CROSSROADSCROSSROA DS Language StudioÊs Newsletter December,December , 201
20 1 8
Video games (often directly-translated to ‘TVgames’) have been popular around the world
since their inception in the early 1980s, whenthe Atari 2600, Commodore vic-20. (Vic-1001
in Japan) and Sinclair systems brought early,
simple games into our homes. Synonymouswith Japanese pop culture, the first systems
were actually North American, but Japan
would come to dominate the games consolemarket through Nintendo, Sega and thenPlaystation systems. The characters, too,have become household names around theworld, and help make billions of dollars fortheir parent companies: Mario, for example, isestimated to have helped sell over 300 million
games!
Since the start, parents have been
concerned about the seemingly hypnotic
influence that means children can be glued
for hours to game systems (though thisElla
phenomenon has obviously since extended
to people with cell phone addiction!),possibly neglecting homework, forfeitingsportsJanis
and time outside with friends, andcausing sleep deprivation.
There has also been concern aboutchildren’s exposure to violence and other adultthemes, and discussion about computer games
desensitizing and normalizing youngsters toviolence is an ever-hot topic among parentgroups. Does killing in a game, for example,
normalize shooting for some troubled young
minds? The games themselves can also cause
the players to become hyper-competitive too –not just for monetary prizes, but for fame,recognition from peers, and social media‘bragging rights’. In fact, jealousy andfrustration grew to such levels in one gamer in
Florida, USA, last month, that after losing in agames tournament he shot several people,
killing two, before turning the gun on himself.

So why are video
games so popular, enthralling – evenenraging? In terms of their addictive qualities,some point to the constantly (albeit rapidly)
flashing screens and bright colours, but there
is also the competitiveness – first against
yourself, the computer or in-house opponents,
but now also online around the world.
Regular users also argue that games may
improve their reaction times, logical thinking
and skills of deduction or pattern recognition,
timing and accuracy, and also provides somesocial interaction with other gamers in 2ndlanguages (and learning English in a context
youenjoyisobviously
greatforimprovement!). Some industries also actively
scout highly-skilled video gamers – including
global air forces and militaries, as defense(and offence) uses more and more technology
and becomes more removed from physicalcombat, and more similar to the games that
attempt to emulate it – life imitating art, asopposed to art imitating life.
Is the video game just a natural evolutionof board games and cards, for example, oris it something more sinister we should
protect the younger generation
from?

Article by MarkNET LESSONS: Too busy to come to CROSSROADS?
…. Try our lessons on the net!
Here’s a history of computer games for you:https://www.dailyinfographic.com/evolution-ofvideo-games-in-one-epic-timelineJoshua Says: Isn’t it ironic? When you think about it, the only thing that doesn’t change
is change! Everything goes through cycles of change, some slow, some fast, but there isalways change. “Fittest’ in the expression “survival of the fittest” does not refer to the“strongest”, but to the organism that best adapts to change. Rather than resist change, weshould set about promoting it if we wish to keep in tune with nature. There’s a word inevery language that can help us do this. In English this word is “why.” You may not find theanswers, but consider all of the changes you create in your search for the answers to why!
Junko Says: Next year’s Chinese (Japanese) Zodiac symbols will be Tsuchinito-I. The
celestial sign “Tsuchinoto” has the character of earth, symbolizing a fully grownindividual or organization reviewing past principles, regulations or disciplines andpreparing for a new phase. “I” is symbolic of a seed of stored energy and internal growthfrom a new shoot. Next year’s growth is said to occur horizontally, and some say thechallenge will be related to foreign countries where good possibilities may open up.
Mark Says: My thoughts this month have been of you, my students, and how
nice it has been to get to know you and see your English progress. Although
new opportunities are calling me away from Matsuyama in December, I havefond memories of all of you, and want to say thank you for the smiles during
our time together. The best of luck to you all in 2019 and beyond!
Darrin Says: As another year comes to an end, and I scratch my head inwonder as I ask myself, ‘where did it go?’, I find myself thankful for all thegood things in my life right now. So when I am questioned about what I
would like for Christmas, I would ask that you all take a moment to reflect
on the good things that you have in yours. Wishing you all a very Merry
Christmas and a safe and fulfilling 2019.
Ça y est, Noël approche!!! Pour les français, cette periode estmagique. Les lumières et les couleurs rouges et vertes pavent les rues, onréfléchit aux cadeaux à offrir à ceux qu'on aime et au festin qur l'on va manger.
Mais Noël , n'est -il pas devenu une fête trop commerciale? Certe, on depense
beaucoup d'argent, mais on aime tellement ça !!!! Joyeux Noël à vous tous.
J'espère que le père Noël vous apportera plein de cadeaux. Bisous.
Mandcy dit:

1ACROSS
3 a beginning
5 indicating evil
9 the same as or nearly the same as
11 losing the rights to something
14 making violently angry
15 capturing great interest
16 unmistakably, clearDOWN
1 acting self-important
2 make less sensitive
4 leaving undone, not caring
6 try to equal, especially by imitating
7 be in control
8 to take away or lose
10 appearing to be
12 a person's equals
13 even though(print version here)

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A Few Interesting Facts about Animals You
Probably Didn’t Know:
That’s me!

MFAOUF A I R S
B R O K E R E DNSGVSPEEN O M A D I C
F L O U R I S H E DLRRVUS
T E S T A M E N TPUUDUIPLL
V I T A LEUOR
U N D E R C U T
C O N C HESEDR E S U R G E N C E
DLast Month’s Puzzle Solution
ACROSS
4 places to gather products forbusiness5 bought and sold8 having no fixed home
9 grown vigorously, successfully
10 strong evidence
13 perform an essential function
14 sell cheaper than the competition
15 a type of seashell
16 begin again

DOWN
1 the common people
2 made with effort and care
3 dishonest, without principles
6 developed through time andexperience
7 participate in an activity
11 taken the place of
12 a promise of some kind of reward

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