent and intonation. Key Action Point: Record yourself reading a passage or dialogue in English, and then play it back to identify areas where you can improve your pronunciation and fluency. <h3>How to Practice with a Recording Device/App</h3>Once you've recorded yourself and identified areas where you need improvement, it's time to start practicing. One effective strategy is to choose a favorite English-speaking actor or actress and practice saying the same lines that they say in a movie or TV show. By doing this, you can work on mastering their accent, intonation, and overall speaking style. Another strategy is to record yourself speaking in English and then listen to the recording while reading along with a transcript of what you said. This can help you identify any mistakes or areas where you need improvement, and can also help you improve your listening skills. Key Action Point: Choose a favorite English-speaking actor or actress and practice saying the same lines they say in a movie or TV show to improve your accent and intonation. <h3>Tips for Getting the Most Out of Recording Your Voice</h3>To get the most out of recording, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure you're recording in a quiet environment with minimal background noise. This will help ensure that your recordings are clear and easy to understand. Second, be sure to listen to your recordings with a critical ear. Pay attention to your pronunciation, intonation, and overall fluency, and look for areas where you can improve. Key Action Point: Record yourself in a quiet environment and listen to your recordings with a critical ear to identify areas where you can improve. Using a recording device is a valuable tool for anyone looking to improve their English speaking skills. By recording yourself and listening to the recordings, you can identify areas where you need improvement, practice speaking like a native speaker, and ultimately achieve greater fluency in the language. So why not give it a try? With a little practice and dedication, you'll be speaking English like a native speaker in no time.

How Using a Recording Device/App Can Help You Speak Like a Native English Speaker

As a non-native English speaker, immersing yourself in a new culture and learning to communicate effectively can be a daunting task. One of the keys to effective communication is a strong command of the language's idioms, phrasal verbs, and slang. These phrases are a common feature of English and ca

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;As a non-native English speaker, immersing yourself in a new culture and learning to communicate effectively can be a daunting task. One of the keys to effective communication is a strong command of the language's idioms, phrasal verbs, and slang. These phrases are a common feature of English and can be difficult for non-native speakers to understand and use correctly. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Idioms are phrases that cannot be understood by translating individual words. For example, the phrase "break a leg" is commonly used to wish someone good luck, but it does not literally mean to break a leg. Instead, it is an expression that has become a part of the English language and culture. Some other common idioms include "the ball is in your court," which means it is your turn to make a decision or take action, and "bite the bullet," which means to face a difficult or unpleasant situation bravely.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Phrasal verbs are an essential part of the English language and are frequently used by native English speakers. These verbs are made up of a verb and a particle, such as an adverb or preposition, and the meaning of the phrasal verb is often different from the individual words. For example, "turn off" means to stop using or operating, while "turn down" means to reduce or reject. Other examples of phrasal verbs include "pick up," which can mean to lift or raise something, to improve or increase, or to meet someone and take them somewhere. "Look for" means to search or seek out something, while "get along" means to have a good relationship or to get along well with someone. "Put off" means to delay or postpone something. It is important for non-native English speakers to learn and understand these phrasal verbs in order to communicate effectively with native English speakers. