Yokohama Aoba International Lounge foreign language class hosted an event.

“The first recitation contest”
How about memorizing a speech by a famous person and presenting it to audience?

Date: March 13 (Sun), 2019 from 1:30pm to 3pm
Place: Aoba Community and Cross-Cultural Center Room 5
Host: Yokohama Aoba International Lounge

5 students from English class and Chinese class challenged at the first recitation contest to memorize a passage of a famous person’s speech and present in front of audience.
5 challengers chose passages of the 2013 Olympic invitation speeches by Ms Sato Maumi, Paralympian, and Ms. Christel Takigawa, a freelance announcer.

They all participated with gestures at their best and finished all sentences well, even though they should have been nervous. There was warm applause from the audience to their courage and challenge spirit.

After the tea time, two teachers of lounge English class gave their comments, which were very good advices for students studying English as the followings..
“Your challenge sprit was great. Very good speech.”
“English is one of communication skills. Please enhance your communication skill through many challenges.”

After the comments, 5 participants were awarded with certificates of commendation, prizes of participation and the most impressive speech award.
At the end, there was a surprise that there were “TOKYO” letters on the envelop a teacher took out of the pocket!!
Yes, this was as if the moment that 2020 Olympic game was decided to be held in Tokyo thanks to the wonderful Olympic invitation speeches by the five participants!!!　

The event of 31 people (including staffs) finished with flicker of excitement and big hand.

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Outing to Nogeyama zoo by Thursday Japanese class    2019.3.3

On the day of the “Hina Matsuri (Dolls’ festival)”, it was unfortunately cold rainy day, but 17 members including learners, their families and volunteers  joined the outing  to Nogeyama zoo which  is in the center of Yokohama city. Though admission was free, we could spend a joyful day watching many animals and touching Guinee pigs and mice at “Good friend” square. Followings are impressions of two classmates.

  (Romeo- san,Switzerland)

 On March 3, we went for an outing to Nogeyama zoo. It was raining all day long, but it was not so bad because there were less visitors. At Nogeyama zoo, we could

watch many animals for free.  For example, there was a sign board near the lion’s cage, which says “Please pay attention to Oshikko, (pee)” I learned a new Japanese word. There was an animal which I saw for the first time. It was a monkey, Colobus guereza. Its back hair is black and white. White part is shaped circle and the center of it was black. It was cool. At Good friend square, we could touch Guinee pigs and  mice. It was a wonderful experience. After watching animals, we had lunch together at the dining. The room was warm and we enjoyed conversation. I could make friends and studied Japanese. It was fun and I am looking forward to the next event!  

    (Yu-san, China)

Last weekend, I went to Nogeyama zoo with teachers and classmates of Japanese class. It was raining and cold day. However, I could practice Japanese while walking with classmates. Usually, I have few chances to speak Japanese except for the Japanese lesson in every morning since I came to Japan. I was very glad that Japanese class provided such a significant event. I could see many animals with teachers and watch real animals which are quite different from seeing the photo of them.  Here at Aoba International Lounge, teachers are kind and I can have friends from other countries. It is fun to talk with them. This outing became one of my good memories.     

 We visited Tsuzuki Open-Air Folk House Museum   2019.2.23

Saturday Japanese class

Date: February 23 (Sat) from 1pm to 3pm

38 members including classmates, their families, and volunteers participated in the tour on a fine day. We spent fun time watching Hina dolls and experiencing tea preparation. We asked Ms Ying who came to Japan about 6 months ago to interview our members.

Fuang Kou (China)

 I have been intersted in Japanee tea ceremony and a tea ceremony house and read books about a tea ceremony house. This time, through experiencing tea ceremony, I could understand that there are mamy ingenious attempts such as disigning of a tea house and an alley way in order to treat guests to enjoy tea pleasantly. This was a happy experience.

