Idiom is a group of words that makes a different meaning. a dime a dozen - "Coffee shops are a dime a dozen in Japan." Anything that is common and/or easy to get.

Tongue twister can help your pronunciation. Try reading aloud. Six sick hicks nick six slick bricks with picks and sticks.

Proverb is usually an old saying that states a general truth or piece of advice. Two wrongs don't make a right. - Markus Locklan When someone has done something bad to you, trying to get revenge will only make things worse.

Joke of the month | The Boss The boss was concerned that his employees weren’t giving him enough respect, so he tried and old fashioned method of persuasion: He brought in a sign that said “I’m the Boss” and taped it to his door. After lunch, he noticed someone had taped another note under his. “Your wife called. She wants her sign back!

Yokohama | Vol. 57 | April 2014

Hello readers, My name is Min. I come from Vancouver, Canada. I am new in Japan. I came to Yokohama in November of last year. Before coming to Japan and working for Berlitz, I worked for the Government of Canada in Immigration and Customs department. My hobby is snowboarding; Canadians love winter sports. My favorite Japanese food is chicken yakitori with yuzukosho.

A view from Cypress Mountain in Vancouver - My favorite place for snowboarding

Above is my one-minute introduction that I like to use at the beginning of my lesson. Some of you may have already heard the introduction in class. Many find my favorite food amusing and usually follow up with the following question: there is no yuzukosho in Canada? My answer to that is probably no. I didn't discover it until I came to Japan. Yuzukosho could be hidden somewhere in Vancouver, but I think I would have known about it if it did because I love spicy food. I would suspect the retail price on yuzukosho to be much higher in Canada as it would be an import and the free trade agreement between Canada and Japan is yet concluded. Nevertheless,

Japanese products are in high demand and can be seen in all corners of Canada. I, for one, have a strong loyalty to Japanese goods. Since 2006, I owned 5 cars and they were all Japanese, which are, in chronological order, Mazda, Honda, Honda, Subaru, and Honda. My laptop has always been Toshiba. It's the same case for most of my friends. There is a saying you get what you pay for and in my opinion, you get more than what you pay for with Japanese products. I have been wondering what my next car would be since I sold my last Honda before coming to Japan. I don't think I will find out anytime soon. The opposite road system will likely to keep me from driving in Japan. As the newly appointed editor of Yokohama Berlitz Newsletter, I'd like to say please enjoy the content and see you around the center.

Student Spotlight | Hideki Suzuki

1. What is the best (business) advice you've gotten? I have gotten a lot of good advice. I can't choose [only] one.

2. What is your biggest achievement or accomplishment? [My] biggest achievement is that I can [now] enjoy conversation [in English] and I [gained] confidence.

- Min 3. What animal represents you best? I don't know. How [about a] bear?

4. What is your favorite English word? My favorite English word is "positive."

5. Something unique about you or any other comments (optional). You know that I was born in Bangalore, India, 51 years ago and came back to Japan when I was 1 and [a] half years old. I have been to India five times, but I can't understand Indian English well.

Left to right | Hideki Suzuki, Aaron Burke, Min Son

*Would you like to be in the spotlight? Please answer the questions above and submit to Front Desk addressed to Min.