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Slang is an informal language that is commonly used by native English speakers in everyday conversation and is often used to add personality and flavor to language. It can be a fun and effective way to connect with native English speakers. However, it can also be confusing and hard to understand, especially for those who are just learning the language. Here are a few examples of common slang terms: "Sick" (adjective): This term can be used to describe something that is cool or impressive, as in "That new car is sick!""Lit" (adjective): This term means that something is exciting or fun, as in "That party was lit!""Fam" (noun): This term is a shortened version of "family" and is used to refer to close friends, as in "What's up, fam?""YOLO" (acronym): This term stands for "You Only Live Once" and is often used to justify taking risks or making impulsive decisions, as in "I'm going skydiving for the first time this weekend - YOLO!"&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Learning these idioms, phrasal verbs, and slang terms is important because they are frequently used by native English speakers and can add depth and nuance to your language skills.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;So, how can you learn these phrases and use them effectively to communicate with native English speakers? Here are a few tips: 1. Start with the basics: Make sure you have a strong foundation in standard English, including grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure. This will make it easier to understand and use idioms, phrasal verbs, and slang when you encounter them. 2. Listen and observe: One of the best ways to learn idioms, phrasal verbs, and slang is to simply listen and observe how native English speakers use them in everyday conversation. Pay attention to the context in which they are used and try to pick up on common patterns and meanings. 3. Ask questions: Don't be afraid to ask native English speakers about the meaning of a particular slang word or phrase. Most people will be happy to explain and may even provide additional examples to help you understand. 4. Use online resources: There are many online resources available to help you learn idioms, phrasal verbs, and slang and improve your overall English skills. Look for websites, blogs, and social media groups that focus on English language learning and offer tips and resources for mastering these phrases. 5. Practice, practice, practice: The more you use idioms, phrasal verbs, and slang in your everyday conversations, the more comfortable you will become with them. Practice using these phrases with native English speakers or with other non-native speakers who are also learning the language. 6. Pay attention to regional differences: Idioms, phrasal verbs, and slang can vary widely from one region to another. For example, what is considered slang in the United States may not be considered slang in the United Kingdom. So, it's important to pay attention to the specific region you are in and try to learn the phrases that are commonly used there. 7. Use idioms, phrasal verbs, and slang appropriately: These phrases are an informal way of speaking and are not appropriate in all situations. For example, it is not appropriate to use slang in formal settings such as job interviews or business meetings. Instead, stick to standard English in these types of situations. 8. Be aware of slang that might be offensive: Some slang words and phrases can be offensive or inappropriate in certain contexts. Make sure you are aware of the potential connotations of a slang term before using it. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In conclusion, learning idioms, phrasal verbs, and slang is an important part of effectively communicating with native English speakers. These phrases can add depth and nuance to your language skills and help you connect with others in a more natural and authentic way. By following the tips outlined above and practicing regularly, you'll be well on your way to mastering these important aspects of the English language. Remember to start with the basics, listen and observe, ask questions, use online resources, and practice, practice, practice. Pay attention to regional differences and use idioms, phrasal verbs, and slang appropriately, and be aware of any terms that might be offensive. Learning the history of slang can also provide valuable insight into the culture and society in which it is used. With effort and persistence, you can become proficient in using these phrases and communicate effectively with native English speakers.

