Some of my students have problems with the word “here.” When they talk about Nagoya, they say “Here is Nagoya.” When they show me a picture of their hometown, they say “Here is my hometown.” However, it is more natural to say “This is…” in both cases. For example, ①“This is Nagoya. It is in Aichi Prefecture.” ②“This is my hometown. I have lived there since I was born.” We use “Here…” when we are giving someone something. When my children went to a local festival, I used to give them money and say, “Here is 100 yen. Go buy something.” We can also use it when we are showing someone something. “Have you ever seen an American passport? Here is my passport.” (125 words)

About one year ago, Nagoya made a new rule: You should not walk or run on the escalator. People used to stand on the left side of the escalator and let people pass on the right side, but now they stand on both sides. Yesterday, a volunteer for Nagoya got on the escalator and stood on the right side in front of me. She had a sign on her back that said, “In Nagoya, please stop.” The rule seems to be working. The number of people walking and running on the escalator has gone from 21% down to about 7% since it started.     (103 words)

I am going abroad for a few weeks, and it’s time to get ready. Traveling in your own country is easy. First of all, you don’t need a passport. Second, you don’t have to worry about changing money. Third, you can use your mobile phone to make local calls to hotels and restaurants. When you go to another country, everything is more difficult. First, you need a passport. Next, you have to change money or use a credit card. Third, you need to buy a special plan for your phone if you want to make local calls. If you don’t have a plan, it will be very expensive! I’m leaving for the U.S. on Friday, and I am almost ready. (120 words)

At this time of year, it is starting to get cold in the north, so birds are flying south for the winter. Some birds like swans and ducks leave Siberia and fly down to lakes and rivers in northern and central Japan. Other birds like swallows leave Japan and go further south. Yesterday, while I was working at the environmental center, a friend came running in. “There’s an eastern buzzard (“nosuri”) in the sky!” He took me outside and pointed to a bird of prey flying in circles high in the sky. I have only seen this bird once before. I watched it for several minutes until it flew away. Later that day, I saw a Daurian redstart (“jobitaki”) for the first time this year. It will stay here for the winter. Yesterday was a great day for a birdwatcher!    (140 words)