Chiai Tamura (China)

Last weekend, I attended Hina doll event with my family. We saw an old Japanese house which is more than 100 years old.  We experienced tea ceremony and enjoyed tasty Maccha.  We learned Japanese history, culture, and the sprits of tea ceremony. We had wonderful experience. Thak you very much. 

	This is the self introduction of the interviewer. Please click the photo.
	This is the interview with Kou and Kanrei
	This is the interview with Yumisan( from Korea, 4 month stayed)
	This is the inteview with Mikhail The interview is in English.

2019 New Year Party

Annual new year party was held.
Date: January 13 Sun) from 10:30am to noon
Place: Aoba Community and Cross-Cultural Center
Host: Yokohama Aoba International Lounge

The first annual event in 2019, New Year Party of Yokohama Aoba International Lounge was held on January 13 (Sun). Though it was the middle day of three consecutive holidays, about 70 residents including foreign residents gathered.
The party room was decorated with new year decorations such as flower arrangements and brush writings of the word “boar”, which created bright new year celebration atmosphere. In the mini event, we enjoyed Gamelan by traditional Indonesian percussion instrument ensemble “Bali suka campur”. We felt really comforted by bamboo sound and children were very much interested in the unique instruments having chance to touch them.
After the mini event, we chatted over Sushi, cakes, and drinks. Pleasant conversation continued endlessly. At the end, Japanese cakes were presented and many people left words of appreciation.
Thank you very much for attending the party.

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“Visit to Mitsubishi Minatomirai Industrial Museum”  Wednesday Japanese Class    2018.10.24

58 members including class mates, their children, and volunteers visited the museum on October 24 (Wed).                                                                   

Impression of Mr. Fletcher Joshua Hikaru

Various technologies of 21th Century were exhibited at Mitsubishi Minatomirai Industrial Museum.

We looked at the exhibitions and spent fun time trying the experiencing system.  The most impressive exhibition was

the information such as the history of a submersible research vehicle and the present status of development.

Other exhibitions were MRJ jet plane, a rocket engine, and a future transportation vehicle. There also was detail information about measures 

against global warming and about renewable energy. It was a fun day for me to study going out of the usual class room. What kind of technologies

will be developed in next 10, 20 years? Studying these recent technologies, I realized the importance of supporting technology development for the future.

　　　　　　　　　　　                                                                                                                              水曜クラス　　　　フレッチャー、ジョシュア光

 Japanese speech event 2018 You can watch the video of it.

[China]  Deng Dia   (staying in Japan for 3 years and 10 months)　

“Heaven for singles”

I think foreign people feel that Japan is the easy place for singles to live. 

In China, it is common to move in groups.  

 However, I learned that business for singles is thriving in Japan.  I will talk about it.  

 

[China]  Xu Jiaying    (staying in Japan for 4years and 6 months) 

“China where no purse is necessary”

Mobile payment is surging rapidly in China.  It is called WeChat pay.  

Making payment without a purse is a routine now.

Even in Japan the same trend is beginning to happen.

I will tell you about the life in China without a purse. 

 

[China]   Hu Yue    (staying in Japan for 11 months)

“I got used to the life in Japan.”

When I came to Japan, I couldn’t speak Japanese well and

climate and dietary habit of Japan is quite different from those of Shenyang, my home town.

As the result, I often got sick. Recently I can spend every day in a sense of satisfaction, studying Japanese and communicating with Japanese through my hobby of making bread.

[Vietnam]    Tran Thi Phuong Diem    (staying in Japan for 4 years and 10 months)

“Convenient Japanese”

Though I have been in Japan for more than 4 years, I started studying Japanese one year ago.

The reason why I started studying Japanese is because I happened to find a book about the history of Kanji character.

While I was studying, I found that the grammar of Japanese language is more convenient than that of English.

Today I want to talk about it.

 

[USA]     Fletcher Joshua Hikaru   (staying in Japan for 7 months)

“How to enjoy the life.”

It is important for us to accept the moment of our life.

When it is sad or happy, cry as you should. It is also important to have several hobbies. 