Learning Slang and Phrasal Verbs to Communicate With Native English Speakers

All language learners probably have ever asked themselves “do these people actually speak elike the book’s dialogues?” Well, as you have probably found out, no, they don’t.

All language learners probably have ever asked themselves “do these people actually speak elike the book’s dialogues?” Well, as you have probably found out, no, they don’t.&nbsp; I still remember the first time I spoke with an American, and he asked me “how are you doing?” and I was like “is he actually interested in what I’m doing? What does he mean by how? The way I do something?”&nbsp; One thing people ignore when they start their learning journey is that language books are made to let you learn a language through its structure and rules and understand how it’s made and how it works, but speaking a language is totally different.&nbsp; When Italians speak, they express themselves not only with words but also with gestures (of course) and a lot of idioms! Idioms are short sentences and expressions whose meaning is not deducible from their literal translation.&nbsp; So here 8 Italian idioms you probably didn’t know:&nbsp; 1) Conosco i miei polli - Lit. “I know my chickens”&nbsp; Spoiler: we’re not actually talking about chickens. This expression stands for “I know what I’m talking about”. So we’re expecting exactly what we’re thinking of. For example:&nbsp; Io so già in anticipo cosa faranno, cosa diranno, come si comporteranno, conosco i miei polli.&nbsp; “I already know in advance what they’ll do, what they’ll say, how they’ll behave, I know who I’m dealing with”&nbsp; 2) Morto un papa, se ne fa un altro - Lit. “one pope dies, another one will be made”&nbsp; I know, Italians have a thing for the Church, even if they don’t do it on purpose. We have many expressions that are referred to it and this is one of the most used. This one’s meaning is like “life goes on even after the worst of tragedies”, in a nutshell: “Oh no. Anyway.”&nbsp; - “Io e Marco ci siamo lasciati, sono molto giù”&nbsp;- “Dai, morto un papa se ne fa un altro!”&nbsp; - “Marco and I broke up, I’m sad”.&nbsp;- “Come on, life goes on!”&nbsp; 3) Ogni morte di papa - Lit. “Every death of a pope” As I said, we have a thing for this stuff. Here’s another expression about the pope. Since the death of a pope doesn’t come very often (or at least, not usually) this depression refers to an event that occurs once after a long time. It’s also used sarcastically.&nbsp; “Qui non nevica mai, forse una volta ogni morte di papa”&nbsp; “It never snows here, maybe once blue moon”&nbsp; 4) Chi dorme non piglia pesci - Lit. “Who sleeps doesn’t catch fish”&nbsp; This one is the English “the early bird catches the worm“, so basically, it means that if you’re lazy, you get nothing.&nbsp; - Sono rimasto a casa a dormire e mi sono perso gli sconti in negozio!&nbsp;- Eh, chi dorme non piglia pesci!&nbsp; - I stayed home to sleep and missed the discounts in the store!&nbsp;- Eh, the early bird catches the worm!&nbsp; 5) Avere le braccine corte - Lit. “To have short arms”&nbsp; This expression is not referred to a physical condition, of course, it’s figurative and it’s used to say someone’s a bit tight with their money. It is translatable with the English expression “short arms and deep pockets”, referring to those people who have money but never put their hands in their pockets to pay for anything.&nbsp; “Paolo non offre mai, ha le braccine corte! ”&nbsp; “Paul never offers anything, he has short arms and deep pockets! ”&nbsp; 6) Tutto fa brodo - Lit. “Everything makes broth/soup”&nbsp; Italians have a thing for food as well (of course), so we have many expressions that are food-related. Here’s one of the most used ones. This one can be translated with “every little bit helps”. A soup is good when you put a lot of ingredients in (good soup, I know you laughed), so everything contributes something to the whole.&nbsp; - Non so se fare il corso di francese o quello di spagnolo.&nbsp;- Falli tutti e due, tutto fa brodo!&nbsp; - I don't know whether to take the French course or the Spanish one.&nbsp;- Do them both, every little bit helps! 7) Minestra riscaldata - Lit. “Reheated soup”&nbsp;Food. Again. This expression usually refers to relationships, mostly romantic ones, but it can also be referred to as friendship. It’s referred to something that has already gone wrong and that we are trying to make right one more time, but know it will go wrong once again.&nbsp; - Io e Luca ci siamo rimessi insieme.&nbsp;- Di nuovo? È la solita minestra riscaldata!&nbsp; - Luca and I got back together.&nbsp;- Again? There’s nothing new about it!&nbsp; 8) Stare a pennello - Lit. “Fit like a paintbrush”&nbsp; This expression is often used for compliments, it means that the dress or whatever (it can also be referred to situations, events, and so on) fits you so perfectly that it looks like it’s been painted onto your body.&nbsp; - Come mi sta questo vestito?&nbsp;- Ti calza a pennello!&nbsp; - How does this dress fit me?&nbsp;- It fits you perfectly!&nbsp; Did you know all these expressions? What’s your favorite?&nbsp;Follow me for more!&nbsp; A presto,&nbsp;Federica

How Do Italians Actually Speak? 8 Italian Idioms

In general, the trick with Italian, unlike English, is to pronounce all the letters of a word exactly, so the important thing is to know the pronunciation of each letter of the alphabet.

