Many Japanese who have studied abroad have returned home without being able to speak English.
If you think that if you study abroad for a long period of time you will naturally come back speaking English, you are very much mistaken. Most people come to study abroad with the expectation that if they live in a foreign country, they will be able to speak English to some extent. They realize this only after they have experienced studying abroad.
Basic English skills must be acquired before going.
Never contact Japanese people. Never contact Japanese people. Do a homestay and stay away from the Japanese language.
We encourage you to speak as much English as possible, stay active, and enjoy your study abroad experience to the fullest.
First of all, if you do not observe these three things, there will be no point in studying abroad. If you follow these rules and try to speak actively, you will see results even if you study abroad for a short period of time.
Upon returning home, they gradually reverted back to their original state.
Even if you follow these three items and become able to speak English to some extent, your English ability will rapidly decline once you return to Japan.
The reason.
The listening and speaking environment was cut off.
Originally, the individual had not developed balanced English skills and was easily influenced by the environment, which made it easy to decline.
Note that those whose balance of the four skills tends toward the green line on the radar chart (lack of writing and reading skills) tend to be easily influenced by their environment.
In order to maintain
Create an environment to listen to and speak English in Japan.
Balanced study of all four skills.
In other words, you'll need to put in a good amount of effort after you return home.
TOEIC, Eiken, and TOEFL are well-known English language certifications. Among these, why is TOEIC overwhelmingly favored?
TOEIC (Test Of English for International Communication)
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
Why TOEIC?
It has a 40-year history since its birth, with over 2.3 million examinees in FY2021, and is recognized worldwide as a universal communicative English language proficiency test.
The examination should be fair and open to all regardless of cultural background.
Many companies set it as "a criterion for hiring employees, for overseas assignments, and for promotions. A high score is advantageous for employment.
The evaluation should be based on a score.
The score is evaluated based on the number of points. Eiken is judged on a pass/fail basis, such as Eiken Level 1 and Pass, making it difficult to convey a clear level in resumes and other documents.
The number of tests is large and the number of test sites is also large. The public test is held 8 times a year (January, March, May, June, July, September, October, and November) in 80 cities nationwide, and the number of times the test is held differs for each location. Results are sent approximately one month later.
Approximate TOEIC Levels
| SCORE | level |
|---|---|
| 900 | Be able to conduct business in advanced English |
| 800 | The second barrier to advanced level is 860 or above, which is considered to be a level where one can live comfortably in an English-speaking country (A level) and can handle problems on one's own. |
| 700 | The first barrier to advanced level is the average score of 790, which is considered to be a "B" level and is the first level to be able to communicate adequately in English. |
| 650 | Eiken Level 2 above Intermediate level after crossing the 650 Intermediate wall. |
| 600 | Many companies set the standard for overseas assignment at around 600. |
| 500 | Hiring criteria for new hires often requires a minimum of 500 |
| 499 | Average score for new hires at the college graduate level is around 460 (2007) |
Test Contents
The TOEIC test is a two-hour (120 minutes), mark-sensing test with a total of 200 questions: 100 in the Listening section and 100 in the Reading section.
| Listening section (100 questions, 45 minutes) | |
|---|---|
| Part 1 | Photo description questions: 10 questions (4 choices) For each question, look at the photo listed and choose the English sentence that best describes the content of the photo from the four English sentences that will be broadcast. English sentences are not printed. |
| Part 2 | Response questions: 30 questions (3 choices) The question text will be broadcasted, and the best answer to the question will be selected from the 3 English sentences that will follow. Neither the question nor the answer sentences are printed. |
| Part 3 | Conversation questions:30 questions (4 choices)A conversation between two people will be played. Read the questions about the conversation written on the question paper and choose the most appropriate answer to the question by selecting 4 options. Only the conversation sentences are not printed. There are 10 conversation sentences and 3 questions per conversation sentence. |
| Part 4 | Explanation questions:30 questions (4 choices)A long English sentence will be played. Read the question about the English sentence on the question paper and choose the best answer to the question by selecting 4 options. No explanatory text is printed. There are 10 explanatory texts, with two or three questions per explanatory text. |
| Reading Section (100 questions, 75 minutes) | |
|---|---|
| Part 5 | Short Answer: 40 questions (4 choices): Choose the best four choices to fill in the blanks in the English sentences. Grammar and vocabulary are tested. |
| Part 6 | Fill-in-the-blanks: 12 questions (4 choices)Choose the word or phrase that best fits the blank in the long text by selecting 4 options. There are 4 long sentences and 3 blanks, for a total of 12 questions. Grammar and vocabulary are tested. |
| Part 7 | Long Reading Comprehension: 48 questions (4 choices)Read long sentences written in various formats and choose the best answer to the question by selecting 4 options. 2 to 3 questions per long sentence. |
But TOEIC is no panacea either.
