Tell me about your best friend at school.

Listen to how I answer this particular question, and get some short English explanations about some vocabulary and expressions I use in my answer.  Try to answer the questions in the vocabulary examples using the new vocabulary and expressions.

Speak English With Muki

Episode 4: Your Best Friend

How I lived in Russia for 13 years without knowing Russian.

Living in Russia

Living in Russia without knowing Russian

We can say:
Lovely to meet you.
Pleased to meet you. 
Pleasure to meet you.
Nice to meet you. 

Follow me for more Everyday English.

Everyday English with Teacher Alyse

Meeting Someone You Don't Know

This story uses words from '1000 most common words in English'. 


The morning comes quickly because Lemon has slept like a rock. He wakes up remembering his dream: an effortless glide through golden gates guided by angles and eagles.

“Mum, dad, I need to talk to you,” says Lemon. “I’m leaving… I’m going to go find this paradise. I need to see it for myself. I want to feel the soil between my toes and taste the unknown insects.” 

His parents are quiet for a moment. They see in his eyes that this is very important, and they only want what is best for their child. 

His mother speaks first. “You are a sweet child, little Lemon. You have a wonderful mind, brave and curious. You know you’re always welcome here. Our nest is always open.” 

“Mum, of course I’m coming back! I love you two so much and this is my home.” 

Lemon’s father says, “It has been said that there comes a point in a bird’s life when he needs to go beyond the mountains… It happened to my father and my father’s father, but never for me. That time never came. I grew up during the worst winter in known history. I had to work and sacrifice—there was no time for adventures… so, go on, Lemon. Get out there and live your life!” 

“You are the best parents a bird could ever wish for!” 

And with those words, the family hugs, a long hug which, even though freezing winds rip past them, seems to warm them to their very bones. 

Being a Cloud

Lemon the Bird

Preparing the map. To share. With all the students and new students. To show all the different countries that we're teaching in.

Can I Say - Can I Do

The Map

１９課－１

こんにちは。おげんきですか。今日（きょう）は９月２８日です。
秋（あき）です。でも暑(あつ)いです。今日の昼（ひる）は３４度（ど）になります。

みなさんは、おかしがすきですか。わたしはだいすきです。
北海道（ほっかいどう）のおかしは、とてもおいしいです。じゃがいものおかしがおいしいですよ。

では、みんなのにほんご１９かです。

北海道（ほっかいどう）へ行ったことがありますか。
いいえ、ありません。

たこやきを食（た）べたことがありますか。
はい、なんどもあります。

お好み焼き（おこのみやき）を作（つく）ったことがありますか。
はい、あります。

おでんを作ったことがありますか。
はい、おでんも作ったことがあります。

きめつのやいばのまんがをよんだことがありますか。
いいえ、ありません。でも、アニメをみたことがあります。

にほんのチョコレートをかったことがありますか。
はい、あります。とてもおいしいです。

日本（にほん）の海（うみ）で泳（およ）いだことがありますか。
アメリカの海で泳いだことがありますが、日本の海ではありません。

江ノ島（えのしま）のたこせんべいをたべたことがありますか。
はい、ありす。今年の４月に日本にいったときにたべました。

富士山（ふじさん）にのぼったことがありますか。
はい、バスで五合目（ごごうめ）までいったことがあります。

Hello. How are you? Today is 28 September.
It is autumn. But it is hot. It will be 34 degrees Celsius at noon today.

Do you like Okashi? I love them.
Okashi in Hokkaido are very tasty. Potatoes are delicious.

Now, let’s study Minnano Nihongo Lesson 19-1.

Have you ever been to Hokkaido?
No, I have not.

Have you ever eaten takoyaki?
Yes, many times.

Have you ever made okonomiyaki?
Yes, I have.

Have you ever made oden?
Yes, I have made oden.

Have you ever read any manga by Kiitsu no Yaiba?
No, I have not. But I have seen an animation.

Have you ever bought Japanese chocolates?
Yes, I have. It is very tasty.

Have you ever swum in Japanese waters?
I have swum in American waters, but not in Japanese waters.

Have you ever eaten octopus crackers from Enoshima?
Yes, I have. I had them when I visited Japan in April this year.

Have you ever climbed Mt Fuji?
I have climbed to the fifth station by bus.


にほんごのれんしゅう

みんなの日本語　19課（か）「～たことがあります」

Today we're talking about a phrasal verb that you can use to talk about those times that you don't know what to say. Those moments in meetings or presentations when someone asks you a question, or you get to a challenging part of what you're saying and you stop talking. You just can't find the right words. Maybe you'll find this a useful phrasal verb to describe what sometimes happens to many of us!