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Description
Stig of the Dump by Clive King (1924–2018) is a wonderful children’s book that my mother read to me more than 50 years ago. It was first published in June 1963—one month before I was born! I still treasure my own, battered copy (傷んだ本, 초라한책) of the book—but you can buy your copy new from booksellers because it is a children’s classic and is still read in some British schools. It is also available in Japanese and Korean translation. In Japanese, the title is ‘ぼくと原始人ステッグ’, and in Korean, ‘내친구원시인’. You might find it useful to have the text in English and in your own language—but it is not required for this lesson.
Although the book is intended for children aged 7 to 10, it will also appeal to anyone who is ‘young at heart’. Would you like to read parts of the book with me? I can help you with understanding, pronunciation, and natural intonation.
The main characters are Barney (a young boy) and Stig, (a caveman, 原始人, 동굴인). Barney and his sister visit their grandmother in the countryside of Kent, England. There is a quarry (採石場, 채석장) near her house. Local people throw their trash into the quarry. Grandmother warns Barney not to go too close to the edge of the quarry, because the ground might break, and he might fall into the quarry.
Barney is bored and does not obey his grandmother. He goes exploring near the quarry, and falls in. He falls through the roof of a shack (小屋, 오두막) that Stig has made from the things that people have thrown away.
Barney and Stig meet. They become friends and have adventures together. Because Stig is a caveman, he speaks no English, so he and Barney communicate with gestures (しぐさ, 몸짓). Other people do not believe Barney when he tells them he has a friend who is a caveman.
I recommend this book for anyone with an intermediate knowledge of English. (I speak no Japanese.) The book's language is not difficult. If you would like to read sections of the book with me, please request this lesson. The whole book will of course need several lessons to complete—but you can ask for future lessons when you have time.
The book can be bought from booksellers, but the text is also published online. (Google: “Stig of the Dump pdf”). Anyone aged 10 or older may take this lesson if their English is above beginner level.
This tutor's cancellation policy
Before request is confirmed (fixed)
- Cancellation possible at any time without charge.
After request is confirmed (fixed)
- Less than 6hours before lesson start time.→ 100% of price charged.
- Between 6-24hours before lesson start time.→ 50% of price charged.
- No-Show→ 100% of price charged.
Lessons by this tutor
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Free introductory meeting
This lesson is for anyone who would like to meet me and talk about how I can help you improve your English.15min 0P -
Nice to meet you! Tell me about yourself.
A chance to talk about the things that are important to you.15min 700P -
Brief informal conversation
Let's talk about anything that interests you. All levels welcome.15min 700P -
Longer informal conversation
Let's talk about anything that interests you. All levels welcome.30min 1,400P -
Smile: Turn that frown upside down!
In this conversation lesson, we talk about the importance of smiling.30min 1,400P -
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (世界人権宣言; 세계인권선언)
In this lesson we look at the language we use to talk about human rights.30min 1,400P -
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Growing up in South Africa: 1960s to 1980s
We can chat about how it was to grow up in a country of great beauty, great wealth, and even greater injustices.15min 700P -
The Wisdom of Benjamin Franklin
Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) was more than a scientist and politician. He was also a man of wisdom.30min 1,500P -
'The Lamb' and 'The Tyger': two poems by William Blake
In this lesson, we look at two famous English poems by William Blake, who lived from 1757 to 1827.35min 1,500P -
'Mending Wall': a poem by Robert Frost
(1) What is the purpose of walls? Do we need them? (2) Should we follow tradition or should we question it?30min 1,500P