Good score.=Fluent in EnglishThis is not always the case.
Because some problems are better or worse than others, there will inevitably be variations in scores.
By taking the TOEIC, you can objectively assess your level of English proficiency. For those who do not have a specific goal for English study, it is a very good numerical target.
Let's all aim to improve our scores on TOEIC.
As a result, English expressions used in business English are actually not difficult.
The reason,
Clear and simple expressions are used because difficult expressions cannot accurately convey important matters or one's intentions.
In business English, people from many different countries with different values and cultures are involved. Difficult expressions are not recommended.
Japanese people who do not understand this may go out of their way to use difficult expressions to avoid being lambasted, which in turn may not be conveyed well to the other party.
Accurate communication is fundamental to business conversations. The phrases used in business telephone conversations are also determined so that they can be conveyed accurately. It is like learning a manual.
Examples of Business English
When expressed in English, it is no different from a common sentence.
- I have just received your acceptance of the contract. Thank you.I have just received your acceptance of the offer with thanks.
- Please let me know if I can be of further help.
- If you have any questions, please feel free to let us know.
Why do you find Business English so difficult?
What makes business English difficult is that each field has its owntechnical termand industry-specificindustry-wide termThis is because there are
So no other special skills are needed?
Another important aspect of business English is reading and writing skills. You must be able to understand and respond to faxes and e-mails accurately and precisely. They also need to be able to respond quickly. Your business skills themselves are more important than your reading and writing skills.
When exchanging English e-mails, letters, and reports in a business situation, mistakes will be reduced if you keep the 5W3H in mind and ensure that the necessary requirements are conveyed.
| Who | Who is it, sales or quality assurance department? |
|---|---|
| Where | Check the situation and then, depending on the circumstances |
| When | When will it be implemented, when is the deadline, and what is the delivery date? |
| What | Clear objectives |
| Why | Why, to keep costs down, at the request of our clients |
| How | In what way? |
| How much | how much |
| How many | How many are needed |
Have you ever heard that simply keeping your ears in a constant state of listening to English gradually accustoms your ears to English and helps your listening? Some of you may still be trying it. Is it really effective for listening?
Passive listening is almost meaningless.That can be said.
If you're going to listen, you really need to concentrate, otherwise your brain won't be able to accurately recognize the beautiful English coming into your ears as sound, and it will only sound like noise.
As shown in the diagram below, listening and speaking are in a complementary relationship of reception and expression.
There is little point in doing only one or the other. It is safe to say that it will not help you improve your English.
When he built a new house, he had speakers installed throughout the house so that English could be played in every room.
What is effective for improving listening skills?
To improve your listening skills, it's not enough to just develop your ability to hear English.
The ability to understand spoken Englishmust be extended.
Even if you can hear English, it is not sufficient as a listening skill if you cannot understand the content accurately.
Effective ways to improve listening skills
Practice pronunciation
The more accurate your pronunciation, the more words and phrases you will be able to hear, and the more you will be able to understand English.
Let's practice pronunciation by speaking out loud clearly. Identify the English sounds you struggle with and train them. If you're good at singing, practicing through songs is also a great method.
Listen to English as much as possible
It's important to listen attentively, not just passively. The more you listen, the more effective it will be.
There was a time when it was called "hearing" instead of "listening."To listen attentively, to lend an ear, to listen with empathyIn terms of meaning, "listen" is used. "Hear" isTo be heard/(passive) to hearIn this sense, it is more accurate to call it listening. In this sense, it is more accurate to say "listening.
Ideally, speaking and listening should be done at the same time, i.e., learning from conversation.
Train yourself with English at a speed you can understand, and gradually get used to normal English.
This is training to improve your English listening comprehension.
Normally, after hearing English, your brain translates it into Japanese for a moment before understanding. This process isn't applied to every part, but rather, the brain reacts in this order only to the parts you don't understand.
With training, not only will the Japanese words stop coming to mind, but the English letters themselves will also stop coming to mind, and you will be able to capture them in your mind's eye. As this happens, more and more of the words will remain in your brain. When you can no longer picture Japanese words, you will become much stronger.
