12-year-old Boy Invents Braille Printer Made of Lego Pieces

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. assemble /əˈsɛmbəl/ (v.) – to join pieces together to build something

Example: The girl assembled her doll house.

2. interface /ˈɪntərˌfeɪs/ (n.) – a system that allows a computer or other entity to connect with another unit

Example: The recent system update made the program’s interface easier.

3. fascinate /ˈfæsəˌneɪt/ (v.) – to become interested or drawn towards something

Example: The kid’s remarkable work fascinated many viewers.

4. room for improvement /rum, rʊm, fɔr ɪmˈpruvmənt/ (idiom) – an opportunity to improve or be better

Example: Despite his developed writing style, the teacher thinks there is still room for improvement. 

5. knack /næk/ (n.) – an acquired or learned ability or talent

Example: She has a knack for fixing puzzles very quickly.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

A seventh grader from California invented a Braille [breyl] printer using parts of a Lego Mindstorm EV3. Shubham Banerjee [shoo-bam ban-ER-jee], a 12-year-old student, calls his invention Braigo, short for Braille and Lego. A Lego Mindstorm set is composed of materials that can be made to customizable robots. By assembling pieces from this set and some additional materials, Banerjee was able to create an affordable tool for the blind and visually impaired people. The Braigo is estimated to cost about $350, which is significantly cheaper than a regular $2,000 Braille printer. Braigo can print Braille letters from A to Z and each letter takes around seven seconds to be printed. Banerjee said the invention has an easy interface that even his little sister can operate it. He has uploaded videos on YouTube that demonstrate how his device works. This invention has fascinated many people, including the Lego Group. Through Twitter, the toy manufacturer expressed its admiration for Banerjee’s invention. The company said the creator’s intention to help blind people made the invention more impressive. Despite praises from people, Banerjee said that his invention still has room for improvement. He will soon add the numbers one to 10 in the program. Also, Banerjee plans to release the printer’s software to the online community for free and provide instructions in building the tool. Thus, Lego users who also have a knack for programming can do their own Braigo. According to the World Health Organization, around 285 million people suffer from vision problems and 90 percent of them live in the developing countries. With this affordable invention, more visually impaired people will be able to buy a Braille printer.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         What do you think of Banerjee’s invention? Please explain your answer.

·         If you had a chance or capability, what device would you like to create?  Please explain your answer.

Discussion B

·         In your country, are there opportunities in schools for young people to innovate? Why is that so?

·         In your opinion, how can kids’ creativity and inventiveness be improved?

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Starbucks Japan Decides to Promote Temporary Workers

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. promote /prəˈmoʊt/ (v.) – to move someone to a higher position or status

Example: The cashier was promoted to supervisor after years of hard work.

2. abolish /əˈbɒlɪʃ/ (v.) – to stop or make something end

Example: The company will soon abolish the age-limit policy.

3. uplift /ʌpˈlɪft/ (v.) – to make someone feel good

Example: The manager says kind words to uplift the employees’ mood.

4. touch /tʌtʃ/ (v.) – to affect someone’s emotion

Example: The beggar’s story touched many people.

5. skeptical /ˈskɛptɪkəl/ (adj.) – being doubtful about something

Example: The workers felt skeptical with the company’s new policy.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

Starbucks Japan, which currently has 1,800 part time workers, announced in a TV interview of the company’s decision to promote 800 temporary workers to full-time employees by April 1. The company’s first branch in Japan opened in 1996 and since then, Starbucks expanded its business by opening over 1,000 shops in the country. To match the Japanese culture they even managed to step up their menu by incorporating seasonal flavors and alcoholic beverages. Aside from the promotion, the company also plans to open only full-time positions and stop hiring the so-called “permatemp” employees. These are employees who have worked under the same company for many years without having the same benefits of a full-time worker. The 800 permatemp workers up for promotion will get the same payment, benefits, and rights of a full-time worker. Thus, the company expects that this move will lead to happier employees and lower resignation number. Part-time employment is still available today but the company hopes to gradually abolish it. While the news would surely uplift employees, the announcement also touched TV viewers and coffee consumers. One commenter said that the news made Starbucks his new favorite coffee place. Some viewers also try to encourage others to buy more products in Starbucks in support of its decision to improve employees’ benefits. However, some people felt skeptical with the news. A commenter worried that some part-time workers might be terminated to give way to more full-time employees. Another person was concerned that this decision might discourage Starbucks workers from finding a better career.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         What do you think about Starbucks plan?