Ciao students from all over the world.&nbsp; This month I was thinking about a topic to talk to you about in my monthly article and while I&nbsp;was thinking I said to myself: who can advise me better than a person who has been&nbsp;studying Italian for many years and who has therefore overcome various obstacles? So, for&nbsp;this article I asked Alex, a dear student of mine (whom I'm sure will read me and therefore I&nbsp;greet with much affection), to tell me what was the most difficult step for him in the path of&nbsp;studying the Italian language.&nbsp; He undoubtedly answered me: “Isa, the pronunciation!”&nbsp; And today I'm here to write about this topic because I think that for every language this is the&nbsp;sore point.&nbsp;Has it ever happened to you to learn a language through books, songs, and texts for a long time&nbsp;and then finally make the long-awaited trip to the country where the language you are&nbsp;learning is spoken and think that you have landed on the wrong flight because you cannot&nbsp;understand a single word?&nbsp; Well, yes to me! I studied English at school for many years, until one day I finally traveled for&nbsp;9 hours on a plane to visit my grandparents in Canada, when I got there I tried to practice&nbsp;with my cousin… I let you imagine the disastrous result! At first, I felt confused, wrong, and&nbsp;discouraged as if I had wasted all those years of my life studying a language that I couldn't&nbsp;understand but in reality, it wasn't like that, just the real pronunciation of a language, you can&nbsp;only learn it with lots and lots of practice and some secrets.&nbsp; Therefore, this article wants to be a friend you can count on and I hope that anyone who is in&nbsp;this situation right now can read it and find the right motivation to continue. Having said that, here I am going to tell you some pronunciation secrets. In general, the trick with Italian, unlike English, is to pronounce all the letters of a word exactly, so the important thing is to know the pronunciation of each letter of the alphabet.&nbsp; Let's start with the vowels, which are: A, E I, O, U. Unlike French, English, and the same&nbsp;Latin from which it derives, Italian does not distinguish between short and long vowels and&nbsp;does not have diphthongs. it means that you have to read all the vowels, even the final ones&nbsp;within a word. Let's give some examples: The word "AIUOLE" contains all the vowels and&nbsp;trying to pronounce it helps to understand what I mean by the premise. Let's do another exercise with “AUTUNNO”. The beginning AU is given by the vowels A+U&nbsp;which are read separately, not as in AUGUST in English.&nbsp; Remember to also pronounce E when a word ends with this letter. Try saying “GRAZIE”,&nbsp;with the final E!&nbsp; Let's move on to the consonants, which are perhaps a little more difficult. There are some that are produced by the sound that comes from the throat and is called guttural, these are the C, the G, and the Q.&nbsp; The first two (C and G) can have two sounds:&nbsp;-Sweet, when they are followed by E and I, (for example the words CECI and GESSO) and&nbsp;have the same English sound as Chop or James/Giraffe in English:&nbsp;-Hard, when they are followed by the remaining vowels therefore A, O, U. In this case, the C&nbsp;has the sound of the K in the word King in English, “CASA-CUORE-CORSO”, while the G&nbsp;has the same sound as Game or Got in English “GATTO-GOCCIA-GUSTO”. But how does the pronunciation behave when there are two consonants together rather than&nbsp;a consonant and a vowel?&nbsp;Here we have some sounds that I like to define as special, let's see together what they are:&nbsp; - GL&nbsp;If the graphic nexus GL is followed by the vowel I, it is pronounced as if it were a single&nbsp;sound. “FOGLIO, FIGLIO”, GLI sounds like the double LL in Spanish of “AMARILLO” for&nbsp;example.&nbsp;If GL is followed by any vowel other than I, it is pronounced as two separate sounds of&nbsp;guttural G +L. For example “INGLESE, GLORIA, GLOBO”.&nbsp;For more examples, you can consult the Treccani Encyclopedia and any other Italian&nbsp;language dictionary.&nbsp; - GN&nbsp;The group of letters GN, on the other hand, always produces the same sound, whatever the&nbsp;vowel that follows it. It might look like Spanish N with cedilla. COMPAGNO, INSEGNANTE,&nbsp;LAVAGNA. Start practicing these words!&nbsp; - SC&nbsp;As you may have guessed, its sound depends on the vowels that follow it. Let's do a little&nbsp;exercise in Italian as a foreign language and see if you can guess which group of letters is&nbsp;pronounced as SHOES and which is SCHOOL in English.&nbsp;Group A: SCATOLA, SCONTO, SCUOLA.&nbsp;Group B: SCIVOLO, SCIARE, CRESCERE, SCEGLIERE.&nbsp;&nbsp;The general rule is that SC is formed by guttural S+C if followed by A, O, U. If instead it is&nbsp;followed by I and E it forms a single sound like SH of SHOES in English or CH of&nbsp;CHAMPIGNON in French.&nbsp; These are the main groups, then there would be many others but it is right to learn step by&nbsp;step.&nbsp;If you need or just like to hear the pronunciation of the sounds I have listed in this article,&nbsp;write me a private message and I will be happy to prepare a voice recording so that you can&nbsp;always hear the sound the pronunciation of a certain group of letters when in doubt.&nbsp; I hope this article has been helpful for all of you, share it with your fellow students, and see you soon!&nbsp;Ciao!&nbsp;

Italian Pronunciation

Hello everyone,
I've just watched a short video on animals sensing catastrophes and I heard the verb "warrant" and the adjective "attuned." I know what a warrant is but I've never heard the verb. Are these terms well-know or are they weird to daily conversation? 
The video is sort of a science one.

Thanks folks!!

Wow~~~I am so happy that I will be able to study at the WMG College of Warwick University in the UK in May this year.!!
 But  I don’t know much about the lifestyle there, so I’m worried~~  any friends in Coventry that we can play together~

Hello ^^ I would like to have some free/random conversation with some people in English to improve myself or maybe ourselves ^^ 
And i can help you (if you want to talk to me) with French. 
If you are interested, feel free to contact me ^^

Since poverty rates mean the percentages of poor people in given regions, is it OK to say poverty percentages?
In common cases, is percentage an alternative to rate?