CROSSROADSCROSSROA DS Language StudioÊs Newsletter
New sletter March,March , 201
20 1 5The answer is an Englishman, Charles
Babbage, but the most surprising part of thestory is when he did it.
“The father of the computer” was born inLondon in 1791. He was a mathematicalgenius and a talented inventor.
In the 1820’s, while teaching mathematics
at Cambridge University, he designed his first“difference engine”; a mechanical device that
could perform mathematical calculations.
Babbage designed a second “differenceengine” between 1846 and 1849 whichcontained processors (he called them“mills”), control units, a memory (he calledit a “store”) and an input/output system; allessential parts of a modern computer!
As electricity had not yet become ausable source of power in Babbage’s time,
he designed his devices based onmechanical systems. As a result, the designof his second “difference engine” was big,very complicated and very expensive.
Although he produced complete plans for it,
he was not able to build it. Like Babbage, it
was way ahead of its time.
His second “difference engine” wasfinally built in 1991, almost 160 years after
he designed it, by the Science Museum inLondon!
Between 1833 and 1842 Babbage worked
on another, more complex invention hecalled an “analytical engine”; a device on
which his fame as a computer pioneer now
largely rests. He designed this machine toperform arithmetical calculations by using
punch
cards
thatwoulddeliverinstructions. It also had a memory unit tostore numbers, and had other functions
found in today’s computers.

Like his second “difference engine”, his“analytical engine” was too far ahead of its
time to ever have been constructed in
Babbage’s lifetime. Indeed, the “analyticalengine was completely groundbreaking; theworld’s first programmable computer.
But computers, as everyone knows, require
software as well as hardware. Babbage’sfriend Ada Byron (Lovelace) is often creditedwith creating the first computer program oralgorithm. On paper, she went further thananyone else in realizing that an “analyticalengine” could go beyond the work of a merecalculator. This was the first ever concept of amodern computer. She understood thatanything that could be converted into
numbers – music, language (the alphabet),
images – could be manipulated by computer
algorithms.
At the time, Babbage and Byron had set off
a revelation that would soon change how theworld works. The rest, as they say, is history!

NET LESSONS: Too busy to come to CROSSROADS?
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SITE OF THE MONTH: You can find an image and avideo of Babbage’s engine working here:
http://www.computerhistory.org/babbage/

Joshua Says: It’s time again for our mid-semester survey. There will be a simple
questionnaire to fill out that will cover the basics. Then Junko will be asking you
about your lessons, your study plans and whether or not you feel like you areprogressing. I’d like everyone to support this and to contribute frankly and positively
towards helping us fine-tune your lessons and our study programs. And please do not
be shy! Clear answers and opinions will go a long way to helping us all improve.
Junko Says: During the winter, we have neglected looking after our flower bed
in front of the school building. Now March has come, we are going to plant some
new flowers soon. I hope, by April, we’ll have a nice little flower garden again thatgives many people a little smile when they see it. If you have any recommendation
for the kind of flowers we should plant, I’d be very interested to hear your ideas.
Mark Says: Already hay-fever season is upon us. In addition to myself, Iseem to be surrounded by sniffling people with red glazed eyes. I've received
a lot of advice on natural remedies I should try for my hay-fever, but likemost natural remedies I've used over the years they just don't cut themustard. I'm having to stick to my usual three pronged attack (Claratyne,nasal spray and eye-drops) which are finally working well for me.
Aaron Says: Along with my interests in history and science, I am alsointerested in wine. During my time at the University of Texas, I worked at awine shop to make ends meet. I developed a real passion for all sorts of wineand spirits. My favorite wines are all from Europe, but my absolute favorites
are from Spain. Do yourself a favor, and try some Spanish wines!
Chers étudiants et étudiantes de Crossroads, j'ai beaucoup aimé mon
expérience d'enseignement à vos côtés. J'ai beaucoup appris de nos conversations
concernant vos voyages, l'art, le cinéma, la poésie française. J'espère que je vous
aurai inspires à découvrir d'autres contrées francophones telles le Québec. J'ai été
impressionnée par vos efforts en vue d'apprendre la langue française. Je vous
remercie pour cela ! Ce n'est qu'un Au revoir. Bon courage et bonne chance!
Danielle dit;