Podcasts and the CDs that come with NHK's teaching materials are recommended as easy-to-understand listening materials.
For those studying English conversation, it can be effective because the teacher speaks according to your level and understanding.
The most important point for improving your English conversation skills isSpeakinglocated in
There are probably many people who suffer from a lack of output.
The most important point for improving your English conversation skills isSpeakingIt can be safely said that it is in.
For those who are starting English conversation, whether or not they can overcome the speaking hurdle determines whether or not they will be able to speak English.
Speaking is difficult to train if there is no one to whom you can transmit English.
Speaking can be said to be the most difficult of the four skills.
So what is the best way to improve speaking ability?
To improve speaking skills
Let's talk a lot
The first principle is to have opportunities to speak English, such as by taking English conversation classes. You cannot train speaking without practice.
To do this, you need to speak, even if it is only with vigor. The fastest way to do this is to speak out loud, without being shy, without worrying about what articles to use, grammar, pronunciation, etc.
I wonder why I made that mistake, or regret not being able to find the words, but laughing, getting discouraged, and regretting – it's precisely that repetition that has an effect. The feelings you want to convey to the other person are what's important.
I believe beginners might feel shy about speaking up in group lessons or real English conversation schools when they're not used to it.
One-on-one lessons such as eTOC are not at all crowded, so you can talk as much as you want.
When you are nervous, you may not be able to think straight and give full expression to your abilities, but you will get used to this with training.
Train by communicating your areas of expertise.
Everyone has something they're interested in and something they're good at. When talking about those topics, your desire to convey that to the other person comes through strongly.
English conversation improves through communication. It's effective to have free talk or special lessons on topics you are good at.
shadowing
A well-known interpreter training methodshadowingThere is a way.
This is a practice method of reading the same sentences while listening to the original English.
It is even more effective to use English sentences that you fully understand and to imagine the meaning while doing so.
This method is good for getting used to the speed of English, it's effective for pronunciation and intonation training, and it can hone your sense for English. Practicing by singing along to English songs is also a good idea.
Describing
Describing is an original training method from eTOC where you look at a photo or picture and practice quickly saying its description aloud in English, as if you're explaining it to someone.
Please try to say whatever comes to your mind in English as you go along. You can even make up a story that you associate with the picture. You will probably be shocked at how little you can explain. You can find pictures and photos on the Internet.
It would be interesting to have photos of action, not just still lifes. It's important to speak spontaneously, using everyday language, not complicated sentences for explanation practice.
Speaking requirements
Response
Speaking requires understanding the other person's words and responding quickly.
It's not important to react quickly, but the basics are to accurately understand what the other person is saying and to respond accurately.
Still, you must be able to give at least a natural response. In listening, you were askedTo improve your listening comprehension of English.Abilities are required simultaneously.
To be able to respond naturally, it is necessary to expand your vocabulary. Learn commonly used expressions in your body and train yourself to be able to use them on the spur of the moment.
Listening
Speaking and listening are relative to each other, so it is not possible to have only one ability.
Pronunciation with attention to intonation and rhythm
By practicing speaking with an awareness of syllables and correct stress placement, you can get closer to speaking understandable English.
In order for others to understand your English, you must learn to pronounce it with intonation and rhythm in mind.
We know that it is better to take the lesson without translations in Japanese during the lesson, but we have also created many of our materials with Japanese translations to save you the trouble of looking them up. We would appreciate it if you could read the translation before and after the lesson and not look at it too much during the lesson. If this is a concern for you, please choose the version without English. Note: Speaking while translating Japanese into English is natural for Japanese who cannot speak English. As your English ability improves, you will be able to speak English without Japanese as a result. This is different from taking a lesson while looking at an English translation.
If you take the process of "English to Japanese", in which you translate English into Japanese for a moment in your brain and then understand it, it will be difficult for you to improve your English ability. (This is different from "Japanese to English," which is the process of quickly translating Japanese into English.)
In Japanese English education, students are always required to translate into Japanese. This is one of the reasons why Japanese people cannot speak English.
Recent English education in Japan's compulsory schooling has finally become conversation-centered, making English and English conversation increasingly synonymous.
English has been a language study until now, but English conversation is a language (sound) training. Therefore, if you get into the habit of translating into Japanese, your thoughts will follow that process, and even after learning English conversation, you will experience a phenomenon where you don't improve easily.
Studying by translating into Japanese is counterproductive for learning English conversation. Therefore, those who start learning English conversation must first begin by training themselves to break this habit.