Speaking casually to the people you see every day is also important.  

Your one word might make someone’s life comfortable. 

 

[Taiwan]   Kan Yuyu     (staying in Japan for 2 years)

 “Significance of taking a photo”

I first took a photo when I went on the school excursion of the elementary school. 

I learned Japanese culture relating to Japanese climate and history through my favorite hobby of taking photos. 

Taking photos means a lot in my life, because photos are the record of my memory and the proof of my living.

 

 

[Indonesia]     Lya Hulliyyatus Suadaa   (staying in Japan for 1 year and 6 months)

“Travel of Seishun 18 unlimited train ticket”

My family traveled last winter using Seishun 18 ticket. 

Since we don’t have snow in Indonesia, we planned to go to Kanazawa.

When we arrived at Kanazawa station, we were welcomed by snow shower. 

I made a snowman at Shirakawago.  Since the ticket allow us to travel on only local trains, it took long time but was fun. 

 

[Indonesia]   Eddo Erri Rufi Inawan    (staying in Japan for 2) years

 “My life in Japan”

I am working for a painting company as a technical intern. 

I am working very hard to learn painting technique every day though the work is very tough. 

 I am Muslim; therefore I can eat only Halal cuisine. 

I buy foodstuffs carefully in Japan and cook them by myself. 

 

[India]  Joshi Manjushe, JoshiAnisha    (staying in Japan for 5 years)

“Is Japanese language similar to Marathi?”

I have been in Japan for 5 years.

While studying Japanese, I found there are some similarities between Japanese and Marathi

which is the language of the state I grew up. 

In this speech, I would like to tell you some similar sentence styles and proverbs of Marathi.  

 

[India]  Selva Kumaran    (staying in Japan for 1 year 5 months)

“About difference of culture”

I have been in Japan for a little more than one year.   

I am working for a German manufacture. 

 I want to talk my findings about differences and similarities of culture, human behavior and customs between Japan and India. 

 

[Vietnam]    Nguyen Thi Lanh   (staying in Japan for 2 year and 5 months )

“I progressed through nursery care work in Japan.” 

I came to Japan to study nursery care work which is not yet known in Vietnam. 

At the beginning, I couldn’t work in a proactive way and communicate with senior people well. 

Owing to the suggestions of senior colleagues and elderly people,

now I can plan the work by myself and communicate with people in the facility. 

 

[China]     Xu Haiyan   (staying in Japan for 1 year 3 months)

“Difference of child-raising in China from that in Japan”

I’ve been in Japan for one year.  I want tell you about the child-raising I experienced in two countries. 

In China, 70% of child-raising are supported by grandparents. 

In this speech I will tell you some examples.   

On the other hand, I think parents do most of child-raising in Japan. 

 

 

 

Coodinator :

 [China]  Zhao Yanan    (staying in Japan for 2years 7 months)

 

  

 

 

Commentator： 

Ms. Ayako Kishine, Kanlin Japanese School

 

 

 

 

 

Guest of honor:  　　

Mr.Yusuke Okada, Vice director of Aoba ward

  

　　　

 

  

 

Attraction show ： 

Fula dance by the members of “KAIMANAHILA” 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Presentation event of the supplemental class for children  October 14th , 2018

Children presented the accomplishments of daily hard works at the class, what they were interested in,

and pieces of their work which they wanted to be seen.  

It started with self-introduction of each child and the song “If you are happy and you know it” by early elementary children. 

Then followed quizzes about animals and insects, poetry reading, and speeches. 

 The children’s families attended the event together. 

 After the presentation, they all spent a joyful time playing paper-rock-scissors game and eating snacks. 

“Tasty summer” Enjoy making Wagashi, Japanese style cake, with parents and children.

