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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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6

Obama Speeches Help Japanese Learn English

Students use his speeches to learn language

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(Newser) – Barack Obama is fast becoming a popular English teacher—in Japan. His speeches have become a hit for people learning the language there, the Wall Street Journal reports. Obama's slow and careful enunciation make him a particularly good model, teachers say. One book of speeches, complete with a dictionary for terms like "stop-gap measures," sold half a million copies in 3 months.

"Other speeches may be better for learning vocabulary, but Obama's speeches make me excited about speaking English," says one fan, who says he listens regularly in the bath.

Maruzen book store staff Daisuke Tanaka adjusts
Maruzen book store staff Daisuke Tanaka adjusts "The Speeches of Barack Obama," bottom left, and other Obama books in Tokyo.   (AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)
Japanese English students are mimicking Obama's speaking style, right down to his finger pointing.
Japanese English students are mimicking Obama's speaking style, right down to his finger pointing.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
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Many students are getting tired of listening to his speech only, because they have been listening to Obama every day for seven months. - English teacher Makoto Ishiwata

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6 comments
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SPH
Feb 21, 09 11:16 AM CST
Unfortunately we have eight years of Japanese students learning English from George W Bush.....I'm sorry...Way too easy... Reply
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NutsInNY
Feb 21, 09 12:11 PM CST
Yeah, bad words like "GOPzilla".
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markhebert42
Feb 21, 09 12:34 PM CST
Now only if American could learn to speak English. Reply
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LeftMiddleRight
Feb 21, 09 12:49 PM CST
Bush Speeches Helped Japanese Learn Broken English...and also a plethora of made up words...sounds...funny faces... Reply
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Shannonals
Feb 21, 09 2:40 PM CST
Proper enunciation is vital in learning any language Reply
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