ACROSS

1 relating to machines
6 absolutely necessary7 to control or influence
8 relating to math7
13 an instrument used for a particular purpose
14 changed from one system or state to another
15 The first to achieve something
16 a precise rule showing how to solve a problem

13

4

5
6

8

9

10DOWN

2 built
3 someone who has exceptional intelligence4 something never done before
5 understanding by separating the whole into parts
9 not easy or simple
10 the first to think-up or make something
11 carry out an action
12 a theoretical idea
(print version here)

21113

12
14

1516

Maki from S(A)3 is something of a “glob-trotter”. She Here is Ren’s second installment
has visited many countries Here are some of her in series 2 of his stay in China:
In Tanggu: The city of Tanggu isimpressions from her time in Ireland:
completely different from Beijing andI went to Ireland in 2009.
Tianjin. Few tourists visit there, so I could Cannons at the museum
After I got a working holiday
relax. I like such cities. In Tanggu City, Ivisa, I lived there for a year
went to an interesting museum. Thereand a half. I lived in Galway,
were many cannons and a fighter jet. In
which is on the west side ofaddition, just outside of the museum, thereIreland.
was an old, disused airplane. People could
Why did I choose
sit on its wings and look inside. There wasDisused plane
Ireland? Because I likenothing inside it, but I believe it is not
Europe and I wanted to
Maki and friends in Galway
possible to see this in Japan.
study English. I could have
As I mentioned before, I visited Tianjin,
had a working holiday visa
too. There were many people there, but still
to England, but I had beenless than Beijing. Tianjin has so many
to England before, so I
Inside the planeinteresting spots to write about. I went to achose Ireland. After I
TV tower. It was very high, like Tokyo Tower. I had andecided to go to Ireland, I
unfortunate surprise there! I had lunch there. As I entered, I
looked up information on thethought I was asked if I wanted tea, so I answered, yes. The
Internet and in books. I read
waitress brought me a pot and some snacks. Later, when I
it’s a safe country and thefinished eating and asked for the check, I got a bill for about
Galway City across the river
weather is good. In fact, the¥4,000! I was shocked. But it was too late as I had alreadyweather was usually not good with four seasons occurring in adrunk the tea. I pointed out that there was no tea listed on thesingle day. The weather changed very quickly.
menu that cost ¥4,000. She said it was written on a board in theIn Ireland, I heard an English word which I had never heard
café’s bar. I actually saw it, but I still think she was unfriendly. Ibefore. When I met Irish friends they always said “What’s thecould do nothing so I paid the money. I wished I could havecraic”? When I heard this for the first time, I didn’t understand it.
communicated better in Chinese. When I left the café, I saw a
When I meet someone, I usually say “How are you?” or “How’sChinese person arguing very angrily with the same waitress.
it going?” I asked them what “craic” meant. They explained thatHe was so angry that he threw some cups and people around“craic” means fun. This word comes from Gaelic. “What’s thehim were trying to calm him down. I guessedcraic?” means “What’s new?”! Another phrase I hadn’t heard
she was a very bad waitress!
before was, “Thanks a million”. Irish people always use it when
they thank each other.
Each country has its own way of speaking English. It’s
interesting to learn about the differences. When you travel toIreland you will definitely hear those words. Ireland is a greatplace to learn English and learn unique Irish English words.
Tianjin Train StationDI R R E F U T A B L EFPIPP A R T I C I P A T I N GCARRILTS E D E N T A R YE
D I E T I C I A NNVNOCDACIO B L I G A T O R YPREVASNOI N T A K E
TITDM
DAEFGN U T R I T I O N A L
R E P U T A B L E
TD

Tianjin’s Unique Train Ticket

Tianjin TV Tower

Last Month’s Puzzle Solution
ACROSS
2 impossible to disprove
5 taking part in an activity
7 requiring little activity
9 a specialist in the study ofnutrition
10 required by convention
12 take in
15 relating to a healthy diet16 having a good reputation

DOWN
1 lacking or needing something
3 someone who takes part insomething
4 prehistoric, primitive
6 most frequent or very common
8 promotional statement
11 stay clear or keep away from13 short, memorable saying believed
to be true
14 the latest superficial trend

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