017_Mother’s_Day

017_Mother’s_Day

Mother’s Day is almost here and Nichibei student Ikumi is wondering about how to write a Mother’s Day message.

Kevin:

Hello and welcome to a new edition of Nichibei Kaiwa Gakuin Podcasting. My name is Kevin Jones. This episode we are talking about Mother’s Day with Nichibei Student Ikumi

Ikumi:

Hello Kevin.

Kevin:

And Nichibei instructor Tony Demko.

Tony Demko:

Hello Kevin.

Kevin:

Ikumi, you said you had some questions about Mother’s day.

Ikumi:

Yes I do. When I was in high school I spent two years in an American high school. My host family was really great and I got really close to my host mom, Geena. And, I’d like to send her a message for Mother’s Day. So I’d like to hear your suggestions for how to write a Mother’s Day message in English.

Kevin:

Tony Demko, what are your thoughts?

Tony Demko:

Well I feel that any message is OK as long as it is heartfelt.

Ikumi:

Heartfelt? What does that mean exactly?

Tony Demko:

Heartfelt is an adjective that means sincere and honest in what you say. Things you feel in your heart.

Ikumi:

Alright, make my message heartfelt

Tony Demko:

You should also say that you think of her often and thank her for some positive quality you like about her.

Ikumi:

Ok, well, she always thinks about other people first.

Tony Demko:

So, she is selfless.

Ikumi:

Selfish?

Tony Demko:

No no. Selfless. S-E-L-F-L-E-S-S. It means that she is more concerned with the needs and wishes of others than with her own.

Ikumi:

How can I use selfless?

Tony Demko:

A common phrase is “selfless devotion”.

Ikumi:

Devotion means love, right?

Tony Demko:

Yes, love and loyalty.

Ikumi:

OK. So how about this. Dear Geena, I hope you have a lovely Mother’s Day. I think of you often and will always be thankful for the selfless devotion you have shown me. You will always be in my heart.

Kevin:

Wow, that sounds great. Really heartfelt.

Tony Demko:

Yeah, that’s perfect!

Ikumi:

Well, I appreciate your help. Thanks a lot.

Tony Demko:

My pleasure.

Kevin:

Now let’s review the target vocabulary for this episode. Heartfelt, Selfless, Devotion.

END