CROSSROADSCROSSROA DS Language StudioÊs Newsletter April,April , 201
20 1 9They all do it, snakes, dogs,cats, sharks, chimpanzees and so
do we, a lot. Yawning appears tobe ubiquitous within
the animal
kingdom. Yet, scientists still can’t
adequately explain why it happens or,
moreover, why it’s contagious - at least
for us and our closest relatives in theanimal kingdom. Studies have estimatedthat about 60%-70% of us are likely to
break out yawning just by seeing
someone else do it; or even while looking
at a photo of someone doing it. Somepeople even yawn in sync with their pets!
And trying to resist a yawn makes it
more likely you will yawn! Why?
Putting aside the possibility that two
people may be feeling bored or sleepy at
the same time, probably the most Ellawidelyacceptedtheoryaboutcontagious
yawning is that yawning serves as a formof Janis
nonverbal communication. Catching ayawn shows you're attuned to anotherperson's emotions - it’s a case of empathy.
Scientists have noted that contagious
yawning does not occur in children under
the age of four, the age at which we start
to develop empathy skills.

This age factor also applies to animalyawns. The University of London did anexperiment on 29 dogs, 21 of which “caughta yawn” when they saw a human yawn –ah, “man’s best friend,” indeed! But dogs
under the age of seven months did notdisplay any signs of catching said yawns –they didn’t display an empathetic responseat such a young age, just like young kids.
But why does anybody yawn in the firstplace? Nobody really knows, but the often
used explanation - that sucking in air when
we yawn enriching the bloodstream withoxygen and, thus, revitalizes us when weare feeling tired - is not true according to
the latest studies. Most scientists speculatethat yawning is linked to the regulation oftemperature, specifically in the brain. It
helps to cool the brain down.
That may be so, but what about
contagious yawning? Is everyone in acommunal yawn session a “hot-head?”
Alternative studies suggest that contagious
yawning is hard-wired in us and otheranimals. It’s a form of nonverbal
communication. Similarly, so too are
instances of communal laughing andscratching, the latter perhaps not so
common in humans. It’s a way ofcommunicating,...between the words...?!

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Here’s a U-tube video about yawning:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0dQx4SNSwEJoshua Says: It is said that once you learn to ride a bicycle, you never forget (how toride one). In contrast to this, many people who have long ago returned from a lengthy
stay overseas, or who haven’t studied English for a few years, believe they have “lost”
their English skills. But the reality is that, like bicycle riding shills, once learnt, English
is not forgotten, although it may lay dormant, waiting to be reawakened. With a little
practice and effort, you’ll be speaking as well as you ever could.
Junko Says: We have two olive trees in the garden in front of our school building.
I wrote in an earlier newsletter that one of these trees had 4 olives last year. Now
the blooming season is again coming close. Olive trees usually blossom with manysmall white flowers in May and June. And about 10% of their many flowers bear
fruit. They finally ripen towards the end of autumn. I am hoping that many of us
will have the chance of enjoying these white flowers this year.
Kevin Says: Trust – it’s a big subject, right? Of course, trust between ateacher (or instructor) and his students is very important for acontinuing, working relationship, or more. And we all know that trustis paramount to all our relationships – with family members, spouses,
our boss – you name it. Is it the secret to a happier life? Well, it
certainly helps except it’s no great secret, is it!?
Darrin Says: While Rugby union in Japan is only a moderately popular sport.
Japan has the fourth largest population of rugby union players in the world andthe sport has been played here for over a century, with the first recorded game
being held in 1866. The first Japanese team was named the Yokohama Foot Ball
Club. There are now over 125,000 registered Japanese rugby players, 3,631 official
rugby clubs, and the Japan national team is ranked 11th in the world.
Mandcy dit: Le saviez-vous? Des chercheurs americains ont prouvé
que le fromage était excellent pour la santé. On prolonge notre vie de20 ans!! C'est incroyable!! Hé bien, voilà une bonne raison de faire unpicnic et de déguster plein de fromages en profitant des beaux jours qui
arrivent. Joyeuse ère Reiwa à tous!!
1ACROSS
2 sufficient for the purpose
5 restores strength
10 in harmony or accordance with
12 easily spread
13 feeling close to, one with, another person's feelings
14 non-spoken communication
15 govern or control behavior245678910DOWN
1 to a great degree or extent
3 calculated for quality or worth
4 present everywhere at the same time
6 occurrences of some kind
7 making better or improving quality
8 believe without clear proof
9 in reply to
11 show or make visible
12 consisting of a group(print version here)

31112

13
1415

Famous quotations can inspire images
Here, on the left, are some famous quotes. Do they inspire mental images for you?
Can you relate any of the pictures on the right to these quotes?
“Don’t let schooling interfere with your education.” – Mark Twain“I am a slow walker, but I never walk backward.” – Abraham
Lincoln“Human nature is like water. It takes the shape of its container.”– Wallace Stevens“How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye
hard.” – Winnie the Pooh
“In war, the strong make slaves of the weak, and in peace therich makes slaves of the poor.” – Oscar Wilde“I’m not upset that you lied to me, I’m upset that from now on I
can’t believe you.” – Friedrich Nietzsche“You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punishedby your anger.” – Buddha
Draw a line to connect the image and the quotation youthink go best together. . . . . .
HC O U N T D O W NPMBA
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NU L T I M A T E L Y

Last Month’s Puzzle Solution
ACROSS
2 counting backwards
5 a feeling of self-importance
8 weakening, graduallydisappearing
10 extremely painful
12 contempt for human nature
13 shelter, safety
14 without mercy or pity
15 become friends

DOWN
1 someone who promotes
human welfare
3 removes completely withouta trace
4 delusions of persecution(psychology)
6 not anticipated
7 exiles fleeing for safety
9 dangerous, unpredictable
11 judgment

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