Date: August 25 (Sat), 2018 from 1pm to 2:30pm
Place: Aoba Community and Cross-Cultural Center, Room 2 and 3.
Participants: 5 foreign families (Poland, Italy, China, and India)
13 Japanese families
Total 38 people and 13 staffs

We enjoyed making “Rakugan”, a hard, dainty sweet made of soybean and rice flour mixed with sugar, instructed by Ms. Atsuko Nanjo, the head of “Han nari Wagashi Lab”
One high school senior student voluntarily helped us as one of staffs.
We made four kinds of Rakugan dough, coffee-milk taste, Culpis taste, Maccha taste, and peach taste. Then we put them into wood molds of many shapes. .
Since making Rakugan needs lots of finger power, we first anticipated that this might be a little difficult for children. But they all, both adults and children, worked very hard and enjoyed making one’s own cakes.
We planned to have time to taste cakes at the tea service corner, but most of them took the cakes back home wrapping beautifully as a present.
This event seemed to be a last good memory in this summer.

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We went to Asakusa by Tokyo cruise boat.  Saturday Japanese Class       2018.6.29

Though it was raining, 42 people including classmates, their families, and volunteers participated.

We got on the boat at Hinode pier and got off at Asakusa. Then we walked to Sensoji temple through Kaminarimon gate and Nakamise street.　

Mr. Jun interviewed three students, Ms. Chang-in, Ms. Kotsuki, and Mr. Javier.   Please see the video of the interview. (Please click the picture, then you can see the video.)

Here is the impression of Mr Jun, the interviewer.

ーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーーー

I am Jun.  I came to Japan from Korea in October two years ago.  I have been studying Japanese from Ms. Chiba at Aoba International Lounge for almost one year and half.  This was the first experience for me join this kind of event.  It was really fun getting on a boat and praying at a temple.   It made me more impressive to have interviewed three classmates, Ms Chan-in, Ms.Kotsuki, and Mr. Javier.  I cannot use a humble form and courteous form appropriately yet. So I want study Japanese more so that I can speak Japanese fluently.

I appreciate for inviting me to such a wonderful event.

－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－－

 We went to Shinagawa Aquarium  Thursday Japanese Class       2018.3.4

Impression of Mr. Chen Zupei from Taiwan

I visited Shinagawa Aquarium with classmates. I saw many unusual creatures such as upside down jellyfishes, and big long fishes. It was fun. The most interesting one was a tunnel aquarium, where we could see fishes from the bottom, since we didn’t have a chance to see the bottom side of fishes.

Impression of Ms. Do Thihue from Vietnum

Visit to Shinagawa Aquarium I visited Japanese aquarium for the first time. There were various kinds of fishes. They were very beautiful. We also saw Dolphin show. It was really a fun to see various performances. I took many photographs.  We took a photo with teachers in front of the aquarium gate. It became a wonderful memory. I really enjoyed the first visit to the aquarium.

One day introductory class of world languages 

The second lecture, “Spanish”

Date: March 24 (Sat) from 2pm to 4pm

Place: Aoba Community and Cross-Cultural Center Room 5

Host: Yokohama Aoba International Lounge

Participants: 44

Lecturer: Ms. Carmen Yoshioka (from Spain)

This was “One day introductory class of world languages” to introduce world languages that are the entrance to international exchange and understanding of different cultures.

We chose “Spanish” for 2^nd lecture.

We invited Ms. Carmen Yoshioka from Spain as a lecturer.  She gave us a fabulous lesson of Spanish starting from the origin of Spanish, alphabet, greetings, and conversation mixing quizzes. Many attendants left comments that they could learn a lot and they enjoyed fun time. We are planning to host lectures to introduce many foreign languages and touch the cultures and histories of the countries where people speak the languages.

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 I carved Buddhist statues.  2018.4

This the picture of a Buddhist statue carved by Mr. Zhang Hangtian who told us his wish to be a Miyadaiku, a carpenter specializing in temple and shrine construction, in 2017 Japanese speech convention.