·         How will this initiative affect other coffee shops in Japan?

Discussion B

·         Why should companies prioritize the rights of employees?

·         In what other ways can companies ensure employees’ job satisfaction?

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Newsweek Magazine Reveals Creator of Bitcoin

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. brainchild /ˈbreɪnˌtʃaɪld/ (n.) – result or product of someone’s idea

Example: The new computer program is the brainchild of the company’s best developers.

2. rebut /rɪˈbʌt/ (v.) – to contradict or to prove that something is not true

Example: The CEO rebutted the newspaper’s false claims about his company.

3. stand firm /stænd fɜrm/ (v.) – to remain with one’s statement despite others’ arguments

Example: The newspaper stands firm with the story despite accusations.

4. manifesto /ˌmænəˈfɛstoʊ/ (n.) – a formal document showing the opinion of a person or a group

Example: The founder’s manifesto cited the group’s goals for the project.

5. discreet /dɪˈskrit/ (adj.) – done in a careful and private manner

Example: The boss talks to his employees in a discreet way.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

American magazine Newsweek recently revealed the identity of the mysterious man behind Bitcoin’s creation. Bitcoin has long been thought as the brainchild of a certain Satoshi Nakamoto. The developer’s true identity was unknown until Newsweek published a feature story about a Japanese-American engineer with the same name. According to journalist Leah McGrath Goodman, Dorian Satoshi Nakamoto created the popular digital currency that began in 2009. Nakamoto, a 64-year-old Physics graduate, worked as a systems engineer for the U.S. government and some private companies. The Newsweek article quoted Dorian saying that he is no longer involved in Bitcoin and cannot discuss anything about it. However, Dorian rebuts the story’s claims after its publication. Despite this denial and the distrust of some Bitcoin users, Goodman and Newsweek stood firm with the article’s credibility. In 2008, a manifesto for Bitcoin was published under the name of Satoshi Nakamoto. The document emphasized that the Bitcoin system does not require financial institutions like banks to serve as a link between transactions. Bitcoin uses complex computer codes that enable two persons to transact directly with each other. Bitcoin chief scientist Gavin Andresen [GAV-in ahn-DREY-suh n] recalled that his conversations with Nakamoto were all about improving the codes. Andresen added that Nakamoto was a discreet man and that he never heard anything about the founder’s personal life. On another note, many analysts have praised how Bitcoin successfully performed without the central bank’s involvement. Bitcoin users can view their own record of transactions and maintain a protected identity. In the currency’s early years, a Bitcoin is worth only a few cents. As online users increased, Bitcoin’s value rose up to $1,100 last year but has fallen down to $650.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         What do you think about the use of Bitcoin?

·         Do you think the use of Bitcoin is safe? Why or why not?

Discussion B

·         In your country, what is the most common mode of payment?

·         How do you think this will change in the future?

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10-year-old Boy Suspended for Doing a Gun Hand Sign

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. suspend /səˈspɛnd/ (v.) – to temporarily stop someone from doing an activity

Example: The teacher suspended the rude student from attending class.

2. goof around /guf əˈraʊnd/ (idiom) – to do playful things carelessly

Example: Students goofed around during lunch time.

3. relay /riˈleɪ/ (v.) – to pass on information

Example: The class president relayed the teacher’s instructions.

4. inappropriate /ˌɪnəˈproʊpriɪt/ (adj.) – not ideal or proper

Example: Sleeping during classes is inappropriate.

