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Warm Up

Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. forgo
    • ex. They had to forgo their vacation plans because they needed to save money.
  2. settle into (somewhere/something)
    • ex. After moving to a new city, it took him a few weeks to settle into his new apartment.
  3. incredible
    • ex. The view from the top of the mountain was incredible. Everyone took pictures.
  4. a translator
    • ex. The company hired a translator to make sure the documents were correct in English and Spanish.
  5. trying
    • ex. Learning a new language can be trying at first, but it gets easier with practice.

Article

Read the article below and answer your tutor's questions.

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Japanese high school baseball star Rintaro Sasaki is excited about his new journey in NCAA baseball. After high school, he chose to forgo Japan’s professional baseball path and go to college in America. He hopes that this will speed up his journey to Major League Baseball. Sasaki is adjusting well to life in America, both as a student and an athlete.

“I’m very proud to be a Stanford baseball player, but also kind of nervous. It should be fun,” Sasaki said. He has settled into his busy schedule, managing both his classes and baseball while enjoying American culture and life at Stanford. Sasaki loves speaking English now, and he uses it more than Japanese. “He’s incredible,” said senior catcher Charlie Saum.

Everyone was amazed when Sasaki refused a translator for his classes, saying he wanted to learn English on his own. He knows he will face trying times but believes that growing and learning are part of life. Sasaki hopes that other young players in Japan will see that they can also come to America and succeed. He said that even when things are hard, he will keep moving forward.

This material was based on an article by The Associated Press.
Photo Credits: The Associated Press

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Trying Times

  • What problems or situations can make a person experience a trying or difficult time (ex. health problems, family issues)? Discuss.
  • How do you usually manage difficult or stressful situations? Discuss.
  • Sasaki knows he will face trying times but believes that growing and learning are part of life. What do you think of his way of thinking? Discuss.

Starting a New Life in a Different Country

  • Have you ever considered starting a new life in a different country? Why or why not? Discuss.
  • What do you think are the biggest challenges someone might face when starting a new life in a different country? Discuss.
  • Imagine you had to move to a different country. Which country would you choose? Discuss.