An article about my country in the English speaking press

I have chosen an article "Cheaper Honda hybrids" from New Zealand Herald, because I am interested in environment and the price of petrol nowadays. For example, all over the world, we have a serious problem of global warming environmentally, and it is caused by carbon which is from electrical fittings, factories and car's exhaust gas. Furthermore, the posted price of crude oil is increasing substantially, so people who have cars are hard pressed to pay the petrol costs.

For the future, we should choose environment-friendly cars such hybrid cars. Hybrid cars use two or more different powers, very fuel-efficient and lower emissions than conventional cars. However, this kinds of cars have the disadvantages like expensive and charging time problems compare with between a hybrid and a gas car such as Chrysler, Ford, and GM. The above disadvantages, this Honda hybrid cars have improved and developed the cost and performance, as a result, US consumers is shifting to smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles. The cost will about US$1900 which is the difference between the hybrid and a standard gas car model, and it is coming out in the US, Europe and Japan in early 2009. The price gaps between this hybrids and their comparable standard models are from $2543 to $38145. As recently, consumers of buying hybrids moved from concern for environment to high fuel prices.

Globalisation and food

In Japan, globalisation has increased and effected every aspects such as society, culture and economy, and it also has brought an economic growth. Whether to progress of globalisation or not has been debating from every branch of areas. Japanese food has been affected by globalisation but the food in other countries has also been affected by the globalisation of sushi. Japanese globalisation could be called often "Americanisation". For instance, when I would like to eat something, there is the large range of choice from various ethnic restaurants. However, these mainly seems to be distinguished the American companies. So I am going to talk about the globalisation's effects of importing and exporting foods.

Globalisation of import food might be one of positive side from considering the large range of choice in my country. It seems as if we are in another countries without travelling. Some people believe that "fast food chains" typify the globalisation of food in Japan. For example, McDonald's, KFC, SUBWAY, Wendy's, Quiznos Sub and Burger King, also these are mainly from American companies. Although, if we go to a big city we could eat more diverse kinds of fast foods such as Indian, Mexican and so on. When I was a child, the fast food chains had been already coming in and taking root in our lifestyle, so I sometimes ate such as a burger. But my grandparents generation might not imagine to be changed from traditional food style to the other countries styles.

On the other hand, Japanese has also popular and traditional fast food, it is sushi. It is famous among not only Japanese but also another countries people. People think that such as burgers are generally unhealthy, but sushi is healthy food, so it may have gained acceptance even the other countries. In negative aspects, young people's taste has changed and they prefer western fast foods rather than traditional foods. It might be hard for Japanese food industry. Futhermore, older people are apprehensive that younger people might be effected life-style related disease by western fast foods. Nowadays, we can get the large range of foods choice, therefore whether or not you agree with globalisation the choice is yours.

Class Report

This portfolio shows about the Experiences/Travels of our class mates. There are 11 students in my class.
Firstly, four students have travelled to other countries. For instance, Ally, Sopheng, K.D and me have been to abroad. Significantly, Ally and Tim have been to 4 countries, like Korea, Japan, Australia and Canada. In addition, Sopheng has been to Thailand, China, and Singapore, and K.D has been to China, although every class mates are studying English in New Zealand now. So, in my opinion, everyone could be interested in going overseas.
Next, I am going to talk about travels in New Zealand. Nine students have travelled some part of New Zealand. They have been to many cities, towns and beaches, for example, Tim and Ally have travelled around North island of New Zealand. Two students have been to Bay of islands, Christchurch, Piha Beach and Wellington each. Furthermore, a student has been to Queens town, Dunedin, Waiheki Island, 90 miles beach, Caromandel. Besides, some people hope to go travelling in New Zealand even two people who have never been to the other city in New Zealand!

Thank you.

About Me

Kia ora! Hello everyone!! :)

My name is Aki Moriyama and I’m Japanese, an international student. I have been in New Zealand for 6 months and I’m living in Massey with two Korean guys (including my class mate; CHOI).
Firstly, my hobbies are watching movies and listening to music. But I think these are both very common hobbies... I really love dogs, but I don’t have any pets in New Zealand, although I have a small and pretty dog in Japan! Her name is Mimi. (She is a mongrel dog between Pomeranian and Maltese)
Next, my family is my parents, a younger sister and brother, besides, my parents run their Japanese restaurant and my siblings are university students.
I’ve never had work experiences except some part-time jobs. Fortunately, I also have worked at junior high school in Japan where I taught Japanese and English, but it was just for one month.
I want to graduate from my university in Japan, this is my first goal.
I have studied English for 10 years, although my English skills are still not enough, so I’m studying English in New Zealand...I’m poor at listening and speaking, therefore, I have to study more and more!
I have been to Guam and Korea, but these were a short trip both of them. One of valuable experiences was teaching about calligraphy for students in university of Guam.
The other one is that I got a scuba diving license in New Zealand! (Look at my photo!)

Really nice to meet you!!!