What is the most effective way to train to get out of the habit of translating into Japanese?
It goes without saying that English and Japanese are completely different languages. If you translate English into Japanese in your head, you'll never develop an English brain.
The best training method to break the habit of translating and reading (yakudoku) is,
shadowing
Shadowing with an English sentence whose meaning you know well, or after having more than enough understanding of the meaning of the sentence in Japanese, repeat the shadowing while imagining the scene. Repeat over and over again. Read the text over and over again so that your body will memorize it. Do this training.
For this training, you will need to find original (audio) material that suits you, which can be found on podcasts and the like.
Definition of native
Native speaker
The people of that land. Indigenous people. Also, when combined with other words, it signifies native, indigenous, or original, etc. (Yahoo Dictionary)
Native speaker. A person who can speak a language as their mother tongue. (Wikipedia)
By the way, what is a mother tongue?
A language that humans naturally acquire from an early age. It can also be called a first language in the sense of being the language one is most proficient at, but strictly speaking there is a gap between the two. (Wikipedia)
Two definitions by Thomas M. Pike
A person who has acquired a language as their mother tongue or first acquired language.
A fluent speaker of a language who uses it according to custom
Is English spoken by Filipinos native?
The Philippines is a multilingual nation with various linguistic groups within the country.
In education, since the Bilingual Education Policy of 1974, bilingual education in Filipino as the national language and English as the common language has been mandatory from elementary education and is implemented upon school entry.
The Philippines is an English-speaking country, and its English-speaking population is said to be the third largest in the world, following the United States and the United Kingdom, making it the country where English is most used among Asian nations.
Technically, Filipinos are not native speakers according to the strict definition of a native speaker. However, especially among educated Filipinos, many have acquired English proficiency on par with native speakers and a large number are actively working in customer support (call centers) and similar roles for Western companies. It is undeniable that many individuals function as de facto native speakers.
Filipino English is characterized by an accent close to American English, with few peculiarities, making it easy to understand.
Native Japanese beliefs
Even if you are not Japanese, it is natural to insist on native speakers as English instructors.
As a student, I want to learn not only the language itself but also the cultural background and values that are ingrained in native speakers. Even if the outcome is the same, am I stubbornly sticking to it because of a feeling similar to the relationship between original and copy, or purebred and hybrid?
Some Japanese people believe that native speakers can teach correct English, but that's not necessarily true. Just as not every Japanese person can teach correct Japanese to foreigners, the same goes for native English speakers.
What Japanese people are most concerned about isNative pronunciationJapanese people, for some reason, tend to be particular about accuracy, whether it's grammar or pronunciation, and aim to reach the same level as native speakers. However, only a select few can achieve this, and it remains an ideal. The essence is to be able to communicate in English conversation. You should grasp this fact firmly and set your own goals.
We have compared the advantages and disadvantages of one-on-one and group lessons. It is up to you to decide which you prefer. If you want to improve your English conversation skills thoroughly, we recommend one-on-one lessons. In this case, you need to make an effort to maintain your motivation. If you want to have fun studying with your English peers, group lessons are the way to go.
Comparison of One-on-One and Group Lessons
| Lesson | Merit | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| One-on-one (private) | ・Can converse without worrying about others ・Can talk a lot ・Improve quickly ・Can progress at my own pace ・Can request the lessons I want to take ・The teacher will arrange lessons to suit me ・Can talk about personal topics | - You might not notice your flaws because you have no one to compare yourself to. - You might struggle to maintain motivation and feel a lack of drive because you have no one to push you. - The lesson fees are higher than group lessons. |
| Group | It is easy to maintain motivation through the stimulation of other students. | Beginners are afraid to speak up, so it is difficult for them to participate; there are few opportunities for them to speak up; low-level people can be a nuisance to the progress; there are few advantages for advanced users; and it is not exciting when all beginners participate. |
People tend to think that becoming fluent in English only requires listening and speaking skills. Without developing all four skills in a balanced way, a well-rounded English mind won't form, making it easier for English proficiency to decline.Someone who speaks English Someone fluent in EnglishI can also write. People who can write can convey information correctly in English.
How can I learn writing?
Blogging in English
I often see people writing blogs in English, and I think it's a great method.
Since it will be publicly released, there's a sense of tension that prevents mistakes or inappropriate expressions, which makes it very good training.
If you're unsure about your phrasing, it's a good idea to have it reviewed by an English conversation teacher or someone similar before posting. Since you're making it public, you need to be careful to convey accurate information.