5. mandate /ˈmændeɪt/ (v.) – to officially command or order

Example: The school law mandates that every boy must maintain a clean haircut.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

A fifth grade student got suspended from school for three days after making a gun sign with his hand. Nathan Entingh [NEY-thuhn EN-ting] said he was just goofing around with his friends during Science class. Then, his teacher suddenly took him out of the room and called his father informing him of the incident. According to the teacher, Nathan pointed his finger to a friend’s head and said “boom.” The next day, Nathan’s father Paul met with Devonshire [DEV-uhn-sheer] Alternative Elementary School Principal Patricia Price. Price relayed the news that the school gave Nathan a three-day suspension for committing a “level 2 look-alike firearm” violation. She added that repeated instance of the said act will result in a longer suspension or even expulsion. According to Price, students and parents have long been informed that the school will punish inappropriate behavior like playing fake shooting or making paper guns. Paul said he was aware of these rules against gun-related behavior. However, he said that such a suspension was just too much. Public schools’ strict rules trace back to a 1998 law that mandates officials to impose “zero-tolerance” for violence and inappropriate behaviors. But last January, Senator Charleta Tavares [CHAR-lee-tuh ta-VA-rehs] filed Senate Bill 167 to revise the outdated law. She said that schools are getting away with excessive punishment. For her, only extreme cases deserve expulsion or suspension. State disciplinary figures show that from 2012 to 2013, 419 students were suspended for firearm imitation while 38 students got expelled. In the district of Nathan’s school, 69 students were suspended for firearm imitation and 12 were expelled. In the harassment and intimidation category, 1527 were suspended but nobody got expelled.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         Do you approve of the punishment against Nathan? Why or why not?

·         How will the suspension affect Nathan and his fellow students?

Discussion B

·         What violation deserves suspension and expulsion from school?

·         Do you approve of punishment as a form of discipline? Why or why not?

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Bhutan Partners with Nissan for Electric Car Project

【Unlocking Word Meanings】

　今日の単語・フレーズ

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article. 

1. transition /trænˈzɪʃən, -ˈsɪʃ-/ (n.) – change of status or movement to another stage

Example: The country is making a transition to computerized registration.

2. committed /kəˈmɪtɪd/ (adj.) – having loyalty and determination to achieve something

Example: Successful people work hard because they are committed to win.

3. fume /fyum/ (n.) – smoke often released by vehicles and factories

Example: Some old cars release very dark fumes.

4. mutual /ˈmyutʃuəl/ (adj.) – having similarities or sharing common interests

Example: The two car companies have mutual respect for each other.

5. abundant /əˈbʌndənt/ (adj.) – plenty and more than enough

Example: The country has abundant water resources.

【Article】

　ニュース記事

Read the text below.

The Kingdom of Bhutan [boo-TAHN] has partnered with carmaker Nissan to provide environment-friendly vehicles in the country.  King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck [JIHG-mee kehy-SIR nahm-GEHL wahng-CHOOK] accepted two 2014 electric Nissan cars called LEAF or “Leading, Environmentally friendly, Affordable, Family car” for his birthday. The 34-year-old leader, known as the “Dragon King,” is on a mission to inspire citizens to use electricity-powered vehicles instead of pollution-causing engines. This was also supported by Bhutan’s Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay [TSEH-ring TOB-gahy] who confirmed that the country is committed to achieving zero car fumes. He added that Nissan will greatly help in achieving the country’s goal. Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn [KAHR-lohs GOHS-n] arrived in capital city Thimphu [tim-POO] to sign the agreement that will assist Bhutan in the country’s transition. Because of the mutual interest in protecting the environment, he feels confident about this partnership. In fact, Nissan plans to provide more electric cars and charging stations in the following weeks. The first batches of LEAF will be tested by the Bhutan government and taxi operators before making it available to the public. In addition, Prime Minister Tobgay also hopes that the use of LEAF cars can greatly help in saving the money spent in fuel importation. With abundant electricity supply the nation only uses five percent of the energy they produce and exports the remaining supply to India. Funds coming from selling electricity are then used to purchase fuel to gas up around 36,000 vehicles in Thimphu alone.

【Viewpoint Discussion】

　ディスカッションテーマ

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.  

Discussion A

·         In your country, which types of cars are widely used? Electric or Fuel?

·         How is it possible for a country to achieve zero car fumes?

Discussion B

·         How can air pollution be lessened?

·         What personal actions can you take to help lessen air pollution?

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