OC on TV

Let us show you how you can use these Orange County shows to study English and learn more about life in southern California.

We especially like "Life of Ryan", following a young skateboarder right here in San Clemente.

Scroll down for a short lesson in the slang and expressions you won't find in your dictionaries and textbooks.

Language and Culture Programs

As an English teacher, I focus on finding out what the student really needs and wants. I develop a program which students can enjoy and be motivated to continue through independent study.

I have developed curriculums for Conversational English, Business English, Conversational Japanese, and Introduction to Japanese Culture. I also have experience teaching academic and business writing.

My published textbooks for Japanese and Korean students can be seen at these websites:
Japanese: http://www.seitosha.co.jp/book.php?product_cd=0270
Korean: http://book.daum.net/detail/media/list.do?bookid=KOR9788974620578

Guests

We welcome all types of guests: adults, kids, families, students, and business types. (Nice spoon trick.)

San Clemente Scenes Video Slideshow

A short video slideshow of scenes from around San Clemente: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LeGHiPKFwA

Slang from "Life of Ryan", Season 1, Episode 1

Reality TV is a great way to learn language as it is spoken by real people. "Life of Ryan" is an MTV series about a skateboarder who lives here in San Clemente. Go to mtv.com to see full episodes from Season 1 and Season 2. Then test your New Slang comprehension skills with these sentences from Season 1, Episode 1.

1. There's nothing I like more than kicking it with my friends.
a. playing soccer or football
b. fighting
c. spending time; relaxing; hanging out


2. Life in San Clemente is usually pretty chill.
a. cool weather; windy
b. nice and relaxed; good
c. cold and unfriendly


3. True that.
a. I agree.
b. I hope so.
c. You're wrong.


4. My mom doesn't want me dating someone that's gonna get me into drama like that.
a. TV shows
b. difficult or emotional situations
c. happy excitement


5. We're going to Dubai? Oh, sick.
a. Oh, I don't want to.
b. Oh, that's great.
c. That's disgusting.

Watch this scene at http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?id=1567719&vid=171498* To fit the quiz, some of the sentences above have been edited slightly from the original.

And here's a bit of video of some impressive moves from Ryan when he was smaller: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwpZsZ9N-aI

"Groms at Lowers"

In surfer slang, "grom" means kid, and "lowers" is Lower Trestles, a beach in south San Clemente that is well-known to surfers around the world.

Watch what groms can do on this YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrzE7c9Ukuo

After a day at the beach, the girls enjoy some time on the patio.

Waiting for a friend to change out of his wetsuit so we can all go for pizza.

Welcome to San Clemente!

On a guest's first day, we usually go to the pier to watch the surfers and catch a great sunset.

Romantic sunset on the pier. Not anyone we know.

San Clemente Metrolink Station

This is the Metrolink Station at North Beach.

You can plan to get some work done at the beach, as I did, but like me you may just end up watching the waves instead.

Kitchen and patio from the back yard.

Plumeria is our daughter's favorite flower, so she was thrilled to find this tree.

Beach Trail

The new beach trail is a popular place for locals as well as tourists. Cage enjoyed riding his scooter on the wooden walkway.

There are DVDs of "The OC" and books with movie scripts so guests can study and be entertained at the same time.

The first thing we loved about our house was this view from the entryway through the living room.

Summer Homework

Even though it's summer vacation, the kids have to do homework for Japanese school.

We're Here!

We moved into our new house at the beginning of July. There's still a lot of unpacking and organizing to do, but the guest area will be ready this week.

We love being here, with the beautiful view of rolling hills in front of us and the ocean in the distance, and the clean breezes blowing all day long. No matter how stressful moving or work get, all we have to do to feel better is step out to the patio for a few minutes with a cup of coffee or a cool drink.

We've just gotten to the point where we can have friends over, if they don't mind the boxes. The sounds of people hanging out and having fun are just what this house needs to make it a real home.

Getting Closer...

We are still in Irvine, but every day brings us closer to our dream home in San Clemente.

Since summer at the beach is the most fun, we hope to have homestay guests to share our home as soon as we move in at the first of July.

Contact us if you or a friend would like to have an English Vacation or an OC English Intensive at the beach this summer!

Beth
yamamuro@cox.net
Home 949-218-6710
Mobile 949-922-9262