Receive homework from the English conversation teacher every time.
Having your teacher assign homework and being forced to practice English writing is also very effective. People have a tendency to not take action unless they are cornered or forced.
Take a writing lesson
Taking a full-fledged writing training course will ensure quality learning.
What are the benefits of learning to write?
It will be a good exercise for thinking in English.
Let's train ourselves to think in English and write it down, never thinking in Japanese.
It takes time because I initially think in Japanese, but if you persevere, you will become able to express yourself in English.
If you can write smoothlyEnglish brainYou can feel it.
It leads to conversational skill training.
When you become able to write smoothly, you'll notice that your speaking and listening skills are starting to improve as well. This isinteraction SynergyThis is known as the synergy effect. It's an effect that occurs when multiple different approaches are taken to a single task.
To become capable at work
Those who work in English, such as those with overseas assignments, English teachers, or those working for foreign companies, naturally become proficient in their work.
Let's check before we start studying.
Do you have a clear goal?
I want to become fluent in English. I think you are one of them too.
However, without a clear purpose of what you want to talk about in English, when and to what extent you want to achieve it, aren't you starting with just a kind of yearning?
If you don't have a clear objective and just memorize words, do extensive reading, or attend English conversation classes, your motivation will eventually wane, and you'll ultimately never become fluent.
First, goal setting is essential. It can be an ideal image. Simply clarifying your goals will completely change your approach and attitude towards learning English.
If you truly want to become fluent in English, set clear goals.
Those who want to study at their own pace
Many people will likely find a comfortable pace that suits their lifestyleI naturally became able to speak English.should be good.
It's very similar to dieting, isn't it? This is also one approach, and many people have limited study time.
You have no choice but to take your time and steadily step up. Even in that case, it is necessary to set your goals firmly.
Especially for those who want to study at their own paceMaintaining motivationWe must consider countermeasures.
Recommended study methods and recommended learning materials
shadowing
Regarding Question E, we discussedshadowingThis method is recommended as an effective approach with a solid history and track record.
This is a training method where you read along with the same sentences while listening to the original English. The method is simple, but it's difficult to do.
Let's find an original that matches your English speed.
In the podcast I will introduce later, there are many of them, and I recommend it. Pay attention to pronunciation and intonation, and train yourself by imitating.
I would like to request an English conversation lesson using my preferred materials.
For those taking English conversation lessons, it's also an effective method to have lessons using materials that you like and find easy to use.
Let's look for a school that accepts that kind of service.
Internet-based study methods
Online English conversation classes are one example, but the internet introduces various study methods.
There's too much information, which makes it difficult to choose, but I can find a method that suits me from among them.
You also shouldn't miss out on information from blogs that are not driven by profit.
Podcast
Podcasts are a system for distributing publicly available audio and video information using internet connections.
The data you received can be listened to on iPods and other portable media players, as well as smartphones like the iPhone.
This allows you to effectively use your commuting time, time before bed, and short waiting periods for English study.
Podcast Surprise!
There are many podcasts about English conversation.
High quality despite being completely free
NHK Educational Materials
NHK's educational materials are also among the recommended resources.
NHK textbooks have a solid track record and history, and I believe everyone has had the experience of using them.
There are many learning materials available for everyone, from beginners to advanced learners. Television programs have also changed to be more enjoyable for learning, broadening the fan base.
If you study with perseverance and don't give up halfway, you will definitely see results.
Let's find a study method that matches your English level.
Please keep the schedule flexible.
Even if you study at a relaxed pace, let's at least clarify the schedule.
I'm sure everyone has experienced enthusiastically making a study schedule, only to find that it doesn't go as planned.
In that case, my motivation will disappear and I won't be able to continue.
When taking English conversation classes, decide on the schedule in advance and avoid taking excessively long breaks. It's okay to set aside days where you don't study English.
The number of days people can maintain motivation consecutively varies, but I think it's around 4 to 5 days. Understand your own rhythm and create a schedule that allows for some breathing room.
Decide the amount of work to be done
Let's clarify the schedule and also define the achievement goals (amount of work to be done).
Today, I will complete up to n pages of text, memorize 10 idioms, and have a 25-minute online English conversation lesson in the evening. By setting achievable goals and following through, I will gain a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment, which will energize me to continue.
Vary your study methods
It's normal for even the most motivated people to get bored or lose steam halfway through. Trying out various learning materials can be a good approach.