A letter from Mr. Zhang Hangtian

I have been studying carving of Buddhist statues since last April. At the beginning, I just wanted to touch Japanese traditional culture and chose this course.  Soon after I started studying, I was fascinated with it.  In last one year, I made eight sculptures such as a head of Buddha and Nyorai rituzou (Tathagata statue).  In carving a three dimensional stature, it is very hard to correct a mistake. This is the big difference form painting which I have been learning since I was a child.  Unless an auxiliary line which was erased by carving is rewritten, the body balance, curve line and thickness end us differently.  So it is a time consuming work to repeat carving along an auxiliary line and write it again.  As for a carving knife, I need to train hard, if not, it is not only difficult to carve, but also dangerous.  But when I could overcome difficulties and became more skillful after repeated hard works, I was fully satisfied with the good works I could accomplish.  I am very proud of myself to be a youngster who inherits traditional culture.   I will continue my effort to study carving Buddhist statues.  I also want to have chance to contact with people who have interest in traditional culture.  Best regards!

*********

Please click his picture, then you can watch Video clip of his speech in 2017Japanese speech convention.

 

Mr. Zhang is studying traditional architecture at Sado college of traditional culture, environment and welfare for three years from April, 2018.  

 

 

 

 

 

 Visit to Tsuzuki Minka-en.    Saturday Japanese class,  February 24, 2018

Tsuzuki Minka-en was a very big old house. It’s very thick straw roof was impressive. Inside the house we could see many tools in Edo era and Hina dolls and hanging dolls from the Meiji era to the Heisei era. 

We could feel deep love of parents who made those dolls putting their love in each stitch. I was really impressed.

In addition, I could experience formal Japanese tea ceremony.  I was calmed down in the simple but elegant atmosphere though sitting with my legs folded under me was hard for me.  

I found the beauty of Japanese traditional culture through Hina doll festival and tea ceremony.

This was a wonderful experience for us from foreign countries. 

 

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Social event of Chinese class

The Chinese class, which is held every Friday from7pm to 8：30pm, had social event on December 15.

4 students from China were invited and class members introduced themselves in Chinese which they have been studying and enjoyed the event in a friendly mood.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Japanese speech event 2017     You can watch the video of it.

2017 Japanese speech event by Japanese learners of Japanese class was held at Yamauchi Community Center in Azamino on November 26.

 

12 students from 6 countries participated in front of 110 audiences. 

We also enjoyed magic tricks by Mr. Ken Ho as an attraction show.

 

 

Co-host： Aoba Ward Office, Yokohama City

　　　  ：Yokohama City, Yamauchi Community Center

 

Please click the picture of a performer, then you can watch Video clip of the speech.

 

[Russia]    Tsutsui (筒井) Nataria　(staying in Japan for 10 years）

”I am happy now.”

I return to Russia once a year.   I returned to Russian in August this year for one month.

During my absence, my 8 years old daughter spent 3 weeks with her cousins separated from me. 

I was very happy to see my daughter who is a Japanese elementary school girl being able to spend alone in Russian language environment. 

 

 

[Colombia]    Johana Martinez　　(staying in Japan for 1 year 6 months）

”Difference of foods between Colombia and Japan”

There are four seasons in Japan, hence there are various kinds of dishes of the season.

For example, “Oden” is for cold winter.  But in tropical climate Colombia, we don’t have four seasons. 

Therefore, there is no difference of dishes depending on the season.

I make Japanese dishes such as Miso soup and Nikujaga from time to time.  I like them very much.  

 

[India]　Aparna　Jaiswal　　(staying in Japan for 1 year）

”What I experienced and felt in Japan”

When I arrived at Japan for the first time, I took a taxi from Machida station to my house. 

On the way I had an accident. The taxi driver had a fit and the taxi hit the gate of a house and stopped.

It was very scary. But the people near the house helped us. 

I felt that Japanese people were very kind.

 

[India]　Jaya Jadhao　　(staying in Japan for 2 years 2 months）

”About the difference between India and Japan”

There are four seasons in Japan. 