To continue engaging with English
If you think studying is boring, you won't improve your English conversation skills. It's fun to study using foreign books on topics you're interested in, like movies for movie lovers or specific artists for music lovers.
Stimulation from friends
Regarding the benefit of group lessons, which we discussed in H,It's easier to maintain motivation by being inspired by other students.This is the point.
Having English-speaking friends with the same goal can be very motivating.
Having a platform for information exchange utilizing English blogs is very effective.
It's a good idea to find blog friends with the same goals, same level, and same spirit, actively leave comments for each other, and inspire one another.
There are benefits for the other party as well, so in most cases, they will gladly accept you as a companion with the same goals.
Self-study
Self-studyI believe it doesn't mean just studying on your own, but rather the original meaning is to study with your own unique style that you devised yourself.
However, everyone looking at this site thinksSelf-studyIsn't it an English learning method where you can become fluent in English on your own, without relying on external forces like English conversation schools?
It could also be called the cheapest way, but is there such a convenient method?
To get straight to the point, I think it's possible.
It's possible, but around me, there are completelySelf-studyI don't know anyone who learned English conversation through it. I believe it requires a lot of effort. However, many people learn it close to self-study, so it can be said to be possible. With self-study, speaking practice inevitably becomes a bottleneck.
For those who wish to self-study, eTOC proposes a method where individuals first acquire the fundamental knowledge and undergo basic training in English conversation through self-study, extensively honing their skills, and then supplement their speaking abilities by utilizing English conversation schools or similar resources.
In other words, it's a study method that postpones the final practice of speaking.
It's probably best to understand that English conversation ability mostly refers to speaking ability, so perfect self-study is difficult.
Self-study methods for English conversation
I recommend the following training method.
shadowing
Using English that you fully understand, which I have introduced here many timesshadowingThis is training. Let's train while picturing its meaning.
For the original English text, it would be good to use podcasts or CDs you own. The key to improving effectiveness is to fully understand the meaning of the English text before proceeding.
Describing
This method is an original training method proposed by eTOC.
This is a training method where you look at a picture or drawing and practice describing it aloud in English as quickly as possible, as if you were explaining it to someone.
Try to say whatever comes to your mind in English. Even made-up stories associated with pictures are fine. You'll probably be shocked that you can't explain much. You can find as many pictures or photos as you want on the internet and elsewhere.
It would be interesting to have photos of action, not just still lifes. It's important to speak spontaneously, using everyday language, not complicated sentences for explanation practice.
The biggest feature of these training methods is that they do not go through Japanese. Japanese becomes a hindrance to English conversation learning. Let's practice these two types of training in parallel.
As you repeat this training, if you start to want to have actual conversations, it's proof you've improved.
In English, "ディスクライビング" (disukuraibingu) is a loanword from English, meaning "describing." It refers to the act of explaining or giving a detailed account of something.
This is a training method where you look at a picture or drawing and practice describing it aloud in English as quickly as possible, as if you were explaining it to someone.
Try to speak out whatever you come up with in English. It's fine to make up stories inspired by pictures.
This is training to maximize the amount of English sentences. The quantity and quality of English you have now...Drawerwill be.
DescribingSteps
Please say out loud the English sentences you thought of when you saw the painting. (I will record it)
・Play it back and transcribe the text.
Let's check for mistakes. (We'll use a dictionary or other resources for confirmation.)
I will repeatedly practice using different pictures. (I will not use the same picture.)
Example
Elementary level
It's a bright Sunday afternoon.
They wear nice shirts.
She is very beautiful, with long brown hair.
They went shopping at the big mall during the Christmas sales.
Intermediate level
The couple is dressed in casual outfits.
Their honeymoon destination was Los Angeles.
He often accompanies his wife shopping.
There are many fashionable clothes at the mall near my house. There are many stylish clothes at the mall near my house.
He stays fit by lifting weights once a week, so he has an athletic physique.
I'm getting hungry. Let's go have lunch. I'm just awfully hungry, too.
You buy too much, don't you? Don't worry, the items in that shop are reasonably priced.
As you get used to it, expressions like these come to mind
A man and his wife wear nice, comfortable shirts.
The couple dressed casually in matching outfits.
The couple married three months ago. They are now living a stunningly happy life as husband and wife.
They booked the idyllic and perfect honeymoon destination of Los Angeles.
She didn't want to buy anything. Her only desire was to go shopping with her husband. But she bought many shoes and clothes because they were really cheap.