But we have winter, summer, and rainy season.  In summer the temperature goes up to 45C.  Indian foods are also different from that of Japan.

Curry in India is quite spicy and there are many kinds. 

The Great Buddha in Kamakura is majestic but Pagoda temple in India is also famous.  Please visit once.

 

 

[China]　Zhao Yanan 　(staying in Japan for 1 year 7 months）

“Experiences in Japan”　

I went to Edo-Tokyo museum in June. This is a good place to study the history of Edo era. 

There are big models of Tokyo in Edo era, Edo castle, and town houses of Edo. 

There were also an exhibition of structure of Edo Shogunate and a diorama of the town along Sumida River.

They were very impressive.  

 

[China]　Zhang Hangtian 　　(staying in Japan for 1 year）

“My wish to be a Miyadaiku to preserve traditional culture”

Though I was aiming at entering a graduate school, I was still unsure about my life plan. After a long careful reflection,

I changed my direction for aiming at a Miyadaiku (a carpenter specializing in temple/shrine construction).

The reason of change is that I want to be a bridge between Japan and China using the knowledge to repair old traditional architectures, since there are many old, (and sometimes) collapsed architectures which need to be repaired not only in Japan but also in China.  

 

[India]　Madhulika Mahapatra　　(staying in Japan for 2 years 7 months）

”Experiences in Japan”

Japan is a special country. 

In most countries, parents take their children to school,

but in Japan an elementary school child goes to school alone by train.  In Japan children are taught to clean a classroom and toilets.

They are also taught to manage their own affairs. 

 

[Vietnam]　Vong Thi Hien　　　(staying in Japan for 1 year 6 months）

”About beauty care”

In Vietnam, women wear face mask in summer to avoid suntan and also wear a long dress with hood. 

I was surprised to see Japanese women wearing half sleeve shirts.

I started using sunscreen cream.

I don’t want to get a suntan.  

 

[China]　Yu Ronghua 　（staying in Japan for 1 year）

”Start with confidence in myself”

A life is like a one-time-only travel. The most important thing is to have confidence in oneself.

I was very nervous to come to Japan. 

I trusted myself, resigned my job, and came with my 5 year old daughter to Japan where my husband lived. I am very happy every day now. 

When I get up in the morning, I always believe that this is another wonderful day. 

 

[China]　Wang Huaying 　(staying in Japan for 1 year 2 months）

”Difference of dietary culture between Japan and China”

In Japanese cooking, it is important to keep the taste of original foodstuff.

So people eat them raw or with a little seasoning.

In Chinese cooking there are more seasonings than in Japanese cooking. 

In northern area, people prefer oily, hot dishes, whereas in southern area people prefer spicy foods.  

 

[USA]　Kanazawa (金澤)　Cathy　　(staying in Japan for 5 years 6months）

”My impression of living in Japan”

This is the second visit to Japan. I get a cultural shock every time. 

The most surprised matter this time is that Japanese people work too much. 

There is no word for “karoshi” in English. 

I want that Japanese people value private time more and “karoshi” to be gone.  

 

[Vietnam]　Dinh Thi Hai Yen 　(staying in Japan for 1 year 6 months）

”About pets”

Japanese dogs are very cute. They are small and hair color is beautiful. 

I want to live with a dog, but I looked at a pet shop and found that a dog is very expensive here. 

Sometime I see a dog in a cloth on the street.

I want to rush to it and hug it.   

 

Chaired by:

 

[Thailand]　Fujita (藤田) Duangkamon　(staying in Japan for 2 years） (left)

 

[China]         Yong Jiawei     (staying in Japan for4 years） (right)

 

 

 

Guest of honor:  Mr. Toshimi Ohno, vice director of Aoba ward)　 (center)　　　

                             Mr. Kazuto Nakagawa, director of Yamauchi Community Center (left)

Commentator：  Ms. Ayako Kishine, Kanlin Japanese School (right)

  

 

Attraction show ：

Magic show by Mr. Ken Ho